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Jeremiah 3:23

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 3:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Truly in vain is [the help that is looked for] from the hills, the tumult on the mountains: truly in Jehovah our God is the salvation of Israel.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Truly in vain is [the help that is looked for] from the hills, the tumult on the mountains: truly in Jehovah our God is the salvation of Israel.
Jeremiah 3:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith Jehovah.
21A voice is heard upon the bare heights, the weeping [and] the supplications of the children of Israel; because they have perverted their way, they have forgotten Jehovah their God.
22Return, ye backsliding children, I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we are come unto thee; for thou art Jehovah our God.
23Truly in vain is [the help that is looked for] from the hills, the tumult on the mountains: truly in Jehovah our God is the salvation of Israel.
24But the shameful thing hath devoured the labor of our fathers from our youth, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.
25Let us lie down in our shame, and let our confusion cover us; for we have sinned against Jehovah our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day; and we have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah our God.
← Jeremiah 3:22Jeremiah 3:24 →
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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
“Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains, etc.] From any natural defence, by hills and mountains encompassing; or from idols worshipped on hills and mountains. So the Targum, “truly in vain we worship upon the hills, and for no profit are we gathered upon the mountains;” and to this purpose Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it; or from the multitude of the people, the kingdoms of the world, and the nations of the earth, from whom the Jews have in vain expected salvation and deliverance: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel; or, “in the Word of the Lord our God”, as the Targum; in Christ, the essential Word of God, is the salvation of…”
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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
“multitude of mountains--that is, the multitude of gods worshipped on them (compare Psa 121:1-2, Margin).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Rather, Surely “in vain from the hills” is the revelry of the mountains. The penitents contrast in it the uselessness of idol-worship with the salvation which Yahweh gives to His people. 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
“The hills - From idols which were worshipped upon hills. Mountains - The multitude of sacrifices, which they offer in the mountains. Jeremiah 3:24”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“in vain: Jer 3:6, Jer 10:14-16; Psa 121:1, Psa 121:2; Isa 44:9, Isa 45:20, Isa 46:7, Isa 46:8; Eze 20:28; Jon 2:8, Jon 2:9 in the Lord: Jer 14:8; Psa 3:8, Psa 37:39, Psa 37:40, Psa 121:1, Psa 121:2; Isa 12:2, Isa 43:11, Isa 45:15, Isa 45:17, Isa 63:1, Isa 63:16; Hos 1:7; Joh 4:22 Jeremiah 3:24”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 3 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification