Jeremiah 2:35

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet thou sayest {H559}, Because I am innocent {H5352}, surely his anger {H639} shall turn {H7725} from me. Behold, I will plead {H8199} with thee, because thou sayest {H559}, I have not sinned {H2398}.

Complete Jewish Bible

you say, 'I am innocent; surely he's no longer angry at me.' Here, I am passing sentence on you, because you say, 'I have done nothing wrong.'

Berean Standard Bible

you say, ‘I am innocent. Surely His anger will turn from me.’ Behold, I will judge you, because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’

American Standard Version

Yet thou saidst, I am innocent; surely his anger is turned away from me. Behold, I will enter into judgment with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 2:35 vividly exposes Judah's profound spiritual delusion and stubborn denial of their widespread unfaithfulness and idolatry. Despite overwhelming evidence of their rebellion against God's covenant, the people audaciously declare their innocence, mistakenly believing this self-justification will avert divine judgment. The Lord, however, confronts this baseless claim with righteous indignation, asserting His intention to "plead" or contend with them, thereby exposing their deep-seated sin and unrepentant hearts. This declaration underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice and truth, revealing the gravity of unacknowledged sin and the divine necessity of confrontation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 2:35 is strategically placed early in the book, serving as a climactic point in God's initial indictment against Judah. Chapter 2 begins with a poignant recollection of Israel's early devotion to the Lord, portraying it as a faithful bride's love in the wilderness, a stark contrast to their present apostasy ([Jeremiah 2:2](/jeremiah/2-2 "Jeremiah 2:2 - Israel's Early Devotion")). This nostalgic opening quickly transitions into a scathing critique of Judah's spiritual adultery, using powerful metaphors like forsaking the "fountain of living waters" for "broken cisterns" that can hold no water ([Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Broken Cisterns")). The verses immediately preceding 2:35 detail Judah's persistent pursuit of foreign gods and alliances, their defilement of the land, and their refusal to admit guilt even when confronted with their blatant unfaithfulness. Jeremiah 2:35 then functions as God's direct, judicial challenge to their unyielding denial, setting the stage for the escalating pronouncements of judgment and calls to repentance that characterize the remainder of the book.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry spanned a tumultuous period in Judah's history, from approximately 627 to 586 BC, encompassing the reigns of Kings Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah, leading up to the Babylonian exile. This era was marked by significant political instability, with Judah caught precariously between the rising empires of Egypt and Babylon. Spiritually, despite Josiah's earlier reforms, idolatry and syncretism remained deeply entrenched within the populace. Culturally, the Mosaic covenant formed the bedrock of Israelite society, emphasizing exclusive loyalty to Yahweh. However, Judah consistently violated this covenant by adopting pagan practices, sacrificing to foreign deities, and trusting in human alliances rather than divine providence. Geographically, Jerusalem, as the religious and political capital, was a focal point of both the nation's spiritual decline and God's prophetic warnings. The people's self-perception of innocence, despite their demonstrable actions, reflects a profound spiritual blindness and a fundamental misunderstanding of God's holy character and the binding terms of their covenant relationship.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 2:35 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes central to the book of Jeremiah. Foremost is the theme of **Judah's Apostasy and Unfaithfulness**, depicted as a grievous betrayal of their covenant with God. This verse specifically highlights their dangerous **Denial of Sin**, a spiritual condition where the people stubbornly refuse to acknowledge their guilt, thereby making genuine repentance impossible. This denial is intrinsically linked to a theme of **False Security**, as they erroneously believe their self-proclaimed innocence can somehow appease God's wrath or cause His anger to "turn from me." The Lord's emphatic response, "Behold, I will plead with thee," introduces the powerful theme of **Divine Judgment and Legal Dispute**, portraying God as a righteous judge presenting His irrefutable case against His rebellious people. This judicial confrontation underscores God's unwavering **Justice and Holiness**, demonstrating that He cannot overlook or condone sin, especially when met with such defiant denial. Ultimately, the verse serves as a foundational element for the broader themes of **Impending Exile and the Necessity of Repentance**, as Judah's unrepentant state necessitates severe divine discipline, though the possibility of future restoration for a genuinely repentant remnant is always held out ([Jeremiah 3:12-18](/jeremiah/3-12 "Jeremiah 3:12-18 - Call to Return and Promise of Restoration")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sayest (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root (H559) signifies "to say" with a broad range of applications, including to declare, command, speak, or boast. In Jeremiah 2:35, its repetition ("thou sayest... thou sayest") emphatically underscores the persistent, deliberate, and vocal nature of Judah's denial. It highlights their active assertion of innocence, not merely a passive state, revealing a hardened heart that audaciously contradicts divine truth. This word emphasizes the verbalization of their self-deception.
