Jeremiah 2:28

28 But 1where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them arise, 2if they can save you, in your time of trouble; for 3as many as your cities are your gods, O Judah.

Jeremiah 2:28 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 2:28

But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee?
&c.] This is, or would be, the Lord's answer to them, what is become of your gods? why do not you apply to them for help in time of trouble? the gods that you have chosen for yourselves and worshipped; the gods, not that made you, but whom you yourselves have made: let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble;
call upon them to arise, those statues of wood and stone, those lifeless and senseless images; let them rise off their seats, and move out of their places, if they can, and see whether they can save in a time of trouble and distress; for there is enough of them, if numbers will do: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah;
in imitation of the Heathens, who had not only in every country, but in every city and town, a different god, the patron and tutelar deity of the place; see ( 2 Kings 17:29-31 ) . The Septuagint and Arabic versions "add, according to the number of the ways, or streets, of Jerusalem", they sacrificed to Baal; see ( Jeremiah 11:13 ) .

Jeremiah 2:28 In-Context

26 "As a thief is shamed when caught, so the house of Israel shall be shamed: they, their kings, their officials, their priests, and their prophets,
27 who say to a tree, 'You are my father,' and to a stone, 'You gave me birth.' For they have turned their back to me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they say, 'Arise and save us!'
28 But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you, in your time of trouble; for as many as your cities are your gods, O Judah.
29 "Why do you contend with me? You have all transgressed against me, declares the LORD.
30 In vain have I struck your children; they took no correction; your own sword devoured your prophets like a ravening lion.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Deuteronomy 32:37, 38
  • 2. Isaiah 45:20
  • 3. Jeremiah 11:13
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.