Jeremiah 2:13
Jeremiah 2:13 in Multiple Translations
“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns— broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
For my people have done two evils; they have given up me, the fountain of living waters, and have made for themselves water-holes, cut out from the rock, broken water-holes, of no use for storing water.
For my people have done two evil things. They have abandoned me, the source of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that can't hold water.
For my people haue committed two euils: they haue forsaken mee the fountaine of liuing waters, to digge them pittes, euen broken pittes, that can holde no water.
For two evils hath My people done, Me they have forsaken, a fountain of living waters, To hew out for themselves wells — broken wells, That contain not the waters.
“For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the spring of living waters, and cut out cisterns for themselves: broken cisterns that can’t hold water.
For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed out for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
For my people have done two evils. They have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and have digged to themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
You, my people, have done two evil things: You have rejected me, the one who is like [MET] a fountain where you can obtain fresh water, and you are worshiping gods that are like [MET] pits in the ground that are cracked and which are not able to hold any water.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 2:13
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 2:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּֽי
שְׁתַּ֥יִם
רָע֖וֹת
עָשָׂ֣ה
עַמִּ֑/י
אֹתִ֨/י
עָזְב֜וּ
מְק֣וֹר
מַ֣יִם
חַיִּ֗ים
לַ/חְצֹ֤ב
לָ/הֶם֙
בֹּאר֔וֹת
בֹּארֹת֙
נִשְׁבָּרִ֔ים
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
לֹא
יָכִ֖לוּ
הַ/מָּֽיִם
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
שְׁתַּ֥יִם
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj
רָע֖וֹת
raʻ
H7451
bad
N-fp
עָשָׂ֣ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
עַמִּ֑/י
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-ms | Suff
אֹתִ֨/י
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
עָזְב֜וּ
ʻâzab
H5800
Forsaken
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
מְק֣וֹר
mâqôwr
H4726
fountain
N-ms
מַ֣יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
N-mp
חַיִּ֗ים
chay
H2416
alive
Adj
לַ/חְצֹ֤ב
châtsab
H2672
to hew
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
לָ/הֶם֙
Prep | Suff
בֹּאר֔וֹת
bôʼr
H877
cistern
N-mp
בֹּארֹת֙
bôʼr
H877
cistern
N-mp
נִשְׁבָּרִ֔ים
shâbar
H7665
to break
V-Niphal-Inf-c
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יָכִ֖לוּ
kûwl
H3557
to sustain
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
הַ/מָּֽיִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
Art | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 2:13
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
שְׁתַּ֥יִם
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
רָע֖וֹת
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
N-fp
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
עָשָׂ֣ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
עַמִּ֑/י
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-ms | Suff
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
אֹתִ֨/י
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
עָזְב֜וּ
ʻâzab
H5800
"Forsaken"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
Forsaken means to loosen or relinquish something, often implying abandonment. In the Bible, the word appears in Psalm 22:1, where David cries out to God, saying my God, why have you forsaken me. The term signifies a sense of desperation and isolation.
Definition: This name means to restore, repair Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 206 OT verses. KJV: commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:24; Nehemiah 5:10; Psalms 9:11.
מְק֣וֹר
mâqôwr
H4726
"fountain"
N-ms
Maqor means a fountain or a source of water, like a spring or a well. It can also refer to the source of happiness, wisdom, or life. This term is used to describe a source of something valuable or life-giving.
Definition: 1) spring, fountain 1a) spring 1a1) of source of life, joy, purification (fig.) 1b) of the eye (fig.) 1c) source (of menstruous blood) 1d) flow (of blood after child birth)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: fountain, issue, spring, well(-spring). See also: Leviticus 12:7; Proverbs 16:22; Psalms 36:10.
מַ֣יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
חַיִּ֗ים
chay
H2416
"alive"
Adj
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
לַ/חְצֹ֤ב
châtsab
H2672
"to hew"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To hew means to cut or carve wood, stone, or other materials, like the skilled laborers who built Solomon's Temple in 1 Kings. This word is used to describe various tasks, from quarrying to engraving.
