Jeremiah 2:28

But where [are] thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for [according to] the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

But where are thy gods {H430} that thou hast made {H6213} thee? let them arise {H6965}, if they can save {H3467} thee in the time {H6256} of thy trouble {H7451}: for according to the number {H4557} of thy cities {H5892} are thy gods {H430}, O Judah {H3063}.

Where are your gods that you made for yourselves? Let them rouse themselves, if they can save you when trouble comes. Y'hudah, you have as many gods as you have cities!

But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah.

But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

Commentary

Jeremiah 2:28 delivers a powerful and rhetorical challenge from God to the unfaithful kingdom of Judah, confronting them about the futility of their widespread idolatry. It exposes the utter powerlessness of the false gods they had created and worshipped, especially in the face of impending divine judgment and national distress.

Context

This verse is situated early in the prophetic book of Jeremiah, a period when the prophet was called to warn Judah of its impending doom due to rampant spiritual apostasy. Despite God's covenant relationship and repeated warnings, the people of Judah had deeply entrenched themselves in pagan worship, adopting foreign deities and practices. Jeremiah's message here is a stark reminder of the consequences of abandoning the true God for man-made idols, highlighting that their false gods would be utterly useless when the inevitable "time of thy trouble" (referring to the Babylonian invasions and exile) arrived.

Key Themes

  • The Futility of Idolatry: The core of the verse is a sarcastic, yet profound, question challenging the power of these idols: "where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble." This rhetorical question underscores the utter inability of inanimate objects, crafted by human hands, to offer salvation, protection, or genuine help. They stand in stark contrast to the living and true God.
  • Divine Challenge and Impending Judgment: God, through Jeremiah, issues a direct challenge to Judah's misplaced trust. The phrase "time of thy trouble" points to a period of severe distress and divine retribution that their unfaithfulness would inevitably bring. In that hour, their false hopes and numerous deities would provide no refuge or deliverance.
  • Widespread Apostasy: The lamentable statement, "for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah," vividly illustrates the depth of Judah's spiritual corruption. It suggests that nearly every city or town had its own altars, shrines, and idols, signifying a widespread abandonment of the first commandment and a complete surrender to polytheism.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "gods that thou hast made thee" emphasizes the human origin of these deities. The Hebrew word for "gods" (elohim) is used here for pagan idols, highlighting their status as mere creations of human hands and imagination, devoid of any inherent power or divine essence. This contrasts with the true God, who is the uncreated Creator.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 2:28 carries enduring relevance. While overt worship of physical idols may be less common today, modern societies often create "gods" in the form of wealth, power, fame, pleasure, technology, or even self-reliance. This verse serves as a potent reminder that none of these can truly "save" us in times of genuine crisis, loss, or existential dread. It calls us to critically examine what we truly trust in for security, peace, and hope, urging us to turn to the one true God who alone offers refuge and strength in trouble. It is a timeless call to exclusive devotion to the Lord, recognizing that only He can deliver in the day of adversity.

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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 11:13

    For [according to] the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and [according to] the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to [that] shameful thing, [even] altars to burn incense unto Baal.

  • Isaiah 45:20

    ¶ Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye [that are] escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god [that] cannot save.

  • Deuteronomy 32:37

    And he shall say, Where [are] their gods, [their] rock in whom they trusted,

  • Judges 10:14

    Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

  • 2 Kings 17:30

    And the men of Babylon made Succothbenoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,

  • 2 Kings 17:31

    And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.

  • Isaiah 46:7

    They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, [one] shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.