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Jeremiah 2:8

"[Even] the priests did not say, 'Where is the LORD?' And those who deal with the law [given to Moses] did not know Me. The rulers and shepherds also transgressed against Me, And the prophets prophesied by [the authority and in the name of] Baal And walked after [idolatrous] things that did not benefit [them].

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Baal;   Blindness;   Church;   Minister, Christian;   Priest;   Thompson Chain Reference - Baal;   False;   Gods, False;   Idolatry;   Images;   Leaders;   Prophets;   Religious;   Wicked, the;   Worship, False;   Worship, True and False;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Prophets, False;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Priest;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - False Prophet;   Knowledge of God;   Prayer;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Shepherd;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Pentateuch;   Priest;   Shepherd;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Jeremiah;   Pastor;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Sin;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - False Prophets;   Shepherd;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Pastor;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Jeremiah;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Jeremiah (2);  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Kingdom of Judah;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Pastor;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Education;   Judges, Period of;   Pharisees;   Priest;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for December 30;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
The priests quit asking, “Where is the Lord?”The experts in the law no longer knew me,and the rulers rebelled against me.The prophets prophesied by Baaland followed useless idols.
Hebrew Names Version
The Kohanim didn't say, Where is the LORD? and those who handle the law didn't know me: the rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Ba`al, and walked after things that do not profit.
King James Version
The priests said not, Where is the Lord ? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
English Standard Version
The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord ?' Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit.
New American Standard Bible
"The priests did not say, 'Where is the LORD?' And those who handle the Law did not know Me; The rulers also revolted against Me, And the prophets prophesied by Baal And walked after things that were of no benefit.
New Century Version
The priests didn't ask, ‘Where is the Lord ?' The people who know the teachings didn't know me. The leaders turned against me. The prophets prophesied in the name of Baal and worshiped useless idols.
World English Bible
The priests didn't say, Where is Yahweh? and those who handle the law didn't know me: the rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
Geneva Bible (1587)
The priests said not, Where is the Lorde? and they that should minister the Lawe, knewe me not: the pastours also offended against me, and the Prophets prophesied in Baal, and went after things that did not profite.
Legacy Standard Bible
The priests did not say, ‘Where is Yahweh?'And those who handle the law did not know Me;The shepherds also transgressed against Me,And the prophets prophesied by BaalAnd walked after things that did not profit.
Berean Standard Bible
The priests did not ask, 'Where is the LORD?' The experts in the law no longer knew Me, and the leaders rebelled against Me. The prophets prophesied by Baal and followed useless idols.
Contemporary English Version
The priests who teach my laws don't care to know me. Your leaders rebel against me; your prophets give messages from Baal and worship false gods.
Complete Jewish Bible
The cohanim didn't ask, ‘Where is Adonai ?' Those who deal with the Torah did not know me, the people's shepherds rebelled against me; the prophets prophesied by Ba‘al and went after things of no value.
Darby Translation
The priests said not, Where is Jehovah? and they that handled the law knew me not; and the shepherds transgressed against me; and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after [things that] do not profit.
Easy-to-Read Version
"The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord ?' The people who know the law did not want to know me. The leaders of the people of Israel turned against me. The prophets spoke in the name of the false god Baal. They worshiped worthless idols."
George Lamsa Translation
The priests did not say, Where is the LORD? And those who handle the law did not know me; the leaders also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that do not profit.
Good News Translation
The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord ?' My own priests did not know me. The rulers rebelled against me; the prophets spoke in the name of Baal and worshiped useless idols.
Lexham English Bible
The priests did not say, ‘Where is Yahweh?' and those who handle the law did not know me, and the shepherds have rebelled against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and they went after things which do not profit.
Literal Translation
The priests did not say, Where is Jehovah? And they who handle the Law did not know Me. And the shepherds rebelled against Me; and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things not profitable.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
The prestes the selues saide not once: where is ye LORDE? They yt haue the lawe in their hondes, knowe me not: The shepherdes offende agaynst me. The prophetes do seruyce vnto Baal, & folowe soch thinges as shall bringe them no profit.
American Standard Version
The priests said not, Where is Jehovah? and they that handle the law knew me not: the rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
Bible in Basic English
The priests did not say, Where is the Lord? and those who were expert in the law had no knowledge of me: and the rulers did evil against me, and the prophets became prophets of the Baal, going after things without value.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
The priests said not: 'Where is the LORD?' And they that handle the law knew Me not, and the rulers transgressed against Me; the prophets also prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
King James Version (1611)
The Priests said not, Where is the Lord ? and they that handle the Law knew me not: the pastours also transgressed against mee, and the Prophets prophecied by Baal, and walked after things that doe not profit.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
The priestes them selues sayde not, Where is the Lord? They that had the lawe in their handes knewe me not, the sheepheardes offended agaynst me, the prophetes did prophecie in Baal, and folowed such thinges as shal bryng them no profite.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
The priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that held by the law knew me not: the shepherds also sinned against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after that which profited not.
English Revised Version
The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Preestis seiden not, Where is the Lord? and thei that helden the lawe, knewen not me; and scheepherdis trespassiden ayens me, and profetis profesieden in Baal, and sueden idols.
Update Bible Version
The priests didn't say, Where is Yahweh? and those that handle the law didn't know me: the rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
Webster's Bible Translation
The priests said not, Where [is] the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after [things that] do not profit.
New English Translation
Your priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord ?' Those responsible for teaching my law did not really know me. Your rulers rebelled against me. Your prophets prophesied in the name of the god Baal. They all worshiped idols that could not help them.
New King James Version
The priests did not say, "Where is the LORD?' And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me; The prophets prophesied by Baal, And walked after things that do not profit.
New Living Translation
The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord ?' Those who taught my word ignored me, the rulers turned against me, and the prophets spoke in the name of Baal, wasting their time on worthless idols.
New Life Bible
The religious leaders did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?' And those who worked with the Law did not know Me. The rulers sinned against Me. And the men of God spoke by the false god of Baal, and went after things that did not help.
New Revised Standard
The priests did not say, "Where is the Lord ?" Those who handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after things that do not profit.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
The priests, said not Where is Yahweh? And, they who handled the law, did not acknowledge me, And the shepherds transgressed against me, - And the prophets, prophesied by Baal, And so after things that could not profit, did they walk.
Douay-Rheims Bible
The priests did not say: Where is the Lord? and they that held the law knew me not, and the pastors transgressed against me: and the prophets prophesied in Baal, and followed idols.
Revised Standard Version
The priests did not say, 'Where is the LORD?' Those who handle the law did not know me; the rulers transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Ba'al, and went after things that do not profit.
Young's Literal Translation
The priests have not said, `Where [is] Jehovah?' And those handling the law have not known Me. And the shepherds transgressed against Me, And the prophets have prophesied by Baal, And after those who profit not have gone.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"The priests did not say, 'Where is the LORD?' And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me, And the prophets prophesied by Baal And walked after things that did not profit.

Contextual Overview

1Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, 2"Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the LORD, "I remember [earnestly] the lovingkindness and devotion of your youth, Your time of betrothal [like that of a bride during the early years in Egypt and again at Sinai], When you followed Me in the wilderness, Through a land not sown. 3"Israel was holy [something set apart from ordinary purposes, consecrated] to the LORD, The first fruits of His harvest [in which no outsider was allowed to share]. All who ate of it [injuring Israel] became guilty; Evil came on them," says the LORD.'" 4Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. 5Thus says the LORD, "What injustice or unrighteousness did your fathers find in Me, That they have wandered far from Me And [habitually] walked after emptiness and futility and became empty? 6"They did not say, 'Where is the LORD Who brought us up from the land of Egypt, Who led us through the wilderness, Through a land of deserts and of pits, Through a land of drought and of the deep darkness [of the shadow of death], Through a land that no man passed through And where no man lived?' 7"I brought you into a plentiful land To eat its fruit and [enjoy] its good things. But you came and defiled My land And you made My inheritance repulsive. 8"[Even] the priests did not say, 'Where is the LORD?' And those who deal with the law [given to Moses] did not know Me. The rulers and shepherds also transgressed against Me, And the prophets prophesied by [the authority and in the name of] Baal And walked after [idolatrous] things that did not benefit [them].

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

priests: Jeremiah 2:6, Jeremiah 5:31, Jeremiah 8:10, Jeremiah 8:11, Jeremiah 23:9-15, 1 Samuel 2:12, Isaiah 28:7, Isaiah 29:10, Isaiah 56:9-12, Hosea 4:6

and they that: Jeremiah 8:8, Jeremiah 8:9, Deuteronomy 33:10, Malachi 2:6-9, Luke 11:52, John 8:55, John 16:3, Romans 2:17-24, 2 Corinthians 4:2

the pastors: Jeremiah 10:21, Jeremiah 12:10, Jeremiah 23:1, Jeremiah 23:2

prophets: Jeremiah 23:13, 1 Kings 18:29, 1 Kings 18:22, 1 Kings 18:40

do not: Jeremiah 2:11, Jeremiah 7:8, 1 Samuel 12:21, Isaiah 30:5, Habakkuk 2:18, Matthew 16:26

