Jeremiah 2:7

KJV

And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I brought {H935} you into a plentiful {H3759} country {H776}, to eat {H398} the fruit {H6529} thereof and the goodness {H2898} thereof; but when ye entered {H935}, ye defiled {H2930} my land {H776}, and made {H7760} mine heritage {H5159} an abomination {H8441}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I brought you into a fertile land to enjoy its fruit and all its good things; but when you entered, you defiled my land and made my heritage loathsome.

Berean Standard Bible

I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and bounty, but you came and defiled My land, and made My inheritance detestable.

American Standard Version

And I brought you into a plentiful land, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 2:7 serves as a profound lament from the Lord, delivered through the prophet Jeremiah, exposing the stark dichotomy between divine grace and human ingratitude. It vividly recounts God's benevolent act of bringing Israel into a land of unparalleled abundance and provision, only to be met with their subsequent and deliberate defilement of that very land and His sacred heritage through idolatry and spiritual apostasy. This verse encapsulates the foundational covenant relationship, its blessings, and Israel's tragic betrayal, setting the stage for Jeremiah's prophetic message of judgment and call to repentance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 2 opens with a direct appeal from the Lord to Israel, recalling their initial faithfulness in the wilderness (Jeremiah 2:2-3) before transitioning into a sharp rebuke for their subsequent spiritual adultery. Verse 7 specifically harks back to the Exodus and the entry into the Promised Land, serving as a pivotal point in God's historical dealings with His people. It immediately precedes a series of rhetorical questions and accusations against Israel's priests, prophets, and rulers (Jeremiah 2:8), further emphasizing their collective failure to uphold the covenant. The verse functions as a foundational premise for the ensuing indictment, highlighting the depth of Israel's sin in light of God's immense goodness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This verse references the foundational event of Israel's national identity: their deliverance from Egyptian bondage and their settlement in Canaan. The "plentiful country" refers to the land of Canaan, described elsewhere as "a land flowing with milk and honey" in [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey"). By Jeremiah's time (late 7th to early 6th century BCE), centuries had passed since the conquest. Judah, the southern kingdom, was deeply entrenched in syncretistic practices, blending Yahweh worship with the idolatry of Baal and other Canaanite deities. This spiritual corruption manifested in child sacrifice, prostitution, and social injustice, all of which were considered "abominations" in the eyes of the Lord. The concept of "defiling the land" was deeply rooted in Mosaic Law, where moral and ceremonial impurity, especially idolatry and bloodshed, were believed to pollute the land itself, leading to its "vomiting out" its inhabitants, as seen in [Leviticus 18:25](/leviticus/18-25 "Leviticus 18:25 - The Land Vomits Out Its Inhabitants"). Jeremiah's prophecy underscores the culmination of generations of such defilement.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 2:7 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Benevolence and Provision**, emphasizing God's unmerited grace in giving Israel a rich inheritance. Secondly, it starkly contrasts this with **Human Ingratitude and Covenant Breach**, revealing Israel's persistent rebellion despite God's goodness. The phrase "defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination" underscores the theme of **Spiritual Apostasy and Idolatry**, which is the primary charge against Judah throughout Jeremiah. This defilement was not merely external but deeply spiritual, polluting the very essence of their relationship with God and the land He had consecrated for them. This concept of the land as God's "heritage" also speaks to the theme of **Divine Ownership and Holiness**, implying that Israel's actions were a direct affront to God's sacred possession and His character. The verse sets the stage for the warnings of judgment and exile, which are consequences of such profound unfaithfulness, echoing the curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **plentiful (Hebrew, _karmel'_):** From H3759, meaning "a planted field (garden, orchard, vineyard or park); by implication, garden produce; full (green) ears (of corn), fruitful field (place), plentiful (field)." This word paints a vivid picture of lush fertility and abundance, emphasizing the generous and bountiful nature of the land God provided for Israel. It evokes images of a cultivated paradise, rich with produce, contrasting sharply with the barren wilderness from which they came and highlighting the sheer graciousness of God's gift.
