Jeremiah 2:8

KJV

The priests said not, Where [is] the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after [things that] do not profit.

KJV (with Strong's)

The priests {H3548} said {H559} not, Where is the LORD {H3068}? and they that handle {H8610} the law {H8451} knew {H3045} me not: the pastors {H7462} also transgressed {H6586} against me, and the prophets {H5030} prophesied {H5012} by Baal {H1168}, and walked {H1980} after {H310} things that do not profit {H3276}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The cohanim didn't ask, 'Where is ADONAI?' Those who deal with the Torah did not know me, the people's shepherds rebelled against me; the prophets prophesied by Ba'al and went after things of no value.

Berean Standard Bible

The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ The experts in the law no longer knew Me, and the leaders rebelled against Me. The prophets prophesied by Baal and followed useless idols.

American Standard Version

The priests said not, Where is Jehovah? and they that handle the law knew me not: the rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 2:8 delivers a powerful divine indictment against the spiritual and civic leadership of Judah, laying bare their profound apostasy and dereliction of duty. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God reveals how the priests, those entrusted with the law, the nation's shepherds (rulers), and the prophets had all utterly failed to seek Him, to know Him intimately, or to uphold His sacred covenant. Instead, they led the people into rampant idolatry and the futile pursuit of worthless things, encapsulating the widespread spiritual decay that permeated every level of authority and set the stage for God's impending judgment on an unfaithful nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Jeremiah's initial prophecies (chapters 1-6), which function as a divine lawsuit, or _rib_, against Judah for their covenant unfaithfulness. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 2:1-7) establish a poignant contrast, recalling Israel's initial devotion to Yahweh during their wilderness journey—a period likened to the tender love of a newlywed bride—and juxtaposing it with their current state of profound apostasy. God recounts His unwavering faithfulness in bringing them into a fertile land, only to be met with their defilement of His inheritance and their pursuit of "worthless things." Jeremiah 2:8 then specifically targets the very individuals entrusted with maintaining the nation's spiritual integrity—the religious and civic leaders—as prime examples of this pervasive corruption, thereby intensifying the charges and underscoring the depth of Judah's rebellion against their covenant Lord.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry commenced during the reign of King Josiah (c. 627 BCE), a period characterized by earnest, though ultimately superficial, attempts at religious reform following decades of widespread idolatry under Manasseh and Amon. Despite Josiah's zealous efforts to purge pagan worship and restore Yahweh's centrality, the spiritual rot ran deep, particularly among the entrenched religious and political elite. Baal worship, a persistent Canaanite fertility cult often associated with rain, crops, and livestock, was a pervasive threat, frequently intertwined with or even supplanting the worship of Yahweh. The leaders' catastrophic failure to uphold the Mosaic covenant (the Law) and guide the people according to its divine principles represented a fundamental breakdown of societal and spiritual order, directly contributing to the nation's impending downfall and subsequent exile.
* **Key Themes:**
* **Leadership Apostasy:** The verse systematically exposes the comprehensive failure of Judah's spiritual and civic leadership. Priests, legal experts, shepherds/rulers, and prophets, all entrusted with guiding the nation, have instead led them astray. This theme is crucial throughout Jeremiah, as seen in his condemnation of false prophets and corrupt shepherds who "destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture" in [Jeremiah 23:1](/jeremiah/23-1 "Jeremiah 23:1 - Woe to False Shepherds"). Their actions demonstrate a profound betrayal of their divine mandate.
* **Relational Breach with God:** The phrases "said not, Where is the LORD?" and "knew me not" signify a profound spiritual apathy and a failure of intimate, personal relationship with Yahweh, not merely intellectual ignorance. This relational breakdown is central to Jeremiah's message, emphasizing that true knowledge of God involves covenant faithfulness, obedience, and a deep, experiential connection, as highlighted in [Jeremiah 9:24](/jeremiah/9-24 "Jeremiah 9:24 - Boasting in Knowing the Lord"), where boasting should be in understanding and knowing the Lord.
* **Idolatry and Futility:** The prophets' "prophesied by Baal" and the leaders' "walked after things that do not profit" underscore the pervasive idolatry. Baal, a prominent Canaanite deity, represents the seductive allure of foreign gods. The "things that do not profit" are a sarcastic indictment of idols, emphasizing their utter worthlessness and inability to provide any genuine benefit or salvation, a concept frequently echoed in prophetic literature, such as [Isaiah 44:9-10](/isaiah/44-9-10 "Isaiah 44:9-10 - The Folly of Idolatry").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Knew (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** H3045. This term signifies more than mere intellectual acquaintance; it implies an intimate, experiential, and covenantal knowledge. For the "handlers of the law" to "know me not" means they lacked a true, personal relationship with God that should have informed their interpretation and application of His commands. Their knowledge of the Law was tragically detached from the Law-Giver, indicating a profound spiritual void at the heart of their religious practice.
