King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 2:3 Mean?

Jeremiah 2:3 in the King James Version says “Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall com...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.”

Jeremiah 2:3 · KJV

Context

1

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

2

Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. thee: or, for thy sake

3

Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.

4

Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:

5

Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

Read Jeremiah 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God continues describing Israel's former status: 'Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase.' The phrase 'holiness unto the LORD' (qodesh le-YHWH, קֹדֶשׁ לַיהוָה) indicates Israel was set apart, consecrated, dedicated for sacred purpose—belonging exclusively to God. This echoes Exodus 19:6 where Israel was called 'a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.' The term 'firstfruits' (reshit tevuato, רֵאשִׁית תְּבוּאָתוֹ) carries theological weight—the first portion of harvest belonged to God, offered before consuming any yourself (Exodus 23:19, Deuteronomy 26:1-11). Israel was God's 'firstfruit' among nations—His chosen people, consecrated to Him, prototype of His redemptive purpose. This status came with protection: 'all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.' To 'devour' Israel was to 'offend' (asham, אָשָׁמוּ)—incur guilt requiring punishment. God defended His holy possession; those attacking Israel attacked God's property. 'Evil shall come upon them' refers to divine judgment on nations oppressing Israel (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon eventually). This protection was conditional on covenant faithfulness—when Israel broke covenant, God removed protection and used enemies as judgment instruments.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's 'firstfruits' status appears throughout Scripture. They were chosen not for superiority but for divine purpose—to be God's witness to nations (Deuteronomy 7:6-8). Early in their history, God judged nations oppressing them: Egypt (plagues), Amalekites (defeated), Canaanites (conquered). However, covenant unfaithfulness reversed this—God used Assyria to judge northern kingdom (722 BC), Babylon to judge Judah (586 BC), and Rome to destroy Jerusalem (70 AD). The New Testament applies 'firstfruits' language to Christ (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23) and the church (James 1:18, Revelation 14:4)—believers are now God's holy people, set apart for His purposes. The principle remains: God protects His people, but persistent covenant unfaithfulness brings discipline. Israel's loss of 'holiness' through idolatry meant losing the protection that status provided. This explains how God could use pagan nations to judge His own people—they forfeited their consecrated status through spiritual adultery.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Israel's status as 'holiness unto the LORD' and 'firstfruits' shape understanding of their unique calling and responsibility among nations?
  2. What does the conditional nature of divine protection (based on covenant faithfulness) teach about the relationship between obedience and blessing?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
קֹ֤דֶשׁ1 of 13

“was holiness”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙2 of 13

“Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

יְהוָֽה׃3 of 13

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

רֵאשִׁ֖ית4 of 13

“and the firstfruits”

H7225

the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)

תְּבוּאָתֹ֑ה5 of 13

“of his increase”

H8393

income, i.e., produce (literally or figuratively)

כָּל6 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֹכְלָ֣יו7 of 13

“all that devour”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

יֶאְשָׁ֔מוּ8 of 13

“him shall offend”

H816

to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish

רָעָ֛ה9 of 13

“evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

תָּבֹ֥א10 of 13

“shall come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם11 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְאֻם12 of 13

“upon them saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃13 of 13

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 2:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 2:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 1:18Revelation 14:4Isaiah 41:11Deuteronomy 7:6Romans 11:16Exodus 4:22-23

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