* **defiled (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ'_):** From H2930, a primitive root meaning "to be foul, especially in a ceremonial or moral sense (contaminated); defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly." This term signifies a profound act of moral and spiritual corruption. It implies a deliberate act of rendering something pure and holy into something impure and profane. In this context, Israel's actions made God's holy land ceremonially and morally unclean, violating its sacred character and desecrating the very space where God's presence was meant to dwell.
* **abomination (Hebrew, _tôwʻêbah'_):** From H8441, meaning "properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol; abominable (custom, thing), abomination." This is a strong term in the Old Testament, denoting something utterly detestable and repugnant to God, particularly in the context of idolatry, pagan practices, and severe moral transgressions. Its use here highlights the extreme offense Israel's actions caused God, transforming His cherished inheritance into something utterly repulsive and abhorrent to His holy character.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof":** This opening clause highlights God's initiative and boundless generosity. The "plentiful country" (Canaan) was a divine gift, a land of extraordinary abundance, intended to provide sustenance and prosperity for His people. The phrases "fruit thereof and the goodness thereof" underscore the richness, quality, and sheer delight of the provision, emphasizing that God's intention was for Israel to thrive, flourish, and enjoy the manifold blessings of the land He had prepared for them, thereby fulfilling His covenant promises.
* **"but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination":** This second clause introduces a stark contrast and a tragic turning point, marked by the emphatic conjunction "but." Upon entering the land, instead of stewarding it faithfully and worshiping the Giver, Israel "defiled" it through their idolatry, immoral practices, and persistent covenant breaking. The land is explicitly called "my land" and "mine heritage," emphasizing God's personal ownership and the sacredness of His gift. By their actions, they transformed this holy possession into an "abomination," something utterly detestable and repugnant to God, reflecting the profound severity of their spiritual rebellion and ingratitude.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 2:7 masterfully employs **Contrast** to highlight the profound disjunction between God's benevolent actions and Israel's rebellious response. The initial depiction of God's lavish provision ("plentiful country," "fruit," "goodness") is sharply juxtaposed with Israel's destructive actions ("defiled," "abomination"). This creates a powerful rhetorical effect, emphasizing the depth of Israel's ingratitude and the tragic irony of their behavior. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Personification** by describing the land as "my land" and "mine heritage," imbuing it with a sense of personal value and sacredness to God. This makes Israel's defilement not merely an act against a physical space, but a direct affront to God's personal possession and holiness. The strong terms "defiled" and "abomination" also contribute to a sense of **Hyperbole**, underscoring the extreme nature of Israel's spiritual corruption in God's eyes, conveying God's deep anguish and revulsion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 2:7 profoundly articulates the theological principle of divine grace met with human unfaithfulness, a recurring motif throughout biblical history. God's act of bringing Israel into a "plentiful country" is a testament to His covenant faithfulness and boundless generosity, providing for His people beyond their deserts. However, Israel's subsequent defilement of this sacred gift through idolatry and moral corruption reveals the deep-seated human propensity for rebellion and ingratitude, even in the face of overwhelming blessing. This verse underscores the sanctity of God's gifts and the serious consequences of profaning what He has consecrated. It serves as a stark reminder that blessings come with responsibilities, and the misuse of divine provision leads to spiritual decay and divine judgment.

