Jeremiah 2:37

KJV

Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yea, thou shalt go forth {H3318} from him, and thine hands {H3027} upon thine head {H7218}: for the LORD {H3068} hath rejected {H3988} thy confidences {H4009}, and thou shalt not prosper {H6743} in them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes, you will leave him too, with your hands on your heads [in shame]. For ADONAI rejects those in whom you trust; from them you will gain nothing."

Berean Standard Bible

Moreover, you will leave that place with your hands on your head, for the LORD has rejected those you trust; you will not prosper by their help.”

American Standard Version

From thence also shalt thou go forth, with thy hands upon thy head: for Jehovah hath rejected those in whom thou trustest, and thou shalt not prosper with them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 2:37 delivers a stark prophetic declaration concerning the Kingdom of Judah's impending disgrace and ultimate failure. It vividly portrays Judah being sent away in utter humiliation, with hands placed upon the head—a universal gesture of despair and public shame in the ancient world. This dire outcome is directly attributed to the LORD's rejection of Judah's misplaced trust in human alliances, particularly with Egypt, rather than in Him. The verse unequivocally states that these "confidences" will prove utterly futile, yielding no success or true prosperity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 2:37 serves as the climactic pronouncement at the end of a powerful and sustained indictment against Judah's spiritual apostasy in [Jeremiah chapter 2](/jeremiah/2 "Jeremiah 2 - Judah's Unfaithfulness"). Throughout this chapter, God recounts His unwavering faithfulness to Israel from the time of their exodus, contrasting it sharply with Judah's consistent rebellion and idolatry. The nation is accused of abandoning the "fountain of living waters" to carve out "broken cisterns that can hold no water" ([Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Judah Forsakes God")). This spiritual adultery manifests in their political choices, specifically their desperate attempts to secure safety through alliances with powerful nations like Egypt and Assyria, rather than seeking the LORD's protection. Verse 37 is the divine verdict on this profound spiritual and political folly, predicting the inevitable failure of their reliance on Egypt to protect them from the looming Babylonian threat.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's ministry occurred during a tumultuous period in Judah's history (late 7th to early 6th century BCE), marked by the decline of Assyria and the rise of Babylon as the dominant superpower. Judah found itself precariously positioned between these great empires and Egypt, often attempting to play one against the other. The "confidences" mentioned in the verse refer specifically to Judah's political and military treaties with Egypt, a common but often disastrous strategy for smaller nations in the ancient Near East. Culturally, the gesture of "hands upon thine head" was a widely recognized symbol of extreme grief, mourning, despair, and public disgrace. It was often associated with captives being led away, indicating their utter helplessness, the loss of all hope, and the profound shame of defeat. This imagery would have immediately conveyed the depth of Judah's impending humiliation to Jeremiah's original audience.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme of [Jeremiah 2](/jeremiah/2 "Jeremiah 2 - Judah's Spiritual Adultery") and this verse is **Misplaced Trust**. Judah's profound error lies in placing their security in human power and political alliances (specifically with Egypt, as alluded to in verses like [Jeremiah 2:36](/jeremiah/2-36 "Jeremiah 2:36 - Judah's Alliance with Egypt")) rather than in the sovereign LORD, their covenant God. This misplaced confidence is explicitly met with **Divine Rejection and Judgment**, as God declares, "the LORD hath rejected thy confidences." This signifies God's active judgment on their unfaithfulness, indicating that their chosen path would lead to divine abandonment and inevitable failure. The vivid imagery of "thine hands upon thine head" powerfully illustrates the **Shame and Humiliation** that would accompany their defeat and captivity, a posture of utter despair and public disgrace. Finally, the phrase "thou shalt not prosper in them" underscores the **Futility of Worldly Reliance**, highlighting that seeking security, prosperity, or deliverance outside of God's will and provision is ultimately fruitless and leads to spiritual barrenness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **go forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** This primitive root means "to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim." In this context, it signifies Judah's forced departure or expulsion, likely from their land or from the presence of their allies, emphasizing a humiliating and involuntary exit. It conveys the idea of being sent away in disgrace.
