For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.
Long ago I broke the chains that held you captive and set you free from slavery. You promised me, 'I will not sin against you.' But then you went to every hilltop and under every green tree, worshiping other gods like an unfaithful spouse.
God is reminding Israel that even after He freed them from slavery, they broke their promise and turned to worship false gods everywhere they went.
📚 Historical Context
This verse refers to God delivering Israel from slavery in Egypt, breaking their 'yoke' of bondage. The Israelites had promised to serve only God, but they repeatedly turned to worship Canaanite gods at 'high places' - hilltop shrines and sacred groves that were common worship sites for pagan deities. Jeremiah uses the imagery of adultery to describe spiritual unfaithfulness, as Israel had entered into a covenant relationship with God similar to marriage.
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