Jeremiah 2:24

KJV

A wild ass used to the wilderness, [that] snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.

KJV (with Strong's)

A wild ass {H6501} used {H3928} to the wilderness {H4057}, that snuffeth up {H7602} the wind {H7307} at her pleasure {H185}{H5315}; in her occasion {H8385} who can turn her away {H7725}? all they that seek {H1245} her will not weary {H3286} themselves; in her month {H2320} they shall find {H4672} her.

Complete Jewish Bible

wild, accustomed to the desert, sniffing the wind in her lust - who can control her when she's in heat? Males seeking her need not weary themselves, for at mating season they will find her.

Berean Standard Bible

a wild donkey at home in the wilderness, sniffing the wind in the heat of her desire. Who can restrain her passion? All who seek her need not weary themselves; in mating season they will find her.

American Standard Version

a wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind in her desire; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 2:24 vividly portrays ancient Israel's profound spiritual apostasy, likening the nation to a "wild ass used to the wilderness." This powerful metaphor underscores Judah's untamed, stubborn, and insatiable pursuit of idolatry, driven by an inherent desire for false gods rather than faithful devotion to the Lord. The verse highlights their unyielding rebellion and resistance to divine correction, suggesting an almost instinctual compulsion toward spiritual unfaithfulness that makes them impervious to change, especially during their periods of intense spiritual wandering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 2 initiates a series of divine indictments against Judah for their unfaithfulness to the covenant with YHWH. The chapter begins with God recalling the tender devotion of Israel's youth, contrasting it sharply with their subsequent spiritual decline. This shifts quickly to a lament over how they have [forsaken Him, the fountain of living waters](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Forsaking the Fountain of Living Waters"), choosing instead to hew out "broken cisterns" that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:24 is part of a progression of vivid, often agrarian or animal-based, metaphors—including an unblemished vine turned corrupt, a defiled land, and here, a wild ass—all serving to illustrate the depth and persistence of Israel's rebellion and spiritual harlotry. The imagery of the "wilderness" further emphasizes their chosen path of spiritual barrenness and isolation from God's life-giving guidance and provision.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, leading up to the Babylonian exile. This era was characterized by political instability, with Judah caught between the vying powers of Egypt and Babylon, and significant religious syncretism. Despite Josiah's reforms, the people frequently reverted to adopting foreign deities and pagan practices, influenced by surrounding cultures. The "wild ass" (onager, *Equus hemionus*) was a familiar sight in the arid and semi-arid regions of the ancient Near East, known for its fierce independence, speed, and particularly its untamable nature and stubbornness, especially during its mating season. This animal's characteristics would have resonated deeply with Jeremiah's audience, providing a clear and culturally relevant image of Judah's spiritual condition.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 2:24 encapsulates several profound theological and narrative themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic tradition. The most prominent is **Apostasy and Unfaithfulness**, as Israel has abandoned their covenant relationship with YHWH, turning away from the God who delivered them from Egypt, as detailed in [Jeremiah 2:6](/jeremiah/2-6 "Jeremiah 2:6 - God's Deliverance from Egypt"). This leads directly to the theme of **Unbridled Idolatry**, where the nation, like the wild ass, relentlessly pursues false gods with an almost instinctual drive, despite the emptiness of such pursuits. The phrase "snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure" speaks to the **Futility and Emptiness of Idolatry**, highlighting a restless, panting desire for something insubstantial and unsatisfying, which cannot truly quench spiritual thirst. Furthermore, the verse underscores the **Stubbornness and Rebellious Will** of the nation, emphasizing their imperviousness to divine persuasion or human intervention, particularly during their "occasion" or "month" of intense, instinctual desire, reflecting the deep-seated nature of their sin, as seen in [Jeremiah 5:23](/jeremiah/5-23 "Jeremiah 5:23 - A Rebellious and Stubborn Heart"). Implicitly, the prophet's lament also conveys **Divine Grief and Frustration** over His people's persistent disloyalty and their chosen path of destruction.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wild ass (Hebrew, _pereʼ'_):** From H6501, this term specifically denotes the onager, a wild, untamed donkey, derived from a root in the secondary sense of running wild. Its selection here powerfully symbolizes Israel's untamed, independent, and stubborn nature in their spiritual walk, resisting the domestication and guidance of God.
