Jeremiah 2:5 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

This is what the LORD says: What wrong did your ancestors find in me that made them turn away from me? They chased after worthless things and became worthless themselves.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

God is asking why His people abandoned Him when He had done nothing wrong to them, pointing out that chasing empty things made them empty too.

📚 Historical Context

This verse comes from Jeremiah's prophecy to the kingdom of Judah around 627-586 BC, as they faced increasing threats from Babylon. God is reminding them through Jeremiah how their ancestors had turned away from Him despite His faithfulness, choosing to worship idols and follow pagan practices instead of remaining loyal to the God who had delivered them from Egypt.

Explore Similar Verses

Job 30:8

They were children of foolish people, yes, children of worthless men: they were more despised than dirt.

Jeremiah 7:26

Yet they wouldn't listen to me or pay attention, but became stubborn and resistant. They acted even worse than their ancestors did.

2 Kings 17:15

They rejected God's laws, the covenant he made with their ancestors, and the warnings he gave them. Instead, they followed worthless things and became worthless themselves. They copied the pagan nations around them, even though the LORD had specifically commanded them not to act like those nations.

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📚 Historical Context

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