Jeremiah 2:5

KJV

Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, What iniquity {H5766} have your fathers {H1} found {H4672} in me, that they are gone far {H7368} from me, and have walked {H3212} after {H310} vanity {H1892}, and are become vain {H1891}?

Complete Jewish Bible

here is what ADONAI says: "What did your ancestors find wrong with me to make them go so far away from me, to make them go after nothings and become themselves nothings?

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in Me that they strayed so far from Me, and followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves?

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah, What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 2:5 introduces a profound divine indictment against Israel, presented as a rhetorical question from the LORD. He challenges His people to identify any fault or injustice on His part that could possibly justify their inexplicable departure from Him. This verse serves as the opening charge in God's "covenant lawsuit" against Judah, highlighting their unprovoked spiritual infidelity and their foolish pursuit of worthless idols, which ultimately led to their own spiritual emptiness and futility.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 2:5 stands as the opening salvo in a powerful divine lament and accusation against Judah, often characterized as a "rib" or covenant lawsuit. Through His prophet Jeremiah, the LORD directly confronts the nation, contrasting His unwavering faithfulness and benevolent care with their unprovoked and irrational rebellion. This verse sets the stage for the detailed charges that follow throughout the chapter, where God recounts His historical goodness, such as leading them through the wilderness in [Jeremiah 2:6-8](/jeremiah/2-6-8 "Jeremiah 2:6-8 - Israel's Journey Through the Wilderness"), and exposes the absurdity of their idolatry, exemplified by their forsaking the "fountain of living waters" for broken cisterns in [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Forsaking the Fountain of Living Waters"). The entire chapter emphasizes the broken covenant relationship and God's righteous indignation over their spiritual adultery.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry commenced in the 13th year of King Josiah's reign (c. 627/626 BC). This era was marked by Josiah's significant religious reforms, which aimed to eradicate idolatry and restore exclusive Yahwistic worship. However, despite these outward reforms, the hearts of the people often remained uncommitted, and idolatry was deeply entrenched from the prolonged reigns of previous kings like Manasseh and Amon. Judah existed within a volatile geopolitical landscape, witnessing the decline of the mighty Assyrian Empire and the ascendance of the Babylonian Empire, while Egypt continued to exert influence. The covenant relationship, established at Mount Sinai, was central to Israel's national identity, defining their unique status as Yahweh's chosen people. Their "walking after vanity" refers to the pervasive adoption of Canaanite fertility cults (such as Baal and Asherah worship) and astral worship, practices explicitly forbidden by the Mosaic Law and considered an abomination.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes found in Jeremiah and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it underscores **God's Blamelessness and Unwavering Faithfulness**. The rhetorical question, "What iniquity have your fathers found in me?", serves as a profound declaration of God's perfect character and His consistent goodness towards Israel throughout their history. He challenges them to identify any flaw in His dealings that could possibly justify their defection, thereby highlighting His justice and righteous nature, a truth echoed in [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God's Perfect Work"). Secondly, it emphasizes **Israel's Unprovoked Apostasy**. Their turning away was not a reaction to divine injustice or failure, but a deliberate, irrational choice to abandon the very source of life and truth. This highlights the profound spiritual ingratitude and rebellion inherent in their actions, a theme powerfully articulated in other prophetic books, such as [Isaiah 1:2-3](/isaiah/1-2-3 "Isaiah 1:2-3 - Rebellion Against the LORD"). Lastly, the verse vividly portrays **The Futility and Transformative Power of Idolatry**. To "walk after vanity" means to pursue worthless things, specifically idols and false gods. The devastating consequence is that those who pursue emptiness themselves "become vain," reflecting the spiritual barrenness and futility that results from worshipping non-entities. This concept is foundational to understanding the warnings against idolatry throughout [the Old Testament](/old_testament "The Old Testament").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻevel'_):** From H5766, this word denotes moral evil, perverseness, or unrighteousness. In Jeremiah 2:5, God's rhetorical question, "What iniquity have your fathers found in me?", directly challenges Israel to produce any evidence of moral wrong, injustice, or failure on His part. It emphatically asserts God's absolute righteousness and blamelessness in His dealings with His covenant people, rendering their defection utterly inexcusable and without any legitimate basis.
* **Vanity (Hebrew, _hebel'_):** From H1892, this term signifies emptiness, breath, vapor, or futility. It describes something transitory, insubstantial, and ultimately unsatisfactory. In this context, "vanity" refers specifically to the idols and false gods that Israel pursued. These were not merely alternative deities but non-existent entities, unable to provide life, sustenance, or salvation. The pursuit of such emptiness is portrayed as the ultimate spiritual folly, a stark contrast to the living God.
* **Become Vain (Hebrew, _hâbal'_):** From H1891, this is the verbal form of `hebel`, meaning "to be vain in act, word, or expectation," or specifically "to lead astray" or "to become vain." The phrase "and are become vain" highlights the devastating consequence of Israel's idolatry: by pursuing emptiness, they themselves were transformed into something empty, spiritually barren, and devoid of true purpose or life. This underscores the profound truth that what one worships ultimately shapes one's character, destiny, and spiritual state.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD":** This opening declaration serves as a divine imprimatur, establishing the absolute authority and divine origin of the message. It signifies that the subsequent words are not merely Jeremiah's human observations but a direct, authoritative pronouncement from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, imbuing the challenge with ultimate weight and truth.
* **"What iniquity have your fathers found in me":** This is the pivotal rhetorical question, forming the core of God's indictment. God challenges Israel to present any evidence of wrongdoing, injustice, or failure on His part that could possibly justify their turning away. The implied and undeniable answer is "none," thereby highlighting God's perfect faithfulness, blameless character, and unwavering benevolence throughout their entire history.
* **"that they are gone far from me":** This clause describes the act of spiritual departure and abandonment. It signifies a deliberate and profound breach of the covenant relationship, a willful alienation from the God who had chosen, delivered, and sustained them. It implies a conscious, active decision to sever ties with their divine benefactor, moving away from His presence and precepts.
* **"and have walked after vanity":** This specifies the direction and object of their departure. Instead of remaining in faithful fellowship with the living God, they chose to pursue "vanity"—a term referring to worthless idols, false gods, and the empty, often immoral, practices associated with their worship. This highlights the profound irrationality and spiritual folly of their choice, exchanging the source of life for non-entities.
* **"and are become vain?":** This final clause reveals the tragic, self-inflicted consequence of their actions. By pursuing emptiness (idols), Israel themselves became empty, spiritually barren, and devoid of true meaning or purpose. It illustrates the profound spiritual principle that one ultimately becomes like what one worships, emphasizing the futility and self-destructive nature of idolatry.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 2:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with striking impact. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "What iniquity have your fathers found in me?" This question is not posed to elicit an answer, but to underscore the undeniable truth of God's blamelessness and Israel's utterly inexcusable apostasy. It forces the audience to confront the irrationality and profound ingratitude of their actions. There is also a powerful use of **Wordplay** or **Pun** between the Hebrew words `hebel` (vanity, emptiness) and `hâbal` (to become vain, empty). This linguistic connection profoundly emphasizes the direct, transformative consequence of idolatry: those who pursue emptiness ultimately become empty themselves. Furthermore, the phrase "walked after vanity" employs **Metaphor**, depicting their spiritual deviation as a physical journey away from God towards worthless pursuits. The concept of "vanity" itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing the insubstantial, powerless, and ultimately destructive nature of idols and false worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 2:5 lays bare the fundamental nature of sin as an unprovoked rebellion against a perfectly righteous and benevolent God. It highlights the profound theological truth that humanity's turning away from God is never justified by any fault in Him, but always stems from a willful choice to pursue what is ultimately worthless. This verse underscores the sacredness of the covenant relationship, portraying God as a wronged party who, despite His unwavering faithfulness, is abandoned for empty substitutes. The consequence of this spiritual infidelity is not merely punishment, but a transformative emptiness that reflects the nature of the "vanities" pursued. This serves as a timeless warning against idolatry in all its forms, reminding us that true life, enduring purpose, and ultimate fulfillment are found exclusively in the living God.

