Jeremiah 18:15

KJV

Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways [from] the ancient paths, to walk in paths, [in] a way not cast up;

KJV (with Strong's)

Because my people {H5971} hath forgotten {H7911} me, they have burned incense {H6999} to vanity {H7723}, and they have caused them to stumble {H3782} in their ways {H1870} from the ancient {H5769} paths {H7635}{H7635}, to walk {H3212} in paths {H5410}, in a way {H1870} not cast up {H5549};

Complete Jewish Bible

No, but my people have forgotten me and offer incense to nothings. This causes them to stumble as they walk the ancient paths; they leave the highway to walk on side-trails.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet My people have forgotten Me. They burn incense to worthless idols that make them stumble in their ways, leaving the ancient roads to walk on rutted bypaths instead of on the highway.

American Standard Version

For my people have forgotten me, they have burned incense to false gods; and they have been made to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in bypaths, in a way not cast up;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 18:15 serves as a profound indictment against the people of Judah, exposing their profound spiritual amnesia and deliberate abandonment of their covenant relationship with Yahweh. This forgetfulness manifested in their widespread idolatry, offering worship to worthless entities, and a radical deviation from the divinely established, righteous "ancient paths." Consequently, they chose a perilous, uncultivated way of life, leading them into spiritual and moral instability, and ultimately, toward divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 18:15 is situated immediately after the powerful "Potter and Clay" analogy (Jeremiah 18:1-12). In this preceding passage, God illustrates His sovereign right to shape nations and His willingness to alter His plans based on a nation's repentance or persistent disobedience. He declares that if a nation turns from evil, He will relent from judgment; conversely, if a nation persists in wickedness, He will withdraw His blessing. Verse 15 directly follows God's lament over Judah's stubborn refusal to heed His warnings and repent (Jeremiah 18:13-14). It articulates the specific nature of their rebellion—their spiritual forgetfulness and embrace of idolatry—which directly contradicts the principles of the potter's prerogative and sets the stage for the inevitable consequences of their unresponsiveness, as further detailed in Jeremiah's subsequent prophecies of judgment and exile.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah (late 7th to early 6th century BCE). Despite Josiah's reforms, idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal, Asherah, and other Canaanite deities, remained deeply entrenched among the people, often blended with Yahweh worship. The practice of "burning incense to vanity" (Jeremiah 18:15) refers to these widespread cultic activities, which involved offerings and rituals to false gods on high places and in the valleys (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:31](/jeremiah/7-31 "Jeremiah 7:31 - Topheth and Child Sacrifice")). Culturally, the "ancient paths" (Jeremiah 18:15) would have referred to the foundational covenant laws and traditions established by God through Moses, which guided Israel's moral, social, and religious life (e.g., [Deuteronomy 6:4-9](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - The Shema")). Their abandonment of these paths signified a profound rejection of their national identity and divine heritage, leading to societal decay and spiritual corruption amidst the geopolitical pressures from rising Babylonian power.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah. Foremost is the theme of **apostasy and covenant infidelity**, highlighting Israel's deliberate turning away from Yahweh, their covenant Lord, despite His persistent grace and warnings. This "forgetting" is not mere amnesia but a conscious rejection of God's commands and presence, leading to **idolatry and vain worship**, where their devotion is directed toward powerless, empty deities. The verse also underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty and justice**, as God, the divine Potter, responds to their unfaithfulness with impending judgment. Finally, it emphasizes the **consequences of disobedience**, vividly contrasting the safe, established "ancient paths" of God's wisdom (as called for in [Jeremiah 6:16](/jeremiah/6-16 "Jeremiah 6:16 - Standing in the Ancient Paths")) with the dangerous, "uncast up" paths they chose, symbolizing the inherent instability and peril of living outside God's will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **forgotten (Hebrew, _shâkach'_):** This word (H7911) signifies more than a simple lapse of memory; it denotes a deliberate act of neglect, abandonment, or disregard. In the context of the covenant, to "forget" God means to cease to acknowledge His authority, His commands, and His very existence as the sovereign Lord of Israel. It implies a conscious turning away from the relationship and the obligations it entailed, leading to a profound spiritual and moral decline.
* **vanity (Hebrew, _shâvᵉʼ'_):** The term (H7723) carries the sense of emptiness, worthlessness, futility, and deception. When applied to idols, it emphasizes their non-existence or powerlessness, contrasting sharply with the living God. Burning incense to "vanity" means offering worship, devotion, and sacrifice to that which is ultimately illusory, incapable of delivering any true benefit or salvation, and inherently destructive. It highlights the utter foolishness and spiritual barrenness of idolatry.
* **ancient (Hebrew, _ʻôwlâm'_):** This word (H5769) refers to time out of mind, eternity, or that which is perpetual and enduring. When combined with "paths," it emphasizes the long-established, time-tested, and unchanging nature of God's ways. These are not new, experimental routes but the foundational, divinely ordained principles of righteousness and life that have always been true and beneficial.
* **paths (Hebrew, _derek'_/ _nâthîyb'_/ _shâbîyl'_):** The verse uses several terms for "way" or "path" (H1870, H5410, H7635), all conveying the idea of a course of life or mode of action. The "ancient paths" (H7635 with H5769) represent God's established, righteous, and safe way of living, often associated with His law and covenant. In contrast, the "way not cast up" (H1870 with H5549) refers to an unpaved, unbuilt, or unprepared road, symbolizing a chaotic, dangerous, and ultimately unsustainable journey chosen by the people, leading to stumbling and ruin.
* **cast up (Hebrew, _çâlal'_):** This root (H5549) means to mound up, to exalt, or to make plain, specifically referring to the construction of a highway or a well-prepared road. A "way not cast up" therefore describes a path that is rugged, uneven, and treacherous, lacking the stability and safety of a divinely ordered life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because my people hath forgotten me":** This clause reveals the root cause of Judah's spiritual malady. Their "forgetting" is not a mere lapse of memory but a deliberate act of covenant infidelity, a turning away from the God who delivered them and established a relationship with them. It signifies a profound disregard for His commands, His character, and His very presence in their lives.
* **"they have burned incense to vanity":** This describes the direct consequence of their forgetfulness: widespread idolatry. "Vanity" refers to false gods and idols, which are empty, powerless, and ultimately worthless. The act of burning incense signifies worship and devotion, indicating that Judah had redirected their allegiance and worship from the living God to non-existent or demonic entities.
* **"and they have caused them to stumble in their ways [from] the ancient paths":** This highlights the disastrous impact of their idolatry and forgetfulness. By abandoning God, they departed from the "ancient paths"—the well-trodden, divinely ordained ways of righteousness, truth, and life established through God's law and covenant. This deviation led them to stumble, losing their moral and spiritual footing, and falling into sin and error.
* **"to walk in paths, [in] a way not cast up":** This vividly portrays the chaotic and perilous nature of the life they chose. Unlike a "cast up" or well-prepared highway, their chosen "paths" were unpaved, dangerous, and treacherous. This imagery symbolizes the instability, confusion, and ultimate ruin that result from rejecting God's clear guidance and pursuing self-devised, unrighteous ways.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 18:15 is rich in **Metaphor** and **Contrast**. The central metaphor is that of "paths" or "ways" representing life choices and spiritual adherence. The "ancient paths" symbolize the established, righteous, and safe way of life prescribed by God's law and covenant, implying wisdom, stability, and divine favor. This is sharply contrasted with "paths, in a way not cast up," which metaphorically describe a dangerous, unpaved, and treacherous journey, symbolizing the chaotic, unstable, and ultimately destructive consequences of spiritual rebellion and idolatry. This **Contrast** between the two types of paths underscores the stark choice Judah made and the inherent peril of abandoning divine wisdom for human folly. The phrase "burned incense to vanity" also employs **Metonymy**, where "vanity" stands for the idols themselves, emphasizing their emptiness and worthlessness as objects of worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 18:15 profoundly articulates the theological truth that spiritual forgetfulness of God inevitably leads to idolatry and a deviation from righteous living. It underscores the concept of covenant fidelity, where Israel's relationship with Yahweh was meant to be exclusive and based on remembrance and obedience. Their turning to "vanity" highlights the biblical understanding that anything or anyone worshipped in place of God is an idol, ultimately offering nothing but emptiness and destruction. The "ancient paths" represent God's unchanging moral and spiritual standards, emphasizing that true wisdom and security are found only in adhering to His revealed will, not in pursuing novel or self-serving ways. The consequences of abandoning these paths are severe, demonstrating God's justice in allowing His people to experience the natural outcome of their sinful choices.

