Jeremiah 2:34

KJV

Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.

KJV (with Strong's)

Also in thy skirts {H3671} is found {H4672} the blood {H1818} of the souls {H5315} of the poor {H34} innocents {H5355}: I have not found {H4672} it by secret search {H4290}, but upon all these.

Complete Jewish Bible

Right there on your clothing is the blood of the innocent poor, although you never caught them breaking and entering. Yet concerning all these things,

Berean Standard Bible

Moreover, your skirts are stained with the blood of the innocent poor, though you did not find them breaking in. But in spite of all these things

American Standard Version

Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the innocent poor: thou didst not find them breaking in; but it is because of all these things.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 2:34 delivers a searing divine indictment against Judah, exposing the nation's profound moral corruption and pervasive injustice. The prophet reveals that the "blood of the souls of the poor innocents" is openly visible, staining the very garments of the people and their society. This verse underscores that Judah's deep-seated sin, particularly its oppression and violence against the most vulnerable, is not hidden from God's sight but is overtly manifest, demanding an inescapable divine reckoning.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 2 initiates a powerful prophetic discourse where Yahweh, through Jeremiah, brings a lawsuit (rib) against Judah. The chapter begins by recalling God's faithful love for Israel during their wilderness journey, contrasting it sharply with Judah's subsequent spiritual apostasy and abandonment of their "first love" (vv. 1-3). The indictment escalates, detailing Judah's turning from the "fountain of living waters" to broken cisterns (v. 13), their pursuit of foreign alliances and idolatry (vv. 14-28), and their unrepentant denial of sin despite overwhelming evidence (vv. 29-33). Verse 34, therefore, serves as a climactic accusation, moving from spiritual infidelity to the tangible, horrific evidence of social injustice and bloodshed, demonstrating the practical outworking of their broken covenant relationship with God. It sets the stage for further pronouncements of judgment in subsequent chapters, such as the coming invasion (Jeremiah 4-6).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah (late 7th to early 6th century BC), spanning the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah. This era saw a brief spiritual revival under Josiah, followed by a rapid decline into idolatry, political maneuvering between regional powers (Egypt and Babylon), and severe social decay. The accusation of "blood of the souls of the poor innocents" reflects a widespread problem of systemic injustice, exploitation, and even ritual child sacrifice (though not explicitly stated here, it was a known practice, as seen in [Jeremiah 7:31](/jeremiah/7-31 "Jeremiah 7:31 - The Valley of Hinnom")). Ancient Near Eastern societies, including Israel, had strict laws against shedding innocent blood, often tied to covenant obligations and the sanctity of life. The "poor innocents" would have included widows, orphans, resident aliens, and the economically disadvantaged, whom God's law specifically commanded Israel to protect and provide for ([Deuteronomy 24:17-22](/deuteronomy/24-17 "Deuteronomy 24:17-22 - Justice for the Vulnerable")). Their suffering at the hands of the powerful was a direct affront to Yahweh's character and His covenant.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 2:34 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Judah's Incurable Apostasy and Rebellion**, demonstrating that their spiritual unfaithfulness had tangible, devastating consequences in their social fabric. Their turning from God was not merely a theological error but led to profound moral corruption. Secondly, the verse underscores **Divine Justice and Inescapable Judgment**. God's declaration, "I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these," emphasizes His omniscient awareness of their sin and the certainty of His righteous judgment. This sin was not hidden, and therefore, judgment would not be withheld. Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **Social Injustice as a Breach of Covenant**, showing that the mistreatment of the vulnerable was a direct violation of the covenant relationship with Yahweh, who is consistently portrayed as a defender of the oppressed ([Psalm 140:12](/psalms/140-12 "Psalm 140:12 - God Upholds the Cause of the Afflicted")). This theme is central to Jeremiah's prophetic message, as seen in his call for justice and righteousness in [Jeremiah 7:5-7](/jeremiah/7-5 "Jeremiah 7:5-7 - A Call to Justice and Righteousness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **skirts (Hebrew, _kânâph'_):** From H3671, this word literally means "wing" or "extremity," but in the context of clothing, it refers to the "flap" or "hem" of a garment. In this verse, "in thy skirts" signifies that the bloodstains are not hidden but are openly visible on the outer part of their clothing, symbolizing the public and undeniable nature of Judah's guilt. It implies that their sin is not a secret, internal matter but is manifest in their actions and societal structures.
* **blood (Hebrew, _dâm'_):** From H1818, "blood" here refers to "bloodshed," specifically the life-blood of humans. It is a powerful symbol of violence, murder, and guilt. The presence of "blood" on their skirts indicates not just a metaphorical staining but actual culpability for the deaths of innocent people, whether through direct violence, judicial murder, or systemic oppression that led to their demise.
* **innocents (Hebrew, _nâqîy'_):** From H5355, this term means "blameless," "guiltless," or "clean." When combined with "poor," it emphasizes the utter lack of culpability on the part of the victims. They were not deserving of their fate; their suffering and death were a result of pure injustice. This highlights the heinous nature of Judah's sin, as it targeted those who were defenseless and without fault.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents:"** This clause presents the damning evidence. The imagery of "blood... found in thy skirts" powerfully conveys that Judah's guilt for shedding innocent blood is not concealed but is openly manifest and undeniable. "Skirts" (kânâph) refers to the hem or corner of a garment, symbolizing what is exposed and evident. The "blood of the souls of the poor innocents" points to the violent oppression and murder of the most vulnerable and blameless members of society, a direct and egregious violation of God's covenant and moral law.
* **"I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these."** This declaration from God emphasizes the overt and pervasive nature of Judah's sin. God did not need to "secretly search" or investigate to uncover their crimes; the evidence was blatant and widespread ("upon all these"). This underscores divine omniscience and the inescapable accountability of the nation. Their guilt was not a hidden transgression but a public scandal, deeply embedded in their societal practices and collective behavior.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 2:34 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of judgment. **Metonymy** is evident in "in thy skirts," where the garment's hem represents the entire nation and its public actions, signifying that the nation's guilt is not hidden but openly displayed. The "blood" functions as powerful **Symbolism**, representing not just literal bloodshed but also the profound guilt, violence, and moral corruption that permeate Judah's society. The phrase "poor innocents" uses **Juxtaposition** to highlight the tragic irony and injustice of the situation, contrasting the victims' blamelessness with the nation's culpability. Furthermore, the divine declaration, "I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these," employs **Understatement** (or perhaps **Litotes**, a form of ironic understatement) to powerfully assert the obviousness and pervasiveness of the sin, implying that the evidence is so overwhelming it requires no effort to discover.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 2:34 stands as a stark reminder of God's unwavering commitment to justice and His abhorrence of oppression, particularly against the vulnerable. Theologically, it underscores that true worship and covenant faithfulness are inextricably linked to ethical conduct and social righteousness. When a nation, or individuals within it, sheds innocent blood and oppresses the poor, they are not merely breaking human laws but are directly affronting the character of God, who is the defender of the weak and the upholder of justice. This verse highlights the principle that sin, especially systemic injustice, has tangible and visible consequences that cannot be hidden from divine scrutiny, leading inevitably to judgment. It serves as a prophetic warning that outward religious observance is meaningless without inward transformation and righteous action.