* [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "God's Perfect Work")
* [Psalm 115:8](/psalms/115-8 "Those Who Make Idols Become Like Them")
* [Romans 1:21-23](/romans/1-21-23 "Professing to be Wise, They Became Fools")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 2:5 serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, prompting us to deeply examine our own loyalties and pursuits. Just as ancient Israel was drawn away by the "vanities" of their age—idols and false gods—we too can be subtly lured by modern "vanities": materialism, self-reliance, fleeting pleasures, social approval, or even intellectual pride. The Lord's rhetorical question, "What iniquity have your fathers found in me?", challenges us to consider if we have allowed anything to distance us from Him, not because of His failing, but because of our own misplaced affections. This verse reminds us that God remains perfectly faithful and just; any perceived distance or lack in our spiritual lives is a result of our own turning away, not His. It compels us to reflect on the transformative power of what we worship and pursue. If we chase after empty things, we risk becoming spiritually empty and unfulfilled ourselves. True satisfaction, enduring purpose, and abundant life are found only in an unwavering relationship with the living God, the true "fountain of living waters" as depicted in [Jeremiah 17:13](/jeremiah/17-13 "Jeremiah 17:13 - The Fountain of Living Waters"). This calls us to actively and intentionally set our hearts and minds on Him and His eternal truths, rather than the fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying allurements of the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "vanities" in my life, whether material possessions, worldly ambitions, or fleeting pleasures, might be subtly drawing my heart away from God?**
* **How does this verse challenge my perception of God's character and my own responsibility in maintaining a vibrant relationship with Him?**
* **In what practical ways can I ensure that my pursuits and affections are aligned with God's will, preventing me from becoming "vain" through spiritual emptiness?**

