Bible Strands
Jeremiah 2:8
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Yahweh speaks to Judah through Jeremiah, detailing the national apostasy that defiled the land He had given them. This indictment occurs within a covenant lawsuit establishing the root of Israel's coming judgment.
The words — תֹפְשֵׂי הַתּוֹרָה (to.fe.sei ha.to.rah) literally renders "those who handled the law," identifying the scribes and legal experts who abandoned their instructional role. Their failure to know God is paired with the priests who ceased asking אַיֵּה יְהוָה (ai.yeh Yah.weh), "Where is Yahweh?"
The thread — The collapse of religious leadership and the proliferation of false prophecy appear in Jeremiah 5:31 and 10:21, while the condemnation of idolatrous teaching echoes Habakkuk 2:18. These passages collectively trace a pattern of institutional failure that precedes national judgment.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that spiritual decay begins when those appointed to guide others stop seeking God and tolerate idolatry. It requires readers to examine whether their own spiritual authorities prioritize divine inquiry or cultural compromise.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
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.
Cross-references
- Habakkuk 2:18 What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak.
- Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?
- Jeremiah 10:21 For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.
- Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
- Romans 2:17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;
- 2 Corinthians 4:2 Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
- Isaiah 29:10 For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.
- Isaiah 30:5 everyone will be put to shame because of a people useless to them. They bring neither help nor benefit, but only shame and disgrace.”
- Luke 11:52 Woe to you experts in the law! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”
- John 16:3 They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me.