Jeremiah 2:29

KJV

¶ Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore will ye plead {H7378} with me? ye all have transgressed {H6586} against me, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Why argue with me? You have all rebelled against me!" says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

Why do you bring a case against Me? You have all rebelled against Me,” declares the LORD.

American Standard Version

Wherefore will ye contend with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 2:29 captures a pivotal moment in God's prophetic discourse with ancient Israel, specifically the southern kingdom of Judah, through the prophet Jeremiah. This verse presents a direct, rhetorical challenge from the LORD, exposing the nation's profound hypocrisy and undeniable guilt, questioning their futile attempts to justify themselves in the face of their widespread and deliberate rebellion against Him. It serves as a stark divine indictment, underscoring the futility of human self-vindication before an omniscient and righteous God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 2 is a powerful oracle of lament and indictment from God against His people. The chapter begins with God recalling Israel's initial devotion and fidelity, likening them to a cherished bride in the wilderness following the Exodus, a time of singular commitment acknowledged in [Jeremiah 2:2](/jeremiah/2-2 "Jeremiah 2:2 - Israel's Early Devotion"). However, this nostalgic recollection quickly shifts to a scathing critique of their subsequent spiritual decline. God meticulously details how they abandoned Him, the "fountain of living waters," for "broken cisterns that can hold no water," a vivid and poignant metaphor for their pursuit of lifeless idols and unreliable foreign alliances, as highlighted in [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Forsaking the Fountain of Living Waters"). The preceding verses have systematically laid out Judah's transgressions—their unfaithfulness, idolatry, and reliance on human power—making the divine challenge to "plead" in verse 29 a direct and unanswerable confrontation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy is delivered by Jeremiah during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, leading up to the Babylonian exile. Spiritually, it was a time of profound apostasy, marked by syncretism where the worship of Yahweh was mixed with pagan practices, often involving Baal and Asherah. Politically, Judah was caught between the rising power of Babylon and the declining influence of Egypt and Assyria, frequently seeking alliances with these nations rather than trusting in the LORD. Culturally, the concept of a legal dispute or "pleading a case" was well-understood, with individuals or groups presenting their defense before a judge or elder. God uses this familiar legal framework to highlight the undeniable nature of Judah's guilt, asserting that their case is indefensible given their blatant and persistent covenant violations.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 2:29 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the theme of **Divine Accusation and Challenge**, where God directly confronts His people, asking a rhetorical question that highlights the undeniable evidence of their unfaithfulness and rebellion. This leads to the theme of **Universal Guilt**, emphasized by the phrase "ye all have transgressed against me," which stresses that the rebellion was not isolated but pervasive throughout the nation, from its leaders to its common people, bringing collective consequences. The verse powerfully illustrates the **Futility of Self-Justification**, demonstrating the impossibility of arguing one's innocence before an omniscient God who sees all actions and motives; any plea would be hollow in the face of their blatant disobedience. Fundamentally, it speaks to the **Covenant Breach**, as Israel's actions constituted a direct violation of the sacred covenant relationship established at Mount Sinai, transforming their sins from mere mistakes into deliberate acts of defiance against their sovereign God, as forewarned in the covenant curses of [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Covenant Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Plead (Hebrew, _rîyb'_):** From H7378, meaning "to contend, strive, or engage in a legal dispute; to grapple." In this context, God is essentially asking, "What case do you have to present in your defense?" It implies an attempt by Judah to argue their innocence or justify their actions, which God dismisses outright as baseless and futile. This word sets up a courtroom scene where God is the righteous Judge and Israel the guilty defendant.
* **Transgressed (Hebrew, _pâshaʻ'_):** From H6586, signifying "to break away (from just authority), i.e., trespass, apostatize, quarrel; to rebel, revolt." This term is stronger than a general word for "sin." It denotes a deliberate, willful act of defiance and rebellion against a rightful ruler or an established agreement, specifically the covenant with the LORD. It highlights the severity of Israel's actions as a conscious and intentional breach of their sacred relationship with God.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, referring to "the self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God." This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, unchanging nature and His unique relationship with Israel. By declaring "saith the LORD," the verse underscores that the accusation and challenge come from the sovereign, covenant-keeping God Himself, making the rebellion all the more egregious and the judgment entirely just.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore will ye plead with me?":** This is a powerful rhetorical question posed by God. It is not an inquiry seeking information, but a challenge designed to highlight the utter futility and absurdity of Judah attempting to justify themselves. Given the overwhelming evidence of their widespread idolatry and unfaithfulness, any defense they might offer would be hollow and without merit. God is asserting His unassailable position as the righteous Judge who sees all their deeds and motives.
* **"ye all have transgressed against me":** This clause provides the irrefutable reason for the rhetorical question. It is a direct and sweeping accusation of universal guilt within the nation. The emphasis on "ye all" signifies that the rebellion was not isolated to a few individuals or factions but was a pervasive, systemic issue affecting the entire populace, from leaders to common people. Their actions constituted a direct and deliberate act of defiance against God's authority and His covenant.
* **"saith the LORD.":** This concluding phrase serves as an authoritative divine stamp on the preceding declaration. It underscores that this is not merely Jeremiah's opinion or a human observation, but the direct, unchallengeable pronouncement from Yahweh, the sovereign God of Israel. It lends absolute certainty and gravity to the accusation, leaving no room for dispute or evasion.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 2:29 makes effective use of several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Wherefore will ye plead with me?" This question is not posed to elicit an answer, but to underscore the undeniable guilt of the people and the utter futility of any attempt at self-justification. It forces the audience to confront the obviousness of their rebellion. There is also strong **Direct Address** and **Apostrophe**, as God directly confronts the nation of Judah, making the accusation deeply personal and confrontational rather than a detached observation. The phrase "ye all" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, highlighting the pervasive and comprehensive nature of the transgression across the entire society, stressing collective responsibility. Finally, the language of "pleading" and "transgressing" establishes a clear **Legal Metaphor**, casting God as the supreme Judge and Israel as the defendant in a divine courtroom, where their case is already lost due to overwhelming evidence of their covenant breach.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 2:29 powerfully articulates the theological truth of human accountability before a holy God and the inherent nature of sin as rebellion. It reveals God's righteous character as a Judge who demands justice and exposes the futility of human attempts at self-vindication. The verse emphasizes that sin, particularly "transgression" (pasha), is not merely a mistake but a deliberate breaking away from divine authority and a violation of sacred covenant. This highlights the profound gravity of Israel's unfaithfulness, which was a direct affront to the God who had redeemed them and entered into a special relationship with them. The universal "ye all" underscores that sin is a pervasive human condition, making any plea of innocence before God utterly baseless and revealing humanity's desperate need for divine intervention and grace.

