Jeremiah 2 28

Jeremiah 2:28 kjv

But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

Jeremiah 2:28 nkjv

But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, If they can save you in the time of your trouble; For according to the number of your cities Are your gods, O Judah.

Jeremiah 2:28 niv

Where then are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them come if they can save you when you are in trouble! For you, Judah, have as many gods as you have towns.

Jeremiah 2:28 esv

But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you, in your time of trouble; for as many as your cities are your gods, O Judah.

Jeremiah 2:28 nlt

But why not call on these gods you have made?
When trouble comes, let them save you if they can!
For you have as many gods
as there are towns in Judah.

Jeremiah 2 verses

Jeremiah 2 28 Meaning

Jeremiah 2:28 is a prophetic indictment and challenge against Judah's pervasive idolatry. It sarcastically questions the utility and very existence of the false gods Judah has worshipped, asserting their inability to deliver or protect in times of national crisis. The verse underscores the vast number of these idols, correlating them to the widespread abandonment of the true God across all cities of Judah.

Jeremiah 2 28 Context

Jeremiah 2:28 is part of the prophet Jeremiah's earliest messages to the kingdom of Judah. Chapter 2 opens with the Lord reminiscing about Israel's initial devotion to Him in the wilderness, portraying it as a faithful "bride." This tender recollection then dramatically shifts to a sharp accusation of Judah's blatant apostasy, contrasting their former loyalty with their current pervasive idolatry. Jeremiah accuses Judah of having forsaken God, the "fountain of living waters," for broken cisterns that can hold no water (Jer 2:13). He challenges them for exchanging their glory for worthless idols (Jer 2:11) and adopting foreign worship practices. Verse 28, specifically, highlights the sheer abundance of idols, directly challenging their efficacy. Historically, this period followed Josiah's reforms, which cleansed the land of overt idolatry (2 Kgs 23). However, Jeremiah reveals that these reforms did not fundamentally change the hearts of the people; idolatry continued insidiously or openly reappeared after Josiah's death. This verse is a direct polemic, ridiculing the supposed power of the pagan deities (Baal, Asherah, Moloch, host of heaven, local gods) Judah worshipped, demonstrating their utter impotence compared to the sovereignty and power of the one true God, who alone could deliver them from the coming judgment.

Jeremiah 2 28 Word analysis

• But (כִּי kî): Often a conjunction for "for" or "surely," here it introduces a strong counter-argument or rhetorical question following the general accusations, emphasizing the logical consequence or the futile end of their actions.
• where (אַיֵּה 'ayyeh): A rhetorical interrogative, expressing exasperation and challenging the presence and effectiveness of what is being questioned. It implies absence and futility.
• your gods (אֱלֹהֶיךָ 'elōheykha): Refers to the various pagan deities worshipped by Judah. The plural form elohim for "gods" is common; here, it emphasizes the multiplicity and diverse nature of their false objects of worship. It implies deities foreign to the covenant God of Israel.
• that you made (עָשִׂיתֶם 'asitem): Highlights the human origin of these deities, contrasting sharply with the true God who creates, rather than being created. This underscores their manufactured nature and inherent powerlessness.
• for yourselves (לָכֶם lakhem): Emphasizes Judah's personal initiative and responsibility in creating and adopting these idols, often for self-serving purposes (fertility, prosperity, security) rather than divine command.
• Let them arise (יָקוּמוּ yaqūmu): A sarcastic challenge, daring the idols to act or demonstrate any power. It's a jibe at their inanimate nature, incapable of independent action.
• if they can save you (אִם יְשִׁיעֻכָה 'im yeshî'ukha): The Hebrew yasha', meaning "to save, deliver, help, set free." This is the core challenge. The true God is the Savior (Isa 43:11), but these false gods are mocked as utterly incapable of providing salvation, especially in times of real peril.
• in your time of trouble (בְּעֵת צָרָתֶךָ bə'ēt tsārāthekhā): 'et (time), tsarah (distress, trouble, affliction, anguish). This refers to periods of national crisis, invasion, famine, or divine judgment, which Judah was already beginning to experience or would soon face due to their disobedience. It is a moment when true help is desperately needed.
• for (כִּי kî): Explains why the challenge is given – due to the sheer proliferation of idols.
• you have (הָיוּ hāyū): Literally, "there have been to you" or "they exist for you."
• as many gods (מִסְפַּר אֱלֹהֶיךָ mispar 'elōheykha): Implies a countless or exceedingly numerous quantity.
• as you have towns (כְּעָרֶיךָ kə'ārekhā): This vivid simile illustrates the pervasive and extensive nature of idolatry. Every town, perhaps even every family or household, had its own shrine, altar, or adopted deity, demonstrating a complete abandonment of exclusive worship to Yahweh. It highlights the extent of Judah's defilement and apostasy.

Jeremiah 2 28 Bonus section

The rhetorical force of Jeremiah 2:28 anticipates later prophetic taunts against idols in Isaiah (e.g., Isa 44) and aligns with the sarcastic challenge by Elijah against the prophets of Baal (1 Kgs 18). This recurring motif in Israelite prophecy underscores a consistent message: reliance on anything other than the one true God is vain and leads to inevitable disillusionment in times of crisis. The phrase "time of trouble" points to the looming threat of invasion (Babylonians/Chaldeans), which was God's judgment for their spiritual infidelity. In such existential moments, the inadequacy of self-made spiritual solutions becomes painfully evident. This verse can also be applied today, challenging anyone who places ultimate trust in wealth, power, human systems, or any created thing, urging them to examine what their true 'god' is when faced with insurmountable life challenges.

Jeremiah 2 28 Commentary

Jeremiah 2:28 functions as a stark prophetic taunt and rhetorical question, challenging the very notion of spiritual security derived from false worship. It strips away any illusion of power or protective capability from the idols Judah had zealously embraced. The essence of the verse lies in exposing the fundamental futility of man-made religion: that which humans create can never transcend human limitation or truly rescue from divine judgment. By asking "where are your gods?" when distress strikes, Jeremiah spotlights their impotence and absence when truly needed, in direct contrast to the omnipresent and omnipotent God of Israel. The phrase "as many gods as you have towns" powerfully conveys the extent of Judah's deep-seated spiritual rebellion, indicating not merely sporadic acts of idolatry but a national proliferation of false worship, deeply ingrained in every locality. This widespread apostasy ensured that no one could claim ignorance or exception, making the coming judgment inescapable and well-deserved. The verse serves as a crucial theological point: true salvation comes only from the Creator, not from the created.