* **rejected (Hebrew, _mâʼaç'_):** This primitive root means "to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear; abhor, cast away (off), contemn, despise, disdain, (become) loathe(some), melt away, refuse, reprobate." The LORD's rejection here is not merely a passive turning away but an active, decisive spurning of Judah's chosen sources of security, indicating His strong displeasure and judgment against their unfaithfulness.
* **confidences (Hebrew, _mibṭâch'_):** Derived from the root "bâṭach" (to trust, rely), this word properly means "a refuge, i.e. (objective) security, or (subjective) assurance." It refers to the objects or sources of Judah's trust and hope. In this verse, it specifically denotes their reliance on foreign alliances and human strength, which God declares to be utterly unreliable and worthy of His rejection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yea, thou shalt go forth from him,"**: This clause declares Judah's forced departure or expulsion. The "him" refers to Egypt, the ally Judah had placed its trust in. Instead of finding protection and security with Egypt, Judah will be sent away from them, likely in a state of defeat or abandonment, highlighting the failure of their alliance.
* **"and thine hands upon thine head:"**: This vivid imagery describes a posture of profound despair, public shame, and utter helplessness. It signifies a state of mourning, defeat, and disgrace, commonly associated with captives being led away or those overwhelmed by sorrow and humiliation in the ancient Near East. It graphically portrays Judah's impending national humiliation.
* **"for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences,"**: This is the divine explanation and justification for Judah's impending fate. The "confidences" refer to Judah's misplaced trust in human alliances and worldly powers (specifically Egypt) rather than in God. The LORD has actively "rejected" or spurned these false securities, indicating His judgment against their unfaithfulness and idolatry of human strength.
* **"and thou shalt not prosper in them."**: This final clause pronounces the ultimate futility of Judah's reliance on these rejected "confidences." Despite their hopes, their chosen path will not lead to success, security, or well-being. It underscores the divine decree that true prosperity and lasting peace can only come from trust in God, not from human schemes or alliances that defy His will.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 2:37 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of judgment and despair. The most prominent is **Imagery**, specifically the vivid depiction of "thine hands upon thine head." This is a potent visual that immediately conjures an image of public shame, utter defeat, and profound grief, a universally understood gesture of despair in the ancient world. This **Idiom** serves as a synecdoche, where the gesture represents the entire state of national humiliation and captivity. The verse also features **Prophecy**, as it is a direct divine declaration of future judgment, foretelling Judah's fate due to their unfaithfulness. Furthermore, there is an element of **Divine Judgment** explicitly stated, "for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences," which attributes the nation's downfall directly to God's active response to their apostasy and misplaced trust.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 2:37 profoundly underscores the biblical principle that true security and prosperity are found exclusively in the LORD, not in human strength, political alliances, or worldly wisdom. It highlights the devastating consequences of spiritual idolatry, where the object of trust shifts from the Creator to the created. Judah's "confidences" in Egypt represent a universal human tendency to seek refuge and solutions in tangible, visible sources rather than in the invisible, sovereign God. This verse serves as a stark reminder of God's jealousy for His covenant people and His unwavering commitment to judging those who forsake Him, demonstrating that any path chosen apart from Him will ultimately lead to futility and shame. It reinforces the theme of God's absolute sovereignty and the futility of human efforts when they are in opposition to His divine will.

