Jeremiah 2:17

KJV

Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?

KJV (with Strong's)

Hast thou not procured {H6213} this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken {H5800} the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, when {H6256} he led {H3212} thee by the way {H1870}?

Complete Jewish Bible

"Haven't you brought this on yourself by abandoning ADONAI your God when he led you along the way?

Berean Standard Bible

Have you not brought this on yourself by forsaking the LORD your God when He led you in the way?

American Standard Version

Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken Jehovah thy God, when he led thee by the way?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 2:17 delivers a potent rhetorical question from Yahweh to the nation of Judah, serving as a profound indictment. It asserts that the severe calamities and impending judgments they faced were not arbitrary divine punishments but the direct, inevitable consequences of their own deliberate and self-destructive act of abandoning the LORD, their faithful God, who had consistently and lovingly guided them along the path of life. This verse powerfully underscores the principle of spiritual accountability, the tragic outcome of covenant unfaithfulness, and the self-inflicted nature of apostasy's bitter fruits.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 2:17 is situated early in the book of Jeremiah, forming a crucial part of the prophet's initial messages (chapters 1-6) delivered during the reign of King Josiah, a period marked by both attempted religious reforms and pervasive spiritual decline. The chapter opens with a poignant divine lament, recalling Israel's initial devotion as a "bride" in the wilderness, which is then sharply contrasted with their present, shocking apostasy. God initiates a formal legal dispute, a *rib* or lawsuit, against His people, presenting a series of rhetorical questions and accusations that highlight their irrational and ungrateful turning away from Him to worthless idols. Verse 17 functions as a climactic accusation within this divine indictment, directly linking Judah's impending doom to their own actions. This accusation follows earlier verses that vividly describe their defilement and turning to foreign gods, such as the lament over their exchange of glory for worthless idols and their digging of broken cisterns that hold no water, found in [Jeremiah 2:5-13](/jeremiah/2-5-13 "Jeremiah 2:5-13 - Israel's Folly and Forsaking of God"). The "this" in the verse refers to the various forms of judgment—drought, famine, invasion, and ultimately exile—that God's people were experiencing or would soon experience as a direct result of their unfaithfulness, a consequence further elaborated in the subsequent verses of the chapter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during an exceptionally turbulent period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah, culminating in the devastating Babylonian exile. Despite their covenant relationship with Yahweh, the people of Judah had increasingly adopted the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations, including the worship of Baal and Asherah, and even the horrific practice of child sacrifice. This pervasive syncretism represented a profound betrayal of the covenant established at Mount Sinai, which unequivocally demanded exclusive loyalty to the Lord. Culturally, the concept of a covenant implied mutual obligations: God had delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt and faithfully provided for them in the wilderness and the Promised Land; in return, they were to obey His laws and remain exclusively devoted to Him. Their abandonment of Yahweh was not merely a theological error but a profound societal, political, and spiritual act of rebellion, akin to a wife deserting her husband or a vassal state betraying its suzerain. The "way" refers not merely to a physical path but to the divinely prescribed way of life, the Torah, which God had given as their guide for flourishing and national security. Their conscious forsaking of God thus meant forsaking the very source of their national security, well-being, and identity.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 2:17 powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah and indeed, much of prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Self-Inflicted Consequences**, emphasizing that Judah's suffering was a direct result of their own deliberate choices and spiritual rebellion, not arbitrary divine wrath. This resonates deeply with the broader biblical principle that [what one sows, one will also reap](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping"), a truth that permeates wisdom literature and prophetic warnings alike. Secondly, the verse underscores the profound sin of **Covenant Unfaithfulness** and **Apostasy**. Judah's "forsaking the LORD thy God" was a direct violation of the foundational covenant, particularly the [first commandment](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods Before Me"), and was considered the gravest offense in God's eyes, a spiritual adultery against their divine Husband. Thirdly, it accentuates God's **Faithful Guidance** and **Patience**. The phrase "when he led thee by the way" points to God's consistent presence, provision, and protective guidance throughout Israel's history, from the wilderness wanderings to their establishment in the land. This unwavering divine faithfulness makes Judah's rebellion all the more inexcusable, echoing the imagery of God as a shepherd found in passages like [Psalm 23](/psalms/23 "Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd"). Finally, the verse introduces the theme of **Divine Indictment and Judgment**, where God acts as a righteous judge, presenting His irrefutable case against His unfaithful people, a common motif in prophetic books, setting the stage for the severe judgments to come, as seen in the prophecies of seventy years of captivity in [Jeremiah 25](/jeremiah/25 "Jeremiah 25 - Seventy Years of Captivity").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **procured (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This word (H6213) is a primitive root meaning "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application." In the context of Jeremiah 2:17, it carries the emphatic sense of bringing something upon oneself, causing it to happen, or effecting one's own ruin. It highlights Judah's active, responsible role in bringing about their own calamity, underscoring that their distress was not an external imposition but a direct, self-generated consequence of their actions and choices.
