Jeremiah 2:8

8 The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols.

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Jeremiah 2:8 in Other Translations

KJV

8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

ESV

8 The priests did not say, 'Where is the LORD?' Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit.

NLT

8 The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD ?’ Those who taught my word ignored me, the rulers turned against me, and the prophets spoke in the name of Baal, wasting their time on worthless idols.

MSG

8 The priests never thought to ask, 'Where's God?' The religion experts knew nothing of me. The rulers defied me. The prophets preached god Baal And chased empty god-dreams and silly god-schemes.

CSB

8 The priests quit asking: Where is the Lord? The experts in the law no longer knew Me, and the rulers rebelled against Me. The prophets prophesied by Baal and followed useless idols.

Jeremiah 2:8 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 2:8

The priests said not, where is the Lord?
&c.] Whose business it was to draw nigh to God, and offer the sacrifices of the people, and inquire of God for them; whose lips should keep knowledge, and at whose mouth the law should be sought, they being the messengers of the Lord of hosts, ( Malachi 2:7 ) : and they that handle the law knew me not;
the sanhedrim, according to Jarchi; or the lawyers and scribes, the Rabbins and doctors of the law, whose business it was to read and explain it; these did not understand it, nor the mind of God in it; and much less did they know him in a spiritual and evangelical manner; or as he is in Christ, and revealed in the Gospel: the pastors also transgressed against me;
kings, as the Targum, Jarchi, and Kimchi interpret it, who were pastors or shepherds in a civil sense; whose business it was to feed the people as the shepherd does his flock; that is, to guide and govern them by wholesome laws, by the laws of God; but, instead of this, they rebelled against the Lord, and transgressed his commands: and the prophets prophesied by Baal;
in his name; pretending to be inspired by that idol, and to receive the spirit of prophecy from him: and walked after things that do not profit;
the gods of the Gentiles, which could not supply them with the least temporal blessing, and much less give them spiritual and eternal ones; see ( Jeremiah 14:22 ) . This is to be understood of false prophets, as Ben Melech.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Jeremiah 2:8 In-Context

6 They did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD, who brought us up out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness, through a land of deserts and ravines, a land of drought and utter darkness, a land where no one travels and no one lives?’

7 I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable.

8 The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols.

9 “Therefore I bring charges against you again,” declares the LORD. “And I will bring charges against your children’s children.

10 Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar and observe closely; see if there has ever been anything like this:

Cross References 4

1. S 1 Samuel 2:12; Jeremiah 4:22
2. Jeremiah 3:15; Jeremiah 23:1; Jeremiah 25:34; Jeremiah 50:6
3. S 1 Kings 18:22; Jeremiah 23:13
4. ver 25; S Isaiah 40:19; S Isaiah 56:10; Jeremiah 5:19; Jeremiah 9:14; Jeremiah 16:19; Jeremiah 22:9