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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 2:18 Now what will you gain on your way to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? What will you gain on your way to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/2-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/24_Jer_02_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 2:18 - The Consequences of Israel's Sin" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now what will you gain on your way to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? What will you gain on your way to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/jeremiah/2-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/jeremiah/2-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/">Jeremiah</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jeremiah/2-17.htm" title="Jeremiah 2:17">◄</a> Jeremiah 2:18 <a href="/jeremiah/2-19.htm" title="Jeremiah 2:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/jeremiah/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/2.htm">New International Version</a> Now why go to Egypt to drink water from the Nile? And why go to Assyria to drink water from the Euphrates? <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> “What have you gained by your alliances with Egypt and your covenants with Assyria? What good to you are the streams of the Nile or the waters of the Euphrates River? <a href="/esv/jeremiah/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> And now what do you gain by going to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? Or what do you gain by going to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates? <a href="/bsb/jeremiah/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Now what will you gain on your way to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? What will you gain on your way to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates? <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/2.htm">King James Bible</a> And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river? <a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/2.htm">New King James Version</a> And now why take the road to Egypt, To drink the waters of Sihor? Or why take the road to Assyria, To drink the waters of the River? <a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “But now what are you doing on the road to Egypt, Except to drink the waters of the Nile? Or what are you doing on the road to Assyria, Except to drink the waters of the Euphrates River? <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But now what are you doing on the road to Egypt, To drink the waters of the Nile? Or what are you doing on the road to Assyria, To drink the waters of the Euphrates? <a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But now what are you doing on the road to Egypt, To drink the waters of the Nile? Or what are you doing on the road to Assyria, To drink the waters of the Euphrates? <a href="/lsb/jeremiah/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But now what are you doing on the road to Egypt, To drink the waters of the Nile? Or what are you doing on the road to Assyria, To drink the waters of the River? <a href="/amp/jeremiah/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Now what are you doing by going to Egypt [in search of an ally], To drink the [muddy] waters of the Nile? Or what are you doing by going to Assyria [in search of an ally], To drink the [muddy] waters of the Euphrates? <a href="/csb/jeremiah/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Now what will you gain by traveling along the way to Egypt to drink the water of the Nile? What will you gain by traveling along the way to Assyria to drink the water of the Euphrates? <a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Now what will you gain by traveling along the way to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? What will you gain by traveling along the way to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates? <a href="/asv/jeremiah/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> And now what hast thou to do in the way to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Shihor? or what hast thou to do in the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River? <a href="/cev/jeremiah/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and you trusted the power of Egypt and Assyria. <a href="/erv/jeremiah/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> And now what hast thou to do in the way to Egypt, to drink the waters of Shihor? or what hast thou to do in the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River? <a href="/gwt/jeremiah/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> You won't gain anything by going to Egypt to drink water from the Nile River. You won't gain anything by going to Assyria to drink water from the Euphrates River. <a href="/gnt/jeremiah/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> What do you think you will gain by going to Egypt to drink water from the Nile? What do you think you will gain by going to Assyria to drink water from the Euphrates? <a href="/isv/jeremiah/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now, what are you doing on the road to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Nile? And what are you doing on the road to Assyria, to drink the waters of the Euphrates? <a href="/msb/jeremiah/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Now what will you gain on your way to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? What will you gain on your way to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates? <a href="/net/jeremiah/2.htm">NET Bible</a> What good will it do you then to go down to Egypt to seek help from the Egyptians? What good will it do you to go over to Assyria to seek help from the Assyrians? <a href="/nheb/jeremiah/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now what have