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you said, &#8216I will not serve you!&#8217 Indeed, on every high hill and under every spreading tree you lay down as a prostitute. <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Long ago I broke the yoke that oppressed you and tore away the chains of your slavery, but still you said, ‘I will not serve you.’ On every hill and under every green tree, you have prostituted yourselves by bowing down to idols. <a href="/esv/jeremiah/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> “For long ago I broke your yoke and burst your bonds; but you said, ‘I will not serve.’ Yes, on every high hill and under every green tree you bowed down like a whore. <a href="/bsb/jeremiah/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, ‘I will not serve!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute. <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/2.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/2.htm">New King James Version</a> “For of old I have broken your yoke and burst your bonds; And you said, ‘I will not transgress,’ When on every high hill and under every green tree You lay down, playing the harlot. <a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “For long ago I broke your yoke And tore off your restraints; But you said, ‘I will not serve!’ For on every high hill And under every leafy tree You have lain down as a prostitute. <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220For long ago I broke your yoke And tore off your bonds; But you said, &#8216I will not serve!&#8217 For on every high hill And under every green tree You have lain down as a harlot. <a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “For long ago I broke your yoke And tore off your bonds; But you said, ‘I will not serve!’ For on every high hill And under every green tree You have lain down as a harlot. <a href="/lsb/jeremiah/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “For long ago I broke your yoke And tore off your bonds; But you said, ‘I will not serve!’ For on every high hill And under every green tree You have lain down as a harlot. <a href="/amp/jeremiah/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “For long ago you broke your yoke [in deliberate disobedience] And tore off your bonds [of the law that I gave you]; You said, ‘I will not serve and obey You!’ For on every high hill And under every green tree You have lain down [in idolatrous worship] like a [compliant] prostitute. <a href="/csb/jeremiah/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For long ago I broke your yoke; I tore off your chains. You insisted, “I will not serve! ” On every high hill and under every green tree you lay down like a prostitute. <a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For long ago I broke your yoke; I tore off your chains. You insisted, &#8220I will not serve!&#8221 On every high hill and under every green tree you lie down like a prostitute. <a href="/asv/jeremiah/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bonds; and thou saidst, I will not serve; for upon every high hill and under every green tree thou didst bow thyself, playing the harlot. <a href="/cev/jeremiah/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Long ago you left me and broke all ties between us, refusing to be my servant. Now you worship other gods by having sex on hilltops or in the shade of large trees. <a href="/erv/jeremiah/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not serve; for upon every high hill and under every green tree thou didst bow thyself, playing the harlot. <a href="/gwt/jeremiah/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Long ago you broke off your yoke, tore off your chains, and said that you wouldn't be a slave. You lay down and acted like a prostitute on every high hill and under every large tree. <a href="/gnt/jeremiah/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> The Sovereign LORD says, "Israel, long ago you rejected my authority; you refused to obey me and worship me. On every high hill and under every green tree you worshiped fertility gods. <a href="/isv/jeremiah/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> "For long ago I broke your yoke and tore off your bonds, But you said, 'I won't serve you!' Instead, on every high hill and under every green tree, you bend down to commit fornication. <a href="/net/jeremiah/2.htm">NET Bible</a> "Indeed, long ago you threw off my authority and refused to be subject to me. You said, 'I will not serve you.' Instead, you gave yourself to other gods on every high hill and under every green tree, like a prostitute sprawls out before her lovers. <a href="/nheb/jeremiah/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "For of old time I have broken your yoke, and burst your bonds; and you said, 'I will not serve;' for on every high hill and under every green tree you bowed yourself, playing the prostitute. <a href="/wbt/jeremiah/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/jeremiah/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> “For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, ‘I will not serve!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute. <a href="/web/jeremiah/2.htm">World English Bible</a> “For long ago I broke off your yoke, and burst your bonds. You said, ‘I will not serve;’ for on every high hill and under every green tree you bowed yourself, playing the prostitute. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “For from of old you have broken your yoke, "" Drawn away your bands, and say, I do not serve, "" For on every high height, and under every green tree, "" You are wandering—a harlot. <a href="/ylt/jeremiah/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> For from of old thou hast broken thy yoke, Drawn away thy bands, and sayest, 'I do not serve,' For, on every high height, and under every green tree, Thou art wandering -- a harlot. <a href="/slt/jeremiah/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For from of old I broke thy yoke, I burst thy bonds; and thou wilt say, I will not serve; for upon every high hill and under every green tree thou turnest one side, committing fornication:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jeremiah/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Of old time thou hast broken my yoke, thou hast burst my bands, and thou saidst: I will not serve. For on every high hill, and under every green tree thou didst prostitute thyself. <a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> From ancient times, you have broken my yoke; you have torn apart my bonds, and you have said, ‘I will not serve.’ For on every high hill, and under every leafy tree, you have been debased, O harlot. <a href="/nabre/jeremiah/2.htm">New American Bible</a> Long ago you broke your yoke, you tore off your bonds. You said, “I will not serve.” On every high hill, under every green tree, you sprawled and served as a prostitute. <a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For long ago you broke your yoke and burst your bonds, and you said, “I will not serve!” On every high hill and under every green tree you sprawled and played the whore.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For of old time I have broken your yoke and cut your bands; and you said, I shall never serve another god again; and behold, now upon every high hill and under every green tree you wander, playing the harlot. <a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Because from old time I have broken your yoke and I cut your collars, and you said: “I shall not serve another god again”, and behold, on every high hill and under every thick tree you go astray and commit prostitution<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jeremiah/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> For of old time I have broken thy yoke, And burst thy bands, And thou saidst: 'I will not transgress'; Upon every high hill And under every leafy tree Thou didst recline, playing the harlot. <a href="/sep/jeremiah/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> For of old thou hast broken thy yoke, and plucked asunder thy bands; and thou has said, I will not serve thee, but will go upon every high hill, and under every shady tree, there will I indulge in my fornication. <a href="/parallel/jeremiah/2-20.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=424" 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/2.htm">The Consequences of Israel's Sin</a> …19Your own evil will discipline you; your own apostasies will reprimand you. Consider and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God and to have no fear of Me,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts. 20<a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">“For</a> <a href="/hebrew/5769.htm" title="5769: mê·‘ō·w·lām (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Long duration, antiquity, futurity. ">long ago</a> <a href="/hebrew/7665.htm" title="7665: šā·ḇar·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To break, break in pieces. A primitive root; to burst.">you broke</a> <a href="/hebrew/5923.htm" title="5923: ‘ul·lêḵ (N-msc:: 2fs) -- A yoke. Or mowl; from alal; a yoke, literally or figuratively.">your yoke</a> <a href="/hebrew/5423.htm" title="5423: nit·taq·tî (V-Piel-Perf-1cs) -- To pull, draw, or tear away, apart, or off. A primitive root; to tear off.">and tore off</a> <a href="/hebrew/4147.htm" title="4147: mō·ws·rō·ṯa·yiḵ (N-mpc:: 2fs) -- A band, bond. Also feminine mowcerah; or mocrah; from yacar; properly, chastisement, i.e. a halter; figuratively, restraint.">your chains,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wat·tō·mə·rî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</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.">‘I will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: ʾɛ·ʿɛ̆·ḇōḏ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">serve!’</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Indeed,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">every</a> <a href="/hebrew/1364.htm" title="1364: gə·ḇō·hāh (Adj-fs) -- High, exalted. Or gabowahh; from gabahh; elevated, powerful, arrogant.">high</a> <a href="/hebrew/1389.htm" title="1389: giḇ·‘āh (N-fs) -- A hill. Feminine from the same as Geba'; a hillock.">hill</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: wə·ṯa·ḥaṯ (Conj-w:: Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">and under</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">every</a> <a href="/hebrew/7488.htm" title="7488: ra·‘ă·nān (Adj-ms) -- Luxuriant, fresh. From an unused root meaning to be green; verdant; by analogy, new; figuratively, prosperous.">green</a> <a href="/hebrew/6086.htm" title="6086: ‘êṣ (N-ms) -- Tree, trees, wood. From atsah; a tree; hence, wood.">tree</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at (Pro-2fs) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/6808.htm" title="6808: ṣō·‘āh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To stoop, bend, incline. A primitive root; to tip over, i.e. depopulate; by implication, to imprison or conquer; to lie down.">lay down</a> <a href="/hebrew/2181.htm" title="2181: zō·nāh (N-fs) -- To commit fornication, be a harlot. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to commit idolatry.">as a prostitute.</a> 21I had planted you like a choice vine from the very best seed. How could you turn yourself before Me into a rotten, wild vine?…<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="/hosea/4-12.htm">Hosea 4:12-14</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. / They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery. / I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin. <a href="/ezekiel/16-15.htm">Ezekiel 16:15-22</a> But because of your fame, you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot. You lavished your favors on everyone who passed by, and your beauty was theirs for the asking. / You took some of your garments and made colorful high places for yourself, and on them you prostituted yourself. Such things should not have happened; never should they have occurred! / You also took the fine jewelry of gold and silver I had given you, and you made male idols with which to prostitute yourself. ... <a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21</a> See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers! <a href="/hosea/2-5.htm">Hosea 2:5-7</a> For their mother has played the harlot and has conceived them in disgrace. For she thought, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me bread and water, wool and linen, oil and drink.’ / Therefore, behold, I will hedge up her path with thorns; I will enclose her with a wall, so she cannot find her way. / She will pursue her lovers but not catch them; she will seek them but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will return to my first husband, for then I was better off than now.’ <a href="/ezekiel/23-1.htm">Ezekiel 23:1-8</a> 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. ... <a href="/isaiah/57-7.htm">Isaiah 57:7-8</a> On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices. / Behind the door and doorpost you have set up your memorial. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed; you climbed up and opened it wide. And you have made a pact with those whose bed you have loved; you have gazed upon their nakedness. <a href="/hosea/9-1.htm">Hosea 9:1</a> Do not rejoice, O Israel, with exultation like the nations, for you have played the harlot against your God; you have made love for hire on every threshing floor. <a href="/2_kings/17-7.htm">2 Kings 17:7-12</a> All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods / and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel. / The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities. ... <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="/deuteronomy/32-15.htm">Deuteronomy 32:15-18</a> But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked—becoming fat, bloated, and gorged. He abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation. / They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations. / They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear. ... <a href="/revelation/17-1.htm">Revelation 17:1-5</a> Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. / The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.” / And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. ... <a href="/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4</a> You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-2.htm">2 Corinthians 11:2-3</a> I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. / I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ. <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="/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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For of old time I have broken your yoke, and burst your bands; and you said, I will not transgress; when on every high hill and under every green tree you wander, playing the harlot.for of<a href="/jeremiah/30-8.htm">Jeremiah 30:8</a> For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:<a href="/exodus/3-8.htm">Exodus 3:8</a> And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.<a href="/leviticus/26-13.htm">Leviticus 26:13</a> I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.and thou saidst<a href="/exodus/19-8.htm">Exodus 19:8</a> And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.<a href="/exodus/24-3.htm">Exodus 24:3</a> And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.<a href="/deuteronomy/5-27.htm">Deuteronomy 5:27</a> Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.transgress.<a href="/jeremiah/3-6.htm">Jeremiah 3:6</a> The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.<a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2</a> Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:<a href="/1_kings/12-32.htm">1 Kings 12:32</a> And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.playing<a href="/jeremiah/3-1.htm">Jeremiah 3:1,6-8</a> They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD… <a href="/exodus/34-14.htm">Exodus 34:14-16</a> For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: … <a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2</a> Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/51-9.htm">Ago</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Bands</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Bonds</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-23.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-3.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-16.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/isaiah/55-12.htm">Burst</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Cords</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-5.htm">Green</a> <a href="/jeremiah/1-16.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-3.htm">Harlot</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-14.htm">High</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-7.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-8.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-5.htm">Leafy</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-12.htm">Parted</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-17.htm">Past</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-8.htm">Playing</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-3.htm">Prostitute</a> <a href="/genesis/18-4.htm">Recline</a> <a href="/isaiah/60-12.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-5.htm">Spreading</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-17.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-17.htm">Time</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-1.htm">Tore</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-21.htm">Transgress</a> <a href="/jeremiah/1-11.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-9.htm">Yoke</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/lamentations/3-6.htm">Ago</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-32.htm">Bands</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-5.htm">Bonds</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-29.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/jeremiah/28-10.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-31.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-5.htm">Burst</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-20.htm">Cords</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-6.htm">Green</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-37.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-1.htm">Harlot</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-2.htm">High</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-16.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-7.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-6.htm">Leafy</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-21.htm">Parted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-7.htm">Past</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-41.htm">Playing</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-1.htm">Prostitute</a> <a href="/amos/6-4.htm">Recline</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-19.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-2.htm">Spreading</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-22.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-24.htm">Time</a> <a href="/jeremiah/36-24.htm">Tore</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-13.htm">Transgress</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-27.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-5.htm">Yoke</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 2</div>1. <a href="/jeremiah/2-1.htm">God having shown his former kindness, </a> 5. <a href="/jeremiah/2-5.htm">expostulates with the people on their causeless and unexampled revolt</a> 14. <a href="/jeremiah/2-14.htm">They are the causes of their own calamities</a> 18. <a href="/jeremiah/2-18.htm">The sins and idolatries of Judah</a> 35. <a href="/jeremiah/2-35.htm">Her confidence is rejected.</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/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>For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains This phrase refers to Israel's historical rebellion against God's covenant. The "yoke" and "chains" symbolize the obligations and commitments Israel had under the Mosaic Law. Breaking them signifies a deliberate rejection of God's authority and guidance. Historically, this rebellion can be traced back to the period of the Judges and the monarchy, where Israel repeatedly turned away from God to follow other deities. The imagery of a yoke is often used in the Bible to represent submission and servitude (<a href="/leviticus/26-13.htm">Leviticus 26:13</a>, <a href="/matthew/11-29.htm">Matthew 11:29-30</a>). The breaking of the yoke indicates a desire for autonomy and self-rule, rejecting the divine leadership that was meant to guide and protect them.saying, ‘I will not serve!’ This declaration of defiance highlights Israel's refusal to serve God, despite His deliverance and provision. It echoes the rebellious spirit seen throughout Israel's history, such as during the wilderness wanderings (Exodus 32) and the period of the kings (<a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">1 Samuel 8:7-8</a>). The phrase underscores a willful decision to reject God's sovereignty, choosing instead to follow their own desires. This rebellion is not just a physical act but a spiritual and moral decision to turn away from the covenant relationship with God.Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree This imagery is associated with idolatrous worship practices common in ancient Near Eastern cultures. High places and green trees were often sites for pagan altars and rituals (<a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a>, <a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10</a>). These locations were chosen for their elevation and natural beauty, believed to be closer to the divine. The use of "every" suggests the widespread nature of Israel's idolatry, indicating that this was not an isolated incident but a pervasive problem throughout the land.you lay down as a prostitute This metaphor of prostitution is frequently used in the Bible to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God (<a href="/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2</a>, <a href="/ezekiel/16-15.htm">Ezekiel 16:15</a>). It conveys the idea of spiritual adultery, where Israel, likened to an unfaithful spouse, seeks other gods and engages in practices contrary to their covenant with Yahweh. This imagery is powerful, illustrating the depth of Israel's betrayal and the personal nature of their sin against God. It also foreshadows the New Testament concept of the Church as the Bride of Christ, called to faithfulness and purity (<a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">Ephesians 5:25-27</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a> A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned over 40 years during a tumultuous period in Israel's history. 2. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> The southern kingdom of Israel, which had turned away from God and engaged in idolatry and other sinful practices. 3. <a href="/topical/h/high_hills_and_green_trees.htm">High Hills and Green Trees</a> These locations were often associated with pagan worship and idolatry in ancient Israel. They symbolize the places where Judah engaged in spiritual adultery. 4. <a href="/topical/y/yoke_and_chains.htm">Yoke and Chains</a> Metaphors for the covenant relationship and obligations that Israel had with God. Breaking them signifies rebellion and a refusal to submit to God's authority. 5. <a href="/topical/p/prostitution.htm">Prostitution</a> Used metaphorically to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God through idolatry and alliances with foreign nations.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_adultery.htm">Understanding Spiritual Adultery</a> Recognize that idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can also be anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_rebellion.htm">The Danger of Rebellion</a> Breaking away from God's guidance leads to spiritual bondage, even if it feels like freedom initially. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a> God continually calls His people back to Himself, offering forgiveness and restoration despite their unfaithfulness. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_covenant_faithfulness.htm">The Importance of Covenant Faithfulness</a> Just as Israel was called to be faithful to their covenant with God, Christians are called to remain faithful to their relationship with Christ. <a href="/topical/e/examining_our_own_idols.htm">Examining Our Own Idols</a> Reflect on what modern "high hills and green trees" might be in our lives—areas where we might be placing our trust instead of in God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 2</a> <a href="/q/how_does_jer._2_20_align_with_mosaic_law.htm">Jeremiah 2:20 speaks of Israel’s unfaithfulness as a breach of covenant; how do we reconcile this metaphorical language with the literal legal requirements of Mosaic Law? </a> <a href="/q/evidence_of_israel's_idolatry_in_hosea_9_1.htm">In Hosea 9:1, what evidence supports or disputes Israel’s alleged widespread idolatry as described here?</a> <a href="/q/does_song_7_7-8_imagery_suggest_syncretism.htm">Song of Solomon 7:7–8 – Does the imagery of a palm tree and clustered fruit borrow from neighboring fertility cults, raising concerns about syncretism or idolatry? </a> <a href="/q/why_did_god_command_isaiah's_nakedness.htm">How does Isaiah's prolonged nakedness (Isaiah 20:2-3) align with other biblical commands on decency, and why would God command a prophet to violate modesty for an extended period?</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>(20) I have broken thy yoke.--Better, with the LXX. and Vulg., thou hast broken thy yoke--i.e., cast off all allegiance and restraint. The Authorised Version, which follows the received Hebrew reading, may, however, be understood as referring to the deliverance of Israel from their Egyptian bondage.Thou saidst, I will not transgress--Perhaps, following a various reading adopted by the LXX., Vulg., and Luther, I will not serve. The words so taken paint vividly the wilful defiance of the rebellious nation. It threw off its allegiance. If we retain the Authorised version rendering, it would be better to take the verb in the present, I transgress not, as expressing a like defiance.When.--Better, for, as giving an illustration of the rebellious temper. The "high hill" and the "green tree" point to the localities of idol-worship--the "high places" that meet us so frequently in 1 and 2 Kings, the "tops of the mountains," and the "oaks and poplars and elms" of <a href="/hosea/4-13.htm" title="They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains, and burn incense on the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit prostitution, and your spouses shall commit adultery.">Hosea 4:13</a>. Tree-worship in Judaea, as elsewhere, appears to have exercised a wonderful power of fascination, and though the word translated "grove" (Asherah) has not that meaning, it was probably connected with the same cultus.Playing the harlot.--Literally, laying thyself down. The idolatrous prostration was as an act of spiritual prostitution, often, as in the orgiastic worship of Baal and Ashtaroth, united with actual impurity.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - Here a new section begins. I have broken... burst. This is, grammatically, a possible rendering, but inconsistent with the second person in thou saidst, unless indeed (with Ewald) we suppose that something has fallen out of the text between the first and the second clauses of the verse. The best critics, except Ewald and Dr. Payne Smith, are agreed that we should follow the Septuagint and Vulgate in rendering "thou hast broken... (and) burst." This does not, strictly speaking, imply a new reading of the text, for ti was the old form of the suffix of the 2nd pers. fem, sing.; there is a precisely similar case in <a href="/micah/4-13.htm">Micah 4:13</a>. It is a true description of the history of Israel before the exile. It would almost seem as if there was a fusion of two races among the Israelites, and that the smaller but nobler stock supplied all the great men in the sphere of religion; just as in Florence, most of the men who have illustrated her annals bear names of Teutonic origin. So we might argue, if we wished to explain the Biblical history from purely natural causes. But God (to apply the Caliph Omar's words) "knoweth his own." Bands (see on Jeremiah 5:5). I will not transgress. This is the translation of the marginal reading in the Hebrew Bible, which, though implied also in the Targum, is probably a conjecture of the Jewish critics. The text reading (also that of the Septuagint and the Syriac) is, "I will not serve," (equivalent to "I will not be a slave any longer"). Obviously this does not harmonize with the rendering "I have broken," etc., in the first clause (unless, with Dr. Payne Smith, we explain "I will not serve" as virtually equivalent to "I will still serve my idol-gods"); hence the Jewish critics, by just adding a κέραια (<a href="/matthew/5-18.htm">Matthew 5:18</a>), changed "serve" into "transgress." They did not venture to alter the next clause, which, quite as much as the first, presupposes the reading "serve" (see next note). When - rather, for - upon every high hill, etc. Bare, treeless heights were favorite spots for sacrifices, especially for Baal; groves, and leafy trees, in general, for the lascivious rites of Asherah and Ashtoreth. The apparently extreme statement of the prophet is not to be minimized. Travelers still tell us of vestiges of ancient and doubtless pro-Christian idolaters worship still visible on almost every attractive spot in the open country in Palestine. Under every green tree. We have no single word to convey the "fluid" meaning of this expressive word. It combines, in fact, the senses of pliant, sappy, leafy (comp. note on Jeremiah 11:16). Thou wanderest; rather, thou wast stretching thyself out. <a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“For כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction long ago מֵעוֹלָ֞ם (mê·‘ō·w·lām) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5769.htm">Strong's 5769: </a> Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always you broke שָׁבַ֣רְתִּי (šā·ḇar·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7665.htm">Strong's 7665: </a> To break, break in pieces your yoke עֻלֵּ֗ךְ (‘ul·lêḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5923.htm">Strong's 5923: </a> A yoke and tore off נִתַּ֙קְתִּי֙ (nit·taq·tî) Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5423.htm">Strong's 5423: </a> To pull, draw, or tear away, apart, or off your chains, מוֹסְרֹתַ֔יִךְ (mō·ws·rō·ṯa·yiḵ) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4147.htm">Strong's 4147: </a> Chastisement, a halter, restraint saying, וַתֹּאמְרִ֖י (wat·tō·mə·rî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “I will not לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no serve!” אֶעֱב֑וֹר (’e·‘ĕ·ḇō·wr) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> To work, to serve, till, enslave Indeed, כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction on עַֽל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against every כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every high גְּבֹהָ֗ה (gə·ḇō·hāh) Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1364.htm">Strong's 1364: </a> Elevated, powerful, arrogant hill גִּבְעָ֞ה (giḇ·‘āh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1389.htm">Strong's 1389: </a> A hillock and under וְתַ֙חַת֙ (wə·ṯa·ḥaṯ) Conjunctive waw | Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> The bottom, below, in lieu of every כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every green רַעֲנָ֔ן (ra·‘ă·nān) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7488.htm">Strong's 7488: </a> Verdant, new, prosperous tree עֵ֣ץ (‘êṣ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6086.htm">Strong's 6086: </a> Tree, trees, wood you אַ֖תְּ (’at) Pronoun - second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you lay down צֹעָ֥ה (ṣō·‘āh) Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6808.htm">Strong's 6808: </a> To tip over, depopulate, to imprison, conquer, to lie down as a prostitute. זֹנָֽה׃ (zō·nāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2181.htm">Strong's 2181: </a> To commit adultery, to commit idolatry <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-20.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 2:20 For of old time I have broken (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/2-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 2:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 2:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/2-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 2:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 2:21" /></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>