* **forsaken (Hebrew, _ʻâzab'_):** This term (H5800) is a primitive root meaning "to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc.; commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse." It denotes a deliberate, conscious, and complete abandonment, a breaking of relationship and loyalty. In this verse, it signifies Judah's decisive act of deserting their covenant God, Yahweh, for other deities, indicating a profound spiritual apostasy and a severing of the life-giving bond that defined their identity and well-being.
* **led (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** This word (H3212) is a primitive root meaning "to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)." Here, it refers to God's active, consistent, and personal guidance of His people. It implies a continuous, supportive, and protective leading, much like a shepherd guiding his flock or a parent leading a child. This emphasizes God's unwavering faithfulness and Judah's inexcusable rebellion despite His constant presence and clear direction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hast thou not procured this unto thyself,"**: This opening phrase is a powerful rhetorical question, designed not to elicit information but to make an undeniable and irrefutable accusation. It asserts with absolute certainty that Judah is directly and solely responsible for their current and impending suffering ("this"). The implication is that the distress they face is not an arbitrary act of God, but a natural, just, and self-inflicted consequence of their own choices and actions. Judah has actively brought disaster upon itself.
* **"in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God,"**: This clause immediately identifies the specific, egregious sin that serves as the root cause of their self-inflicted calamity. The core offense is the deliberate abandonment of Yahweh (H3068, "the self-Existent or Eternal"), their covenant God (H430, "the supreme God"). This "forsaking" (H5800) signifies a conscious and decisive turning away from the exclusive relationship and loyalty demanded by the covenant, opting instead for idolatry, spiritual adultery, and profound unfaithfulness.
* **"when he led thee by the way?"**: This final clause highlights the profound ingratitude, inexcusability, and irrationality of Judah's actions. It underscores God's consistent, active, and personal guidance (H3212, "led") throughout their entire history as a nation, from the Exodus through the wilderness and into the Promised Land. The "way" (H1870) refers not just to a physical path but to the divinely prescribed path of life, righteousness, and obedience—the path that leads to blessing and flourishing. Despite God's unwavering and active leadership, Judah chose to deviate, making their rebellion all the more culpable and tragic.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 2:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with maximum impact and theological weight. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Hast thou not procured this unto thyself...?" This device is not meant to be answered but serves to emphasize the undeniable truth of Judah's culpability, forcing the audience to acknowledge their self-inflicted plight. It functions as a powerful legal indictment within God's *rib* (lawsuit) against His people, leaving no room for denial or shifting of blame. There is also a subtle element of **Personification** in the phrase "when he led thee by the way," where God is depicted as an active, personal guide or shepherd, intimately involved in leading His people. This imagery highlights God's personal care and unwavering commitment, contrasting sharply with Judah's abandonment of Him. Furthermore, the "way" itself serves as a profound **Metaphor** for the path of life, righteousness, and obedience to God's covenant. By forsaking God, Judah abandoned the very path that led to blessing, security, and flourishing, choosing instead a path leading to destruction and distress, illustrating the profound and inevitable consequences of their spiritual choices.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 2:17 profoundly articulates the theological principle of divine justice and human accountability within the covenant framework. It asserts that God's people are not exempt from the consequences of their actions, particularly when those actions involve a deliberate abandonment of the Lord who faithfully guides them. This verse highlights the deep pain God feels when His covenant people forsake Him, equating it to an act of self-destruction. The "this" that Judah procured for themselves is the bitter fruit of their apostasy, demonstrating that spiritual rebellion inevitably leads to brokenness and suffering, both individually and corporately. God's consistent leading underscores His unwavering commitment and patience, making Judah's unfaithfulness all the more grievous and inexcusable. It serves as a stern warning that turning away from the source of life and truth invariably leads to a desolate existence.

