Jeremiah 2:23

KJV

How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: [thou art] a swift dromedary traversing her ways;

KJV (with Strong's)

How canst thou say {H559}, I am not polluted {H2930}, I have not gone {H1980} after {H310} Baalim {H1168}? see {H7200} thy way {H1870} in the valley {H1516}, know {H3045} what thou hast done {H6213}: thou art a swift {H7031} dromedary {H1072} traversing {H8308} her ways {H1870};

Complete Jewish Bible

"How can you say, 'I am not defiled, I have not pursued the ba'alim'? Look at your conduct in the valley, understand what you have done. You are a restive young female camel, running here and there,

Berean Standard Bible

“How can you say, ‘I am not defiled; I have not run after the Baals’? Look at your behavior in the valley; acknowledge what you have done. You are a swift young she-camel galloping here and there,

American Standard Version

How canst thou say, I am not defiled, I have not gone after the Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 2:23 serves as a poignant divine indictment, unmasking Judah's profound spiritual self-deception and blatant denial of their pervasive idolatry. Despite their widespread defilement through the worship of false gods, particularly the Baalim, the people audaciously claim innocence. The prophet, speaking on behalf of Yahweh, exposes their hypocrisy by commanding them to confront the undeniable evidence of their actions in the hidden "valley" of their sin, vividly likening their unrestrained and frantic pursuit of idolatry to a wild, swift dromedary erratically traversing its own ways, symbolizing their unbridled spiritual infidelity and abandonment of God's covenant path.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 2 initiates a powerful legal dispute (rib) between God and His people, recalling the tender, devoted relationship of Israel's youth, likened to a bride's love for her husband ([Jeremiah 2:2-3](/jeremiah/2-2-3 "Jeremiah 2:2-3 - Israel's Early Devotion")). This nostalgic opening quickly shifts to a severe accusation of apostasy, highlighting Israel's inexplicable abandonment of Yahweh, the "fountain of living waters," for "broken cisterns that can hold no water" ([Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - The Broken Cisterns")). The preceding verses detail Judah's spiritual harlotry, their turning away from the Lord to foreign deities, and their failure to acknowledge their sin. Jeremiah 2:23 stands as a climactic point in God's accusation, directly confronting the nation's audacious denial of this spiritual rebellion. The imagery of the "swift dromedary" builds upon earlier metaphors in the chapter, such as Israel as a "degenerate vine" ([Jeremiah 2:21](/jeremiah/2-21 "Jeremiah 2:21 - A Degenerate Vine")) and a "wild ass snuffing the wind in her heat" ([Jeremiah 2:24](/jeremiah/2-24 "Jeremiah 2:24 - A Wild Donkey in Heat")), all emphasizing their uncontrolled, instinct-driven, and shameful pursuit of foreign gods.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry commenced during the latter part of the 7th century BC, primarily during the reign of King Josiah (640-609 BC). While Josiah initiated significant religious reforms aimed at eradicating idolatry and restoring the exclusive worship of Yahweh ([2 Kings 23](/2_kings/23 "2 Kings 23 - Josiah's Reforms")), the prophet's words reveal that these reforms often failed to penetrate the hearts of the people, who continued to cling to pagan practices in secret. The "Baalim" (plural of Baal) refers to various local manifestations of the Canaanite storm and fertility god, whose worship was deeply entrenched in the land and often involved abhorrent practices such as ritual prostitution and child sacrifice, which were anathema to Yahweh's covenant laws. The "valley" (Hebrew: _gayʼ_) frequently served as a clandestine site for illicit pagan worship, most notoriously the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna), where the horrific practice of child sacrifice to Molech occurred ([Jeremiah 7:31](/jeremiah/7-31 "Jeremiah 7:31 - Topheth in the Valley of Hinnom")). The image of a "dromedary," a swift and often wild camel, would have been immediately recognizable to an ancient Near Eastern audience, symbolizing an animal driven by instinct, without restraint or clear direction, serving as a powerful metaphor for Judah's unbridled spiritual wanderings away from God's covenant.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 2:23 encapsulates several profound themes central to the prophet's message. The most striking is the **Denial of Sin**, where Judah's audacious claim of innocence ("I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim") stands in stark opposition to God's clear indictment, revealing a deep spiritual blindness and a stubborn refusal to acknowledge their rebellion against the Lord. This denial is intrinsically linked to **Pervasive Idolatry**, as the mention of "Baalim" (the plural form of Baal) underscores the widespread worship of various local fertility deities, a direct and egregious violation of their covenant with God and the foundational First Commandment ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")). The vivid metaphor of "a swift dromedary traversing her ways" powerfully illustrates **Spiritual Harlotry and Unbridled Pursuit**, portraying Judah's uncontrolled, restless, and frantic pursuit of idolatry, often in hidden "valleys," much like a faithless spouse abandoning her husband for many lovers, a recurring prophetic theme found in books like [Hosea](/hosea/1 "Hosea 1 - Hosea's Marriage as a Metaphor for Israel's Unfaithfulness"). Finally, God's direct challenge, "see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done," highlights **Divine Knowledge and Impending Judgment**, emphasizing God's perfect awareness of their secret sins and the inevitable consequences of their unfaithfulness and self-deception.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Polluted (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ'_):** This primitive root signifies being foul, especially in a ceremonial or moral sense, implying contamination, defilement, or uncleanness. In Jeremiah 2:23, Judah's denial of being "polluted" directly contradicts their widespread engagement in idolatry, which rendered them ritually and morally unclean before God. Their audacious claim of purity in the face of such defilement is a profound act of self-deception, as their actions had utterly corrupted their covenant relationship with Yahweh.