you to do in the way to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Shihor? Or what have you to do in the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River? <a href="/wbt/jeremiah/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river? <a href="/web/jeremiah/2.htm">World English Bible</a> Now what do you gain by going to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Shihor? Or why do you to go on the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And now, why do you [go] in the way of Egypt, "" To drink the waters of Sihor? And why do you [go] in the way of Asshur, "" To drink the waters of the River? <a href="/ylt/jeremiah/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And now, what -- to thee in the way of Egypt, To drink the waters of Sihor? And what -- to thee in the way of Asshur, To drink the waters of the River? <a href="/slt/jeremiah/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And now what to thee for the way of Egypt, to drink the water of Sihor? and what to thee to the way of Amur, to drink the water of the river?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jeremiah/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the troubled water? And what hast thou to do with the way of the Assyrians, to drink the water of the river? <a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And now what do you want from the way of Egypt, but to drink their turbid water? And what do you want from the way of the Assyrians, but to drink the water of their river? <a href="/nabre/jeremiah/2.htm">New American Bible</a> And now, why go to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Nile? Why go to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River? <a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> What then do you gain by going to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Nile? Or what do you gain by going to Assyria, to drink the waters of the Euphrates?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And now, why is it that you go in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? And why is it that you go in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river (Euphrates)? <a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And now, how do you have to go to the road of Egypt to drink the waters of Shikhur, and how do you have to go to the road of Assyria to drink the waters of the river?<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jeremiah/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And now what hast thou to do in the way to Egypt, To drink the waters of Shihor? Or what hast thou to do in the way to Assyria, To drink the waters of the River? <a href="/sep/jeremiah/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And now what hast thou to do with the way of Egypt, to drink the water of Geon? and what hast thou to do with the way of the Assyrians, to drink the water of rivers? <a href="/parallel/jeremiah/2-18.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=394" 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> …17Have you not brought this on yourself by forsaking the LORD your God when He led you in the way? 18<a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">Now</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">what will you gain</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: lə·ḏe·reḵ (Prep-l:: N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">on your way</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: miṣ·ra·yim (N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">to Egypt</a> <a href="/hebrew/8354.htm" title="8354: liš·tō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To drink. A primitive root; to imbibe.">to drink</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: mê (N-mpc) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the waters</a> <a href="/hebrew/7883.htm" title="7883: ši·ḥō·wr (N-proper-fs) -- A stream on the border of Eg. Or Shichowr; or Shichor; probably from shachar; dark, i.e. Turbid; Shichor, a stream of Egypt.">of the Nile?</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: ū·mah- (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">What will you gain</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: lə·ḏe·reḵ (Prep-l:: N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">on your way</a> <a href="/hebrew/804.htm" title="804: ’aš·šūr (N-proper-fs) -- Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them, its region and its empire.">to Assyria</a> <a href="/hebrew/8354.htm" title="8354: liš·tō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To drink. A primitive root; to imbibe.">to drink</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: mê (N-mpc) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the waters</a> <a href="/hebrew/5104.htm" title="5104: nā·hār (N-ms) -- A stream, river. From nahar; a stream; figuratively, prosperity.">of the Euphrates?</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.…<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/30-1.htm">Isaiah 30:1-3</a> “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. <a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">Isaiah 31:1-3</a> Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD. / Yet He too is wise and brings disaster; He does not call back His words. He will rise up against the house of the wicked and against the allies of evildoers. / But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together. <a href="/hosea/7-11.htm">Hosea 7:11</a> So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove—calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria. <a href="/2_kings/18-21.htm">2 Kings 18:21</a> Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. <a href="/ezekiel/17-15.htm">Ezekiel 17:15</a> But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’ <a href="/isaiah/36-6.htm">Isaiah 36:6</a> Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. <a href="/2_chronicles/28-16.htm">2 Chronicles 28:16</a> At