King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 2:37 Mean?

Jeremiah 2:37 in the King James Version says “Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.

Jeremiah 2:37 · KJV


Context

35

Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.

36

Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.

37

Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The image of going forth with 'hands upon thine head' depicts mourning, shame, and captivity. God's rejection of their 'confidences' (plural, indicating multiple false securities) leads to futility in all their endeavors. This verse embodies the Reformed principle that apart from God's blessing, all human effort proves vain. The phrase 'thou shalt not prosper' recalls the covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28, where disobedience leads to frustration in every endeavor. Only God's sovereign election and covenant faithfulness can establish true success.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy was fulfilled when Babylon conquered Judah (586 BC), and the people were led into exile in shame, their Egyptian alliance having failed to save them.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle that 'unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain' (Psalm 127:1)?
  2. What false confidences do you need to identify and renounce in order to trust God alone?
  3. How should the certainty of God's judgment on misplaced trust affect our present choices?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
גַּ֣ם1 of 14
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

מֵאֵ֥ת2 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

זֶה֙3 of 14
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

תֵּֽצְאִ֔י4 of 14

Yea thou shalt go forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וְיָדַ֖יִךְ5 of 14

from him and thine hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עַל6 of 14
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רֹאשֵׁ֑ךְ7 of 14

upon thine head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

כִּֽי8 of 14
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מָאַ֤ס9 of 14

hath rejected

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

יְהוָֹה֙10 of 14

for the LORD

H3068

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

בְּמִבְטַחַ֔יִךְ11 of 14

thy confidences

H4009

properly, a refuge, i.e., (objective) security, or (subjective) assurance

וְלֹ֥א12 of 14
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַצְלִ֖יחִי13 of 14

and thou shalt not prosper

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

לָהֶֽם׃14 of 14
H0

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 2:37 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 2:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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