BibleWord.ai› Bible› Jeremiah› Chapter 2› Verse 30

Jeremiah 2:30

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 2:30 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.
Jeremiah 2:30 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
29Wherefore will ye contend with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith Jehovah.
30In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.
31O generation, see ye the word of Jehovah. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? or a land of thick darkness? wherefore say my people, We are broken loose; we will come no more unto thee?
32Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.
33How trimmest thou thy way to seek love! therefore even the wicked women hast thou taught thy ways.
← Jeremiah 2:29Jeremiah 2:31 →
← Full Chapter 2 Jeremiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“In vain have I smitten your children, etc.] Or, “for vanity”f55; for vain speaking, for making vain oaths and vows; so it is explained in the Talmudf56; but the sense is, that the rod of chastisement was used in vain; the afflictions that came upon them had no effect on them to amend and reform them; they were never the better for them: they received no correction; or instruction by them; (see <240503>Jeremiah 5:3), your own sword hath devoured your prophets; as Isaiah, Zechariah, and Uriah, who were sent to them to reprove and correct them, but they were so far from receiving their correction, that they put them to death; though Kimchi mentions it as the sense of his father, and which he…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Jer 5:3; Jer 6:29; Isa 1:5; Isa 9:13). your children--that is, your people, you. your . . . sword . . . devoured . . . prophets-- (Ch2 36:16; Neh 9:26; Mat 23:29, Mat 23:31).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Your own sword hath detoured your prophets - An allusion probably to Manasseh 2 Kings 21:16. Death was the usual fate of the true prophet Nehemiah 9:26; Matthew 23:37. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Children - Your inhabitants in every city, they being frequently called the children of such a city. Correction - Instruction: though they were corrected, yet they would not be instructed. Your sword - You have been so far from receiving instruction, that you have, by the sword, and other ways of destruction, murdered those that I have sent to reprove you. Jeremiah 2:31”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:30 killed your prophets: See 26:20-23.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“In vain: Jer 5:3, Jer 6:29, Jer 6:30, Jer 7:28, Jer 31:18; Ch2 28:22; Isa 1:5, Isa 9:13; Eze 24:13; Zep 3:2; Rev 9:20, Rev 9:21, Rev 16:9 your own sword: Jer 26:20-24; Kg1 19:10, Kg1 19:14; Ch2 24:21, Ch2 36:16; Neh 9:26; Mat 21:35, Mat 21:36; Mat 23:29, Mat 23:34-37; Mar 12:2-8; Luk 11:47-51, Luk 13:33, Luk 13:34; Act 7:52; Th1 2:15 Jeremiah 2:31”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

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

Sources and verification