Definition: 1) to dig, cleave, divide, hew, make, cut out, dig out, cut down, quarry, hewer, mason 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hew out, dig 1a2) to hew 1a2a) stone 1a2b) wood 1a3) to hew in pieces (metaph.) 1a4) to divide, cleave 1b) (Niphal) to be cut, be hewn, be engraved 1c) (Hiphil) to hew into pieces, cut up into pieces 1d) (Pual) to be cut from, be hewn from
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: cut, dig, divide, grave, hew (out, -er), made, mason. See also: Deuteronomy 6:11; Nehemiah 9:25; Psalms 29:7.
לָ/הֶם֙
""
Prep | Suff
בֹּאר֔וֹת
bôʼr
H877
"cistern"
N-mp
A cistern is a pit or well, used to store water. This word is used in the Bible to describe a man-made water container.
Definition: cistern, pit, well
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: cistern. See also: 2 Samuel 23:15; 2 Samuel 23:16; Jeremiah 2:13.
בֹּארֹת֙
bôʼr
H877
"cistern"
N-mp
A cistern is a pit or well, used to store water. This word is used in the Bible to describe a man-made water container.
Definition: cistern, pit, well
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: cistern. See also: 2 Samuel 23:15; 2 Samuel 23:16; Jeremiah 2:13.
נִשְׁבָּרִ֔ים
shâbar
H7665
"to break"
V-Niphal-Inf-c
This word means to break or shatter something, either physically or emotionally. It can also mean to burst or rupture, and is often used to describe intense violence or destruction. In the Bible, it's translated as break or crush.
Definition: 1) to break, break in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench 1a2) to break, rupture (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked 1b2) to be broken, be crushed (fig) 1c) (Piel) to shatter, break 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered Aramaic equivalent: te.var (תְּבַר "to break" H8406)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, [idiom] quite, tear, view (by mistake for H7663 (שָׂבַר)). See also: Genesis 19:9; Isaiah 27:11; Psalms 3:8.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יָכִ֖לוּ
kûwl
H3557
"to sustain"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to sustain or support something, like holding it in or keeping it going, and is used in various senses, such as nourishing or enduring, as seen in Psalm 55:22.
Definition: 1) to seize, contain, measure 1a)(Qal) to measure, calculate 1b) (Pilpel) to sustain, maintain, contain 1b1) to sustain, support, nourish 1b2) to contain, hold in, restrain 1b3) to support, endure 1c) (Polpal) to be supplied 1d) (Hilpil) to contain, hold, hold in, endure 1d1) to contain 1d2) to sustain, endure
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: (be able to, can) abide, bear, comprehend, contain, feed, forbearing, guide, hold(-ing in), nourish(-er), be present, make provision, receive, sustain, provide sustenance (victuals). See also: Genesis 45:11; 2 Chronicles 2:5; Psalms 55:23.
הַ/מָּֽיִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
Art | N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 2:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 2:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 2:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 2:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:13
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:13
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 2:13
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 2:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:13
- Sermons on Jeremiah 2:13
Context — Israel Has Forsaken God
11Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.
12Be stunned by this, O heavens; be shocked and utterly appalled,” declares the LORD.
13“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns— broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
14Is Israel a slave? Was he born into slavery? Why then has he become prey? 15The young lions have roared at him; they have sounded their voices. They have laid waste his land; his cities lie in ruins, without inhabitant.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John 4:14 | But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.” |
| 2 | John 7:37 | On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 17:13 | O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who abandon You will be put to shame. All who turn away will be written in the dust, for they have abandoned the LORD, the fountain of living water. |
| 4 | Revelation 21:6 | And He told me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life. |
| 5 | Psalms 36:9 | For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. |
| 6 | Revelation 22:1 | Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb |
| 7 | Revelation 22:17 | The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely. |
| 8 | Isaiah 55:2 | Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. |
| 9 | Jeremiah 4:22 | “For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.” |
| 10 | Psalms 81:11–13 | But My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me. So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways, |
Jeremiah 2:13 Summary
[This verse means that God's people had stopped following Him, who is the source of true life and happiness, and instead tried to find happiness in things that cannot truly satisfy them, like man-made solutions or worldly pleasures, as seen in Jeremiah 2:13. This is similar to what Jesus taught in John 4:14, where He says that He is the living water that can truly satisfy our souls. By turning away from God, people end up empty and unfulfilled, like broken cisterns that cannot hold water. We can learn from this by seeking God as our fountain of living water, as encouraged in Psalms 42:1-2, where the psalmist expresses his deep longing for God, the living God.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to forsake the fountain of living water?
To forsake the fountain of living water means to turn away from God, who is the source of spiritual life and nourishment, as seen in Jeremiah 2:13 and also in John 4:14 where Jesus says He is the living water.
Why are the cisterns that the people dug considered broken?
The cisterns are considered broken because they cannot hold water, symbolizing the inability of worldly or man-made solutions to satisfy our deepest spiritual needs, as emphasized in Jeremiah 2:13 and similar to the warnings in Isaiah 55:1-2 against seeking satisfaction in things that do not truly satisfy.
How does this verse relate to the concept of idolatry mentioned in the previous verse?
This verse shows that forsaking God and seeking other sources of satisfaction is a form of idolatry, where people exchange their Glory, God, for useless idols as mentioned in Jeremiah 2:11, and then try to find fulfillment in things that cannot provide it, like broken cisterns.
What is the consequence of committing these two evils?
The consequence of committing these two evils is spiritual dryness and inability to find true satisfaction, as well as potential physical and national judgment, as hinted at in the following verses like Jeremiah 2:14-15, where Israel is described as prey and its land laid waste.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'broken cisterns' in my life that I have turned to for satisfaction instead of God?
- How have I seen God work as the 'fountain of living water' in my life or in the lives of others?
- What are some ways I can practically turn back to God and seek Him as my source of living water?
- In what ways can I share the message of living water with others who may be seeking satisfaction in broken cisterns?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 2:13
For my people have committed two evils,.... Not but that they had committed more, but there were two principal ones they were guilty of, hereafter mentioned; and it was an aggravation of these
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 2:13
For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:13
Committed two evils, viz. remarkable ones, and with a witness. Living waters; a metaphor taken from springs, called living here, and , and elsewhere, because they never cease or intermit; such had God’ s care and kindness been over and to them; see on ; his Spirit continually proceeding from the Father and the Son to refresh their consciences. Compare 7:38,39. Cisterns: it is doubled, to show the multitude of their shifts; and broken is added, to show the helplessness of them, as being able to hold no water; but when a man hath made many hard shifts to get water, he cannot keep it, but it dries away; or if it abide, proves unwholesome: by which understand either their idols, which are empty, vain things, that never answer expectation; or the Assyrians and Egyptians, as , which proved but broken reeds, and as all other supports or props, friends, traditions, merits, &c. are that are trusted to besides God; they are but cisterns at the best, whose water will putrify, or broken, riven vessels, through which they will soak, and leave nothing but mud and dirt behind them.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:13
Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, [and] hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.Ver. 13. For my people have committed two evils.] Contrary to those two good things that I have commanded them, viz., "Depart from evil, and do good." Lust doth first εξελκειν, draw a man from God, and then it doth δελεαζειν, deceive him with a bait of the creature. They have forsaken me, the fountain of living water.] The all-sufficient, ever-flowing, over-flowing well spring of all welfare. Trismegist, a heathen, could say, Respicite O mortales, et resipiscite, et ad fontem vitae recurrite, Look back, O mortals, and repent, and run back again to the fountain of life. Seneca also saith, that sin is so foul a thing, that he would not commit it, though he could hide it from men, and get pardon of it of God; for that were to turn his back upon God, the chief good, &c. How well might Bullinger say, that Seneca alone had left to posterity more sincere divinity than all the books of almost all the schoolmen. And hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns.] Such, and no better, are all idols, human helps, creature comforts, friends, means, merits, &c.; what are they all but cisterns, that hold but muddy rainwater at best? but then, being broken cisterns, riven vessels, what hold they else but limum et lapides, mud and gravel? Such cisterns, therefore, to hew out, what is it better than industrious folly, laborious loss of time? to say no worse of it. Now “ Turpe est difficiles habere nugas: Et stultus labor est ineptiarum. ” Dialog. 7. Comment. in Romans 1:19.