that time King Ahaz sent for help from the king of Assyria. <a href="/hosea/5-13.htm">Hosea 5:13</a> When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound. <a href="/lamentations/4-17.htm">Lamentations 4:17</a> All the while our eyes were failing as we looked in vain for help. We watched from our towers for a nation that could not save us. <a href="/isaiah/57-9.htm">Isaiah 57:9</a> You went to Molech with oil and multiplied your perfumes. You have sent your envoys a great distance; you have descended even to Sheol itself. <a href="/deuteronomy/17-16.htm">Deuteronomy 17:16</a> But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’ <a href="/isaiah/30-7.htm">Isaiah 30:7</a> Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still. <a href="/ezekiel/29-6.htm">Ezekiel 29:6-7</a> Then all the people of Egypt will know that I am the LORD. For you were only a staff of reeds to the house of Israel. / When Israel took hold of you with their hands, you splintered, tearing all their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke, and their backs were wrenched. <a href="/isaiah/20-5.htm">Isaiah 20:5-6</a> Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed. / And on that day the dwellers of this coastland will say, ‘See what has happened to our source of hope, those to whom we fled for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can we escape?’” <a href="/2_kings/17-4.htm">2 Kings 17:4</a> But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea had conspired to send envoys to King So of Egypt, and that he had not paid tribute to the king of Assyria as in previous years. Therefore the king of Assyria arrested Hoshea and put him in prison.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And now what have you to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what have you to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?what hast<a href="/jeremiah/2-36.htm">Jeremiah 2:36</a> Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.<a href="/jeremiah/37-5.htm">Jeremiah 37:5-10</a> Then Pharaoh's army was come forth out of Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they departed from Jerusalem… <a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Isaiah 30:1-7</a> Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: … Sihor<a href="/joshua/13-3.htm">Joshua 13:3</a> From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:or what hast<a href="/2_kings/16-7.htm">2 Kings 16:7-9</a> So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I am thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me… <a href="/2_chronicles/28-20.htm">2 Chronicles 28:20,21</a> And Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not… <a href="/hosea/5-13.htm">Hosea 5:13</a> When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/52-4.htm">Asshur</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-6.htm">Assyria</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-11.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-6.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-12.htm">Euphrates</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-20.htm">Euphra'tes</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-12.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-10.htm">Nile</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-12.htm">River</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-14.htm">Road</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-3.htm">Shihor</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-3.htm">Sihor</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-13.htm">Water</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-13.htm">Waters</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-17.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/2-36.htm">Asshur</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-36.htm">Assyria</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-18.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-36.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-4.htm">Euphrates</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-4.htm">Euphra'tes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-13.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-7.htm">Nile</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-8.htm">River</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-25.htm">Road</a> <a href="/joshua/13-3.htm">Shihor</a> <a href="/joshua/13-3.htm">Sihor</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-25.htm">Water</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-7.htm">Waters</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-21.htm">Way</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'; 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Historically, Egypt was a significant power, and Israel frequently turned to it for military support against other threats, such as the Assyrians and Babylonians. This reliance on Egypt is seen as a lack of trust in God, who had delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage in the past (<a href="/exodus/20-2.htm">Exodus 20:2</a>). The rhetorical question implies that seeking help from Egypt will not bring the desired security or prosperity.to drink the waters of the Nile? The Nile River was the lifeblood of Egypt, representing its strength and sustenance. Drinking its waters symbolizes reliance on Egypt's resources and power. In a spiritual sense, this act signifies turning away from the living water that God provides (<a href="/jeremiah/2-13.htm">Jeremiah 2:13</a>) and instead seeking satisfaction in earthly sources that ultimately cannot fulfill. This imagery contrasts with the living water Jesus offers in <a href="/john/4-10.htm">John 4:10-14</a>, highlighting the inadequacy of worldly solutions compared to divine provision.What will you gain on your way to Assyria Assyria was another dominant empire during Jeremiah's time, known for its military might and oppressive rule. Israel's inclination to seek Assyrian support