* **Baalim (Hebrew, _Baʻal'_):** This term refers to Baal, a prominent Phoenician and Canaanite deity, often associated with storms, fertility, and kingship. The plural form, "Baalim," emphasizes the multitude of local Baal cults and altars that Israel had adopted across their land, indicating a widespread and diverse apostasy from the exclusive worship of Yahweh. Their denial of "going after Baalim" is a blatant falsehood, as their land was saturated with the worship of these false gods, demonstrating their deep spiritual infidelity.
* **Dromedary (Hebrew, _bikrâh'_):** Specifically, this feminine noun refers to a young she-camel, known for its swiftness and often associated with wild, unrestrained, and erratic behavior, particularly when in heat. In this context, it powerfully symbolizes Judah's unbridled, chaotic, and frantic pursuit of idolatry. Unlike a domesticated animal following a disciplined path, a "swift dromedary traversing her ways" suggests an animal running wild, desperately seeking its own path without direction or restraint, perfectly illustrating Judah's uncontrolled spiritual infidelity and their willful abandonment of God's straight path.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim?"**: This rhetorical question from God conveys His profound astonishment and indignation at Judah's audacious denial of their spiritual condition. Despite overwhelming evidence of their widespread idolatry and moral defilement, the people audaciously claim innocence, asserting they are neither ritually unclean nor have they pursued the worship of false gods like the Baalim. This highlights their deep spiritual blindness, stubborn self-deception, and refusal to acknowledge their rebellion.
* **"see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done:"**: God directly challenges Judah's denial by commanding them to observe their own actions and confront the undeniable truth. The "valley" (Hebrew: _gayʼ_) frequently refers to hidden, secluded places where illicit pagan rituals and immoral acts of worship were performed away from public view. God's imperative to "see" and "know" underscores His omniscience; He is fully aware of their secret sins and calls them to confront the undeniable reality of their deeds, implying that the evidence of their apostasy is clear and self-evident, even to themselves if they would only look honestly.
* **"[thou art] a swift dromedary traversing her ways;"**: This vivid and striking metaphor serves as God's direct indictment and a powerful explanation of Judah's true spiritual state. They are likened to a young, swift female camel, renowned for its wild, erratic, and unrestrained movements. "Traversing her ways" suggests running aimlessly, becoming entangled, or frantically seeking, depicting Judah's unbridled, chaotic, and relentless pursuit of idolatry, abandoning the disciplined path of the Lord for spiritual promiscuity and unfaithfulness. This imagery powerfully conveys their willful and unrestrained deviation from God's covenant.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 2:23 is replete with potent literary devices that amplify its message of divine accusation and human denial. The verse opens with a compelling **Rhetorical Question** ("How canst thou say...?") which is not posed for an answer but to express God's profound incredulity, indignation, and exasperation at Judah's blatant denial of their sin. This immediately establishes a tone of divine challenge and accusation. The central and most impactful device is a powerful **Metaphor**, comparing Judah to "a swift dromedary traversing her ways." This vivid animal imagery effectively portrays the nation's uncontrolled, restless, and frantic pursuit of idolatry, emphasizing their unbridled spiritual infidelity and their chaotic abandonment of the covenant path. The dromedary, running wild and erratically, symbolizes the unrestrained and undisciplined nature of their spiritual wanderings. Furthermore, the verse employs sharp **Irony**, as Judah's confident assertion of innocence is immediately contradicted by God's command to "see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done," highlighting the stark and tragic contrast between their self-perception and their actual, deeply defiled state. The phrase "in the valley" also carries significant **Symbolism**, often representing hidden places of illicit worship, moral depravity, and secret sin, contrasting sharply with the open, public, and pure worship expected of God's people in Jerusalem.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 2:23 profoundly illustrates humanity's innate and stubborn tendency towards self-deception and the denial of sin, even in the face of overwhelming evidence of spiritual rebellion. It underscores God's unwavering omniscience and perfect knowledge of human hearts and actions, even those performed in the deepest secrecy. The verse highlights the immense gravity of idolatry, not merely as a ritualistic transgression, but as a profound spiritual betrayal, akin to marital infidelity, where the sacred covenant relationship with God is abandoned for illicit spiritual liaisons. This spiritual harlotry inevitably leads to deep defilement and ultimately invites divine judgment. The passage serves as a timeless and urgent call to radical honesty before God, emphasizing that true repentance and spiritual restoration can only begin with humbly acknowledging one's true spiritual condition, however ugly or uncomfortable it may appear.

* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - Confession and Mercy")
* [Romans 1:21-23](/romans/1-21-23 "Romans 1:21-23 - Suppressing the Truth and Idolatry")
* [Hosea 4:12](/hosea/4-12 "Hosea 4:12 - Israel's Spiritual Harlotry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 2:23 offers a stark and convicting mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to engage in profound introspection and examine our own hearts for areas of self-deception and denial. Just as ancient Judah rationalized their pervasive idolatry, we too can subtly rationalize our spiritual compromises, whether it involves prioritizing worldly ambitions and material possessions over God's kingdom, neglecting vital spiritual disciplines, or engaging in subtle forms of idolatry where created things or personal desires usurp the rightful place of the Creator. The "valley" in our lives might represent the hidden corners of our minds, our secret habits, or the unexamined motives behind our actions that we keep concealed from God and others. God's direct call to "see thy way" is an urgent invitation to profound introspection, urging us to confront the uncomfortable truth about our spiritual condition. True spiritual health, freedom, and genuine intimacy with God begin not with outward performance or self-justification, but with humble, honest confession of our sins and a wholehearted turning back to the Lord, trusting in His boundless grace to cleanse, forgive, and restore us. This powerful verse reminds us that God sees beyond our outward professions of faith and knows the true state of our hearts, compelling us to align our inner lives with our outward declarations of devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be denying or rationalizing sin, much like Judah in this verse?**
* **What are the "valleys" in my life—the hidden places, secret habits, or unexamined motives—where I might be pursuing things other than God?**
* **How does the vivid imagery of the "swift dromedary" challenge my understanding of spiritual discipline, self-control, and complete surrender to God's will?**
* **What practical and concrete steps can I take to cultivate a greater sense of radical honesty and transparency before God regarding my spiritual condition?**

