Jeremiah 2:6

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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?'

Berean Standard Bible

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?’

American Standard Version

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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 2:6 captures the LORD's profound lament over Israel's spiritual amnesia and deep ingratitude. Despite God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt and His faithful, protective guidance through the perilous wilderness—a journey through desolate and life-threatening terrains where human survival was impossible without divine intervention—the people failed to even inquire about His presence or acknowledge His past acts of salvation. This verse underscores a tragic spiritual apathy that had settled over the nation, highlighting their forgetfulness of God's foundational acts of grace and their subsequent turning away from Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated early in Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, specifically within the opening chapters (Jeremiah 1-6) where the prophet delivers God's indictment against Judah for their spiritual apostasy. Following a tender recollection of Israel's initial devotion to God in the wilderness (Jeremiah 2:2-3), which is portrayed as a honeymoon period, verse 6 abruptly shifts to God's poignant complaint. It serves as a stark contrast, revealing that the people have forgotten the very God who established their national identity and sustained them through impossible circumstances. This forgetfulness is presented as the root cause of their current spiritual decline and their turning to worthless idols, setting the stage for the severe judgments to be proclaimed.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during the tumultuous late 7th century BCE, primarily under King Josiah, and continuing through the reigns of his sons until the Babylonian exile. At this time, Judah was steeped in idolatry and had largely abandoned the covenant made with Yahweh. The Exodus from Egypt and the subsequent forty-year wilderness journey were not merely historical events but foundational narratives that defined Israel's identity as God's chosen people and the recipients of His unique covenant. The wilderness itself was a real, formidable geographical region—a barren, dangerous expanse—but it also functioned culturally as a crucible where Israel was meant to learn dependence on God. The failure to ask "Where is the LORD?" in this context signifies a profound societal and spiritual detachment from their historical and theological roots, indicating a complete disregard for the God who had uniquely intervened on their behalf.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 2:6 powerfully encapsulates several key themes central to the book of Jeremiah and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Faithfulness and Providence**, showcasing God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, not only in delivering them from the bondage of [Egypt](/exodus/12-51 "Exodus 12:51 - The Exodus from Egypt") but also in meticulously guiding and sustaining them through the most perilous environments. The detailed description of the wilderness emphasizes the miraculous nature of their survival, underscoring God's constant, active presence. Secondly, the verse exposes **Human Ingratitude and Spiritual Amnesia**, revealing the people's failure to remember and acknowledge God's immense provision and protection. This forgetfulness is the core accusation, leading to a profound spiritual apathy and a lack of seeking God's presence, a theme echoed throughout Israel's history, as seen in [Psalm 106:7](/psalms/106-7 "Psalm 106:7 - Israel's Forgetfulness in the Wilderness"). Finally, the **Wilderness as a Crucible and Symbol** is prominent. While a place of extreme danger, the wilderness was intended by God to be a period of testing and refining, where Israel would learn total dependence on Him, as described in [Deuteronomy 8:2-3](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2-3 - God's Purpose in the Wilderness"). The people's failure to inquire about the LORD demonstrates their failure to grasp the spiritual lessons of this transformative period.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this refers to the self-Existent or Eternal God, Jehovah, the Jewish national name of God. In Jeremiah 2:6, the use of "LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes God's covenant name, highlighting His personal relationship with Israel and His active involvement in their history as their Redeemer and Guide. The people's failure to inquire "Where is the LORD?" is a profound rejection of His unique identity and covenantal faithfulness.
* **led (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** From H3212, a primitive root meaning "to walk" (literally or figuratively); causatively, "to carry" or "to lead." Here, it signifies God's active, continuous, and personal guidance of Israel through the wilderness. It implies a deliberate, protective movement, emphasizing God's role as the Shepherd leading His flock through treacherous terrain, underscoring His constant care and presence.
* **shadow of death (Hebrew, _tsalmâveth'_):** From H6757, a compound word meaning "shade of death," figuratively referring to calamity, deep darkness, or the grave. This powerful imagery describes a place of extreme peril, desolation, and near-fatal danger. Its inclusion emphasizes the miraculous nature of God's preservation of Israel through environments that were humanly unsurvivable, highlighting the overwhelming odds they faced and God's extraordinary power to deliver.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neither said they, Where [is] the LORD":** This opening clause reveals the core accusation: a profound spiritual apathy and a lack of inquiry. The people had ceased to seek God's presence or acknowledge His active role in their lives, indicating a deep spiritual forgetfulness and ingratitude.
* **"that brought us up out of the land of Egypt":** This phrase immediately recalls the foundational event of Israel's national identity—the Exodus. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's initial, miraculous act of deliverance from slavery, establishing His covenant relationship with them as their Redeemer.
* **"that led us through the wilderness":** This points to God's continuous, personal guidance and provision during the forty years of wandering. It emphasizes His sustained faithfulness beyond the initial act of salvation, demonstrating His commitment to nurturing His people.
* **"through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death":** This vivid, cumulative description paints a picture of extreme desolation and danger. "Deserts" (ʻărâbâh) refers to barren, sterile regions; "pits" (shûwchâh) suggests chasms or traps; "drought" (tsîyâh) indicates extreme aridity; and "shadow of death" (tsalmâveth) denotes a place of profound peril, almost certainly leading to death. These phrases collectively underscore the utterly hostile environment through which God safely led His people.
* **"through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?":** This final clause emphasizes the human impossibility of such a journey without divine intervention. It highlights the unique and miraculous nature of God's protection and provision, reinforcing the idea that Israel's survival was solely due to the LORD's faithful leading through a path that defied human capability or habitation.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 2:6 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The entire verse functions as a **Rhetorical Question**, posed by God Himself, expressing His dismay and highlighting the absurdity of Israel's forgetfulness. He doesn't expect an answer from them, but uses the question to underscore their profound spiritual negligence. **Anaphora** is evident in the repeated phrase "through a land," which creates a rhythmic emphasis and builds a cumulative sense of the extreme dangers of the wilderness journey, making God's guidance all the more remarkable. **Vivid Imagery** is extensively used to describe the wilderness: "deserts and of pits," "drought," and "shadow of death." These sensory details evoke a strong sense of desolation, peril, and the brink of death, allowing the audience to viscerally grasp the magnitude of God's protective power. The phrase "shadow of death" functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for extreme danger and despair, not just physical darkness. Finally, the concluding clauses, "a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt," utilize **Hyperbole** to emphasize the utterly uninhabitable and perilous nature of the wilderness, thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of God's sustained guidance and provision.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 2:6 serves as a powerful theological indictment and a poignant reminder of God's unwavering covenant faithfulness contrasted with human propensity for forgetfulness and ingratitude. It underscores the foundational truth that Israel's very existence as a nation was predicated on God's miraculous intervention, first in delivering them from bondage and then in sustaining them through an utterly hostile environment. The verse highlights God's character as the faithful Deliverer and Provider, who makes a way where there is no way. The people's failure to even inquire "Where is the LORD?" signifies a profound breach of their covenant relationship, demonstrating a heart that has forgotten its Redeemer and turned to self-reliance or false gods. This spiritual amnesia is a recurring theme in biblical narratives, illustrating the constant human need for remembrance and dependence on divine grace.