reflects a pattern of political maneuvering rather than trusting in God's protection. Historically, Assyria had already been a threat to Israel, having conquered the northern kingdom in 722 BC. The question underscores the futility and danger of relying on a nation that had previously been an adversary.to drink the waters of the Euphrates? The Euphrates River was central to Assyria's power and prosperity, much like the Nile was to Egypt. Drinking its waters symbolizes dependence on Assyria's strength and resources. This reliance is portrayed as misguided, as it involves turning away from God's covenant and protection. The imagery of water here also serves as a metaphor for seeking life and sustenance from sources other than God, echoing the broader biblical theme of God as the true source of life and blessing (<a href="/psalms/36-9.htm">Psalm 36:9</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 the reigns of several kings and was marked by his deep emotional connection to his people and his unwavering commitment to God's truth. 2. <a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a> A powerful nation to the southwest of Judah, often seen as a place of refuge or alliance in times of political instability. Historically, Egypt was a land of bondage for the Israelites, and returning there symbolized a lack of trust in God's provision. 3. <a href="/topical/a/assyria.htm">Assyria</a> A dominant empire to the northeast of Judah, known for its military might and oppressive rule. Assyria was often a threat to smaller nations, including Israel and Judah, and seeking alliance with them was seen as a compromise of faith. 4. <a href="/topical/n/nile.htm">Nile</a> The major river in Egypt, symbolizing the life and sustenance that Egypt could offer. In this context, it represents reliance on foreign powers rather than on God. 5. <a href="/topical/e/euphrates.htm">Euphrates</a> A significant river in Assyria, representing the strength and resources of the Assyrian empire. Like the Nile, it symbolizes misplaced trust in human power.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/m/misplaced_trust.htm">Misplaced Trust</a> The Israelites' desire to seek help from Egypt and Assyria reflects a deeper issue of misplaced trust. Instead of relying on God, they looked to human powers for security and provision. <a href="/topical/h/historical_lessons.htm">Historical Lessons</a> The history of Israel's bondage in Egypt serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. Returning to Egypt symbolizes a regression in faith and trust. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_adultery.htm">Spiritual Adultery</a> Seeking alliances with foreign nations is akin to spiritual adultery, as it represents a breach of the covenant relationship with God. <a href="/topical/m/modern_parallels.htm">Modern Parallels</a> Today, believers are tempted to place their trust in worldly systems, wealth, or power rather than in God. This passage challenges us to examine where we place our trust. <a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a> Jeremiah's message is a call to repentance, urging the people to return to God and forsake their reliance on foreign powers.<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/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 href="/q/why_does_isaiah_19_differ_from_ezekiel_29.htm">Why does Isaiah 19’s prophecy differ from other prophetic passages about Egypt (e.g., Ezekiel 29) if they both claim divine judgment? </a> <a href="/q/why_is_israel_condemned_for_alliances.htm">Hosea 8:10: If alliances were necessary for survival in the ancient Near East, why is Israel condemned for making them?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_jer._46_2_align_with_egyptian_records.htm">Jeremiah 46:2 - How do we reconcile the timing and details of Pharaoh Necho's defeat with known Egyptian records, which do not fully match this account?</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>(18) In the way of Egypt . . .?--The rebuke becomes more and more specific. Great rivers were, in the poetry of the prophets, the natural symbols of the kingdoms through which they flowed. Sihor (= the turbid or muddy river) here, and in <a href="/isaiah/23-3.htm" title="And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.">Isaiah 23:3</a> the Nile (though in <a href="/joshua/13-3.htm" title="From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even to the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:">Joshua 13:3</a> it stands for the border stream between Palestine and Egypt), represented Egypt. The "river," or "flood," needing no other name as pre-eminent in its greatness (comp. <a href="/context/joshua/24-14.htm" title="Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve you the LORD.">Joshua 24:14-15</a>), the Euphrates, stood for Assyria (comp. <a href="/isaiah/8-7.htm" title="Now therefore, behold, the Lord brings up on them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:">Isaiah 8:7</a>). The words point to the tendency to court the alliance now of one, now of the other of the great kingdoms of the world. The policy was no new one. Menahem in Israel, Ahaz in Judah, had courted Assyria (<a href="/2_kings/15-19.htm" title="And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.">2Kings 15:19</a>; <a href="/context/2_kings/16-7.htm" title="So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I am your servant and your son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.">2Kings 16:7-8</a>); Hezekiah, Babylon (Isaiah 39); Hoshea had sought help from Egypt (<a href="/2_kings/17-4.htm" title="And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison.">2Kings 17:4</a>). The prophet Hosea had rebuked both policies (<a href="/hosea/5-13.htm" title="When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.">Hosea 5:13</a>; <a href="/hosea/7-11.htm" title="Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.">Hosea 7:11</a>; <a href="/hosea/8-9.htm" title="For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim has hired lovers.">Hosea 8:9</a>). Even under Hezekiah there was a party seeking the Egyptian alliance (Isaiah 18, 19, 31. Under Manasseh and Amon that party was in power, and the very name of the latter probably bears witness to its influence. Josiah kept as far as possible the position of a neutral, but, when forced into action, and probably guided by the counsels of Hilkiah, resisted the advance of Pharaoh-nechoh (<a href="/2_kings/23-29.htm" title="In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.">2Kings 23:29</a>). On his death the Egyptian party again gained ground under Jehoiakim, while Jeremiah, opposing its strength, urged the wisdom of accepting the guidance of events, and submitting to the Chaldaeans (so far continuing the line of action adopted by Hezekiah), and ultimately was accused of deserting his own people and "falling away" to their oppressors (<a href="/jeremiah/37-13.htm" title="And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, You fall away to the Chaldeans.">Jeremiah 37:13</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 18. - What hast thou to do in the way of Egypt? rather, with the way to Egypt. Isaiah (<a href="/isaiah/30-2.htm">Isaiah 30:2-5</a>; <a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">Isaiah 31:1</a>) and Hosea (<a href="/hosea/7-11.htm">Hosea 7:11, 16</a>) had already inveighed against an Egyptian alliance. The name given by Manasseh to his sen and successor (Amen) suggests that at one period in his reign an Egyptian policy was in the ascendant, which coincides with the tradition preserved in <a href="/2_chronicles/33-11.htm">2 Chronicles 33:11</a>, of an Assyrian captivity of Manasseh. Jehoiakim at a later period was a vassal of Egypt (<a href="/2_kings/23-31.htm">2 Kings 23:31, 35</a>). To drink the waters; taking up the idea of the second clause of ver. 13. Sihor, or Shihor, occurs again in <a href="/isaiah/23-3.htm">Isaiah 23:3</a>, as a name of the Nile. It properly means, not so much "the black" as "the dark grey" (connected with shakhar, the morning grey), from the color of the water. Rosenmüller's contrast between the muddy waters of foreign streams and the "fountain of living waters" is uncalled for; besides, the Nile water has always been held in high esteem. The Septuagint has Γηών, i.e. Gihon, also a name of-the Nile according to Ecclus. 24:27. The way of - rather, to - Assyria. It is true that Assyria was, to say the least, powerless to interfere for good or for evil, when these words were written. But in ver. 5 the prophet has already warned us that his complaints are partly retrospective. It would seem that the Assyrian party from time to time gained the upper hand over the Egyptian in the councils of the State. Or perhaps the prophet may refer to the Quixotic fidelity to Assyria of Josiah (see below on ver. 36). The river; i.e. the Euphrates, "the great river" (<a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Genesis 15:18</a>). Babylonia it should be remembered, was in nominal subjection to Assyria; the Euphrates was the boundary between Syria and Palestine on the one hand, and Assyria - here the Assyrio-Babylonian region - on the other. <a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/2-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Now וְעַתָּ֗ה (wə·‘at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> At this time what will you gain מַה־ (mah-) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what on your way לְדֶ֣רֶךְ (lə·ḏe·reḵ) Preposition-l | Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action to Egypt מִצְרַ֔יִם (miṣ·ra·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa to drink לִשְׁתּ֖וֹת (liš·tō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8354.htm">Strong's 8354: </a> To imbibe the waters מֵ֣י (mê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen of the Nile? שִׁח֑וֹר (ši·ḥō·wr) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7883.htm">Strong's 7883: </a> Nile -- a stream on the border of Egypt What will you gain וּמַה־ (ū·mah-) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what on your way לְדֶ֣רֶךְ (lə·ḏe·reḵ) Preposition-l | Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action to Assyria אַשּׁ֔וּר (’aš·šūr) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_804.htm">Strong's 804: </a> Ashshur to drink לִשְׁתּ֖וֹת (liš·tō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8354.htm">Strong's 8354: </a> To imbibe the waters מֵ֥י (mê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen of the Euphrates? נָהָֽר׃ (nā·hār) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5104.htm">Strong's 5104: </a> A stream, prosperity <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/2-18.htm">Jeremiah 2:18 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/2-18.htm">Jeremiah 2:18 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jeremiah/2-18.htm">Jeremiah 2:18 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/2-18.htm">Jeremiah 2:18 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/2-18.htm">Jeremiah 2:18 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/2-18.htm">Jeremiah 2:18 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/2-18.htm">Jeremiah 2:18 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/2-18.htm">Jeremiah 2:18 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/2-18.htm">Jeremiah 2:18 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jeremiah/2-18.htm">Jeremiah 2:18 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-18.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 2:18 Now what have you to do (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/2-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 2:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 2:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/2-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 2:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 2:19" /></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>