### FAQ

**What does "Baalim" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: "Baalim" (Hebrew: _Baʻal_) is the plural form of Baal, a general Semitic term meaning "lord" or "master." In the context of ancient Israel, it refers to the various local manifestations of the Canaanite storm and fertility god. The use of the plural emphasizes the multitude of specific Baal cults and altars that Israel had adopted throughout their land, indicating widespread polytheism and a direct violation of their covenant with Yahweh, who commanded them to [have no other gods before Him](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment").

**Why is Judah compared to a "swift dromedary traversing her ways"?**

Answer: This vivid metaphor powerfully describes Judah's unbridled, erratic, and relentless pursuit of idolatry. A "dromedary" (Hebrew: _bikrâh_) is a young, swift female camel, often depicted as wild and untamed, especially when in heat. "Traversing her ways" suggests running aimlessly, without restraint, or frantically seeking. This imagery powerfully conveys Judah's spiritual infidelity—their abandonment of the straight path of God's covenant for chaotic, unrestrained spiritual wanderings after false gods, often in secret "valleys" or hidden places of worship. It highlights their willful and uncontrolled deviation from God, much like the wild donkey described in [Jeremiah 2:24](/jeremiah/2-24 "Jeremiah 2:24 - Wild Donkey in Heat").

**What is the significance of "see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done"?**

Answer: This phrase represents God's direct and piercing challenge to Judah's denial and self-deception. It underscores God's omniscience and His demand for Judah to confront the undeniable evidence of their sin. The "valley" (Hebrew: _gayʼ_) often symbolized secluded or hidden places where illicit pagan worship and immoral acts were performed, away from public view. God is essentially telling them, "Look at your own actions, even those you thought were hidden; I know precisely what you have done." It's a profound call to honest introspection and an acknowledgment of their pervasive idolatry and defilement, emphasizing that their guilt is self-evident if they would only open their eyes to it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 2:23, with its searing depiction of Judah's profound self-deception and deep spiritual defilement, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Judah's utter inability to cleanse itself or even acknowledge its sin highlights humanity's desperate and universal need for a divine intervention. The "polluted" state of Judah, unable to wash away its own indelible stains, powerfully foreshadows the universal human condition of pervasive sinfulness, as eloquently described in [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned"). Jesus, the spotless [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), came not merely to expose the depth of human sin but to provide the ultimate and perfect cleansing that no human effort or ritual could ever achieve. Where Judah frantically pursued false gods like a "swift dromedary" driven by restless desires, Christ offers true rest, profound satisfaction, and eternal life for the weary soul ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). He is the true "fountain of living waters" that Judah tragically rejected ([Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - The Broken Cisterns")), providing spiritual life, purity, and an enduring relationship that transcends all human brokenness. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by the Blood of Jesus")) and graciously grants us a new heart and a new spirit, enabling us to walk in His righteous ways and truly know Him in an intimate, transforming relationship ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")). Thus, the self-deception, spiritual harlotry, and defilement of Judah find their divine and complete remedy in Christ, who alone can purify, reconcile, and restore humanity to a holy relationship with God.

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 7:31

And they have built the high places of Tophet, which [is] in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded [them] not, neither came it into my heart.

Proverbs 30:12

[There is] a generation [that are] pure in their own eyes, and [yet] is not washed from their filthiness.

Isaiah 57:5

Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?

Isaiah 57:6

Among the smooth [stones] of the stream [is] thy portion; they, they [are] thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?

Romans 3:19

¶ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Esther 8:16

The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.

Genesis 3:12

And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest [to be] with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.