* **snuffeth up (Hebrew, _shâʼaph'_):** This primitive root (H7602) means to inhale eagerly, to pant, or to gasp for air. It can also imply a desperate, almost frantic desire. In this context, it vividly portrays the intense, almost compulsive nature of Israel's idolatrous pursuit, suggesting an insatiable craving for the empty promises of false gods.
* **occasion (Hebrew, _taʼănâh'_):** From H8385, this noun refers to an opportunity or a specific purpose, often implying a set time or season. Here, it alludes to the wild ass's mating season, a period when its instincts are overwhelmingly strong, making it incredibly difficult to control or redirect. This powerfully illustrates the depth of Israel's ingrained idolatry, which, at certain times, became an uncontrollable, instinct-driven pursuit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A wild ass used to the wilderness":** This clause establishes the central metaphor, comparing Judah to an untamed, independent wild ass. The phrase "used to the wilderness" emphasizes their chosen environment of spiritual barrenness and their habituation to a life apart from God's cultivated presence and provision. It highlights their self-will and resistance to divine order.
* **"[that] snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure":** This vivid image describes the wild ass's desperate, panting inhalation, driven by an intense, almost frantic desire. Applied to Israel, it portrays their insatiable and restless craving for idolatry, pursuing empty and insubstantial things ("wind") that can never truly satisfy their spiritual longings, yet they do so "at her pleasure," indicating their willful and self-gratifying pursuit.
* **"in her occasion who can turn her away?":** This rhetorical question underscores the profound stubbornness and unchangeable nature of the wild ass (and by extension, Israel) during its peak season of instinctual drive (its "occasion" or mating season). It implies that during their intense periods of spiritual unfaithfulness, no human effort or divine persuasion can turn them from their chosen path of rebellion.
* **"all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.":** This final clause further emphasizes the predictability and inevitability of the wild ass's behavior. Those who seek her (perhaps referring to those who would capture her, or more likely, those who seek to engage with her during mating) will not need to exert excessive effort because her own powerful instincts will lead her to be found during her "month" (mating season). This illustrates Israel's consistent and almost predictable return to idolatry, driven by their ingrained spiritual unfaithfulness, making their pursuit of false gods a readily observed and persistent pattern.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 2:24 is rich in **Metaphor**, primarily comparing the nation of Judah to a "wild ass used to the wilderness." This central comparison is extended through the animal's characteristics—its untamed nature, its insatiable desire, and its uncontrollable will during its "occasion"—to describe Israel's spiritual state. The phrase "snuffeth up the wind" employs **Vivid Imagery** to depict a desperate, futile pursuit, emphasizing the emptiness of idolatry. There is also an element of **Personification**, as the animal's actions and desires are used to reflect the moral and spiritual choices of the nation. The rhetorical question, "in her occasion who can turn her away?", functions as **Rhetorical Question**, highlighting the extreme and seemingly unchangeable nature of Israel's stubbornness and resistance to correction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 2:24 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of human sin, particularly apostasy and idolatry, as an ingrained, almost instinctual rebellion against God. It highlights the tragic reality of a people who, despite being delivered and nurtured by God, willfully choose a path of spiritual independence and unfaithfulness. The imagery of the wild ass underscores the self-destructive futility of pursuing anything other than God, as these pursuits ultimately leave the soul restless and unfulfilled, "snuffing up the wind." The verse powerfully conveys God's lament over His people's persistent disloyalty and their chosen path of destruction, emphasizing that their stubbornness makes them impervious to His calls for repentance, illustrating the severe consequences of a hardened heart.

