Jeremiah 2:22

KJV

For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, [yet] thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.

KJV (with Strong's)

For though thou wash {H3526} thee with nitre {H5427}, and take thee much {H7235} soap {H1287}, yet thine iniquity {H5771} is marked {H3799} before {H6440} me, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Even if you scrub yourself with soda and plenty of soap, the stain of your guilt is still there before me," says Adonai ELOHIM.

Berean Standard Bible

Although you wash with lye and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before Me,” declares the Lord GOD.

American Standard Version

For though thou wash thee with lye, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 2:22 powerfully illustrates the profound futility of human attempts to cleanse deep-seated sin and spiritual apostasy before a holy God. Through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord confronts Judah's extensive spiritual defilement, declaring that no amount of outward ritual, self-effort, or superficial cleansing can erase the indelible mark of their iniquity, which remains permanently recorded and visible in His divine sight. This verse underscores the unbridgeable chasm between humanity's self-cleansing efforts and God's demand for true, internal purity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 2:22 is situated within a lengthy prophetic oracle (Jeremiah 2-6) where God, through Jeremiah, issues a comprehensive indictment against the kingdom of Judah for its covenant unfaithfulness and idolatry. The chapter opens with God recalling Israel's initial devotion (Jeremiah 2:2-3) before sharply contrasting it with their subsequent apostasy. Judah has forsaken their covenant relationship with Yahweh, the "fountain of living waters," for "broken cisterns that can hold no water" ([Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Forsaking the Fountain of Living Waters")). The immediate verses leading up to 2:22 describe Judah's spiritual harlotry, their turning to foreign gods, and their desperate, yet ultimately vain, attempts to justify or conceal their sin. Verse 22 specifically addresses the superficiality of their efforts to appear clean while their hearts remained deeply polluted, setting the stage for further pronouncements of judgment and the call to repentance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, primarily under the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah (late 7th to early 6th century BCE). This era was marked by political instability, with Judah caught between the declining Assyrian Empire and the rising powers of Egypt and Babylon. Spiritually, despite Josiah's reforms, the nation largely reverted to syncretism and idolatry after his death. The people engaged in pagan worship, child sacrifice, and social injustice, deeply violating the Mosaic Covenant. Culturally, "nitre" (sodium carbonate) and "soap" (plant-based alkali) were common and powerful cleansing agents used for laundry and personal hygiene in the ancient Near East. The imagery of washing with these substances would have been immediately understood by Jeremiah's audience as representing the most vigorous and thorough attempts at physical purification available. The verse highlights that even the most extreme human efforts at external cleansing are utterly insufficient to remove the spiritual defilement that God perceives.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 2:22 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah and the prophetic literature. Firstly, it emphasizes the **Indelible Nature of Sin**, particularly deep-seated apostasy and rebellion against God. The phrase "marked before me" vividly conveys that sin is not merely forgotten or overlooked by God; it leaves a permanent, visible stain in His divine record and memory, defying human attempts at erasure. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Futility of Self-Cleansing and Human Effort** in achieving spiritual purity. The use of powerful detergents like "nitre" and "much soap" underscores the extent of Judah's (and humanity's) desperate efforts to purify themselves, yet simultaneously reveals their complete inadequacy. This theme resonates with other biblical passages that declare human righteousness as "filthy rags" ([Isaiah 64:6](/isaiah/64-6 "Isaiah 64:6 - Human Righteousness as Filthy Rags")). Thirdly, it powerfully affirms **God's Omniscience and Uncompromising Holiness**. The declaration "saith the Lord GOD" reiterates divine authority and the truth that God sees beyond outward appearances, rituals, or superficial religious observances. He perceives the true spiritual condition of the heart and the deep stain of iniquity, demanding genuine purity that only He can provide.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wash (Hebrew, _kâbaç'_):** This primitive root literally means "to trample" or "to stamp with the feet," and by extension, "to wash," often referring to the fulling process where clothes were vigorously cleaned. Figuratively, it denotes an attempt at purification. In this context, it emphasizes the strenuous and perhaps ritualistic efforts Judah might have employed to appear clean, yet without true internal change.