* [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned and Fall Short")
* [Psalm 51:4](/psalms/51-4 "Psalm 51:4 - Against You Only Have I Sinned")
* [Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Your Sins Have Separated You from God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 2:29 serves as a timeless mirror, challenging us to honestly examine our own lives and motivations in light of God's perfect standard. When confronted with our failings, our natural inclination is often to defend ourselves, make excuses, or shift blame, much like ancient Judah attempted to "plead" their case. This verse sternly reminds us that such self-justification is utterly futile before an omniscient God who sees beyond our outward actions into the depths of our hearts. True spiritual health begins with humility and a willingness to acknowledge our sin without reservation. It calls us to move beyond superficial confession to a genuine recognition of our rebellion against God's loving authority. Just as Israel could not plead their case before the LORD, neither can we earn our righteousness or justify our disobedience. Instead, we are called to confess our transgressions fully and turn to God's abundant mercy, which is freely offered to those who come in brokenness and repentance. This verse compels us to cultivate a sincere, obedient relationship with God, built on truth and humility, rather than one marked by superficiality or defiance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be attempting to "plead" my case before God, rather than humbly acknowledging my sin and seeking His grace?**
* **How does understanding sin as "transgression" or deliberate rebellion against God's authority deepen my understanding of its seriousness and my need for forgiveness?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to cultivate a heart of genuine confession, humility, and full reliance on God's mercy, rather than my own efforts at self-justification?**

### FAQ
**Why does God ask a rhetorical question ("Wherefore will ye plead with me?") if He already knows their guilt?**

Answer: God's rhetorical question is not posed out of ignorance but out of divine wisdom and pedagogical intent. It serves multiple purposes: to provoke self-reflection and conviction in Judah, to highlight the utter folly and absurdity of their attempts at self-justification, and to underscore the undeniable nature of their sin. By asking a question for which there is no valid defense, God leaves them with no room for excuses, forcing them to confront the obvious truth of their rebellion. It's a powerful divine challenge to their conscience, designed to strip away any pretense of innocence and lead them to a place of honest acknowledgment of their guilt before Him, as seen in similar prophetic challenges in [Isaiah 1:18](/isaiah/1-18 "Isaiah 1:18 - Come, Let Us Reason Together").

**Does "ye all" in "ye all have transgressed against me" literally mean every single individual in Judah?**

Answer: While "ye all" might not imply that every single person committed every specific sin, it signifies the pervasive and systemic nature of the rebellion within the nation. It indicates a collective guilt and a widespread abandonment of God's ways, affecting the national character from its leaders to its common people. The phrase emphasizes that the apostasy was not an isolated incident but a dominant characteristic of the society, making the nation as a whole accountable before God. This collective responsibility is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, where the nation's spiritual state reflects the sum of its individual and corporate actions, as highlighted in [Jeremiah 5:1](/jeremiah/5-1 "Jeremiah 5:1 - Search for a Righteous Person").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 2:29, with its stark declaration of human transgression and the futility of self-justification, profoundly underscores humanity's desperate need for a Savior, a need perfectly met in Jesus Christ. The verse highlights the universal human condition of being utterly unable to "plead" a righteous case before a holy God, as "ye all have transgressed against me." This Old Testament truth finds its New Testament echo in passages like [Romans 3:10-12](/romans/3-10-12 "Romans 3:10-12 - None Is Righteous"), which declares that "there is no one righteous, not even one." Humanity's rebellion, or "transgression" (pasha), against God's authority is a defining aspect of the fallen human condition. However, the good news of the Gospel is that what humanity could not do for itself—namely, stand righteous before God—Christ accomplished. He is the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (`/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"`), bearing the full weight of our transgressions on the cross (`/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Wounded for Our Transgressions"`). While Israel had no advocate to plead their case, believers in Christ have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (`/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Christ Our Advocate"`), who intercedes for them based not on their merit but on His perfect sacrifice. Through faith in Him, our transgressions are not merely overlooked but are fully atoned for, and we are declared righteous by God's grace (`/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by Grace Through Faith"`). The "saith the LORD" in Jeremiah 2:29, which speaks of judgment for rebellion, is ultimately fulfilled in the "It is finished" (`/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - It Is Finished"`) of Christ, which declares redemption and reconciliation for all who believe, offering a pathway to stand before God justified, not by our pleading, but by His perfect work.

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 6:13

For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one [is] given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

Daniel 9:11

Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that [is] written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

Jeremiah 5:1

¶ Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be [any] that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.

Jeremiah 2:23

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;

Jeremiah 3:2

Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.

Jeremiah 2:35

Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.

Jeremiah 9:2

Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they [be] all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.