Jeremiah 2:6

Neither said they, Where [is] the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?

Neither said {H559} they, Where is the LORD {H3068} that brought us up {H5927} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, that led {H3212} us through the wilderness {H4057}, through a land {H776} of deserts {H6160} and of pits {H7745}, through a land {H776} of drought {H6723}, and of the shadow of death {H6757}, through a land {H776} that no man {H376} passed through {H5674}, and where no man {H120} dwelt {H3427}?

They didn't ask, 'Where is ADONAI, who brought us out of the land of Egypt, who led us through the desert, through a land of wastes and ravines, through a land of drought and death-dark shadows, through a land where no one travels and where no one ever lived?'

They did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and pits, a land of drought and darkness, a land where no one travels and no one lives?’

Neither said they, Where is Jehovah that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought and of the shadow of death, through a land that none passed through, and where no man dwelt?

Jeremiah 2:6 is a poignant lament from God through the prophet Jeremiah, expressing His dismay at the spiritual amnesia and ingratitude of the people of Judah. It highlights their failure to acknowledge God's profound faithfulness and miraculous deliverance in their history.

Context

This verse is part of Jeremiah's opening prophetic message to Judah, delivered during the reign of King Josiah. God is calling His people to account for their forsaking Him and turning to idols. Verses 2-3 recall Israel's initial devotion to God in the wilderness, portraying it as a kind of honeymoon period. However, Jeremiah 2:6 abruptly shifts to God's complaint: the people have forgotten His immense provision and guidance. They no longer ask, "Where is the LORD?"—a question that signifies a loss of spiritual seeking and recognition of His active presence in their lives. This serves as a stark contrast to their ancestors' initial trust, underscoring the deep spiritual decline.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness and Providence: The verse vividly recounts God's powerful acts: bringing Israel out of Egypt, leading them through a treacherous wilderness described as a "land of deserts and of pits," a "land of drought," and even "of the shadow of death." This emphasizes God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, protecting and providing for them in impossible circumstances. His guidance was precise and constant, through places "that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt," underscoring the miraculous nature of their survival. For a broader understanding of God's care in the wilderness, see Deuteronomy 8:2.
  • Human Ingratitude and Forgetfulness: The core accusation is that the people did not even bother to ask "Where is the LORD?" They had forgotten the foundational event of their national identity—the Exodus from Egypt—and the subsequent forty years of miraculous sustenance. This spiritual amnesia led to a lack of dependence and a turning away from their Deliverer, highlighting a profound spiritual apathy. This theme of forgetfulness is echoed in other parts of the Old Testament, such as Psalm 106:7.
  • The Wilderness as a Symbol: The wilderness journey, though harsh, was a period of direct dependence on God. It was meant to foster trust and obedience. However, for many, it became a test of patience and faith which they failed. The descriptions "deserts and of pits," "drought," and "shadow of death" paint a picture of extreme peril, making God's guidance through it all the more remarkable.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "shadow of death" is a translation of the Hebrew word tsalmavet (צַלְמָוֶת). This term literally means "deep darkness" or "gloom," and often carries the connotation of a place of extreme peril, desolation, or even the brink of death. It's not merely a dark place, but one associated with danger, despair, and the absence of life, emphasizing the overwhelming challenges God led Israel through. Its use here underscores the miraculous nature of God's protection in such a desolate and dangerous environment.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 2:6 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

  • Remember God's Past Faithfulness: We are prone to spiritual forgetfulness, especially during difficult times. This verse challenges us to regularly recall how God has delivered, provided for, and guided us through our own "wilderness" periods. Keeping a record of His blessings can be a powerful antidote to ingratitude.
  • Cultivate a Spirit of Inquiry: The question "Where is the LORD?" should be a constant, active inquiry in our lives, not one of doubt, but of seeking His presence and guidance in every situation. It speaks to a living, dependent relationship with God.
  • Recognize God in Challenging Times: Just as God led Israel through a land of "shadow of death," He promises to be with us in our darkest valleys. This verse encourages us to see His hand at work even in the most desolate or frightening circumstances, knowing He is our faithful guide and provider. His mercies are new every morning, as highlighted in Lamentations 3:22-23.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 32:10

    He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

  • Hosea 13:4

    Yet I [am] the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for [there is] no saviour beside me.

  • Isaiah 63:11

    Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, [and] his people, [saying], Where [is] he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where [is] he that put his holy Spirit within him?

  • Isaiah 63:13

    That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, [that] they should not stumble?

  • Deuteronomy 8:14

    Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

  • Deuteronomy 8:16

    Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

  • Job 35:10

    But none saith, Where [is] God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;

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