* **nitre (Hebrew, _nether'_):** This refers to mineral potash or sodium carbonate, a natural alkaline salt found in the Middle East. It was a strong and effective cleansing agent, distinct from the potassium nitrate (saltpeter) known as "nitre" today. Its combination with "soap" (Hebrew, _bôrîyth'_), which was a vegetable alkali, signifies the most potent detergents available in ancient times, emphasizing the extreme measures taken for cleansing.
* **marked (Hebrew, _kâtham'_):** A primitive root meaning "to carve" or "to engrave," and by implication, "to inscribe indelibly." This word conveys a powerful image: Judah's iniquity is not merely remembered or noted, but it is permanently etched, branded, or deeply stained before God. It implies an unerasable record, a visible and permanent blemish that no human effort can remove.
* **iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** This term denotes perversity, moral evil, or sin. It carries the nuance of twistedness or crookedness, representing a deviation from God's righteous path. The use of this word highlights the deep-seated, inherent nature of Judah's sin, which is not superficial but fundamental to their character and actions.
* **before me (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** Literally "face" or "presence." This phrase emphasizes God's direct, personal, and unhindered sight of Judah's sin. It underscores His omniscience and the reality that nothing is hidden from His gaze. The iniquity is "before His face," meaning it is directly in His line of sight, undeniable and fully exposed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap":** This opening clause sets up a hypothetical scenario, acknowledging the most vigorous and thorough attempts at self-cleansing imaginable using the strongest available detergents. It highlights the human tendency to rely on external rituals, outward appearances, or self-effort to deal with internal spiritual defilement. The "much soap" emphasizes the intensity and abundance of these futile efforts.
* **"[yet] thine iniquity is marked before me":** This is the stark divine verdict, directly contrasting with the human efforts. Despite all attempts at washing, the deep stain of Judah's "iniquity" (their moral evil and perversity) remains indelibly "marked" or engraved in God's sight. "Before me" underscores God's perfect knowledge and the impossibility of concealing sin from His omniscient gaze.
* **"saith the Lord GOD":** This concluding phrase serves as a divine authentication and declaration of absolute authority. It emphasizes that this is not merely Jeremiah's opinion, but the sovereign word of Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God of Israel. It reinforces the unchangeable truth of the statement and the seriousness of Judah's condition in God's eyes.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 2:22 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "take thee much soap," exaggerating the amount of cleansing agent to emphasize the futility of even extreme human effort. The core of the verse relies on **Metaphor** and **Symbolism**: the physical act of washing with "nitre" and "soap" serves as a metaphor for human attempts at spiritual self-cleansing, while the "marked iniquity" symbolizes the indelible stain of sin that defies such efforts. This creates a vivid contrast between superficial external purification and deep-seated internal defilement. Furthermore, the phrase "marked before me" employs a subtle form of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like perception (seeing a mark) to God, making His awareness of Judah's sin more relatable and impactful. The entire verse functions as a powerful **Rhetorical Question** or a statement of undeniable truth, challenging any notion that human actions can rectify spiritual rebellion without divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 2:22 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of sin and the limits of human capacity for self-redemption. It underscores the biblical truth that sin is not merely a mistake or a superficial blemish, but a deep-seated corruption that permeates the human heart and leaves an indelible mark in the sight of a holy God. This verse powerfully refutes any notion of self-salvation or purification through rituals, good works, or moral reformation alone. It sets the stage for understanding humanity's desperate need for a divine solution to the problem of sin, a cleansing that transcends human capabilities and originates solely from God's grace and power. The inability of "nitre" and "soap" to remove the mark of iniquity points directly to the necessity of a radical, supernatural intervention for true spiritual cleansing and reconciliation with God.