* [Deuteronomy 8:2-3](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2-3 - God's Purpose in the Wilderness"): "And you shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD."
* [Psalm 78:12-20](/psalms/78-12 "Psalm 78:12-20 - Israel's Rebellion in the Wilderness"): "He performed wonders before their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. He divided the sea and caused them to pass through, and He made the waters stand up like a heap... Yet they still continued to sin against Him, to rebel against the Most High in the desert. And in their heart they put God to the test by asking food according to their desire."
* [Isaiah 43:16-19](/isaiah/43-16 "Isaiah 43:16-19 - God Making a Way in the Wilderness"): "Thus says the LORD, who makes a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters, who brings forth the chariot and the horse, the army and the mighty man... 'Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.'"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 2:6 stands as a timeless challenge to every generation of believers, urging us to confront our own tendencies toward spiritual forgetfulness and ingratitude. In our fast-paced, often self-sufficient world, it is easy to lose sight of God's active hand in our lives, especially when we navigate our own "wilderness" periods—times of uncertainty, hardship, or isolation. This verse calls us to deliberately remember and recount God's past faithfulness, to recall how He has delivered us, provided for us, and guided us through seemingly impossible circumstances. It invites us to cultivate a posture of active dependence, where the question "Where is the LORD?" is not born of doubt, but of a fervent desire to discern His presence, seek His wisdom, and submit to His leading in every decision and trial. Recognizing that God leads us even through the "shadow of death" empowers us to face our fears with courage, knowing that His protective presence is our ultimate security and our hope for breakthrough.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I tend to forget God's past faithfulness and provision in my own life, especially during challenging times?**
* **What does it practically mean for me to "ask, 'Where is the LORD?'" in my daily walk, and how can I cultivate a more active spiritual inquiry?**
* **How can remembering God's guidance through Israel's perilous wilderness journey strengthen my trust in His ability to lead me through my own "lands of drought and shadow of death"?**

