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Jeremiah 2:25

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 2:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, It is in vain; no, for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, It is in vain; no, for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.
Jeremiah 2:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
22For though thou wash thee with lye, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord Jehovah.
23How canst thou say, I am not defiled, I have not gone after the Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: [thou art] a swift dromedary traversing her ways;
24a wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind in her desire; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.
25Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, It is in vain; no, for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.
26As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets;
27who say to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face; but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
28But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.
← Jeremiah 2:24Jeremiah 2:26 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Withhold thy foot from being unshod, etc.] That it may not be unshod, be naked and bare. The sense is, either, as some, do not take long journeys into foreign countries for help, as into Assyria and Egypt, whither they used to go barefoot; or wore out their shoes by their long journeys, and so returned without; or refrain from idolatry, as Jarchi interprets it, that thou mayest not go naked into captivity; or this is an euphemism, as others think, forbidding adulterous actions, showing the naked foot, the putting off of the shoes, in order to lie upon the bed, and prostitute herself to her lovers; and is to be understood of idolatry: and thy throat from thirst; after wine, which excites…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Withhold, &c.--that is, abstain from incontinence; figuratively for idolatry [HOUBIGANT]. unshod, &c.--do not run so violently in pursuing lovers, as to wear out thy shoes: do not "thirst" so incontinently after sexual intercourse. HITZIG thinks the reference is to penances performed barefoot to idols, and the thirst occasioned by loud and continued invocations to them. no hope-- (Jer 18:12; Isa 57:10). "It is hopeless," that is, I am desperately resolved to go on in my own course. strangers--that is, laying aside the metaphor, "strange gods" (Jer 3:13; Deu 32:16).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“God the true husband exhorts Israel not to run barefoot, and with parched throat, like a shameless adulteress, after strangers. There is no hope - i. e., It is in vain. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Withhold - Take not those courses that will reduce thee to poverty, to go bare foot, and to want wherewith to quench thy thirst. No hope - We care not since there is no remedy. Strangers - Idols. Jeremiah 2:26”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:25 The Israelites confessed to the Baal worship that they had earlier denied (2:23), thus revealing the true state of their hearts.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Withhold: Jer 13:22; Deu 28:48; Isa 20:2-4; Lam 4:4; Hos 2:3; Luk 15:22, Luk 16:24 There is no hope: or, Is the case desperate, Jer 18:12; Isa 57:10 for I have: Jer 3:13; Isa 2:6 after: Jer 44:17; Deu 29:19, Deu 29:20, Deu 32:16; Ch2 28:22; Rom 2:4, Rom 2:5, Rom 8:24 Jeremiah 2:26”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 2 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification