Jeremiah 2:28

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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!

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 2:28 delivers a searing divine indictment against the kingdom of Judah, rhetorically challenging the very existence and efficacy of their pervasive idolatry. The verse exposes the utter impotence of the countless false gods they had fashioned and worshipped, asserting with biting sarcasm that these man-made deities would be utterly powerless to deliver them during the inevitable period of national distress and divine judgment. This lamentable observation vividly underscores Judah's profound spiritual apostasy, where the proliferation of idols mirrored the very number of their cities, signifying a complete and widespread abandonment of their covenant with the one true God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Jeremiah's early prophetic ministry, specifically in chapter 2, which serves as a foundational indictment of Judah's unfaithfulness. The chapter opens with God reminiscing about Israel's initial devotion during their wilderness journey, starkly contrasting it with their subsequent spiritual adultery and rebellion. Jeremiah 2:26-27 vividly depict Judah's shame as they are exposed for turning from Yahweh to inanimate objects, addressing "a stock" as their father and "a stone" as their mother. Verse 28 then acts as a climactic rhetorical question, directly confronting the practical implications of their misplaced trust. It is part of a larger prophetic argument that highlights Judah's spiritual harlotry, their foolish exchange of the living God for worthless idols, and the inevitable consequences of such profound apostasy, setting the stage for the pronouncements of judgment that characterize the subsequent chapters of the book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry unfolded during the turbulent late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period marked by the decline of the Assyrian Empire and the formidable rise of Babylon. Judah found itself precariously positioned between these shifting powers, ultimately leading to a series of devastating Babylonian invasions (605, 597, 586 BCE) that culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and the exile of its people. Culturally, Judah had become deeply syncretistic, blending the worship of Yahweh with the pagan practices of surrounding Canaanite nations, particularly the cults of Baal and Asherah. Evidence of this widespread idolatry included numerous "high places," sacred poles, and altars dedicated to foreign deities found throughout the land, even within Jerusalem itself. The "time of thy trouble" explicitly refers to these impending geopolitical and divine judgments. The verse thus reflects a society where the Mosaic covenant's demand for exclusive worship of Yahweh had largely collapsed, replaced by a polytheistic worldview that sought security and prosperity from a multitude of localized, man-made deities.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 2:28 powerfully contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic tradition. A central theme is the **Futility of Idolatry**, as the rhetorical challenge "where are thy gods... if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble?" mocks the utter powerlessness of man-made idols in the face of genuine crisis, contrasting them sharply with the omnipotent and living God of Israel. This theme is echoed throughout Jeremiah, particularly in passages like [Jeremiah 10:1-16](/jeremiah/10-1-16 "Jeremiah 10:1-16 - The Folly of Idols"). This futility inevitably leads to the theme of **Divine Judgment and the Consequences of Apostasy**, as Judah's unfaithfulness directly results in severe national distress, a direct fulfillment of the curses outlined in the Mosaic covenant (see [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). The striking phrase "according to the number of thy cities are thy gods" vividly illustrates the pervasive and **Widespread Apostasy** throughout Judah, highlighting a complete societal departure from the exclusive worship demanded by the [first commandment](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment"). The verse thus serves as a stark reminder of God's holy jealousy for His covenant people and His unwavering commitment to justice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gods (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** (H430) This plural noun, commonly used for the supreme God (Yahweh), is ironically applied here to pagan idols. Its use in this context underscores the profound blasphemy and spiritual degradation of Judah's idolatry. They attributed divine power to mere creations, reducing the concept of God to something fabricated by human hands, rather than acknowledging the uncreated, sovereign Creator. The word highlights the deceptive nature of false worship, as these "gods" are ultimately empty and powerless.
* **made (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** (H6213) This primitive root signifies "to do or make" in a broad sense. Its application here emphasizes the human origin of these deities. The idols are not divine beings but artifacts "made" by human effort, skill, and imagination. This stands in direct contrast to the true God, who is the unmade Maker of all things. The very act of "making" a god exposes its inherent limitations and dependency on its creators, reinforcing its inability to "save."
* **save (Hebrew, _yâshaʻ'_):** (H3467) This root means "to be open, wide or free," and by implication, "to be safe; causatively, to free or succor." It denotes deliverance, salvation, or help in a time of need. The rhetorical question "if they can save thee" directly challenges the core purpose for which people turn to deities—for protection and deliverance. The implied answer is a resounding no, emphasizing the futility of trusting in anything other than the true God for genuine salvation from trouble.
* **trouble (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** (H7451) This term denotes "bad" or "evil," encompassing adversity, affliction, calamity, distress, and misery. It refers to the severe national crisis and impending judgment that Judah would face due to their sin. The prophet uses this word to highlight the gravity of the situation and the stark reality that their false gods would offer no solace or rescue when true calamity struck, unlike the Lord who is a "refuge in times of trouble."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee?"**: This opening clause is a sharp, rhetorical question posed by God through Jeremiah. It immediately challenges Judah's misplaced trust and exposes the human origin of their deities. The phrase "that thou hast made thee" directly indicts Judah for creating their own objects of worship, highlighting their self-deception and the absurdity of expecting help from something they themselves fashioned.
* **"let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble:"**: This is a sarcastic dare, inviting the idols to demonstrate their power. The imperative "let them arise" implies a challenge to action, mocking their inertness and lifelessness. The crucial conditional "if they can save thee" underscores their utter inability to provide deliverance, especially when Judah faces the inevitable "time of thy trouble"—the period of divine judgment and national calamity. This clause emphasizes the practical failure and utter futility of idolatry.
* **"for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah."**: This concluding statement provides the reason for the rhetorical challenge and highlights the pervasive nature of Judah's apostasy. It's a lamentable observation that the extent of their idolatry was so vast that virtually every city or town had its own specific deities or shrines, indicating a complete societal embrace of polytheism and a total abandonment of the exclusive worship of Yahweh. The sheer quantity of idols underscores the depth of their spiritual rebellion and the comprehensive nature of their covenant breach.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 2:28 is rich in literary devices that amplify its prophetic message and underscore the divine indictment. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble?" This question is not seeking information but is designed to provoke profound thought and highlight the obvious, devastating truth: the idols are utterly powerless. This rhetorical technique is deeply imbued with **Sarcasm** and **Irony**, as God challenges the inanimate objects to perform a task (saving Judah) that is inherently beyond their capacity, thereby ridiculing Judah's foolish reliance on them. The phrase "let them arise" also employs a subtle form of **Personification**, treating the lifeless idols as if they could actually stir themselves to action, further emphasizing their inertness by highlighting their failure to do so. Finally, the statement "for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah" uses **Hyperbole** or vivid imagery to convey the widespread and deeply entrenched nature of Judah's idolatry, suggesting an almost one-to-one correspondence between cities and their respective deities, underscoring the profound depth of their apostasy and the pervasive nature of their spiritual rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 2:28 powerfully articulates a foundational biblical truth: the absolute futility of idolatry and the exclusive sovereignty of the one true God. The passage underscores that genuine salvation and deliverance come only from Yahweh, who is the living, active, and covenant-keeping God, in stark contrast to the dead, man-made idols. It highlights the divine jealousy for exclusive worship and the severe consequences of spiritual infidelity, demonstrating that turning away from the Creator to created things inevitably leads to disaster and an inability to withstand the trials of life. The proliferation of idols in Judah reveals a deep spiritual sickness—a failure to trust God's provision and protection, leading them to seek security in false, powerless sources. This verse serves as a timeless warning against placing ultimate trust in anything other than the Lord.

* [Deuteronomy 6:4-5](/deuteronomy/6-4-5 "Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - The Shema: Hear, O Israel")
* [Psalm 115:3-8](/psalms/115-3-8 "Psalm 115:3-8 - Our God is in the heavens")
* [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9-20 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 2:28 serves as a timeless mirror for self-examination, challenging us to identify and dismantle the "gods" we might unknowingly create or worship in our own lives. While overt idol worship of physical statues may be less common in many modern contexts, the human heart remains profoundly prone to idolatry. Anything we trust in more than God for security, significance, satisfaction, or salvation can become an idol: wealth, career, relationships, reputation, comfort, pleasure, technology, political ideologies, or even our own abilities and self-reliance. This verse reminds us that when true "trouble" inevitably arises—whether it be personal crisis, societal upheaval, illness, loss, or the ultimate reality of death—these false gods will prove utterly powerless to save, comfort, or provide lasting hope. Only the living God, the Creator and Sustainer of all, can truly deliver, sustain, and offer genuine peace in the midst of adversity. It calls us to a radical re-evaluation of our ultimate allegiances, urging exclusive devotion to the Lord, who alone is worthy of our trust and worship and who alone possesses the power to truly save.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "gods" have I made for myself, or what do I tend to trust in more than God when facing challenges or seeking security?**
* **How does my daily life reflect my true allegiances? Do my priorities align with worshipping the one true God, or am I serving other masters?**
* **In what ways do I seek "salvation" or deliverance from sources other than God in times of personal "trouble"?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more exclusive trust in God's sovereignty and provision in all areas of my life?**

