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.
Saying {H559} to a stock {H6086}, Thou art my father {H1}; and to a stone {H68}, Thou hast brought me forth {H3205}: for they have turned {H6437} their back {H6203} unto me, and not their face {H6440}: but in the time {H6256} of their trouble {H7451} they will say {H559}, Arise {H6965}, and save {H3467} us.
who say to a log, 'You are my father,' and to a stone, 'You gave us birth.' For they have turned their backs to me instead of their faces. But when trouble comes, they will plead, 'Rouse yourself and save us!'
say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their backs to Me and not their faces, yet in the time of trouble they beg, ‘Rise up and save us!’
who say 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.
Cross-References
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Isaiah 26:16
LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer [when] thy chastening [was] upon them. -
Hosea 7:14
And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, [and] they rebel against me. -
Judges 10:8
And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that [were] on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which [is] in Gilead. -
Judges 10:16
And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel. -
Habakkuk 2:18
What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? -
Habakkuk 2:19
Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it [is] laid over with gold and silver, and [there is] no breath at all in the midst of it. -
Jeremiah 18:17
I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.
Commentary
Jeremiah 2:27 vividly describes the spiritual apostasy of ancient Israel, highlighting their misguided worship and the tragic consequences of forsaking the true God for lifeless idols. This verse is part of Jeremiah's early prophecies, where he confronts Judah's deep-seated rebellion against their covenant Lord.
Context of Jeremiah 2:27
The prophet Jeremiah was called by God to deliver a stark message of judgment and repentance to the kingdom of Judah during the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC. At this time, Judah, despite its rich spiritual heritage and the Law given at Sinai, had deeply backslidden into widespread idolatry. This verse specifically condemns the practice of worshipping inanimate objects—"stock" (likely carved wooden images or Asherah poles) and "stone" (stone pillars, altars, or idols of Baal and other Canaanite deities)—as if they were the source of life and blessing. This was a direct violation of the first commandment against having other gods before the Lord.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "stock" is ‘ēṣ (עֵץ), which literally means "tree" or "wood," referring to carved wooden idols. "Stone" is ’eben (אֶבֶן), representing stone idols or pillars. The phrase "Thou hast brought me forth" emphasizes the false belief that these inanimate objects were the source of their existence and prosperity, usurping God's role as Creator and Sustainer. The contrast between turning "their back" and "their face" vividly illustrates the complete spiritual abandonment of God’s presence and commandments, choosing to ignore His divine light and truth.
Practical Application
While modern society may not worship physical idols of wood and stone, the principle of Jeremiah 2:27 remains profoundly relevant. We can still "turn our back" on God by prioritizing anything over Him—be it wealth, career, personal pleasure, or even self-reliance. These become our functional "stocks" and "stones" to which we attribute our well-being and security. This verse serves as a powerful reminder to examine our allegiances and ensure that our trust is placed solely in the living God, not in temporary or material things. It also challenges us to cultivate a consistent relationship with God, not just one invoked out of desperation. True faith involves seeking God's face in all circumstances, not just when troubles arise, as encouraged in Psalm 105:4.
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