Jeremiah 2 29

Jeremiah 2:29 kjv

Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 2:29 nkjv

"Why will you plead with Me? You all have transgressed against Me," says the LORD.

Jeremiah 2:29 niv

"Why do you bring charges against me? You have all rebelled against me," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 2:29 esv

"Why do you contend with me? You have all transgressed against me, declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 2:29 nlt

Why do you accuse me of doing wrong?
You are the ones who have rebelled,"
says the LORD.

Jeremiah 2 verses

Jeremiah 2 29 Meaning

Jeremiah 2:29 poses a rhetorical question from God to Judah, challenging their futile attempt to dispute His righteousness when their own guilt is evident. It highlights the irrationality of the people’s actions as they seek to justify themselves or accuse God, while God explicitly states that they have rebelled against Him. This verse acts as a conclusive verdict, emphasizing that their contention is groundless because their profound disloyalty and deliberate transgressions are undeniably clear.

Jeremiah 2 29 Context

Jeremiah 2 marks the beginning of God's indictment against Judah, setting the tone for the prophet's ministry. The chapter commences with God reminiscing about Israel's initial devotion—a "honeymoon" period in the wilderness (Jer 2:2-3). However, this fond remembrance quickly transitions to a profound accusation of Judah's unfaithfulness. They are depicted as having abandoned the living God, the spring of living water, for "broken cisterns that can hold no water" (Jer 2:13), symbolizing their reliance on idols and foreign alliances rather than God. This apostasy is painted as unnatural and illogical; even pagan nations cling to their false gods, but Judah has forsaken their true God (Jer 2:10-11). The chapter employs vivid imagery, such as a wild donkey running rampant in its lust (Jer 2:24) and a shameful thief (Jer 2:26), to describe Judah's incorrigible idolatry and spiritual adultery. Verse 29 is strategically placed after God has presented ample evidence of Judah's guilt, including their widespread idolatry in towns and altars (Jer 2:27-28). It functions as God's exasperated response to their implied, or perhaps even verbalized, attempts to dispute His judgment or deny their sin. It underpins the central theme: Judah's profound and inexcusable betrayal of the covenant, making any attempt to contend with God's righteous accusation utterly absurd.

Jeremiah 2 29 Word analysis

• Why will you contend (רִיב - riv) with me?

  • Word Analysis: The Hebrew word riv signifies a dispute, a quarrel, or a lawsuit. It denotes a legal contest or a serious disagreement where one party takes issue with another. In a spiritual context, it describes the people's act of disputing God's charges against them, questioning His justice, or trying to defend their actions. It's a rhetorical question, not seeking information but exposing the absurdity of their posture.
  • Significance: This indicates a situation where God is portrayed as the prosecutor bringing a charge, and Judah, the defendant, attempts to argue against it. The irony is profound: the one accused (Judah) is trying to accuse the accuser (God), despite overwhelming evidence of their guilt. This reflects their spiritual blindness and deep-seated rebellion. It's God challenging their right to challenge Him, implying He has no just cause to be contentious with them.

• You all have transgressed (פָּשַׁע - pasha) against me,

  • Word Analysis: The Hebrew term pasha is strong, conveying the sense of "to revolt," "to rebel," "to break away," or "to sin deliberately." It goes beyond an accidental wrong; it implies an active, intentional act of rebellion or breaking of loyalty against an authority, particularly a covenant partner. The "all" (כֻּלְּכֶם - kullekem) emphasizes the collective and widespread nature of their transgression.
  • Significance: This declares Judah's active and defiant break from their covenant relationship with God. Their "transgression" is not mere weakness or ignorance, but a conscious revolt against the divine King. The emphasis on "against me" personalizes the offense, highlighting that their actions are a direct affront to the character and sovereignty of God, their covenant Lord. It is the core reason why their contention is invalid – they are undeniably guilty.

• declares the LORD (נְאֻם יְהוָה - ne'um Yahweh).

  • Word Analysis: Ne'um Yahweh is a formulaic prophetic expression, a declaration or oracle of Yahweh (God's personal covenant name). Ne'um signifies a divine utterance, an infallible and authoritative statement. Yahweh identifies the speaking subject as the covenant God of Israel, emphasizing His unique relationship with His people and His authority.
  • Significance: This phrase underscores the absolute truth, finality, and divine authority of the preceding statement. It is not Jeremiah's opinion or complaint, but the unchangeable, revealed word of God Himself. It closes the matter with divine certainty, leaving no room for further debate regarding their guilt. It signifies that the court case, if you will, is over, and the verdict is pronounced by the ultimate Judge.

Jeremiah 2 29 Bonus section

The structure of Jeremiah 2 as a "covenant lawsuit" (rib pattern), prevalent in prophetic literature, gives this verse an even sharper legal edge. God functions as the plaintiff, bringing charges against Israel (the defendant), and the nation's past faithfulness and present apostasy are presented as evidence. Verse 29 is akin to the prosecutor delivering a definitive statement that utterly disarms any defense: "You try to dispute, but your guilt is already clear and admitted by the evidence." This divine questioning and immediate conviction speak to God's inherent righteousness. He does not accuse arbitrarily but always with just cause. The failure to contend implies an inherent injustice in the contentious party (Judah), making their dispute utterly frivolous. Their actions were not just morally wrong but a breach of their solemn covenant vows made to Yahweh Himself.

Jeremiah 2 29 Commentary

Jeremiah 2:29 encapsulates God’s profound exasperation and righteous judgment against Judah. The verse cuts through any pretense or self-justification by the people, serving as a rhetorical culmination of God's prior charges in the chapter. When God asks, "Why will you contend with me?", He is highlighting the sheer absurdity of their spiritual condition. They stand before their Creator, the faithful covenant partner, as utterly guilty, yet seem prepared to dispute His rightful condemnation or challenge His dealings with them. This "contending" points to Judah's deep moral perversion, where they view themselves as righteous while being steeped in idolatry and rebellion.

God's immediate and unequivocal answer to His own question is a clear declaration of their universal guilt: "You all have transgressed against me." The word "transgressed" is critical; it implies deliberate and active rebellion, a betrayal of the covenant relationship. It is not an accident or a misunderstanding, but an intentional turning away from their God, exemplified by their widespread adoption of foreign gods and practices. This comprehensive guilt makes any form of dispute on their part baseless.

The concluding "declares the LORD" powerfully affirms that this is a divine, authoritative verdict, unchangeable and unchallengeable. It leaves no room for debate. The point is not merely that they sinned, but that their sins are a direct affront "against me" (God), making their attempts to dispute or contend fundamentally illogical and utterly presumptuous. The verse strips Judah of all excuses, exposing their profound and culpable alienation from their holy God.