Jeremiah 2:11

Hath a nation changed [their] gods, which [are] yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for [that which] doth not profit.

Hath a nation {H1471} changed {H3235} their gods {H430}, which are yet no gods {H430}? but my people {H5971} have changed {H4171} their glory {H3519} for that which doth not profit {H3276}.

has a nation ever exchanged its gods (and theirs are not gods at all!)? Yet my people have exchanged their Glory for something without value.

Has a nation ever changed its gods, though they are no gods at all? Yet My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.

Hath a nation changed its gods, which yet are no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

Commentary on Jeremiah 2:11 (KJV)

Jeremiah 2:11 is a powerful verse within Jeremiah's early prophecies, where God confronts the nation of Israel (specifically Judah) for their unparalleled unfaithfulness. It highlights the absurdity of their actions compared to even pagan nations.

Context

Chapter 2 of Jeremiah serves as a divine indictment against Judah. God recounts His faithfulness to Israel from the time of the Exodus, comparing their initial devotion to a bride's love (Jeremiah 2:2). He then contrasts this with their subsequent apostasy, detailing their turning away from Him, the source of life-giving water, to worship worthless idols (Jeremiah 2:13). Verse 11 stands out as a rhetorical question emphasizing the unnaturalness of their spiritual infidelity.

Key Themes

  • Unparalleled Apostasy: The verse points out that even nations who worshipped false gods were more loyal to their non-existent deities than Israel was to the one true God.
  • The Futility of Idolatry: It contrasts the true God ("their glory") with idols ("no gods," "doth not profit"), stressing the worthlessness and inability of false worship to provide any real benefit or salvation.
  • God as Israel's Glory: By implication, God Himself was the source of Israel's true glory, honor, and security. To exchange Him for idols was to trade ultimate value for utter worthlessness.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses the word "glory" (Hebrew: kabod) to describe what Israel exchanged. Kabod often signifies weight, substance, honor, or majesty. In this context, it represents the substantial, glorious presence and power of God, who was the true source of Israel's strength and identity. The phrase "doth not profit" underscores the utter lack of value or benefit derived from worshipping idols, which are empty and powerless, unlike the living God. This contrasts sharply with the vanity and profitless nature of idol worship described elsewhere.

Reflection and Application

Jeremiah 2:11 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual apathy and idolatry. While modern idols may not always be physical statues, they can include anything we trust in, devote ourselves to, or find our worth in, other than God – such as wealth, power, success, relationships, or personal comfort. The verse challenges us to examine what we have potentially "changed our glory for" and reminds us that only God provides true, lasting profit and is our ultimate source of glory and security. Unlike the steadfast loyalty shown by even pagan nations to their false gods, we are called to an unwavering devotion to the One who is truly God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Romans 1:23

    And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

  • Isaiah 37:19

    And have cast their gods into the fire: for they [were] no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.

  • Jeremiah 16:20

    Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they [are] no gods?

  • Psalms 106:20

    Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.

  • Micah 4:5

    For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.

  • Psalms 115:4

    Their idols [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

  • Jeremiah 2:5

    Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back