Jeremiah 2:33
Jeremiah 2:33 in Multiple Translations
How skillfully you pursue love! Even the most immoral of women could learn from your ways.
Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.
How trimmest thou thy way to seek love! therefore even the wicked women hast thou taught thy ways.
With what care are your ways ordered when you are looking for love! so ... your ways.
How cleverly you look for your lovers! Even prostitutes could learn something from you!
Why doest thou prepare thy way, to seeke amitie? euen therefore will I teach thee, that thy waies are wickednesse.
What — dost thou make pleasing thy ways to seek love? Therefore even the wicked thou hast taught thy ways.
How well you prepare your way to seek love! Therefore you have even taught the wicked women your ways.
Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.
Why dost thou endeavour to shew thy way good to seek my love, thou who has also taught thy malices to be thy ways,
You know how to easily find gods from other countries whom you can love. You can find them as easily as a prostitute can find men to sleep with.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 2:33
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 2:33 Interlinear (Deep Study)
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 2:33
Study Notes — Jeremiah 2:33
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 2:33 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 2:33
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 2:33
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:33
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:33
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:33
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:33
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 2:33
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 2:33
- Sermons on Jeremiah 2:33
Context — Israel’s Unfaithfulness
33How skillfully you pursue love! Even the most immoral of women could learn from your ways.
34Moreover, your skirts are stained with the blood of the innocent poor, though you did not find them breaking in. But in spite of all these things 35you say, ‘I am innocent. Surely His anger will turn from me.’ Behold, I will judge you, because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 57:7–10 | On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices. Behind the door and doorpost you have set up your memorial. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed; you climbed up and opened it wide. And you have made a pact with those whose bed you have loved; you have gazed upon their nakedness. You went to Molech with oil and multiplied your perfumes. You have sent your envoys a great distance; you have descended even to Sheol itself. You are wearied by your many journeys, but you did not say, “There is no hope!” You found renewal of your strength; therefore you did not grow weak. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 2:36 | How unstable you are, constantly changing your ways! You will be disappointed by Egypt just as you were by Assyria. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 16:27 | Therefore I stretched out My hand against you and reduced your portion. I gave you over to the desire of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who were ashamed of your lewd conduct. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 2:23 | “How can you say, ‘I am not defiled; I have not run after the Baals’? Look at your behavior in the valley; acknowledge what you have done. You are a swift young she-camel galloping here and there, |
| 5 | Jeremiah 3:1–2 | “If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers— and you would return to Me?” declares the LORD. “Lift up your eyes to the barren heights and see. Is there any place where you have not been violated? You sat beside the highways waiting for your lovers, like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness. |
| 6 | 2 Chronicles 33:9 | So Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem astray, so that they did greater evil than the nations that the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites. |
| 7 | Ezekiel 16:51–52 | Furthermore, Samaria did not commit half the sins you did. You have multiplied your abominations beyond theirs, and all the abominations you have committed have made your sisters appear righteous. So now you must bear your disgrace, since you have brought justification for your sisters. For they appear more righteous than you, because your sins were more vile than theirs. So you too must bear your shame and disgrace, since you have made your sisters appear righteous. |
| 8 | Ezekiel 16:47 | And you not only walked in their ways and practiced their abominations, but soon you were more depraved than they were. |
| 9 | Hosea 2:5–7 | For their mother has played the harlot and has conceived them in disgrace. For she thought, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me bread and water, wool and linen, oil and drink.’ Therefore, behold, I will hedge up her path with thorns; I will enclose her with a wall, so she cannot find her way. She will pursue her lovers but not catch them; she will seek them but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will return to my first husband, for then I was better off than now.’ |
| 10 | Hosea 2:13 | I will punish her for the days of the Baals when she burned incense to them, when she decked herself with rings and jewelry, and went after her lovers. But Me she forgot,” declares the LORD. |
Jeremiah 2:33 Summary
[In Jeremiah 2:33, God is saying that the people of Israel are very good at chasing after things that are not good for them, like idols and sinful relationships, which is a form of spiritual adultery, as seen in Hosea 1:2-3. This is a warning to us today to be careful what we pursue and to make sure we are prioritizing our relationship with God above all else, as encouraged in Matthew 6:33. By pursuing a deep and abiding love for God, we can avoid the pitfalls of idolatry and experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from knowing and loving Him, as seen in Psalm 16:11.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'pursue love' in Jeremiah 2:33?
In this context, 'pursuing love' refers to Israel's relentless and skilled pursuit of idolatrous relationships, similar to how a person might pursue a romantic partner, as seen in Song of Solomon 1:4. This pursuit of love is a metaphor for their spiritual infidelity, as they have turned away from their one true love, God, to chase after other gods and idols, as warned against in Exodus 20:3-5.
How can the 'most immoral of women' learn from Israel's ways?
The prophet Jeremiah is emphasizing the extent of Israel's corruption by saying that even the most immoral of women could learn from their example, implying that Israel's actions are even more reprehensible than those of someone who is openly sinful, much like the prostitute in Luke 7:36-50 who recognized her sin and sought forgiveness.
Is God being sarcastic when He says Israel pursues love skillfully?
Yes, God is being sarcastic, using irony to convey His disappointment and sorrow over Israel's actions, similar to how He expresses disappointment in Isaiah 5:1-7, where He laments over Israel's failure to produce the fruit He expected, despite His careful nurturing and care.
What is the significance of this verse in the broader context of Jeremiah 2?
This verse serves as a turning point in the chapter, highlighting Israel's spiritual adultery and setting the stage for God's judgment, as seen in Jeremiah 2:34-35, where He declares His intention to judge them for their sins, much like He judged the nations in Genesis 15:16 for their iniquity.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I, like Israel, may be 'pursuing love' in ways that are unfaithful to God, and how can I redirect my affections towards Him, as encouraged in Matthew 22:37-38?
- In what ways can I, as a believer, be a positive example to others, rather than a negative one, as Israel was in Jeremiah 2:33, and how can I demonstrate the love of Christ to those around me, as seen in John 13:35?
- What are some 'idols' in my life that I may be 'pursuing' instead of pursuing a deeper relationship with God, and how can I identify and remove them, as warned against in Colossians 3:5?
- How can I cultivate a deeper love for God, and what are some practical steps I can take to prioritize my relationship with Him, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37-38?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 2:33
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 2:33
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:33
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:33
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:33
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:33
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 2:33
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 2:33
Sermons on Jeremiah 2:33
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Sanctity of Life by Brent Yim | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of Christians being proactive in the fight to preserve life. He uses the acronym LIFE to outline four ways to do this. The fi |
|
Upon This Rock by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of finding time for reflection and stillness in our busy lives. He shares his own experience of taking time to watch the suns |
|
The Sacrifice That Is Pleasing to God by Duncan Campbell | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the concept of God's second chance. He highlights that after death, there is no second chance, but in life, God gives us the opportunity to c |
|
The Voices of the Prophets by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of recognizing the voices of the prophets, as many hear the Scriptures without understanding their deeper meaning. He warns that the tr |
|
Pollution - Jer. 2:23 by Bernard Fell | Bernard Fell preaches about the pervasive nature of pollution, both physical and moral, highlighting how pollution contaminates the environment and corrupts society through various |
|
God's Truth: Rebellion and Patriotism by Russell Kelfer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses five qualities that are best developed in a nation during times of struggle: submission, goodness, respect, commitment, and prayer. He emphasi |
|
(Through the Bible) Jeremiah 3-5 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for people to turn away from worldly distractions and dedicate themselves fully to God and spiritual matters. He quotes from the bo |







