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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 2:14 Is Israel a slave? Was he born into slavery? Why then has he become prey?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/2-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/24_Jer_02_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 2:14 - The Consequences of Israel's Sin" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Is Israel a slave? Was he born into slavery? 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Why then has he become plunder?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Why has Israel become a slave? Why has he been carried away as plunder?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Is Israel a slave? Is he a homeborn servant? Why then has he become a prey?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is Israel a slave? Was he born into slavery? Why then has he become prey?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>Is</i> Israel a servant? <i>is</i> he a homeborn <i>slave</i>? why is he spoiled?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“<i>Is</i> Israel a servant? <i>Is</i> he a homeborn <i>slave?</i> Why is he plundered?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Is Israel a slave? Or is he a servant born in the home? Why has he become plunder?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Is Israel a slave? Or is he a homeborn servant? Why has he become a prey?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Is Israel a slave? Or is he a homeborn servant? Why has he become a prey?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Is Israel a slave? Or is he a homeborn <i>slave</i>? Why has he become plunder?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Is Israel a servant? Is he a slave by birth? Why has he become a captive <i>and</i> a prey?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is Israel a slave? Was he born into slavery? Why else has he become a prey?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is Israel a slave? Was he born into slavery? Why else has he become a prey? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Is Israel a servant? is he a home-born slave? why is he become a prey?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />People of Israel, you weren't born slaves; you were captured in war. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he become a prey?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Are the people of Israel slaves? Were they born into slavery? Why, then, have they become someone's property?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Israel is not a slave; he was not born into slavery. Why then do his enemies hunt him down? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Is Israel a slave, or was he born a servant? Why then has he become plunder?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is Israel a slave? Was he born into slavery? Why then has he become prey?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Israel is not a slave, is he? He was not born into slavery, was he? If not, why then is he being carried off? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Is Israel a servant? Is he a native-born slave? Why has he become a prey?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Is Israel a servant? is he a home-born slave? why is he laid waste?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Is Israel a slave? Is he born into slavery? Why has he become a captive? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />[Is] Israel a servant? Is he a child of the house? Why has he been for a prey?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A servant is Israel? Is he a child of the house? Wherefore hath he been for a prey?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Is Israel a servant? if he was born in the house wherefore was he for plunder?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Is Israel a bondman, or a homeborn slave? why then is he become prey? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Is Israel a servant, or one born into slavery? Then why has he become a prey?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Is Israel a slave, a house-born servant? Why then has he become plunder? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Is Israel a slave? Is he a homeborn servant? Why then has he become plunder?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Is Israel a servant? If he is a homeborn heir, why then is he plundered?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Is Israel a Servant? If he is born in the house, why was he to be plunder?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Is Israel a servant? Is he a home-born slave? Why is he become a prey?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Is Israel a servant, or a home-born slave? why has he become a spoil?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/2-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=360" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/2.htm">The Consequences of Israel's Sin</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Is Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ha·‘e·ḇeḏ (Art:: N-ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">a slave?</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">Was he</a> <a href="/hebrew/3211.htm" title="3211: yə·lîḏ (N-msc) -- Born. From yalad; born.">born into slavery?</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ba·yiṯ (N-ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4069.htm" title="4069: mad·dū·a‘ (Interrog) -- Why? for what reason?. Or madduaa; from mah and the passive participle of yada'; what known?; i.e. why?.">Why then</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">has he become</a> <a href="/hebrew/957.htm" title="957: lā·ḇaz (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Spoiling, robbery, spoil, booty. From bazaz; plunder.">prey?</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>The young lions have roared at him; they have growled with a loud voice. They have laid waste his land; his cities lie in ruins, without inhabitant.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/4-22.htm">Exodus 4:22-23</a></span><br />Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son, / and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/11-1.htm">Hosea 11:1</a></span><br />When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-2.htm">Isaiah 1:2-3</a></span><br />Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me. / The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Isaiah 5:1-7</a></span><br />I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Isaiah 30:1-5</a></span><br />“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. / But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-16.htm">Isaiah 63:16-19</a></span><br />Yet You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father; our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name. / Why, O LORD, do You make us stray from Your ways and harden our hearts from fearing You? Return, for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage. / For a short while Your people possessed Your holy place, but our enemies have trampled Your sanctuary. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/16-1.htm">Ezekiel 16:1-22</a></span><br />Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her abominations / and tell her that this is what the Lord GOD says to Jerusalem: Your origin and your birth were in the land of the Canaanites. Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/23-1.htm">Ezekiel 23:1-21</a></span><br />Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother, / and they played in Egypt, prostituting themselves from their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin bosoms caressed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/1-1.htm">Lamentations 1:1-3</a></span><br />How lonely lies the city, once so full of people! She who was great among the nations has become a widow. The princess of the provinces has become a slave. / She weeps aloud in the night, with tears upon her cheeks. Among all her lovers there is no one to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies. / Judah has gone into exile under affliction and harsh slavery; she dwells among the nations but finds no place to rest. All her pursuers have overtaken her in the midst of her distress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/5-1.htm">Lamentations 5:1-3</a></span><br />Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us. Look and see our disgrace! / Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our houses to foreigners. / We have become fatherless orphans; our mothers are widows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-15.htm">Matthew 2:15</a></span><br />where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-34.htm">John 8:34-36</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. / A slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever. / So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-16.htm">Romans 6:16-18</a></span><br />Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness? / But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed. / You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-14.htm">Romans 8:14-17</a></span><br />For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. / For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” / The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-1.htm">Galatians 4:1-7</a></span><br />What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything. / He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father. / So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Is Israel a servant? is he a home born slave? why is he spoiled?</p><p class="hdg">Israel</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/4-22.htm">Exodus 4:22</a></b></br> And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel <i>is</i> my son, <i>even</i> my firstborn:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/50-1.htm">Isaiah 50:1</a></b></br> Thus saith the LORD, Where <i>is</i> the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors <i>is it</i> to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.</p><p class="hdg">he a home-born</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/15-3.htm">Genesis 15:3</a></b></br> And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:7</a></b></br> I got <i>me</i> servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:</p><p class="hdg">spoiled.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/1-5.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/psalms/105-17.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/jeremiah/1-7.htm">Child</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Homeborn</a> <a href="/numbers/15-30.htm">Home-Born</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-4.htm">House</a> <a href="/luke/8-3.htm">House-Servant</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-4.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/isaiah/64-11.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/7-21.htm">Native-Born</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-25.htm">Plunder</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-15.htm">Prey</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-11.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-2.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/isaiah/53-12.htm">Spoil</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-22.htm">Spoiled</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-12.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-9.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/2-27.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/27-7.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-31.htm">Child</a> <a href="/exodus/12-49.htm">Homeborn</a> <a href="/exodus/12-49.htm">Home-Born</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-26.htm">House</a> <a href="/luke/8-3.htm">House-Servant</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-26.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-13.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/ezekiel/47-22.htm">Native-Born</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-13.htm">Plunder</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-9.htm">Prey</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-4.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/jeremiah/27-7.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-6.htm">Spoil</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-13.htm">Spoiled</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-15.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-29.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/2-1.htm">God having shown his former kindness, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/2-5.htm">expostulates with the people on their causeless and unexampled revolt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/2-14.htm">They are the causes of their own calamities</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/2-18.htm">The sins and idolatries of Judah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/2-35.htm">Her confidence is rejected.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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/2.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/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Is Israel a slave?</b><br>This rhetorical question highlights Israel's unique status as God's chosen people, set apart from other nations. Historically, Israel was delivered from slavery in Egypt, symbolizing their freedom and covenant relationship with God. The question implies that Israel's current state of subjugation is contrary to their intended identity. This reflects the broader biblical theme of spiritual freedom versus bondage to sin, as seen in the New Testament where believers are called to live as free people in Christ (<a href="/galatians/5.htm">Galatians 5:1</a>).<p><b>Was he born into slavery?</b><br>This phrase emphasizes that Israel was not destined for slavery. Unlike nations that were historically enslaved from their inception, Israel's origin is rooted in the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The covenant with Abraham (<a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a>) assured blessings and freedom, not bondage. This serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the intended freedom for His people, contrasting with their current spiritual and physical oppression due to disobedience.<p><b>Why then has he become prey?</b><br>This question addresses the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness and idolatry. By turning away from God, Israel has made itself vulnerable to surrounding nations, becoming prey to their enemies. This reflects the covenant curses outlined in <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a>, where disobedience leads to subjugation and suffering. The imagery of becoming prey also foreshadows the New Testament warnings about spiritual vigilance, as believers are cautioned to be alert against the devil, who prowls like a roaring lion (<a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>Refers to the nation chosen by God, often depicted as God's firstborn son. In this context, Israel is being questioned about its status and condition.