Jeremiah 2:11

11 Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit.

Jeremiah 2:11 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 2:11

Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods?
&c.] Though they are not by nature gods which they worship, only nominal and fictitious deities, yet they did not change them for others; but when they once embraced the worship of them, continued therein; so did the Chittim, the inhabitants of the isles, who though they traded to distant countries, from place to place; and so the Kedarenes, who dwelt in tents, and fed cattle, and moved from one desert to another, and from one pasture to another, as Jarchi observes; yet they carried their gods with them, and did not exchange them for new ones where they came. The Jewish writers say F2, that the Kedarenes worshipped water, and the Chittim fire; and though they knew that water would quench fire, yet the latter would not change their gods. Kimchi and Abendana relate it just the reverse, and say the Kedarenes worshipped fire, and the Chittim water, which is most likely; and so it is said elsewhere F3. But my people have changed their glory;
the true God, who is glorious in himself, and whom they should have glorified, and have counted it their highest honour and glory that they knew him, and were the worshippers of him; yet they changed him, their glory, into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass, ( Psalms 106:20 ) , wherefore it is justly added, for that which doth not profit;
meaning Baal, and such like idols; see the note on ( Jeremiah 2:8 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F2 T. Bab. Taanith, fol. 5. 2.
F3 Yalkut Simeoni, par. 2. fol. 60. 3.

Jeremiah 2:11 In-Context

9 Therefore once more I accuse you, says the Lord, and I accuse your children's children.
10 Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look, send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has ever been such a thing.
11 Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit.
12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the Lord,
13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and dug out cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.