### FAQ
**What is the "time of thy trouble" referred to in this verse?**

Answer: The "time of thy trouble" (Hebrew: _ʻêth raʻ_) refers specifically to the period of severe national distress and divine judgment that Judah was about to experience. This primarily points to the series of Babylonian invasions that occurred in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BCE, and the subsequent exile of the Jewish people. Jeremiah's prophecy was a direct warning that their idolatry would lead to this catastrophic outcome, and that the false gods they trusted would be utterly useless in that hour of crisis. The phrase emphasizes the grave consequences of their spiritual rebellion.

**Why does God challenge Judah's gods to "arise" if they can save?**

Answer: This is a powerful rhetorical challenge, dripping with divine sarcasm and irony. God is not genuinely expecting the idols to physically "arise" (Hebrew: _qûwm_) and act, as they are inanimate objects of wood and stone. Instead, He is mocking Judah's foolish belief in their efficacy. The challenge highlights the utter inertness and powerlessness of these man-made deities, contrasting them sharply with the living, active, and omnipotent God of Israel. It's a dramatic way of exposing the absurdity of Judah's misplaced trust and demonstrating that their idols are incapable of providing any real help or salvation when true calamity strikes. This divine taunt underscores the fundamental difference between the Creator and the created.

**Is the message of Jeremiah 2:28 still relevant today, given that overt idol worship is less common?**

Answer: Absolutely. While societies may not typically worship physical statues today, the human heart remains profoundly prone to creating "idols." Modern idolatry often manifests in more subtle forms, such as placing ultimate trust, hope, or devotion in things like wealth, power, career success, social status, physical appearance, technology, pleasure, relationships, or even self-reliance. This verse serves as a timeless warning that anything we elevate to the place of God in our lives will ultimately prove to be a false savior, unable to deliver us from the deepest troubles of life, existential anxieties, or the reality of death. It calls us to examine our hearts and ensure our ultimate allegiance and trust rest solely in the one true God, who alone is capable of true and lasting salvation, as revealed supremely in [Jesus Christ](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 2:28, in its stark portrayal of the futility of idols and the desperate need for a true deliverer, profoundly foreshadows the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "gods that thou hast made" are exposed as powerless to "save" in the "time of trouble," highlighting humanity's inherent inability to rescue itself or find salvation through its own creations or efforts. This sets the stage for the coming of the one true God-man, Jesus, who alone possesses the power to save. He is not a god "made" by human hands or imagination, but the eternal Son, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the very image of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - The Image of the Invisible God")). While Judah's idols could not "arise" to save them from Babylonian invasion, Jesus Christ truly "arose" from the dead, conquering sin and death, offering ultimate salvation from spiritual trouble and eternal judgment ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Raised for Our Justification")). He is the true "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the only one who can deliver us from the "trouble" of our fallen condition and reconcile us to God ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")). Thus, Jeremiah's lament over Judah's countless, useless gods points forward to the singular, all-sufficient Savior who offers true and lasting salvation and is "able to save completely those who come to God through him" ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Our High Priest")).

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 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.