Jeremiah 2:29

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 2:29 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Wherefore will ye contend with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith Jehovah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Wherefore will ye contend with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith Jehovah.
Jeremiah 2:29 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
29Wherefore will ye contend with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith Jehovah.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Wherefore will ye plead with me? etc.] Strive and contend, chide, murmur, and complain, when evil came upon them, as if the Lord dealt hardly with them, and as if they had never sinned against him; when their case would not bear to be brought into judgment and examined openly; what would they get by that but shame and disgrace? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the Lord; high and low, rich and poor, great and small; men of all ranks, degrees, and character; kings, priests and prophets; and therefore ought not to contend with God, and charge him with injustice or unkindness, but themselves with folly and wickedness.”
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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
“plead with me--that is, contend with Me for afflicting you (Jer 2:23, Jer 2:35).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“will ye plead: Jer 2:23, Jer 2:35, Jer 3:2 ye all have: Jer 5:1, Jer 6:13, Jer 9:2-6; Dan 9:11; Rom 3:19 Jeremiah 2:30”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Judah has refused to let itself be turned from idolatry either by judgments or by the warnings of the prophets; nevertheless it holds itself guiltless, and believes itself able to turn aside judgment by means of its intrigues with Egypt. Jer 2:29. "Wherefore contend ye against me? ye are all fallen away from me, saith Jahveh. Jer 2:30. In vain have I smitten your sons; correction have they not taken: your sword hath devoured your prophets, like a devouring lion. Jer 2:31. O race that ye are, mark the word of Jahveh. Was I a wilderness to Israel, or a land of dread darkness? Why saith my people, We wander about, come no more to thee? Jer 2:32. Does a maiden forget her ornaments, a bride her…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification