Logos Bible Study

Jeremiah 2:23–25

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2:23“How can you say, ‘I have not made myself unclean.

I have not paid allegiance to56 the gods called Baal.’

Just look at the way you have behaved in the Valley of Hinnom!57

Think about the things you have done there!

You are like a flighty, young female camel

that rushes here and there, crisscrossing its path.58

2:24You are like a wild female donkey brought up in the wilderness.

In her lust she sniffs the wind to get the scent of a male.59

No one can hold her back when she is in heat.

None of the males need wear themselves out chasing after her.

At mating time she is easy to find.60

2:25Do not chase after other gods until your shoes wear out

and your throats become dry.61

But you say, ‘It is useless for you to try and stop me

because I love those foreign gods62 and want to pursue them!’

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Footnotes

  1. 56 Heb “I have not gone/followed after.” See the translator’s note on for the meaning and usage of this idiom.
  2. 57 Heb “Look at your way in the valley.” The valley is an obvious reference to the Valley of Hinnom where Baal and Molech were worshiped and child sacrifice was practiced.
  3. 58 The metaphor is intended to depict Israel’s lack of clear direction and purpose without the Lord’s control.
  4. 59 The words “to get the scent of a male” are implicit and are supplied in the translation for clarification.
  5. 60 The metaphor is intended to depict Israel’s irrepressible desire to worship other gods.
  6. 61 Heb “Refrain your feet from being bare and your throat from being dry/thirsty.”
  7. 62 Heb “It is useless! No!” For this idiom, see Jer 18:12; “No; I am desperate.”

The NET Bible First Edition, Copyright 1996-2005 by Biblical Studies Press

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

How can you say, ‘I am not unclean,

I have not gone after the Baals’?

Look at your way in the valley;

know what you have done—

a restless young camel running here and there,

a wild donkey used to the wilderness,

in her heat sniffing the wind!

Who can restrain her lust?

None who seek her need weary themselves;

in her month they will find her.

Keep your feet from going unshod

and your throat from thirst.

But you said, ‘It is hopeless,

for I have loved foreigners,

and after them I will go.’

Copyright 2001 Crossway Bibles

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“How can you say, ‘I am not defiled;

I have not run after the Baals’?

See how you behaved in the valley;

consider what you have done.

You are a swift she-camel

running here and there,

a wild donkey accustomed to the desert,

sniffing the wind in her craving—

in her heat who can restrain her?

Any males that pursue her need not tire themselves;

at mating time they will find her.

Do not run until your feet are bare

and your throat is dry.

But you said, ‘It’s no use!

I love foreign gods,

and I must go after them.’

Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica, Inc.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

How can you protest, “I am not defiled;

I have not followed the Baals”?

Look at your behavior in the valley;

acknowledge what you have done.

You are a swift young camel

twisting and turning on her way,

a wild donkey at home in the wilderness.

She sniffs the wind in the heat of her desire.

Who can control her passion?

All who look for her will not become weary;

they will find her in her mating season.

Keep your feet from going bare

and your throat from thirst.

But you say, “It’s hopeless;

I love strangers,

and I will continue to follow them.”

Copyright 2017 Holman Bible Publishers

NLTNew Living Translation

“You say, ‘That’s not true!

I haven’t worshiped the images of Baal!’

But how can you say that?

Go and look in any valley in the land!

Face the awful sins you have done.

You are like a restless female camel

desperately searching for a mate.

You are like a wild donkey,

sniffing the wind at mating time.

Who can restrain her lust?

Those who desire her don’t need to search,

for she goes running to them!

When will you stop running?

When will you stop panting after other gods?

But you say, ‘Save your breath.

I’m in love with these foreign gods,

and I can’t stop loving them now!’

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“How can you say, ‘I have not defiled myself,

I have not gone after the Baals?’

Look at your way in the valley,

know what you have done.

You are a young she-camel,

interweaving her ways.

A wild ass accustomed to the desert,

in the desire of her soul.

She gasps for wind in her rutting time.

Who can quell her lust?

All those who seek her will not grow weary,

in her month they will find her.

Restrain your foot from being barefoot,

and your throat from thirst.

But you said, ‘It is hopeless.

No! For I have loved strangers,

and after them I will go.’

Copyright 2012 Lexham Press

KJV 1900King James Version

How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways; A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her. Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.

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