### FAQ
**What does "vanity" mean in this specific context?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 2:5, "vanity" (Hebrew: `hebel`) primarily refers to idols and false gods. It carries the sense of emptiness, breath, vapor, or futility. Unlike the living God, these idols are non-entities; they are powerless, insubstantial, and offer nothing of true value or sustenance. By "walking after vanity," Israel was pursuing something that was ultimately worthless and incapable of providing life, salvation, or genuine fulfillment, leading them to spiritual barrenness and a profound lack of purpose.

**Why does God refer to "your fathers" instead of directly addressing the current generation?**

Answer: God refers to "your fathers" to highlight a historical pattern of rebellion and spiritual infidelity that has characterized the nation of Israel throughout its history. This connects the current generation's apostasy to a long-standing national sin, emphasizing that their actions are not an isolated incident but a continuation of a deeply ingrained tendency to stray from the covenant. It also underscores the sacred covenant relationship established with their ancestors, which the current generation is now flagrantly violating, making their unprovoked turning away even more egregious and without excuse, as seen in the broader narrative of [Israel's history](/israel/history "The History of Israel").

**How does this verse relate to the concept of God's "lawsuit" against Israel?**

Answer: Jeremiah 2:5 serves as the foundational charge in God's "rib" (Hebrew for "controversy" or "lawsuit") against Israel. In this divine legal proceeding, God acts as the plaintiff, and Israel is the accused. The rhetorical question, "What iniquity have your fathers found in me?", is God's opening challenge to the defense. He demands that Israel present any justification for their breach of covenant—any fault, injustice, or failing on His part. Since no such "iniquity" can be found in God, their rebellion is exposed as utterly baseless, inexcusable, and a profound act of spiritual ingratitude, thus strengthening God's righteous case against them, a theme common in prophetic literature like [Hosea 4](/hosea/4 "Hosea 4 - God's Indictment Against Israel").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 2:5, with its poignant question about God's blamelessness and Israel's inexplicable turning to "vanity," finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Israel's failure to find "iniquity" in God yet still abandoning Him foreshadows humanity's ultimate rebellion against God's perfect revelation in His Son. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was utterly without "iniquity" ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ Committed No Sin")), perfectly embodying God's righteousness and unwavering faithfulness. Yet, He was rejected by His own people ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")) and crucified, a supreme act of human "walking after vanity" by preferring worldly power and self-righteousness over the divine truth. However, it is through this very rejection and His sacrificial death that the "iniquity" of humanity is atoned for ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")). Jesus is the true "fountain of living waters" ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus, the Living Water")) who fills the `hebel` (emptiness) of human existence, offering genuine satisfaction and eternal life where idols offer only futility. By turning from the "vanities" of the world and embracing Christ, we are no longer "become vain" but are made new creations in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), transformed into His image and filled with His Spirit, living lives of purpose and truth that truly honor God.

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 17:15

And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that [were] round about them, [concerning] whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.

Romans 1:21

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Jonah 2:8

They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

Jeremiah 10:14

Every man is brutish in [his] knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image [is] falsehood, and [there is] no breath in them.

Jeremiah 10:15

They [are] vanity, [and] the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

Psalms 115:8

They that make them are like unto them; [so is] every one that trusteth in them.

Isaiah 44:9

¶ They that make a graven image [are] all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they [are] their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.