Jeremiah 2:26

26 "A thief is ashamed when someone catches him stealing. In the same way, the family of Israel is ashamed -- they, their kings, their officers, their priests, and their prophets.

Jeremiah 2:26 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 2:26

As the thief is ashamed when be is found
Taken in the fact, or convicted of it; that is, as the Targum explains it, one that has been accounted faithful, and is found a thief; for, otherwise, those who have lost their character, and are notorious for their thefts and robberies, are not ashamed when they are found out, taken, and convicted: so is the house of Israel ashamed:
of their idolatry, or ought to be; or "shall be", as the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions render it; though not now, yet hereafter, sooner or later: they, their kings, their princes, and their priests and their prophets;
all being guilty; kings setting ill examples, and the people following them; the priests being priests of Baal, and the prophets false ones.

Jeremiah 2:26 In-Context

24 You are like a wild donkey that lives in the desert and sniffs the wind at mating time. At that time who can hold her back? Any male who chases her will easily catch her; at mating time, it is easy to find her.

25 Don't run until your feet are bare or until your throat is dry. But you say, 'It's no use! I love those other gods, and I must chase them!'

26 "A thief is ashamed when someone catches him stealing. In the same way, the family of Israel is ashamed -- they, their kings, their officers, their priests, and their prophets.

27 They say to things of wood, 'You are my father,' and to idols of stone, 'You gave birth to me.' Those people won't look at me; they have turned their backs to me. But when they get into trouble, they say, 'Come and save us!'

28 Where are the idols you made for yourselves? Let them come and save you when you are in trouble! People of Judah, you have as many idols as you have towns!