So little reason was there that Alex. Hales should be called first Fons vitae, font of life, and then Doctor Irrefragabilis, irresistible teacher.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:13
(13) The fountain of living waters.—The word rendered “well,” as in Proverbs 10:11; Proverbs 18:4; “fountain,” as in Psalms 36:9, is used of water flowing from the rock. The “cistern,” on the other hand, was a tank for surface water. A word identical in sound and meaning, though differently spelt, is variously rendered by “pit,” “well,” or “cistern.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:13
Verse 13. Two evils] First, they forsook God, the Fountain of life, light, prosperity, and happiness. Secondly, they hewed out broken cisterns; they joined themselves to idols, from whom they could receive neither temporal nor spiritual good! Their conduct was the excess of folly and blindness. What we call here broken cisterns, means more properly such vessels as were ill made, not staunch, ill put together, so that the water leaked through them.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 2:13
13. “Jehovah is a fountain of living water, having life in Himself, giving life to all.” (Co.) Israel has preferred cisterns, the contents of which, vapid and worthless in themselves, speedily disappear through leakage. For the figure of water as denoting spiritual blessing, cp. Isaiah 12:3; Isaiah 44:3. “The perennial spring of water that leaps and flashes as though it were a living thing, breaking ceaselessly forth from a hidden source, is the best image of that higher life bestowed on him to whom God has unveiled his face.” Hort, The Way, the Truth, and the Life, p. 99. two evils] The sin of the heathen is idolatry, whereas this people have in addition renounced the service of the one true God. cisterns] These were very familiar objects to those whom the prophet addressed. “There are thousands of these ancient cisterns in upper Galilee, where Josephus says there were two hundred and forty cities in his day, and the site of every one was pierced like a honeycomb with them” (Thomson, The Land and the Book, p. 287). broken cisterns, that can hold no water] “No comparison could more keenly rebuke the madness of a people who changed their glory for that which doth not profit. The best cisterns, even those in solid rock, are strangely liable to crack … and if by constant care they are made to hold, yet the water collected from clay roofs or from marly soil has the colour of weak soapsuds, the taste of the earth or the stable, is full of worms, and in the hour of greatest need it utterly fails … I have never been able to tolerate this cistern water except in Jerusalem, where they are kept with scrupulous care, and filled from roofs both clean and hard” (ibid.).
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 2:13
The pagan are guilty of but one sin - idolatry; the covenant-people commit two - they abandon the true God; they serve idols.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:13
13. My people have committed two evils — As against the one sin of the heathen. A twofold contrast is implied in the language used: 1) Between a living fountain and a cistern; 2) Between a suitable cistern and a worthless one.
Sermons on Jeremiah 2:13
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 10:5 - Part 3 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the warnings given by the prophet Jeremiah to the people who had forsaken God. He draws parallels between the patterns of rebellion in |
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Broken Cisterns by Chuck Smith | This sermon emphasizes the importance of worshiping the true and living God, highlighting the dangers of seeking fulfillment in broken cisterns, which represent false beliefs and i |
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Take Heed, Lest You Fall by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the role of a prophet and the importance of listening to God's voice. The prophet in focus is described as having a fierce loyalty to God and |
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Revival Forum Interview by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the spiritual deadness of people and the role of the church in bringing them to life. He refers to a quote by John Ruskin that describes pre |
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The Folly of the World's Philosophy by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the lack of respect and disregard for God in society today, paralleling it to the people in Isaiah's time. He highlights the promotion of evol |
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Counseling God's Way Leadership Seminar - Part 3 by Bob Hoekstra | This sermon emphasizes the foundational truths for counseling found in the Scriptures, focusing on the identity of believers in Christ as new creations and the importance of renewi |
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(Through the Bible) Jeremiah 16-20 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher uses the analogy of a potter working with clay to illustrate God's dealings with mankind. The potter represents God, who has complete control over our |