* [Deuteronomy 32:18](/deuteronomy/32-18 "Deuteronomy 32:18 - Forgetting God")
* [Jeremiah 6:16](/jeremiah/6-16 "Jeremiah 6:16 - Standing in the Ancient Paths")
* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "Proverbs 14:12 - A Way That Seems Right")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 18:15 serves as a timeless and urgent warning for believers today. In a world saturated with distractions and competing allegiances, it challenges us to examine what we truly "remember" and prioritize. "Forgetting God" in our contemporary context can manifest not just as overt idolatry, but as subtle neglect of spiritual disciplines, prioritizing worldly success, material possessions, or fleeting pleasures over a vibrant relationship with Christ. We are called to continuously discern and walk in the "ancient paths" of God's Word—the enduring truths of Scripture, the wisdom of His commands, and the example of Christ—rather than succumbing to the "paths not cast up" of cultural trends, self-serving philosophies, or moral relativism that promise freedom but lead to spiritual confusion and moral compromise. This verse compels us to a life of intentional remembrance, faithful worship, and steadfast obedience to the One true God, ensuring our devotion is not directed toward any form of "vanity."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be "forgetting" God in my daily life, even subtly?**
* **What are the "vanities" or false idols in my life that compete for my worship and devotion?**
* **Am I diligently seeking and walking in the "ancient paths" of God's truth, or am I being swayed by "paths not cast up" that seem appealing but lack divine foundation?**
* **What practical steps can I take to deepen my remembrance of God and reorient my worship solely to Him?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for God's people to have "forgotten" Him?**

Answer: This "forgetting" (Hebrew: *shâkach*) is not mere amnesia but a profound spiritual and relational failure. It signifies a deliberate act of neglect, abandonment, and disregard for God's covenant, His commands, and His very presence. For Israel, it meant turning away from the exclusive relationship they had with Yahweh, who had delivered them from slavery and established them as His chosen people. It implies a conscious rejection of their identity as God's people and the obligations that came with that relationship, leading to moral decay and spiritual rebellion, as seen in their turn to idolatry (e.g., [Judges 3:7](/judges/3-7 "Judges 3:7 - Israel Forgets the Lord")).

**What is meant by "burned incense to vanity"?**

Answer: "Vanity" (Hebrew: *shâvᵉʼ*) refers to idols, false gods, and anything that is empty, worthless, futile, or deceptive. Burning incense was an act of worship and devotion. Therefore, "burning incense to vanity" means offering worship, sacrifices, and allegiance to non-existent deities or powerless idols, rather than to the one true God. This highlights the utter foolishness and spiritual barrenness of idolatry, as these "gods" could offer nothing of substance or salvation (e.g., [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry")).

**What are the "ancient paths" and "a way not cast up"?**

Answer: The "ancient paths" (Hebrew: *netivot olam*) refer to the long-established, time-tested, and divinely ordained ways of righteousness, truth, and life. These are the foundational principles and commands given by God through His covenant, offering wisdom, stability, and blessing (as urged in [Jeremiah 6:16](/jeremiah/6-16 "Jeremiah 6:16 - Standing in the Ancient Paths")). In contrast, "a way not cast up" (Hebrew: *lo mesillah*) describes an unpaved, unbuilt, or unprepared road. This metaphorically represents a chaotic, dangerous, and treacherous path, symbolizing the instability, confusion, and ultimate ruin that result from rejecting God's clear guidance and pursuing self-devised, unrighteous ways. It's a path without divine foundation or preparation, leading to stumbling and destruction.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 18:15, with its lament over Israel's spiritual amnesia and deviation from the "ancient paths" to walk in "a way not cast up," finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. Humanity's fundamental problem, as highlighted in Jeremiah, is forgetting God and choosing self-devised, idolatrous paths that lead to ruin. Jesus, however, declares Himself to be "the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")), embodying the very "ancient path" that Israel abandoned. He is the true object of worship, the antithesis of "vanity," for in Him "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" ([Colossians 1:19](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - Christ's Fullness")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ addresses the "forgetfulness" of God by restoring humanity to a right relationship with the Father, making it possible for us to know God intimately and walk in His ways (e.g., [Hebrews 8:10-12](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10-12 - The New Covenant")). He not only reveals the true path but also empowers believers, through the Holy Spirit, to walk in it, transforming chaotic, "uncast up" lives into ones built on the solid foundation of His grace and truth ([Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works")). Thus, Christ is the perfect answer to the spiritual crisis described in Jeremiah, offering the only true way back to God and a life of purpose and security.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 6:16

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where [is] the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk [therein].

Jeremiah 2:32

Can a maid forget her ornaments, [or] a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

Hosea 11:2

[As] they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

Isaiah 57:14

And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.

Malachi 2:8

But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

Jeremiah 2:13

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, [and] hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

Isaiah 41:29

Behold, they [are] all vanity; their works [are] nothing: their molten images [are] wind and confusion.