Jeremiah 3:2
Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.
Lift up {H5375} thine eyes {H5869} unto the high places {H8205}, and see {H7200} where {H375} thou hast not been lien {H7693}{H7901} with. In the ways {H1870} hast thou sat {H3427} for them, as the Arabian {H6163} in the wilderness {H4057}; and thou hast polluted {H2610} the land {H776} with thy whoredoms {H2184} and with thy wickedness {H7451}.
"Raise your eyes to the bare hills, take a look: where have you not had sex? You sat by the roadsides waiting for them like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness.
“Lift up your eyes to the barren heights and see. Is there any place where you have not been violated? You sat beside the highways waiting for your lovers, like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness.
Lift up thine eyes unto the bare heights, and see; where hast thou not been lain with? By the ways hast thou sat for them, as an Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.
Cross-References
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Jeremiah 2:20 (4 votes)
¶ For of old time I have broken thy yoke, [and] burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot. -
Genesis 38:14 (4 votes)
And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which [is] by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife. -
Ezekiel 16:24 (4 votes)
[That] thou hast also built unto thee an eminent place, and hast made thee an high place in every street. -
Ezekiel 16:25 (4 votes)
Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms. -
Jeremiah 2:7 (4 votes)
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. -
Ezekiel 8:4 (4 votes)
And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel [was] there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain. -
Ezekiel 8:6 (4 votes)
He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? [even] the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, [and] thou shalt see greater abominations.
Commentary
Context
Jeremiah 3 is a poignant chapter in the book of the prophet Jeremiah, where God, through His prophet, confronts the kingdom of Judah for its profound spiritual unfaithfulness. The imagery throughout is that of a betrayed husband (God) addressing His unfaithful wife (Israel and Judah). Verse 2 specifically describes the depth and brazenness of Judah's idolatry, highlighting how pervasive and open their sin had become. This verse follows God's initial lament over their backsliding and His longing for them to return, as expressed in Jeremiah 3:1, where He questions if a divorced wife can return to her former husband, yet still offers Judah a path to repentance.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The term "high places" translates the Hebrew word bamah (בָּמָה), referring to elevated sites, often natural hills or constructed platforms, that were frequently used for pagan worship and sacrifices in ancient Near Eastern religions. The phrase "lien with" (Hebrew shakab, שָׁכַב) is a strong euphemism for sexual intercourse, powerfully conveying the intimate betrayal inherent in Israel's spiritual infidelity. The vivid comparison to "the Arabian in the wilderness" (Hebrew aravi bammidbar, עֲרָבִי בַּמִּדְבָּר) paints a picture of someone eagerly waiting to ambush or solicit, emphasizing Judah's enthusiastic pursuit of idolatry, similar to a bandit lying in wait for travelers or a prostitute openly seeking clients.
Practical Application
Jeremiah 3:2 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today about the dangers of spiritual compromise and misplaced affections. Just as ancient Israel's "whoredoms" defiled their land and relationship with God, we too can fall into "spiritual adultery" by prioritizing worldly pursuits—such as wealth, power, pleasure, or personal ambition—over our devotion to God. This verse calls us to honestly examine our own lives for "high places" where we might be seeking fulfillment outside of God's will. It encourages us to repent and heed God's persistent call to return to Him with a whole heart, recognizing that our spiritual choices have profound impacts, not only on ourselves but also on those around us and the world we inhabit.
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