* **innocent (Hebrew, _nâqâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be clean" (H5352), this word implies being acquitted, blameless, or guiltless. Judah's audacious claim of being "innocent" stands in stark contrast to the overwhelming evidence of their idolatry, spiritual adultery, and covenant breaking detailed throughout the preceding verses. Their use of this term exposes a profound self-deception and a desperate, yet futile, attempt to declare themselves pure despite their defilement, demonstrating a deep moral and spiritual blindness.
* **plead (Hebrew, _shâphaṭ'_):** This primitive root (H8199) means "to judge," "pronounce sentence," "vindicate," or "govern." In a legal context, it implies entering into a dispute or contending. God's declaration, "I will plead with thee," is not a gentle request for reconsideration but a powerful, divine judicial challenge. It signifies that God Himself will act as the supreme judge, formally presenting the case against Judah's false claims of innocence, implying a divine reckoning and a formal process of justice rather than a mere argument or negotiation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me."**: This opening clause lays bare Judah's profound self-justifying mindset. Despite their undeniably unfaithful actions, they audaciously declare themselves "innocent" (nâqâh). This declaration is not merely a statement of fact but a presumption, as indicated by "surely his anger shall turn from me." They erroneously believe that their self-proclaimed blamelessness will automatically appease God's wrath, demonstrating a superficial, transactional, and deeply flawed understanding of divine justice, holiness, and the true nature of repentance. They assume a causal link between their asserted innocence and God's turning away His anger, rather than recognizing that genuine turning from anger requires sincere confession and repentance from sin.
* **"Behold, I will plead with thee,"**: This phrase marks God's direct, authoritative, and decisive response to Judah's denial. The interjection "Behold" (hinnēh) serves to draw immediate and solemn attention to this divine declaration, signaling a momentous pronouncement. God states His intention to "plead" (shâphaṭ) with them. This is not a gentle negotiation or a plea for their understanding, but a divine legal confrontation. God Himself will act as the judge, bringing irrefutable charges and presenting overwhelming evidence against their false claims, signifying a divine reckoning and a judicial process where the truth of their sin will be laid bare for all to see.
* **"because thou sayest, I have not sinned."**: This final clause reiterates and amplifies the core issue at hand: Judah's absolute and defiant refusal to acknowledge their sin. The repetition of "thou sayest" emphasizes the deliberate, persistent, and vocal nature of their denial, highlighting their hardened hearts. Their assertion, "I have not sinned" (châṭâʼ), stands as a direct contradiction of God's character, His covenant demands, and the overwhelming evidence of their apostasy. This stubborn unrepentance is the very reason God must "plead" with them, as their denial makes genuine reconciliation impossible and necessitates divine intervention to expose their spiritual blindness and bring them to account.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 2:35 is rich in literary devices that powerfully convey its message. **Irony** is profoundly evident, as Judah audaciously claims innocence despite the preceding verses vividly detailing their blatant idolatry and covenant breaking. Their self-declaration of blamelessness stands in stark contrast to the divine reality of their pervasive guilt. The repetition of "thou sayest" functions as a form of **Anaphora** (though not at the very beginning of successive clauses) and serves as a powerful device of **Emphasis**, underscoring the stubborn, vocal, and persistent nature of Judah's denial and self-deception. The phrase "I will plead with thee" employs **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human legal action (pleading or judging a case) to God. This makes His divine confrontation relatable and emphasizes His role as a righteous and just judge who will bring formal charges against His rebellious people. This also creates a strong sense of **Dramatic Confrontation**, as God directly challenges Judah's false narrative. The entire verse, with its direct accusation and divine rebuttal, is a potent example of **Polemic**, a strong verbal attack against the false beliefs and actions of Judah, designed to expose their spiritual rebellion and call them to account before divine justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 2:35 profoundly illustrates the theological truth that God, in His perfect holiness and justice, will not tolerate unrepentant sin, especially when it is compounded by self-righteous denial. It highlights the perilous spiritual condition of a heart that stubbornly refuses to acknowledge its wrongdoing, thereby erecting an insurmountable barrier to genuine repentance and reconciliation with God. The verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to confronting humanity's rebellion, even when it means entering into a "legal dispute" with His own covenant people. This divine confrontation is not arbitrary but flows directly from His holy character and His covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that He must uphold His righteousness even as He longs for His people to return. The denial of sin, as starkly depicted in Judah, is a fundamental impediment to experiencing God's grace and forgiveness, as it prevents the necessary humility and brokenness that must precede true spiritual restoration and the reception of divine mercy.

* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - Confession and Mercy")
* [1 John 1:8-10](/1_john/1-8 "1 John 1:8-10 - Confession of Sin")
* [Psalm 32:3-5](/psalms/32-3 "Psalm 32:3-5 - The Blessing of Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 2:35 serves as a timeless and sobering warning against the insidious perils of self-deception and the denial of personal sin. In a contemporary world often prone to justifying wrongdoing, minimizing moral failures, or shifting blame, this verse calls us to a radical and unflinching honesty before God. It profoundly reminds us that God sees beyond our outward claims and knows the true, unvarnished state of our hearts. For individuals today, this passage underscores the critical importance of humble self-examination and sincere, unreserved confession. True spiritual health and growth begin not with asserting our innocence or crafting elaborate defenses, but with acknowledging our inherent brokenness, our specific transgressions, and our profound need for God's sovereign grace. When we deny our sin, we effectively erect a formidable barrier between ourselves and the very God who ardently desires to forgive, heal, and restore us. Embracing the painful truth of our sin, however uncomfortable it may be, is the indispensable first step towards experiencing the liberating power of God's forgiveness and the transforming work of His Spirit in our lives. It is precisely in admitting our guilt, rather than clinging to a false innocence, that we open ourselves fully to His boundless mercy and the possibility of genuine, profound spiritual renewal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be subtly denying, minimizing, or rationalizing my own sin, perhaps by blaming external circumstances or others?**
* **How does the powerful imagery of God "pleading" or contending with me challenge and deepen my understanding of His justice, holiness, and unwavering commitment to truth?**
* **What are the practical, tangible implications of genuinely confessing sin, rather than claiming innocence, for the health and authenticity of my relationship with God and with others?**
* **How can I actively cultivate a heart that is quick to acknowledge wrongdoing, embrace humility, and seek repentance, rather than clinging to self-righteousness or defensiveness?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that God will "plead" with Judah?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "plead" (shâphaṭ) is a strong legal term meaning to judge, contend, or enter into a dispute. In this context, it signifies that God is not merely asking Judah to reconsider their stance or engaging in a gentle persuasion. Instead, He is acting as a righteous and sovereign judge. He will formally present the case against their false claims of innocence, laying bare the overwhelming evidence of their sin, unfaithfulness, and rebellion against His covenant. It implies a divine reckoning, a judicial process where the truth will be revealed, and justice will be served, underscoring the seriousness of their unrepentant state.

**Why was Judah claiming to be innocent despite their widespread idolatry?**

Answer: Judah's claim of innocence stemmed from a profound spiritual blindness, deep-seated self-deception, and a superficial understanding of their covenant with God. They had externalized their religion, focusing on outward rituals and temple attendance while their hearts were far from God ([Jeremiah 7:4](/jeremiah/7-4 "Jeremiah 7:4 - Trusting in the Temple")). They may have believed that as God's chosen people, they were inherently protected from judgment, or they may have rationalized their idolatry as merely syncretistic practices rather than outright rebellion against Yahweh. Their denial also reflects a common human tendency to suppress guilt, avoid accountability, and minimize the severity of their actions, especially when confronted with the holiness of God. This pervasive denial was a symptom of their hardened hearts and their stubborn refusal to genuinely repent and return to the Lord.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 2:35, with its stark portrayal of Judah's defiant denial of sin and God's righteous confrontation, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, like ancient Judah, is inherently prone to self-justification and a pervasive denial of its fallen state, often echoing the very cry, "I have not sinned!" However, the New Testament unequivocally declares that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). While God "pleaded" with Judah in a judicial sense, exposing their guilt and demanding accountability, in Christ, God takes on the dual role of both righteous judge and compassionate advocate, providing the singular means for true innocence. Jesus, the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled all righteousness and then bore the full weight of humanity's sin and God's righteous wrath on the cross ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His atoning sacrifice, He offers genuine cleansing and the imputation of His perfect righteousness to all who humbly confess their sin and place their faith in Him ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Righteousness Through Obedience")). Thus, the turning away of God's anger, which Judah vainly hoped for through false claims of innocence, is truly and eternally accomplished for believers through Christ's propitiation. He not only exposes the depth of our sin but also provides the only way to be truly acquitted and declared innocent before a holy God, not by denial, but by humble confession and unwavering faith in His finished, redemptive work ([1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")).

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

Proverbs 28:13

¶ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.

1 John 1:8

¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:10

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Isaiah 58:3

¶ Wherefore have we fasted, [say they], and thou seest not? [wherefore] have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

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;

Romans 7:9

For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

Job 33:9

I am clean without transgression, I [am] innocent; neither [is there] iniquity in me.