* [Hosea 8:9](/hosea/8-9 "Hosea 8:9 - Ephraim, a Wild Ass")
* [Deuteronomy 32:15](/deuteronomy/32-15 "Deuteronomy 32:15 - Jeshurun Grew Fat and Kicked")
* [Isaiah 1:4](/isaiah/1-4 "Isaiah 1:4 - A Sinful Nation, a People Loaded with Iniquity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 2:24 offers a timeless and sobering warning against the dangers of spiritual stubbornness and the pursuit of worldly desires over devotion to God. Just as ancient Israel was consumed by its "wild ass" tendencies—an untamed, self-willed, and insatiable drive toward spiritual unfaithfulness—we too can be drawn away by passions, desires, or ideologies that lead us away from God. This verse challenges us to engage in honest self-examination, to identify those areas where our own will stubbornly resists God's guidance, or where we pursue fleeting pleasures that ultimately leave us spiritually empty. It calls us to recognize that true satisfaction and freedom are found not in unrestrained indulgence or independence from God, but in humble submission and unwavering reliance upon the One who truly satisfies the soul.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "wilderness" habits or untamed desires might be hindering my spiritual walk and leading me away from God's intended path?**
* **Am I "snuffing up the wind" by pursuing things that ultimately leave me empty and restless, rather than seeking true satisfaction in God alone?**
* **In what areas of my life do I exhibit a stubborn refusal to be "turned away" from my own will, even when God's truth and loving correction are clear?**

### FAQ
**Why is Israel compared to a "wild ass" specifically?**

Answer: The comparison to a "wild ass" (onager) is highly symbolic. This animal was known in the ancient Near East for its untamed nature, fierce independence, speed, and particularly its stubbornness and resistance to domestication. During its mating season, its instincts were overwhelmingly strong, making it virtually impossible to control or redirect. By using this metaphor, Jeremiah vividly portrays Israel's unbridled pursuit of idolatry, their inherent resistance to God's covenantal guidance, and their deep-seated, almost instinctual, spiritual rebellion.

**What does "snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure" mean?**

Answer: This phrase describes a desperate, panting, almost frantic inhalation, driven by an intense desire. Metaphorically, it illustrates Israel's insatiable craving for idols and false gods. It highlights the futility and emptiness of their pursuit, much like trying to satisfy hunger or thirst by "snuffing up the wind"—it provides no true nourishment or lasting peace. The phrase "at her pleasure" further emphasizes that this pursuit is self-willed and gratifying to their own desires, not a response to genuine need.

**What is the significance of "in her month they shall find her"?**

Answer: This refers to the wild ass's mating season, a specific time when its natural instincts are overwhelmingly strong, and it is predictably found by those who seek it. Applied to Israel, it signifies the nation's consistent and almost predictable return to idolatry, driven by an ingrained, powerful spiritual unfaithfulness. It suggests that their periods of intense rebellion are not random but part of a persistent, deeply rooted pattern of turning away from God, making them readily "found" in their sin by those who observe their behavior, or by the consequences that inevitably follow.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 2:24, with its stark depiction of Israel's untamable stubbornness and insatiable pursuit of spiritual emptiness, powerfully foreshadows the profound need for a divine intervention that only Christ can provide. The "wild ass" imagery highlights humanity's inherent inability to turn itself away from sin and self-will, even when confronted with divine truth. This stubborn heart, resistant to correction, finds its ultimate remedy in the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. Where Israel could not be "turned away" from its idolatrous desires, Christ offers true liberation from the bondage of sin and self. He is the Good Shepherd who actively [seeks and saves that which was lost](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and to Save the Lost"), not waiting for the "wild ass" to be found in its destructive "month," but pursuing the rebellious heart. For those who "snuff up the wind" in futile pursuits, Jesus declares, "[If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink](/john/7-37 "John 7:37 - Jesus the Source of Living Water"), offering the [living water](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus Offers Living Water") that truly satisfies the soul's deepest longings. The New Testament reveals that God, through Christ, performs a radical transformation, replacing the stubborn heart of stone with a heart of flesh, writing His law not on tablets, but [on their hearts](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant") (as echoed in [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant in Christ")). Christ's atoning sacrifice and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit provide the power for genuine repentance and a new life, enabling believers to walk in obedience and find their ultimate pleasure and satisfaction in Him, rather than in the empty pursuits of the world, thereby fulfilling the deep need for a turning that humanity could not achieve on its own.

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 14:6

And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because [there was] no grass.

Hosea 5:15

I will go [and] return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

Job 39:5

Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?

Job 39:8

The range of the mountains [is] his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.

Jeremiah 2:27

Saying to a stock, Thou [art] my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned [their] back unto me, and not [their] face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.

Job 11:12

For vain man would be wise, though man be born [like] a wild ass's colt.