Jeremiah 3:8

And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

And I saw {H7200}, when for all the causes {H182} whereby backsliding {H4878} Israel {H3478} committed adultery {H5003} I had put her away {H7971}, and given {H5414} her a bill {H5612} of divorce {H3748}; yet her treacherous {H898} sister {H269} Judah {H3063} feared {H3372} not, but went {H3212} and played the harlot {H2181} also.

I saw that even though backsliding Isra'el had committed adultery, so that I had sent her away and given her a divorce document, unfaithful Y'hudah her sister was not moved to fear - instead she too went and prostituted herself.

She saw that because faithless Israel had committed adultery, I gave her a certificate of divorce and sent her away. Yet that unfaithful sister Judah had no fear and prostituted herself as well.

And I saw, when, for this very cause that backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a bill of divorcement, yet treacherous Judah her sister feared not; but she also went and played the harlot.

Context

Jeremiah 3:8 is part of a prophetic lament where God, through the prophet Jeremiah, addresses the spiritual state of His people, Israel and Judah. Historically, the nation of Israel had split into two kingdoms: the Northern Kingdom (often called Israel or Ephraim) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah). The Northern Kingdom had already been conquered and exiled by Assyria around 722 BC due to their persistent idolatry and unfaithfulness to God's covenant. This verse highlights Judah's failure to learn from Israel's devastating fate, continuing in similar sins of spiritual rebellion and idolatry.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry: The primary metaphor here is that of a marriage covenant. God portrays Himself as the faithful husband, and Israel/Judah as His unfaithful wife. Their "adultery" and "harlotry" represent their worship of pagan gods and reliance on foreign alliances, a direct breach of the covenant established at Mount Sinai.
  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: God's "putting away" Israel and giving her a "bill of divorce" symbolizes the Assyrian exile, a severe consequence for their persistent unfaithfulness. This illustrates God's justice and the seriousness of breaking His covenant.
  • Judah's Treachery and Lack of Fear: Despite witnessing the judgment upon their "sister" Israel, Judah did not humble herself or repent. Her continued "harlotry" demonstrates a profound lack of reverence and understanding of God's character and His warnings. This theme underscores the danger of ignoring divine warnings and the consequences of stubborn disobedience.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words translated as "committed adultery" (נָאַף, na'aph) and "played the harlot" (זָנָה, zanah) are often used interchangeably in prophetic literature to describe spiritual unfaithfulness. These terms are not just about sexual sin, but primarily about the breaking of a sacred covenant through idolatry and turning away from God. The imagery emphasizes the intimate, exclusive nature of God's relationship with His people, akin to a marriage, making their worship of other gods a profound act of betrayal.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 3:8 serves as a powerful warning for all generations. It reminds us that:

  • God takes unfaithfulness seriously: Our relationship with God is meant to be exclusive and devoted. Any form of "idolatry"—whether worshipping physical idols, money, power, or even self—is spiritual adultery in God's eyes.
  • Learning from history is crucial: We are called to observe the consequences of sin in others' lives and in historical accounts, taking heed so we do not repeat similar mistakes. Judah's failure to learn from Israel's downfall led to her own impending judgment.
  • Repentance is always an option: While this verse highlights judgment, the broader context of Jeremiah often includes calls for repentance and promises of restoration for those who turn back to God. Jeremiah 3:12 shows God's continued mercy despite backsliding.

This verse urges us to examine our own hearts for any divided loyalties and to cultivate a sincere, exclusive devotion to God.

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 24:1

    ¶ When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house.

  • Hosea 4:15

    Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, [yet] let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.

  • Hosea 4:17

    Ephraim [is] joined to idols: let him alone.

  • 2 Kings 18:9

    ¶ And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which [was] the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, [that] Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.

  • 2 Kings 18:11

    And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor [by] the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes:

  • Isaiah 50:1

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD, Where [is] the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors [is it] to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

  • Hosea 3:4

    For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and [without] teraphim:

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