* [Deuteronomy 27:25](/deuteronomy/27-25 "Curse for Taking a Bribe to Shed Innocent Blood")
* [Psalm 94:6](/psalms/94-6 "They Slay the Widow and the Sojourner")
* [Micah 3:10](/micah/3-10 "Building Zion with Bloodshed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 2:34 challenges us to confront the reality of injustice, both historically and in our contemporary world. It forces us to ask whether the "blood of the poor innocents" might also be found "in our skirts"—in our societal structures, our economic systems, or even our personal complacency. This verse calls for a deep self-examination of how we, as individuals and communities, treat the marginalized, the voiceless, and the vulnerable. It reminds us that genuine faith is never divorced from active compassion and the pursuit of justice. We are called to be advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves, to dismantle systems that perpetuate oppression, and to ensure that our lives and societies reflect God's heart for righteousness and mercy. The divine gaze that saw Judah's visible corruption also sees ours, urging us to repentance and a renewed commitment to living out the radical justice of the Kingdom of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might the "blood of the poor innocents" be found "in the skirts" of our contemporary society or even our own lives?**
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of what constitutes "sin" beyond individual transgressions to include systemic injustices?**
* **What practical steps can we take to advocate for the vulnerable and challenge oppression in our communities?**
* **How does the idea that God "did not find it by secret search" impact your understanding of divine omniscience and accountability?**

### FAQ
**What does "in thy skirts" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "in thy skirts" (Hebrew: *kânâph*) refers to the hem or corner of a garment. In this context, it is a powerful metaphor indicating that Judah's guilt for shedding the "blood of the poor innocents" is not hidden or secret but is openly and visibly displayed. It suggests that the nation's moral corruption and violent acts against the vulnerable are so pervasive that they are evident for all to see, like a bloodstain on one's clothing. This imagery underscores the public and undeniable nature of their sin, which God observes without needing to search for it.

**Who are the "poor innocents" mentioned in the verse?**

Answer: The "poor innocents" (Hebrew: *ʼebyôwn* and *nâqîy*) refers to the most vulnerable and blameless members of society. This would typically include the economically disadvantaged, widows, orphans, and resident aliens—groups for whom God's law provided specific protections (e.g., [Deuteronomy 24:17](/deuteronomy/24-17 "Deuteronomy 24:17 - Justice for the Sojourner, Orphan, and Widow")). The term "innocents" emphasizes their lack of culpability, highlighting that their suffering and death were the result of pure injustice and oppression, not any wrongdoing on their part. The shedding of their "blood" signifies their unjust treatment, exploitation, or even murder at the hands of the powerful within Judah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 2:34, with its stark indictment of Judah for shedding the "blood of the poor innocents," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The innocent blood shed in Judah foreshadows the ultimate shedding of truly innocent blood—that of Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, who was "led as a lamb to the slaughter" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant")). While Judah's sin was a stain of guilt, Christ's blood, poured out on the cross, is the means of purification and redemption. His sacrifice, though a profound act of injustice by humanity, was God's righteous provision for sin, speaking "a better word than the blood of Abel" ([Hebrews 12:24](/hebrews/12-24 "Hebrews 12:24 - Jesus, the Mediator of a New Covenant")). The systemic injustice that led to the death of the "poor innocents" in Jeremiah's day culminates in the ultimate act of injustice against the Son of God, yet through His death, a path to true righteousness and reconciliation is opened. Christ's life and teachings consistently championed the poor and oppressed ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement")), embodying the very justice that Judah so grievously lacked. His resurrection demonstrates God's ultimate triumph over sin and death, offering a new covenant where hearts are transformed and true righteousness, both personal and societal, becomes possible through faith in Him ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")).

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

2 Kings 21:16

Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD.

2 Kings 24:4

And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.

Jeremiah 19:4

Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;

Exodus 22:2

If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, [there shall] no blood [be shed] for him.

Jeremiah 6:15

Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time [that] I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.

Ezekiel 24:7

For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust;

Psalms 106:37

Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,