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They made them walk in byways, on roads not built up. <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> But my people are not so reliable, for they have deserted me; they burn incense to worthless idols. They have stumbled off the ancient highways and walk in muddy paths. <a href="/esv/jeremiah/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> But my people have forgotten me; they make offerings to false gods; they made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient roads, and to walk into side roads, not the highway, <a href="/bsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Yet My people have forgotten Me. They burn incense to worthless idols that make them stumble in their ways, leaving the ancient roads to walk on rutted bypaths instead of on the highway. <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/18.htm">King James Bible</a> Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up; <a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/18.htm">New King James Version</a> “Because My people have forgotten Me, They have burned incense to worthless idols. And they have caused themselves to stumble in their ways, From the ancient paths, To walk in pathways and not on a highway, <a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> ‘For My people have forgotten Me, They burn incense to worthless gods. And they have stumbled in their ways, In the ancient roads, To walk on paths, Not on a highway, <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8216For My people have forgotten Me, They burn incense to worthless gods And they have stumbled from their ways, From the ancient paths, To walk in bypaths, Not on a highway, <a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> ‘For My people have forgotten Me, They burn incense to worthless gods And they have stumbled from their ways, From the ancient paths, To walk in bypaths, Not on a highway, <a href="/lsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For My people have forgotten Me; They burn incense to worthless gods, And they have stumbled from their ways, From the ancient paths, To walk in bypaths, Not on a highway, <a href="/amp/jeremiah/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> ‘Yet My people have forgotten Me; They burn incense to worthless gods, They have stumbled from their ways From the ancient roads, To walk in pathways, Not on a highway, <a href="/csb/jeremiah/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Yet my people have forgotten me. They burn incense to worthless idols that make them stumble in their ways on the ancient roads, and make them walk on new paths, not the highway. <a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Yet My people have forgotten Me. They burn incense to false idols that make them stumble in their ways on the ancient roads and walk on new paths, not the highway. <a href="/asv/jeremiah/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> For my people have forgotten me, they have burned incense to false gods; and they have been made to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in bypaths, in a way not cast up; <a href="/cev/jeremiah/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But you, my people, have turned from me to burn incense to worthless idols. You have left the ancient road to follow an unknown path where you stumble over idols. <a href="/erv/jeremiah/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> For my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity; and they have caused them to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in bypaths, in a way not cast up; <a href="/gwt/jeremiah/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But my people have forgotten me. They burn incense as an offering to worthless idols, and they stumble along the way, on the ancient path. They go on side roads and not on major highways. <a href="/gnt/jeremiah/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> Yet my people have forgotten me; they burn incense to idols. They have stumbled in the way they should go; they no longer follow the old ways; they walk on unmarked paths. <a href="/isv/jeremiah/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> Yet my people have forgotten me, and they burn incense to worthless idols that make them stumble in their journey on the ancient paths. They walk on trails, on a way that is not built up. <a href="/msb/jeremiah/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Yet My people have forgotten Me. They burn incense to worthless idols that make them stumble in their ways, leaving the ancient roads to walk on rutted bypaths instead of on the highway. <a href="/net/jeremiah/18.htm">NET Bible</a> Yet my people have forgotten me and offered sacrifices to worthless idols! This makes them stumble along in the way they live and leave the old reliable path of their fathers. They have left them to walk in bypaths, in roads that are not smooth and level. <a href="/nheb/jeremiah/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For my people have forgotten me, they have burned incense to false gods; and they have been made to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in byways, in a way not built up; <a href="/wbt/jeremiah/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up; <a href="/web/jeremiah/18.htm">World English Bible</a> For my people have forgotten me. They have burned incense to false gods. They have been made to stumble in their ways in the ancient paths, to walk in byways, in a way not built up, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> But My people have forgotten Me, they make incense to a vain thing, "" And they cause them to stumble in their ways—paths of old, "" To walk in paths—a way not raised up, <a href="/ylt/jeremiah/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> But My people have forgotten Me, to a vain thing they make perfume, And they cause them to stumble in their ways -- paths of old, To walk in paths -- a way not raised up, <a href="/slt/jeremiah/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Because my people forgat me they will burn incense in vain; by their ways they will cause the paths of old to fail, to go beaten paths, a way not cast up;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jeremiah/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Because