* [Isaiah 64:6](/isaiah/64-6 "Isaiah 64:6 - Human Righteousness as Filthy Rags") – Echoes the futility of human self-righteousness, describing all our righteous deeds as "filthy rags."
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Cleansing by Blood") – States the principle that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins," highlighting the inadequacy of human effort and the necessity of sacrificial atonement for cleansing.
* [1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Jesus' Blood") – Affirms that "the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin," presenting the divine solution to the indelible mark of iniquity.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 2:22 offers a timeless and sobering reflection on the human condition and the nature of sin before a holy God. It compels us to confront the reality that our deepest spiritual defilement cannot be washed away by external efforts, religious rituals, or self-improvement initiatives. This verse challenges any form of self-righteousness, reminding us that no matter how diligently we try to "clean up our act" or present a virtuous facade, our true iniquity remains "marked before" the omniscient gaze of God. The passage serves as a powerful call to humility, urging us to abandon reliance on our own strength and instead acknowledge the profound seriousness of sin and our utter inability to erase its stain. True cleansing and transformation must originate from a source beyond ourselves, leading us to a posture of dependence on divine grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be attempting to "wash myself with nitre and much soap" in my spiritual life, relying on external actions or self-effort rather than genuine heart transformation?**
* **How does the concept of my "iniquity being marked before" God impact my understanding of His holiness and my own need for a Savior?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the true nature of sin, and how does it challenge any tendency to minimize its seriousness or believe I can overcome it on my own terms?**

### FAQ
**What were 'nitre' and 'soap' in ancient times, and why are they used in this verse?**

Answer: In ancient times, "nitre" (Hebrew: *nether*) referred to sodium carbonate, a natural alkaline salt found in mineral deposits, particularly in Egypt. "Soap" (Hebrew: *bôrîyth*) was likely a plant-based alkali, derived from the ashes of certain plants. Both were powerful cleansing agents used for laundry and hygiene, representing the strongest detergents available. They are used in [Jeremiah 2:22](/jeremiah/2-22 "Jeremiah 2:22 - The Futility of Self-Cleansing") metaphorically to illustrate the most vigorous and thorough human attempts at purification. The point is that even with the most potent physical cleansers, spiritual iniquity remains "marked" before God, emphasizing the futility of human effort to cleanse sin.

**Why does God say Judah's iniquity is 'marked' before Him?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "marked" (*kâtham*) means to carve, engrave, or inscribe indelibly. When God says Judah's iniquity is "marked before me," it signifies that their sin is not merely remembered or overlooked, but it is permanently etched, branded, or deeply stained in His divine sight. It conveys the idea of an unerasable record, a visible and permanent blemish that no human effort can remove or conceal. This emphasizes God's perfect knowledge, His uncompromising holiness, and the profound, inherent nature of Judah's sin, which cannot be superficially washed away. It highlights the seriousness of their apostasy and the need for a divine solution beyond human capabilities, as seen in [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Forsaking the Fountain of Living Waters").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 2:22, with its stark declaration of sin's indelible mark, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate need for a divine and perfect cleanser, found supremely in Jesus Christ. While Judah's efforts with "nitre" and "much soap" proved utterly futile against their ingrained iniquity, the New Testament reveals that true and lasting purification comes not through human striving but through the atoning work of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The blood of bulls and goats under the Old Covenant could only cover sins temporarily, but it is the precious blood of Christ, "without blemish or spot," that truly cleanses us from all sin ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption by Christ's Blood")). His sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of purification, making it possible for God to be both just and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Through Christ")). Through faith in Him, the "marked iniquity" that stood before God is not merely covered, but completely removed, and our sins are remembered no more, a promise fulfilled in the new covenant established through Christ ([Hebrews 8:12](/hebrews/8-12 "Hebrews 8:12 - God Remembers Sins No More")). He is the one who "saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit" ([Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Washing of Regeneration")).

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 17:1

¶ The sin of Judah [is] written with a pen of iron, [and] with the point of a diamond: [it is] graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;

Job 14:17

My transgression [is] sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.

Hosea 13:12

The iniquity of Ephraim [is] bound up; his sin [is] hid.

Jeremiah 16:17

For mine eyes [are] upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.

Psalms 130:3

If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

Psalms 90:8

Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret [sins] in the light of thy countenance.

Amos 8:7

The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.