Jeremiah 3:23

23 Surely what happens on the hills is a waste, as is the uproar on the mountains. Only in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.

Jeremiah 3:23 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 3:23

Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from
the multitude of mountains
From any natural defence, by hills and mountains encompassing; or from idols worshipped on hills and mountains. So the Targum,

``truly in vain we worship upon the hills, and for no profit are we gathered upon the mountains;''

and to this purpose Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it; or from the multitude of the people, the kingdoms of the world, and the nations of the earth, from whom the Jews have in vain expected salvation and deliverance: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel;
or, "in the Word of the Lord our God", as the Targum; in Christ, the essential Word of God, is the salvation of all the chosen people, both Jews and Gentiles; it was put into his hands by his Father, and it is wrought out by him; and it resides in him, and it is to be had in him, and in him only, ( Acts 4:12 ) , who is God the Lord, and therefore was able to effect it, and to give it; and hence these repenting ones, discarding all other saviours, apply to him for it.

Jeremiah 3:23 In-Context

21 A voice is heard on the well-traveled paths; it's the crying and pleading of the people of Israel, who have lost their way and forgotten the LORD their God.

22 Return, rebellious children, and I will heal your rebellion. "Here we are; we come to you, for you are the LORD our God.

23 Surely what happens on the hills is a waste, as is the uproar on the mountains. Only in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.

24 From our youth, shame has devoured the fruit of our parents' labor— their flocks and herds, as well as their sons and daughters.

25 Let's lie down in our shame. Let our dishonor cover us, for we have sinned against the LORD our God, both we and our ancestors, from our youth to this very day. We have disobeyed the voice of the LORD our God."

Footnotes

• [a]. LXX, Syr, Vulg; MT from the hills