my people have forgotten me, sacrificing in vain, and stumbling in their ways, in ancient paths, to walk by them in a way not trodden: <a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Yet my people have forgotten me, offering useless libations, and stumbling in their ways, in the paths of the world, so that they walk by these on an unmarked route. <a href="/nabre/jeremiah/18.htm">New American Bible</a> Yet my people have forgotten me: they offer incense in vain. They stumble off their paths, the ways of old, Traveling on bypaths, not the beaten track. <a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But my people have forgotten me, they burn offerings to a delusion; they have stumbled in their ways, in the ancient roads, and have gone into bypaths, not the highway,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Yet my people have forsaken me and have burned incense to vanity and have stumbled in their ways, and have departed from the ancient paths to walk in a way which was not trodden. <a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Because my people have forsaken me, and they offered incense to nothingness, and are subverted in their ways, in the ancient paths, to go in paths, in a way that was not trodden<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jeremiah/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> For My people hath forgotten Me, They offer unto vanity; And they have been made to stumble in their ways, In the ancient paths, To walk in bypaths, In a way not cast up; <a href="/sep/jeremiah/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> For my people have forgotten me, they have offered incense in vain, and they fail in their ways, leaving the ancient tracks, to enter upon impassable paths; <a href="/parallel/jeremiah/18-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=5454" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/18.htm">The Potter and the Clay</a> …14Does the snow of Lebanon ever leave its rocky slopes? Or do its cool waters flowing from a distance ever run dry? 15<a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Yet</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·mî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">My people</a> <a href="/hebrew/7911.htm" title="7911: šə·ḵê·ḥu·nî (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 1cs) -- To forget. Or shakeach; a primitive root; to mislay, i.e. To be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention.">have forgotten Me.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6999.htm" title="6999: yə·qaṭ·ṭê·rū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To make sacrifices smoke. A primitive root; to smoke, i.e. Turn into fragrance by fire.">They burn incense</a> <a href="/hebrew/7723.htm" title="7723: laš·šāw (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Or shav; from the same as show' in the sense of desolating; evil, literally or morally; figuratively idolatry, uselessness.">to worthless idols</a> <a href="/hebrew/3782.htm" title="3782: way·yaḵ·ši·lūm (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp:: 3mp) -- To stumble, stagger, totter. A primitive root; to totter or waver; by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall.">that make them stumble</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: bə·ḏar·ḵê·hem (Prep-b:: N-cpc:: 3mp) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">in their ways,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5769.htm" title="5769: ‘ō·w·lām (N-ms) -- Long duration, antiquity, futurity. ">leaving the ancient</a> <a href="/hebrew/7635.htm" title="7635: šə·ḇî·lê (N-mpc) -- A way, path. From the same as shebel; a track or passage-way.">roads</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: lā·le·ḵeṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">to walk</a> <a href="/hebrew/5410.htm" title="5410: nə·ṯî·ḇō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- Path, pathway. Or nthiybah; or nthibah; from an unused root meaning to tramp; a track.">on rutted</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ (N-cs) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">bypaths</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">instead of</a> <a href="/hebrew/5549.htm" title="5549: sə·lū·lāh (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-fs) -- To lift up, cast up. A primitive root; to mound up; figurative, to exalt; reflexively, to oppose.">on the highway.</a> 16They have made their land a desolation, a perpetual object of scorn; all who pass by will be appalled and shake their heads.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/65-2.htm">Isaiah 65:2-3</a> All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations, / to a people who continually provoke Me to My face, sacrificing in the gardens and burning incense on altars of brick, <a href="/hosea/4-12.htm">Hosea 4:12</a> My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God. <a href="/deuteronomy/32-18.htm">Deuteronomy 32:18</a> You ignored the Rock who brought you forth; you forgot the God who gave you birth. <a href="/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15</a> They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate. <a href="/psalms/106-36.htm">Psalm 106:36-39</a> They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them. / They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. / They shed innocent blood—the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood. ... <a href="/isaiah/30-9.htm">Isaiah 30:9-11</a> These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction. / They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions. / Get out of the way; turn off the road. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel!” <a href="/ezekiel/20-16.htm">Ezekiel 20:16</a> because they kept rejecting My ordinances, refusing to walk in My statutes, and profaning My Sabbaths; for their hearts continually went after their idols. <a href="/micah/4-5.htm">Micah 4:5</a> Though all the nations may walk in the name of their gods, yet we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever. <a href="/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">2 Chronicles 28:23</a> He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him, and he said, “Because the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But these gods were the downfall of Ahaz and of all Israel. <a href="/judges/2-17.htm">Judges 2:17</a> Israel, however, did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods and bowed down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s commandments; they did not do as their fathers had done. <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a> For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. <a href="/galatians/4-8.htm">Galatians 4:8-9</a> Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. / But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? <a href="/1_corinthians/12-2.htm">1 Corinthians 12:2</a> You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. <a href="/acts/14-15.htm">Acts 14:15</a> “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. <a href="/2_peter/2-15.htm">2 Peter 2:15</a> They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Because my people has forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;my people.<a href="/jeremiah/2-13.htm">Jeremiah 2:13,19,32</a> For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water… <a href="/jeremiah/3-21.htm">Jeremiah 3:21</a> A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God.<a href="/jeremiah/13-25.htm">Jeremiah 13:25</a> This is thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the LORD; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.burned.<a href="/jeremiah/10-15.htm">Jeremiah 10:15</a> They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.<a href="/jeremiah/16-19.htm">Jeremiah 16:19</a> O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.<a href="/jeremiah/44-15.htm">Jeremiah 44:15-19,25</a> Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying, … caused.<a href="/isaiah/3-12.htm">Isaiah 3:12</a> As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.<a href="/isaiah/9-16.htm">Isaiah 9:16</a> For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.<a href="/malachi/2-8.htm">Malachi 2:8</a> But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.the ancient.<a href="/jeremiah/6-16.htm">Jeremiah 6:16</a> Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.to walk.<a href="/jeremiah/19-5.htm">Jeremiah 19:5</a> They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:<a href="/isaiah/57-14.htm">Isaiah 57:14</a> And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/6-16.htm">Ancient</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-9.htm">Built</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-4.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-12.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-4.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/judges/5-6.htm">Byways</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-13.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-2.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-4.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-22.htm">Falling</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-27.htm">False.</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-25.htm">Forgotten</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-20.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/isaiah/62-10.htm">Highway</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-26.htm">Incense</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-25.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-7.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-16.htm">Paths</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-12.htm">Perfume</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-13.htm">Perfumes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-8.htm">Raised</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-25.htm">Roads</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-16.htm">Stumble</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-13.htm">Stumbled</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-12.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-19.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-12.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-11.htm">Way</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-11.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-19.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/28-8.htm">Ancient</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-5.htm">Built</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-5.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-4.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-5.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/judges/5-6.htm">Byways</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-7.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-19.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-9.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/jeremiah/37-13.htm">Falling</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-6.htm">False.</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-11.htm">Forgotten</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-4.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-21.htm">Highway</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-4.htm">Incense</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-11.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-18.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-12.htm">Paths</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-3.htm">Perfume</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-3.htm">Perfumes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-4.htm">Raised</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-4.htm">Roads</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-23.htm">Stumble</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-6.htm">Stumbled</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-14.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-2.htm">Way</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-12.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-18.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 18</div>1. <a href="/jeremiah/18-1.htm">Under the type of a potter is shown God's absolute power in disposing of nations.</a> 11. <a href="/jeremiah/18-11.htm">Judgments threatened to Judah for her strange revolt.