* **Baal (Hebrew, _Baʻal'_):** H1168. A prominent Phoenician and Canaanite deity, often associated with fertility, storm, and kingship. Prophesying "by Baal" meant the prophets were channeling or legitimizing pagan deities, directly contravening their divine calling to speak for Yahweh alone. This was a direct act of spiritual adultery and a leading cause of Israel's downfall, demonstrating a complete abandonment of their prophetic mandate and a profound betrayal of God.
* **Do not profit (Hebrew, _yaʻal'_):** H3276. This term, often used sarcastically in prophetic literature, highlights the utter futility and worthlessness of idols. Unlike the true God, who is the source of all life, provision, and sustenance, these false gods offer no real benefit, help, or salvation. Their pursuit leads only to emptiness, disappointment, and ultimately, destruction, standing in stark contrast to the divine abundance and the life-giving nature of Yahweh.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The priests said not, Where is the LORD?":** This clause indicts the priestly class for their spiritual apathy and profound lack of inquiry. They, who were meant to mediate God's presence, teach His ways, and guide the people in worship, failed to even seek Him or acknowledge His active presence among His people. This suggests a deep disinterest in God's will and a severe neglect of their most fundamental duty, leading to a spiritual vacuum in the nation's worship and a disconnect from divine guidance.
* **"and they that handle the law knew me not":** This refers to those who were experts in the Torah, likely scribes, legal interpreters, or teachers of the Law. Their failure to "know" God implies a lack of intimate, covenantal relationship, despite their intellectual familiarity and professional engagement with His commands. They possessed the text but lacked a living, transformative connection to its Author, rendering their "handling" of the law ineffective, hypocritical, or even perverse, as their knowledge was devoid of true spiritual understanding.
* **"the pastors also transgressed against me":** "Pastors" here translates the Hebrew _ro'im_, meaning "shepherds," a term encompassing both spiritual and civil leaders (e.g., kings, rulers, tribal heads) responsible for guiding and caring for the people. Their "transgression" (Hebrew _pâshaʻ_ - to break away, rebel, revolt) indicates a deliberate breaking of covenant with God. They led the flock astray through their own disobedience, rebellion against divine authority, and failure to fulfill their protective and guiding roles.
* **"and the prophets prophesied by Baal":** This is a direct and severe accusation of idolatry and spiritual prostitution against the prophetic class. Instead of delivering Yahweh's true word, they became mouthpieces for Baal, legitimizing pagan practices and leading the people further into apostasy. This was a profound betrayal of their divine calling, a direct affront to God's exclusive claim on His people, and a catastrophic perversion of their sacred office.
* **"and walked after [things that] do not profit.":** This final clause summarizes the consequence and nature of their comprehensive apostasy. Their entire way of life, their direction, and their ultimate allegiance were oriented towards idols and false gods, which are inherently worthless and offer no genuine benefit, help, or salvation. This pursuit led to futility, emptiness, and ultimately, spiritual and national destruction, demonstrating a complete misdirection of their lives and the lives of those they led.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 2:8 masterfully employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its scathing indictment against Judah's leadership. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, where different clauses or lines express similar ideas or structures, here systematically listing various leadership groups and their respective failures. This cumulative listing emphasizes the pervasive and comprehensive nature of the spiritual corruption, demonstrating that no segment of leadership was exempt from the charge of apostasy. **Metonymy** is present in "they that handle the law," where "handling the law" stands for the entire practice of interpreting, teaching, and living by the Torah. The phrase "things that do not profit" is a sharp example of **Sarcasm** or **Irony**, as it deliberately understates the profound worthlessness and destructive power of idols, which promised gain but delivered only emptiness and and spiritual decay. Finally, the entire verse functions as a powerful **Indictment**, a legal-style accusation against the spiritual and civic leaders, setting the tone for God's divine lawsuit (_rib_) against the unfaithful nation of Judah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 2:8 profoundly underscores the critical importance of faithful leadership in maintaining a people's covenant relationship with God. It reveals that when those entrusted with spiritual and civic guidance abandon their divine mandate and their intimate relationship with the Lord, the entire nation is led into apostasy, idolatry, and ultimately, judgment. The leaders' failure to "know" God intimately, to seek His presence, and to speak His truth, directly resulted in the people "walking after things that do not profit," highlighting the direct link between leadership integrity and national spiritual health. This passage serves as a timeless warning against spiritual negligence, the insidious dangers of syncretism, and the utter futility of pursuing anything other than the one true God, who alone is the source of life and true profit.

* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge")
* [Ezekiel 22:26](/ezekiel/22-26 "Ezekiel 22:26 - Priests Violate My Law")
* [Matthew 15:14](/matthew/15-14 "Matthew 15:14 - Blind Guides")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 2:8 serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary spiritual communities, urging us to critically examine the state of our leadership and, indeed, our own hearts. It is a stark reminder that true spiritual authority stems not primarily from position, intellectual prowess, or charismatic appeal, but from a vibrant, intimate, and obedient relationship with the Lord. For those in positions of leadership, it is a solemn call to constant self-examination: Do I genuinely seek the Lord's presence and His perfect will in all matters? Does my life reflect a deep, relational knowledge of Him, or merely an academic understanding of His Word and theological concepts? Am I truly leading people towards the living God, or subtly, perhaps even unknowingly, towards "things that do not profit"—whether they be worldly philosophies, personal agendas, institutional prestige, or even seemingly good but ultimately empty pursuits? For congregants, this verse encourages discerning engagement with leadership, praying fervently for them, and holding them accountable to the biblical standard of faithfulness and integrity. Ultimately, it calls every believer to prioritize a personal, transformative knowledge of God above all else, ensuring that our "walk" is truly after Him, and not after the fleeting, unprofitable idols of our age.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jeremiah 2:8 challenge my understanding of spiritual leadership today, both within the church and in broader society?**
* **In what subtle or overt ways might I, or my community, be "walking after things that do not profit" without fully realizing it?**
* **What does it mean for me personally to "know the LORD" in a deep, relational sense, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to experiential intimacy?**
* **How can I actively support and pray for my spiritual leaders to remain faithful to God's Word and calling, and how can I hold them accountable in a biblical manner?**

### FAQ
**What does "pastors also transgressed against me" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 2:8, the term "pastors" (Hebrew: _ro'im_) literally means "shepherds." While this can denote spiritual leaders, in the broader prophetic context, it often encompasses both religious and civil leaders—kings, rulers, and spiritual guides—who were responsible for "shepherding" or governing the people. Their "transgression" (Hebrew: _pâshaʻ_, meaning to break away, rebel, or revolt) signifies a deliberate act of breaking covenant with God. They failed in their duty to lead the people in righteousness and obedience, instead guiding them into disobedience and idolatry, thereby rebelling against God's established order and His direct commands. This failure is a recurring theme in Jeremiah, where God pronounces [woe upon the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of His pasture](/jeremiah/23-1 "Jeremiah 23:1 - Woe to False Shepherds") because of their negligence and corruption.

**What are "things that do not profit"?**

Answer: The phrase "things that do not profit" (Hebrew: _lo' yo'ilu_) is a sarcastic and dismissive descriptor primarily for idols and false gods. It emphasizes their utter worthlessness and inability to provide any genuine benefit, help, or salvation to those who worship them. Unlike the true God, Yahweh, who is the source of life, provision, and deliverance, these pagan deities and the practices associated with them are empty, futile, and ultimately lead to destruction. This concept is a common theme in prophetic literature, highlighting the folly of idolatry, as seen in [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9-20 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry") where the prophet vividly mocks those who make and worship idols that cannot save. In a broader sense, it can refer to any pursuit, philosophy, or object of devotion that replaces God and offers no true spiritual or eternal value, leading only to emptiness and spiritual barrenness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 2:8, with its stark indictment of unfaithful leadership, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The Old Testament leaders—priests, law-handlers, shepherds, and prophets—failed to "know the LORD" and "walked after things that do not profit," tragically leading the people astray. In striking contrast, Jesus is the **Good Shepherd** who perfectly embodies faithful leadership, not only knowing the Father intimately but also making Him fully known. He is the one who truly "knows" God in an unparalleled way, declaring, "[No one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him](/matthew/11-27 "Matthew 11:27 - No One Knows the Father Except the Son")". Unlike the prophets who prophesied by Baal, Jesus is the **Prophet par excellence**, speaking only the very words of the Father and perfectly revealing God's will and character, as promised in [Deuteronomy 18:18](/deuteronomy/18-18 "Deuteronomy 18:18 - A Prophet Like Moses"). He is 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")), offering the ultimate, truly "profitable" sacrifice that brings humanity eternal life, unlike the worthless idols that offer nothing. Where the Old Testament priests and law-handlers failed to mediate God's presence or uphold His law, Jesus is our **Great High Priest**, who perfectly intercedes for us ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus Our Great High Priest")) and perfectly fulfilled the Law, becoming the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ is the End of the Law")). He is the true and profitable pursuit, the one who declares, "[I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life")". Thus, Jeremiah's lament over failed leadership ultimately points to Christ as the faithful, all-sufficient leader who perfectly fulfills God's will and brings true profit, salvation, and an intimate knowledge of God to His people.

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

Habakkuk 2:18

What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?

Jeremiah 5:31

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love [to have it] so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Jeremiah 10:21

For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.

Romans 2:17

¶ Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

Romans 2:24

For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

John 16:3

And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

Hosea 4:6

¶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.