Jeremiah 2 3

Jeremiah 2:3 kjv

Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 2:3 nkjv

Israel was holiness to the LORD, The firstfruits of His increase. All that devour him will offend; Disaster will come upon them," says the LORD.' "

Jeremiah 2:3 niv

Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook them,'?" declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 2:3 esv

Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest. All who ate of it incurred guilt; disaster came upon them, declares the LORD."

Jeremiah 2:3 nlt

In those days Israel was holy to the LORD,
the first of his children.
All who harmed his people were declared guilty,
and disaster fell on them.
I, the LORD, have spoken!"

Jeremiah 2 verses

Jeremiah 2 3 Meaning

Jeremiah 2:3 declares that Israel, at the beginning of their relationship with the LORD, was set apart as holy, a precious and divinely claimed possession, akin to the first and choicest part of a harvest. Consequently, any nation or entity that harmed or "devoured" Israel incurred divine guilt and would inevitably face disaster from the LORD Himself, underscoring His covenantal protection over His chosen people.

Jeremiah 2 3 Context

Jeremiah chapter 2 initiates a powerful legal indictment or "riv" (lawsuit) by God against the people of Judah. Verse 3 is part of God's opening argument, recalling Israel's past faithfulness and His initial, protective love for them when they followed Him through the wilderness (verse 2). It sets a foundational historical context: the honeymoon phase of God's covenant with Israel immediately after the Exodus, before their widespread apostasy. This verse contrasts God's consistent protection and Israel's initially dedicated status with their subsequent unfaithfulness, which Jeremiah will elaborate on in the rest of the chapter. Historically, it serves as a reminder to a decadent Judah (late 7th century BCE) of who they were meant to be in God's eyes, preparing the way for God's lament over their departure from this identity, even as formidable powers like Assyria and Babylon threatened them.

Jeremiah 2 3 Word analysis

• Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisra'el): Refers to the collective nation descended from Jacob. Here, it harks back to the formative period, immediately following the Exodus, symbolizing the ideal, unblemished relationship with God.
• was holy (קֹ֣דֶשׁ, qodesh): Meaning "sacred," "set apart," "consecrated." This is not primarily about moral purity in this context but about belonging exclusively to God and being reserved for His purposes. It denotes ownership and unique dedication to the LORD. This concept is foundational to Israel's identity and calling.
• to the LORD (לַיהוָ֔ה, laYHWH): Emphasizes divine ownership. Israel's "holiness" was unto God, for His possession and use, underscoring the covenantal bond and special relationship with Yahweh.
• the firstfruits (רֵאשִׁ֖ית, reshit): Signifies the first and best portion of a harvest, offered exclusively to God (Exod 23:19). It conveys ideas of specialness, preeminence, dedication, and the choicest part. Israel was God's prime, initial yield among the nations.
• of his harvest (תְּבוּאָתֹ֑ו, t’vu'ato): Reinforces the agricultural imagery of reshit. Israel is presented as the very first and best produce belonging entirely to the LORD, highlighting God's investment in and expectation from them.
• all who devoured him (כָּל־אֹכְלָיו֙, kol-och’lav): "Devoured" (אכל, akal) is metaphorical, implying to consume, harm, or exploit. This refers to nations or entities that sought to oppress, exploit, or conquer Israel, particularly those pagan nations surrounding and threatening them. It highlights the aggressive, hostile actions against God's cherished people.
• incurred guilt (יֶאְשָׁ֔מוּ, ye’eshamu): Literally, "they will be guilty," or "they will become liable." This carries legal and cultic connotations of incurring sin and thus being liable for divine punishment or requiring atonement. It signifies a divine judgment for trespassing against God's property.
• disaster (רָעָה֙, ra'ah): Meaning "evil," "calamity," or "adversity." It refers to the negative consequences or judgment that God would bring upon those who harmed Israel.
• befell them (תָּבֹ֣וא אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם, tavo aleihem): "Shall come upon them." Emphasizes the certainty and inevitability of divine retribution. God Himself is the active agent in bringing judgment.
• declares the LORD (נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה׃, ne'um-YHWH): A prophetic formula signifying a direct divine utterance. It stamps the preceding statement with absolute authority and certainty, ensuring it is not Jeremiah's personal opinion but God's solemn declaration.

Jeremiah 2 3 Bonus section

The statement in Jeremiah 2:3, "Israel was holy," points to a past, ideal state, creating a stark contrast with Judah's current spiritual decline. This retrospective quality emphasizes God's faithfulness and their unfaithfulness, building the argument for God's coming judgment on Judah, despite His past protection. While God protected them from outside threats then, their current internal rebellion was causing a greater threat from within. This verse reveals God's intrinsic protective character, demonstrating that His relationship with Israel was never one-sided; it involved His active defense of His cherished covenant people. This protective principle endures for God's people throughout salvation history.

Jeremiah 2 3 Commentary

Jeremiah 2:3 captures God's protective nature and His original design for Israel. It reflects a time when Israel lived up to their covenantal designation as qodesh, holy and set apart exclusively for Yahweh, just as the reshit or firstfruits of a harvest are dedicated to Him. This initial period was characterized by a deep connection, a honeymoon phase, where God fiercely guarded His newly acquired possession. The verse highlights an immutable divine principle: to harm God's chosen people is to trespass against God Himself. This legal-spiritual violation would unfailingly result in divine ra'ah, calamity, demonstrating God's justice and His commitment to His covenant. It's a foundational statement setting the standard from which Israel, in Jeremiah's time, had dangerously deviated.

Practical examples:

• Understanding God's fierce protectiveness over those who genuinely belong to Him, whether ancient Israel or His New Covenant people (the Church).
• Recognizing the seriousness of opposing or persecuting those whom God has called and set apart for Himself.