### FAQ
**Why is "Where is the LORD?" such a significant question in this context?**

Answer: The question "Where is the LORD?" is profoundly significant because it signifies a complete breakdown in the people's relationship with God. It's not a question born of genuine seeking or theological inquiry, but rather a lamentable absence of any such inquiry. It reveals a spiritual apathy so deep that the people no longer even considered God's presence, power, or past acts of deliverance. For a people whose national identity was forged by God's miraculous intervention in the [Exodus](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus") and sustained by His daily provision in the wilderness, the failure to ask about Him indicated a profound spiritual amnesia and a turning away from the very source of their life and blessing. It implies they had ceased to depend on Him or acknowledge His sovereignty over their lives.

**What does "shadow of death" mean in Jeremiah 2:6?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 2:6, "shadow of death" (Hebrew: _tsalmâveth_) refers to a place or state of extreme peril, deep darkness, and desolation, often associated with the brink of death or the grave itself. It's not merely a dark place, but one imbued with danger, despair, and the absence of life. Its use here emphasizes the utterly hostile and life-threatening conditions of the wilderness through which God led Israel. This vivid imagery underscores the miraculous nature of God's protection and provision, as He guided His people safely through environments that were humanly unsurvivable, highlighting the overwhelming odds they faced and God's extraordinary power to deliver. This phrase is also famously used in [Psalm 23:4](/psalms/23-4 "Psalm 23:4 - The Valley of the Shadow of Death"), where it similarly denotes a place of profound danger, but where the presence of the Shepherd brings comfort and safety.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 2:6, with its lament over Israel's spiritual amnesia concerning God's faithful leading through the wilderness, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. While Israel failed to inquire "Where is the LORD?" and consistently forgot His miraculous provision, Jesus Christ perfectly embodies the LORD who leads His people. He is the ultimate Deliverer, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who brings us out of the bondage of sin and death, a spiritual Egypt far more profound than the physical one. Just as God led Israel through a land of "shadow of death," Christ Himself entered into the deepest "shadow of death" through His crucifixion, conquering its power and emerging victorious, thereby making a way for us to pass through our own spiritual wildernesses without fear ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus' Victory Over Death")). He is the Living Water and the Bread of Life, providing sustenance for our spiritual journey in ways that far surpass the manna in the desert ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Furthermore, unlike Israel who forgot the LORD, believers in Christ are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who continually reminds us of Christ's faithfulness and empowers us to walk in obedience, ensuring that we do not forget our Deliverer. The New Covenant, established in Christ's blood, is one where God's law is written on our hearts, promising a relationship of intimate knowledge and remembrance, fulfilling the very longing for inquiry that was absent in Jeremiah's day ([Hebrews 8:10-12](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10-12 - The New Covenant Promises")). Jesus is not merely a guide through a physical wilderness, but the very [Way, the Truth, and the Life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life") who leads us safely through the spiritual wilderness of this fallen world into the promised land of eternal life.

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

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;