* [Deuteronomy 30:19](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Deuteronomy 30:19 - Choose Life or Death")
* [Proverbs 1:31](/proverbs/1-31 "Proverbs 1:31 - Eating the Fruit of One's Ways")
* [Hosea 13:9](/hosea/13-9 "Hosea 13:9 - Israel's Self-Destruction in Forsaking God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 2:17 serves as a timeless mirror for profound self-examination, urging us to deeply consider the true source of our struggles and challenges. It powerfully challenges the common human tendency to externalize blame—attributing difficulties to circumstances, other people, or even God—instead directing our gaze inward to our own choices and spiritual alignment. The verse powerfully reminds us that much of the "this"—the distress, the brokenness, the lack of peace, the relational strife, or the spiritual emptiness—in our lives can often be traced back to moments or patterns where we have subtly or overtly forsaken the Lord, our God, who continually seeks to lead us "by the way." Our spiritual well-being, our peace, our flourishing, and indeed our very purpose are inextricably linked to our faithful adherence to God's guidance and our unwavering devotion to Him. It calls us to a posture of humility and sincere repentance, to acknowledge our part in our own struggles, and to return wholeheartedly to the One who is our true source of life, wisdom, and unfailing direction.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be "procuring this unto myself" by subtly or overtly forsaking God's guidance or prioritizing other loyalties?**
* **How does my understanding of God's consistent leading, as highlighted in this verse, deepen my sense of personal responsibility for the choices I make daily?**
* **What practical, tangible steps can I take this week to ensure I am not forsaking the Lord, but rather actively and intentionally following His "way" in my daily life and decisions?**

### FAQ
**What does "procured this unto thyself" mean in a practical sense?**

Answer: In a practical sense, "procured this unto thyself" means that Judah's suffering and impending judgment were not arbitrary acts of divine punishment but the direct, natural, and self-inflicted consequences of their own actions. They actively brought these troubles upon themselves by choosing to abandon their covenant relationship with God and pursue idolatry and unfaithfulness. It emphasizes profound personal and national accountability, illustrating the biblical principle that our choices have inevitable consequences, particularly in our relationship with God. When we turn away from God's wisdom and guidance, we inevitably walk into paths that lead to difficulty, distress, and spiritual barrenness, as seen throughout the narratives of Israel's history in books like [Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges") and [Kings](/1_kings/1 "The Book of 1 Kings").

**How does God "lead by the way" today, and what does it mean to "forsake" Him?**

Answer: Today, God "leads by the way" primarily through His inspired Word, the Bible, which provides comprehensive wisdom, instruction, and moral guidance for all aspects of life (see [Psalm 119:105](/psalms/119-105 "Psalm 119:105 - Your Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet")). He also leads through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who convicts, illuminates, guides, and empowers believers, teaching them all things and reminding them of Jesus' words (as promised in [John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth Leads Into All Truth")). Additionally, God can lead through the wise counsel of godly community, through prayer, and through the circumstances of life, which He sovereignly orchestrates. To "forsake" Him today means to consciously and persistently disregard His Word, resist the Holy Spirit's leading, or prioritize other loyalties (such as wealth, power, personal desires, or worldly philosophies) above Him. It implies a deliberate turning away from a relationship with God, choosing to walk a path contrary to His revealed will, much like the unfaithfulness described in [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Cannot Serve Two Masters").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 2:17, with its stark indictment of Judah for forsaking the Lord who "led thee by the way," finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus. Humanity, like ancient Judah, has consistently "procured this unto itself" by forsaking the true God, choosing instead paths of sin, idolatry, and self-reliance, leading inevitably to spiritual death and profound separation from the Father. However, unlike unfaithful Israel, Jesus Christ is the perfectly obedient Son who never forsook the Father's will but always walked "by the way" of divine leading, even to the point of ultimate humility and death on the cross (as seen in [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). He declared Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life," the only path back to the Father ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), embodying the very "way" that Israel failed to follow. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus takes upon Himself the "this"—the self-inflicted consequences of humanity's forsaking God—offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and a new covenant relationship. He becomes the Good Shepherd who not only leads us "by the way" of righteousness (echoing the imagery of [Psalm 23](/psalms/23 "Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd")) but also actively seeks and restores those who have strayed, inviting us back into a faithful covenant relationship with God, a new covenant established in His own blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in His Blood")). Thus, Judah's failure highlights humanity's desperate need for a Savior who perfectly follows God's way and provides the sole means for us to be led back into a vibrant, life-giving relationship with Him.

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 4:18

Thy way and thy doings have procured these [things] unto thee; this [is] thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.

Jeremiah 2:19

Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that [it is] an evil [thing] and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear [is] not in thee, saith the Lord GOD 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.

Deuteronomy 28:15

¶ But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

Deuteronomy 28:68

And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy [you].

Hosea 13:9

¶ O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me [is] thine help.

Psalms 77:20

Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.