</a> 18. <a href="/jeremiah/18-18.htm">Jeremiah prays against his conspirators.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Yet My people have forgotten Me. This phrase highlights the recurring theme of Israel's spiritual amnesia, where the people have turned away from God despite His continuous faithfulness. This forgetfulness is not merely a lapse in memory but a deliberate neglect of their covenant relationship with God. In the broader biblical context, forgetting God often leads to idolatry and moral decay, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/8-11.htm">Deuteronomy 8:11-14</a>, where the Israelites are warned against forgetting the Lord after entering the Promised Land.They burn incense to worthless idols Burning incense was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern religions, symbolizing prayer and worship. However, in this context, it is directed towards "worthless idols," indicating a betrayal of their exclusive worship of Yahweh. The term "worthless" underscores the futility and emptiness of idol worship, as these idols have no power or life. This idolatry is condemned throughout the Old Testament, such as in <a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a>, where the absurdity of idol-making is vividly described.that make them stumble in their ways Idolatry leads to moral and spiritual stumbling, causing the people to stray from God's righteous path. This stumbling is both a consequence and a metaphor for the spiritual blindness and confusion that result from forsaking God. <a href="/proverbs/4-19.htm">Proverbs 4:19</a> describes the way of the wicked as deep darkness, where they do not know what makes them stumble, illustrating the peril of abandoning divine guidance.leaving the ancient roads The "ancient roads" symbolize the tried and true paths of obedience and faithfulness to God's commandments. These roads represent the wisdom and guidance provided by God through the Law and the prophets. <a href="/jeremiah/6-16.htm">Jeremiah 6:16</a> calls the people to ask for the "ancient paths" where the good way is, emphasizing the importance of returning to God's established ways.to walk on rutted bypaths Rutted bypaths are paths that are uneven, unreliable, and lead to nowhere beneficial. This imagery contrasts with the stability and safety of the ancient roads. Choosing these bypaths signifies a departure from God's guidance, leading to spiritual and moral disarray. <a href="/proverbs/14-12.htm">Proverbs 14:12</a> warns that there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death, highlighting the danger of following one's own misguided paths.instead of on the highway The highway represents the clear, direct path of righteousness and obedience to God. It is a metaphor for the life of faithfulness and trust in God's promises. <a href="/isaiah/35-8.htm">Isaiah 35:8</a> speaks of a highway called the Way of Holiness, where the redeemed walk, free from danger and deception. This imagery calls the people back to a life aligned with God's will, offering safety and blessing.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a> A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah, often warning them of impending judgment due to their unfaithfulness. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_judah.htm">The People of Judah</a> The audience of Jeremiah's prophecy, who had turned away from God to worship idols, leading to their spiritual and moral decline. 3. <a href="/topical/w/worthless_idols.htm">Worthless Idols</a> Objects of worship that the people of Judah turned to instead of God, representing their spiritual adultery and rebellion. 4. <a href="/topical/a/ancient_roads.htm">Ancient Roads</a> Symbolic of the established, righteous ways of living according to God's commandments and covenant. 5. <a href="/topical/b/bypaths.htm">Bypaths</a> Representing the deviant paths and practices that the people chose, leading them away from God's truth and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_forgetfulness.htm">The Danger of Forgetfulness</a> Forgetting God leads to spiritual decline and moral confusion. Regular remembrance of God's faithfulness and commandments is crucial for maintaining a righteous path. <a href="/topical/t/the_allure_of_idolatry.htm">The Allure of Idolatry</a> Idolatry is not just about physical idols but anything that takes precedence over God in our lives. We must examine our hearts for modern-day idols such as wealth, power, or status. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_the_ancient_paths.htm">The Importance of the Ancient Paths</a> The "ancient roads" symbolize God's timeless truths and commandments. We are called to walk in these paths, which lead to life and blessing. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_deviating_from_god's_path.htm">Consequences of Deviating from God's Path</a> Choosing bypaths over God's highway results in spiritual stumbling and separation from God. We must be vigilant in our walk with God, ensuring we remain on His path. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_return.htm">Repentance and Return</a> God always offers a way back through repentance. Acknowledging our deviations and returning to God's ways restores our relationship with Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 18</a> <a href="/q/did_judah's_kings_follow_or_stray_from_god.htm">How did Judah's kings follow or stray from God?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_bible's_ancient_paths.htm">What are the ancient paths mentioned in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_deut._3_6_align_with_a_loving_god.htm">How does Deuteronomy 3:6, which recounts total destruction of entire populations, reconcile with the idea of a just and loving God?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_of_judah-israel_conspiracy.htm">Jeremiah 11:9-10: Is there archaeological or historical evidence of a widespread 'conspiracy' among Judah and Israel during Jeremiah's time?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) Vanity.