Jeremiah 2:26

26 "As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed--they, their kings, their princes, and 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 a wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure. In her need who can turn her away? All they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.

25 Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst. But thou saidst, `There is no hope; no, for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.'

26 "As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed--they, their kings, their princes, and their priests and their prophets,

27 saying to a stock, `Thou art my father,' and to a stone, `Thou hast brought me forth.' For they have turned their back unto Me, and not their face; but in the time of their trouble they will say, `Arise, and save us!'

28 But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? Let them arise if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble; for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.