* [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord") - "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God."
* [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help") - "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!"
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart") - "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 2:37 serves as a timeless and potent warning for believers today. In a world that constantly beckons us to place our "confidences" in fleeting securities—be it financial stability, career success, political systems, human wisdom, or even personal achievements—this verse challenges us to examine the true object of our trust. When these temporal dependencies supplant our ultimate reliance on God, they become "broken cisterns" that cannot hold the living water of true peace and prosperity. The shame and futility experienced by Judah are a powerful metaphor for the spiritual barrenness and despair that result from seeking life apart from the Giver of life. Our prosperity, both spiritual and material, is not guaranteed by our cleverness or alliances, but by our unwavering trust in the Lord. This verse calls us to a radical reorientation of our hope, urging us to recognize that true security, lasting success, and genuine flourishing are found only in Him. It compels us to repent of any misplaced trust and to realign our hearts entirely with God's unwavering faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "confidences" in my life that I might be relying on more than God for security and well-being?**
* **How does the imagery of "hands upon thine head" challenge my understanding of what true "prosperity" means in God's eyes?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to "go down to Egypt for help" rather than seeking the LORD's guidance and provision?**
* **What practical steps can I take to deepen my trust in God and lessen my reliance on worldly securities?**

### FAQ
**What does the phrase "thine hands upon thine head" signify in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "thine hands upon thine head" is a powerful idiom in the ancient Near East, signifying profound despair, public disgrace, and utter helplessness. It was a common gesture of mourning, often associated with captives being led away in defeat, indicating their complete loss of hope and the shame of their situation. In Jeremiah 2:37, it graphically portrays the deep humiliation and sorrow that would befall Judah as a consequence of their unfaithfulness and misplaced trust in foreign alliances. It symbolizes their utter defeat and the public acknowledgment of their failed strategies.

**Why did the LORD reject Judah's "confidences"?**

Answer: The LORD rejected Judah's "confidences" because they represented a profound betrayal of their covenant relationship with Him. Instead of trusting in God, who had faithfully delivered them from Egypt and promised to be their protector, Judah sought security in alliances with human powers, particularly Egypt. This act was seen as spiritual adultery, forsaking the "fountain of living waters" ([Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Judah Forsakes God")) for "broken cisterns." God's rejection was a righteous judgment against their idolatry of human strength and their failure to acknowledge His sovereignty and faithfulness. He would not bless their attempts to find security outside of His divine will.

**What were Judah's "confidences" specifically, and why were they futile?**

Answer: Judah's "confidences" primarily referred to their political and military alliances with powerful nations like Egypt. Historically, Judah often vacillated between aligning with Egypt or Assyria/Babylon, believing these alliances would protect them from rival threats. These confidences were futile because they ignored God's explicit commands against such alliances (e.g., [Deuteronomy 17:16](/deuteronomy/17-16 "Deuteronomy 17:16 - King Not to Multiply Horses from Egypt")) and demonstrated a lack of faith in His ability and willingness to protect His people. Ultimately, God is sovereign, and any human effort or alliance that contravenes His will or supplants trust in Him is destined to fail, as the verse states, "thou shalt not prosper in them."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 2:37, with its depiction of misplaced trust leading to shame and futility, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. Humanity's fundamental problem, like Judah's, is a universal tendency to place "confidences" in anything other than God—our own righteousness, achievements, or worldly systems. This misplaced trust inevitably leads to spiritual "hands upon the head," a state of despair, guilt, and separation from God, as described in passages like [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned") where all have fallen short of God's glory. Christ, however, is the ultimate and only true object of our confidence. He is the "fountain of living waters" that Judah forsook ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus, the Living Water")), offering true and lasting prosperity (salvation and eternal life) that no human alliance or effort could ever provide. His perfect obedience and sacrificial death on the cross address the "rejection" that humanity deserves for its misplaced trust, becoming the 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")). Through faith in Him, we are no longer sent away in shame but are brought near to God, receiving a confidence that leads to peace and access to grace ([Ephesians 3:12](/ephesians/3-12 "Ephesians 3:12 - Boldness and Access Through Faith")). The futility of self-reliance and worldly "confidences" is overcome by the triumph of Christ's finished work, which grants us true prosperity and an unshakeable hope in Him alone ([Philippians 3:7-9](/philippians/3-7-9 "Philippians 3:7-9 - Righteousness Through Christ")).

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 Samuel 13:19

And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that [was] on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.

Ezekiel 17:15

But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such [things]? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?

Ezekiel 17:20

And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.

Jeremiah 17:5

¶ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

Jeremiah 37:7

Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to enquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.

Jeremiah 37:10

For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained [but] wounded men among them, [yet] should they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire.

Isaiah 10:4

Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.