* [Deuteronomy 8:7-10](/deuteronomy/8-7-10 "Deuteronomy 8:7-10 - Description of the Promised Land")
* [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard")
* [Ezekiel 36:16-18](/ezekiel/36-16-18 "Ezekiel 36:16-18 - Israel's Defilement of the Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 2:7 is a timeless mirror reflecting the human condition and God's enduring character. It challenges us to honestly assess our own lives: Have we recognized the "plentiful country" God has brought us into—the spiritual blessings, material provisions, and opportunities He has graciously bestowed? Do we steward these gifts with gratitude and reverence, or do we, like ancient Israel, defile our "land" (our lives, our bodies, our relationships, our influence, our communities) through spiritual apathy, idolatry (anything that takes God's rightful place), or moral compromise? This verse calls us to a profound self-examination, urging us to consider the seriousness of sin and its capacity to turn God's precious gifts into an "abomination." It compels us to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving and a commitment to holiness, ensuring that our lives reflect the honor due to the Giver of all good things, rather than profaning His sacred trust and inviting His righteous displeasure.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "plentiful country" has God brought into my life, and how am I acknowledging His provision?**
* **In what ways might I be "defiling" the spiritual or physical "land" that God has entrusted to me?**
* **What are the "abominations" in my life or culture that are turning God's good gifts into something detestable?**
* **How does understanding God's ownership of "my land" and "mine heritage" impact my sense of stewardship and responsibility?**

### FAQ
**What does "defiled my land" specifically refer to in this context?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 2:7, "defiled my land" primarily refers to Israel's spiritual defilement through idolatry and the associated immoral practices that permeated their society. According to Mosaic Law, the land itself was considered holy because God dwelt among His people there. Practices such as worshiping false gods, child sacrifice, sexual immorality, and bloodshed were seen as polluting the land, making it ceremonially and morally unclean. This defilement was so severe that the land was said to "vomit out" its inhabitants, as described in [Leviticus 18:25](/leviticus/18-25 "Leviticus 18:25 - The Land Vomits Out Its Inhabitants") and [Numbers 35:33-34](/numbers/35-33-34 "Numbers 35:33-34 - Do Not Defile the Land"). Thus, Israel's actions were not just a sin against God's commands, but an actual desecration of the physical space He had given them as a sacred trust.

**How is the concept of "heritage" (H5159, _nachălâh'_) used here, and why is its defilement so serious?**

Answer: The term "heritage" (Hebrew: _nachălâh'_) refers to something inherited, an estate, patrimony, or portion. In the context of Israel, the land of Canaan was God's direct inheritance to them, a fulfillment of His covenant promises to Abraham ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - The Promise of Land to Abraham")). It was not merely a piece of real estate but a sacred trust, a tangible sign of God's faithfulness and their unique relationship with Him. Its defilement was so serious because it represented a direct affront to God's ownership and holiness. By turning this divine gift into an "abomination" through their idolatry and sin, Israel was not only breaking the covenant but also desecrating God's personal property and profaning His very presence among them. This act of defilement was an ultimate betrayal of the Giver of the heritage.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 2:7, with its poignant portrayal of God's generous provision met with human defilement, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. While Israel defiled a physical land, humanity, in its fallen state, has defiled the spiritual "land" of God's image within us and the perfect relationship intended for us. Jesus, however, is the true and ultimate "plentiful country," the source of all spiritual fruit and goodness ([John 15:1-5](/john/15-1-5 "John 15:1-5 - Jesus the True Vine")). He came not to condemn the defiled heritage but to redeem it. Through His sinless life, sacrificial death on the cross, and glorious resurrection, Jesus perfectly fulfilled the covenant that Israel continually broke. He became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), cleansing us from the defilement of sin and making us a "holy nation, a people for God's own possession" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Holy Nation")). In Him, believers receive a new, undefiled spiritual inheritance ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")) and are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives that honor God, transforming what was once an "abomination" into a dwelling place for His Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, where Israel failed to steward God's physical heritage, Christ perfectly stewards His spiritual heritage, bringing about a new creation that is forever consecrated to 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

Deuteronomy 8:7

For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;

Deuteronomy 8:9

A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any [thing] in it; a land whose stones [are] iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.

Jeremiah 16:18

And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.

Numbers 13:27

And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this [is] the fruit of it.

Jeremiah 3:9

And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.

Ezekiel 36:17

Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman.

Psalms 106:38

And shed innocent blood, [even] the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.