Reciprocal: Leviticus 10:11 - General Deuteronomy 18:20 - in the name Job 33:27 - it profited Psalms 119:99 - than all Ecclesiastes 5:16 - what Jeremiah 6:13 - and Jeremiah 14:18 - go about Jeremiah 16:11 - Because Jeremiah 22:22 - thy pastors Lamentations 2:14 - prophets Ezekiel 22:26 - priests Ezekiel 34:2 - the shepherds Malachi 2:11 - profaned 2 Timothy 2:14 - to no

Cross-References

Genesis 2:8
And the LORD God planted a garden (oasis) in the east, in Eden (delight, land of happiness); and He put the man whom He had formed (created) there.
Genesis 2:9
And [in that garden] the LORD God caused to grow from the ground every tree that is desirable and pleasing to the sight and good (suitable, pleasant) for food; the tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the [experiential] knowledge (recognition) of [the difference between] good and evil.
Genesis 3:24
So God drove the man out; and at the east of the Garden of Eden He [permanently] stationed the cherubim and the sword with the flashing blade which turned round and round [in every direction] to protect and guard the way (entrance, access) to the tree of life.
Genesis 4:16
So Cain went away from the [manifested] presence of the LORD, and lived in the land of Nod [wandering in exile], east of Eden.
Genesis 13:10
So Lot looked and saw that the valley of the Jordan was well watered everywhere—this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah; [it was all] like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar [at the south end of the Dead Sea].
2 Kings 19:12
'Did the gods of the nations whom my forefathers destroyed rescue them—Gozan and Haran [of Mesopotamia] and Rezeph and the people of Eden who were in Telassar?
Isaiah 51:3
For the LORD will comfort Zion [in her captivity]; He will comfort all her ruins. And He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in her, Thanksgiving and the voice of a melody.
Ezekiel 27:23
"Haran and Canneh and Eden [in Mesopotamia], the merchants of Sheba [on the Euphrates], Asshur and Chilmad traded with you.
Ezekiel 28:13
"You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The ruby, the topaz, and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx, and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise, and the emerald; And the gold, the workmanship of your settings and your sockets, Was in you. They were prepared On the day that you were created.
Ezekiel 31:16
"I made the nations quake at the sound of its fall when I cast it down to Sheol with those who descend into the pit; and all the well-watered trees of Eden, the choicest and the best of Lebanon, will be comforted in the earth beneath [at Assyria's downfall].

Gill's Notes on the Bible

The priests said not, where is the Lord?.... Whose business it was to draw nigh to God, and offer the sacrifices of the people, and inquire of God for them; whose lips should keep knowledge, and at whose mouth the law should be sought, they being the messengers of the Lord of hosts, Malachi 2:7:

and they that handle the law knew me not; the sanhedrim, according to Jarchi; or the lawyers and scribes, the Rabbins and doctors of the law, whose business it was to read and explain it; these did not understand it, nor the mind of God in it; and much less did they know him in a spiritual and evangelical manner; or as he is in Christ, and revealed in the Gospel:

the pastors also transgressed against me; kings, as the Targum, Jarchi, and Kimchi interpret it, who were pastors or shepherds in a civil sense; whose business it was to feed the people as the shepherd does his flock; that is, to guide and govern them by wholesome laws, by the laws of God; but, instead of this, they rebelled against the Lord, and transgressed his commands:

and the prophets prophesied by Baal; in his name; pretending to be inspired by that idol, and to receive the spirit of prophecy from him:

and walked after things that do not profit; the gods of the Gentiles, which could not supply them with the least temporal blessing, and much less give them spiritual and eternal ones; see Jeremiah 14:22. This is to be understood of false prophets, as Ben Melech.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The guilt of this idolatry is ascribed to the four ruling classes:

(a) The accusation brought against the priests is indifference.

(b) “They that handle the law” belonged also to the priestly class Deuteronomy 33:10. Their offence was that “they knew not God.” Compare Micah 3:11.

(c) The third class are “the pastors” or shepherds, that is the temporal rulers. Their crime is disobedience.

(d) The fourth class are “the prophets.” It was their business to press the moral and spiritual truths of the law home to the hearts of the people: but they drew their inspiration from Baal, the Sun-god. Upon the corruption of the prophetic order at this time, see the Jeremiah 14:13 note.

Things that do not profit - Here idols, which are not merely unreal, but injurious. See 1 Samuel 12:21; Isaiah 44:9.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Jeremiah 2:8. They that handle the law — ותפשי vethophe shey, they that draw out the law; they whose office it is to explain it, draw out its spiritual meanings, and show to what its testimonies refer.

The pastors also — Kings, political and civil rulers.

Prophesied by Baal — Became his prophets, and were inspired with the words of lying spirits.


 
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