Jeremiah 2:21

21 Yet it was I who planted you, a precious vine of fine quality; how could you turn into a wild vine and become good for nothing?

Jeremiah 2:21 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 2:21

Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed
It is usual to compare the people of the Jews to a vineyard, and to vines; and their settlement in the land of Canaan to the planting of vines in a vineyard; see ( Isaiah 5:1-7 ) ( Exodus 15:17 ) ( Psalms 80:8-15 ) . Kimchi says this is spoken concerning Abraham; no doubt respect is had to the Jewish fathers, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the twelve patriarchs, Moses, Joshua, and Caleb, and the like; who, having the true and right seed of grace in them, became like choice and noble vines, and brought forth much fruit, and were deserving of imitation by their posterity: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine
unto me?
like a vine that grows in the woods, and brings forth wild grapes; so these, their sons, degenerating in practice from their fathers, became corrupt in themselves, and unprofitable to God. The Targum of the whole is,

``I set you before me as the plant of a choice vine, all of you doing truth; but how are you changed before me in your corrupt works? ye have declined from my worship, ye are become as a vine in which there is no profit.''

Jeremiah 2:21 In-Context

19 Your wrongdoing will punish you. Your acts of unfaithfulness will find you out. Don't you understand how terribly bitter it is to abandon the LORD your God and not fear me? declares the LORD of heavenly forces.

20 Long ago I broke your yoke; I shattered your chains. But even then you said, "I won't serve you." On every high hill and under every lush tree, you have acted like a prostitute.

21 Yet it was I who planted you, a precious vine of fine quality; how could you turn into a wild vine and become good for nothing?

22 Even though you scrub yourself with soap or strong powder, the stain of your sin is still before me, declares the LORD God.

23 How can you say, "I'm not dirty; I haven't gone after Baals." Look what you have done in the valley; consider what you have done there. You are like a frenzied young camel, racing around,