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>The prophet through whom God delivers this message. He is known for his prophecies concerning the judgment and restoration of Israel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/slavery.htm">Slavery</a></b><br>A condition of bondage and servitude. The rhetorical question implies that Israel was not meant to be in such a state.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/prey.htm">Prey</a></b><br>Indicates vulnerability and being subject to attack or exploitation. This term suggests that Israel has become weak and defenseless.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt_and_assyria.htm">Egypt and Assyria</a></b><br>Though not directly mentioned in this verse, these nations are historically significant as oppressors of Israel, often symbolizing bondage and exile.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/identity_in_god.htm">Identity in God</a></b><br>Israel's identity as God's chosen people was not meant to be one of slavery. Believers today should remember their identity in Christ as free and beloved children of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>Israel's condition as prey is a result of their disobedience and turning away from God. This serves as a warning to remain faithful and obedient to God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_desire_for_freedom.htm">God's Desire for Freedom</a></b><br>God desires His people to live in freedom, not in bondage. This freedom is found in a relationship with Him, free from the chains of sin and idolatry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/vulnerability_without_god.htm">Vulnerability without God</a></b><br>Just as Israel became prey when they strayed from God, believers are vulnerable to spiritual attacks when they distance themselves from Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a></b><br>The rhetorical questions serve as a call to self-examination and repentance, urging Israel to return to God. Believers are similarly called to repent and realign with God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_rejecting_god_mean.htm">What does turning away from God signify?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_christ's_thousand-year_reign.htm">What is Christ's thousand-year reign?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_promise_restoration_if_judgment_remains.htm">Why does Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 8:33-34 promise national restoration to Israel if they repent, when other biblical passages suggest God's judgment can remain despite repentance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_don't_records_show_israel's_apostasy.htm">Jeremiah 2:32-33 portrays Israel as actively seeking other gods; why do extra-biblical records not corroborate such a widespread apostasy at this particular time?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) <span class= "bld">Is Israel a servant?</span>--The word "servant," we must remember, had become, through its frequent use in Isaiah (<a href="/isaiah/20-3.htm" title="And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder on Egypt and on Ethiopia;">Isaiah 20:3</a>; <a href="/isaiah/41-8.htm" title="But you, Israel, are my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.">Isaiah 41:8</a>, <span class= "ital">et al.</span>)<span class= "ital">, </span>a word not of shame, but honour; and of all servants, he who was born in the house--as in the case of Eleazar (<a href="/genesis/15-3.htm" title="And Abram said, Behold, to me you have given no seed: and, see, one born in my house is my heir.">Genesis 15:3</a>)--occupied the most honourable place, nearest to a son. The point of the question is accordingly not "Is Israel become a slave," kidnapped, as it were, and spoiled, but rather this: "Is Israel the servant of Jehovah, as one born in His house? Why, then, is he treated as one with no master to protect him?"<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 14-19.</span> - Israel's <span class="accented">punishment and its cause</span>. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Is Israel a servant</span>? The speaker is evidently the prophet, who exclaims in surprise at the view which his prophetic insight opens to him: "quasi de re nova et absurda sciscitatur" (Calvin). For Israel is a member of Jehovah's family; he is not a servant (except in the same high sense as in <a href="/isaiah/40.htm">Isaiah 40-53</a>, where "servant" is virtually equivalent to "representative"), but rather in the highest degree a free man, for he is Jehovah's "firstborn son" (<a href="/exodus/4-22.htm">Exodus 4:22</a>). How is it, then, that he is dragged away into captivity like a slave who has never known freedom? The view of some, that "servant" means "servant of Jehovah" (comp. <a href="/jeremiah/30-10.htm">Jeremiah 30:10</a>), and that the question therefore is to be answered in the affirmative, is less natural. "Servant," by itself, never has this turning; and there is a precisely similar term in the discourse at ver. 31, where the negative answer of the question does not admit of a doubt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/2-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Is Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a slave?</span><br /><span class="heb">הַעֶ֙בֶד֙</span> <span class="translit">(ha·‘e·ḇeḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Was he</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֑וּא</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">born into slavery?</span><br /><span class="heb">יְלִ֥יד</span> <span class="translit">(yə·lîḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3211.htm">Strong's 3211: </a> </span><span class="str2">Born</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Why then</span><br /><span class="heb">מַדּ֖וּעַ</span> <span class="translit">(mad·dū·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4069.htm">Strong's 4069: </a> </span><span class="str2">Why? for what reason?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has he become</span><br /><span class="heb">הָיָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">prey?</span><br /><span class="heb">לָבַֽז׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḇaz)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_957.htm">Strong's 957: </a> </span><span class="str2">Spoiling, robbery, spoil, booty</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/2-14.htm">Jeremiah 2:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/2-14.htm">Jeremiah 2:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/2-14.htm">Jeremiah 2:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/2-14.htm">Jeremiah 2:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/2-14.htm">Jeremiah 2:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/2-14.htm">Jeremiah 2:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/2-14.htm">Jeremiah 2:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/2-14.htm">Jeremiah 2:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/2-14.htm">Jeremiah 2:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/2-14.htm">Jeremiah 2:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/2-14.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 2:14 Is Israel a servant? Is he (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/2-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 2:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 2:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/2-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 2:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 2:15" /></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>