--The word is not that commonly so translated (as in <a href="/jeremiah/2-5.htm" title="Thus said 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?">Jeremiah 2:5</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/10-8.htm" title="But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.">Jeremiah 10:8</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm" title="Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.">Ecclesiastes 1:2</a>, et al., q. 5), but that which had been used of idols in <a href="/jeremiah/2-30.htm" title="In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword has devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.">Jeremiah 2:30</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/4-30.htm" title="And when you are spoiled, what will you do? Though you clothe yourself with crimson, though you deck you with ornaments of gold, though you rend your face with painting, in vain shall you make yourself fair; your lovers will despise you, they will seek your life.">Jeremiah 4:30</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/6-29.htm" title="The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melts in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away.">Jeremiah 6:29</a>, rendered "in vain." See also <a href="/ezekiel/13-6.htm" title="They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD said: and the LORD has not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.">Ezekiel 13:6</a>; <a href="/context/ezekiel/13-8.htm" title="Therefore thus said the Lord GOD; Because you have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, said the Lord GOD.">Ezekiel 13:8-9</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 15. - Because my people hath forgotten me; rather, Surely, etc.; or better still, Yet surely. It is not uncommon for a particle of asseveration to acquire a contrasting force from the context; see e.g. <a href="/jeremiah/3-20.htm">Jeremiah 3:20</a>; <a href="/isaiah/53-4.htm">Isaiah 53:4</a>; and, still more completely parallel, <a href="/isaiah/2-6.htm">Isaiah 2:6</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/9-1.htm">Jeremiah 9:1</a>, where Authorized Version, with substantial correctness, has "nevertheless." Israel "forgot" Jehovah (as <a href="/jeremiah/2-32.htm">Jeremiah 2:32</a>); no doubt he was responsible for so doing, but still it was not "of malice preponse." To vanity; i.e. to the unreal idol-gods. And they have caused them to stumble; viz. the idol-gods; these are responsible (.for they have a real existence in the consciousness of their worshippers) for this interruption of Israel's spiritual progress (comp. <a href="/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">2 Chronicles 28:23</a>). In their ways from the ancient paths. "From," however, is interpolated by the Authorized Version; the Hebrew places "the ancient paths" in apposition to "their ways," "Stand ye in the ways," Jeremiah cried at an earlier period, "and see, and ask for the old paths, which is the good way" (<a href="/jeremiah/6-16.htm">Jeremiah 6:16</a>). These "old" or "ancient" paths were ideally "their ways," the ways appointed for the Jews to walk in. To walk in paths; rather, in tracks, footpaths leading up and down and often ending in nothing; or, in other terms, in a way not cast up (<a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3, 4</a>, gives a graphic picture of the operation of "casting up a way"). <a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/18-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Yet כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction My people עַמִּ֖י (‘am·mî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock have forgotten Me. שְׁכֵחֻ֥נִי (šə·ḵê·ḥu·nî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7911.htm">Strong's 7911: </a> To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention They burn incense יְקַטֵּ֑רוּ (yə·qaṭ·ṭê·rū) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6999.htm">Strong's 6999: </a> To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire to worthless idols לַשָּׁ֣וְא (laš·šāw) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7723.htm">Strong's 7723: </a> Evil, idolatry, uselessness that make them stumble וַיַּכְשִׁל֤וּם (way·yaḵ·ši·lūm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3782.htm">Strong's 3782: </a> To totter, waver, to falter, stumble, faint, fall in their ways בְּדַרְכֵיהֶם֙ (bə·ḏar·ḵê·hem) Preposition-b | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action on the ancient עוֹלָ֔ם (‘ō·w·lām) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5769.htm">Strong's 5769: </a> Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always roads שְׁבִילֵ֣י (šə·ḇî·lê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7635.htm">Strong's 7635: </a> A track, passage-way and walk לָלֶ֣כֶת (lā·le·ḵeṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk on bypaths נְתִיב֔וֹת (nə·ṯî·ḇō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5410.htm">Strong's 5410: </a> Path, pathway instead of לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no the highway. סְלוּלָֽה׃ (sə·lū·lāh) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5549.htm">Strong's 5549: </a> To mound up, to exalt, to oppose <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/18-15.htm">Jeremiah 18:15 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/18-15.htm">Jeremiah 18:15 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jeremiah/18-15.htm">Jeremiah 18:15 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/18-15.htm">Jeremiah 18:15 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/18-15.htm">Jeremiah 18:15 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/18-15.htm">Jeremiah 18:15 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/18-15.htm">Jeremiah 18:15 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/18-15.htm">Jeremiah 18:15 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/18-15.htm">Jeremiah 18:15 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jeremiah/18-15.htm">Jeremiah 18:15 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-15.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 18:15 For my people have forgotten me they (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/18-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 18:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 18:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/18-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 18:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 18:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>