King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 2:6 Mean?

Jeremiah 2:6 in the King James Version says “Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, th...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?”

Jeremiah 2:6 · KJV

Context

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?

6

Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?

7

And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. a plentiful: or, the land of Carmel

8

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.

Read Jeremiah 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God continues His indictment by highlighting Israel's ingratitude: 'Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt?' This rhetorical accusation reveals Israel's failure to acknowledge God's past deliverance. The question 'Where is the LORD?' (ayeh YHWH, אַיֵּה יְהוָה) represents the seeking posture they should have maintained but didn't. The reference to Egyptian exodus—God's foundational redemptive act for Israel—emphasizes the magnitude of their ingratitude. The verse continues describing God's care: 'that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt.' This accumulation of descriptive phrases emphasizes the wilderness's extreme harshness—deserts, pits, drought, deadly danger, uninhabitable territory. Yet God guided them through successfully. The phrase 'shadow of death' (tsalmaveth, צַלְמָוֶת) appears in Psalm 23:4, connoting mortal danger and deepest darkness. God's faithfulness in such conditions magnifies Israel's subsequent abandonment—they forgot the One who saved and sustained them through impossible circumstances.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Exodus from Egypt (traditionally dated c. 1446 BC or alternatively c. 1260 BC) constituted Israel's national birth and foundational covenant relationship with Yahweh. Archaeological evidence from the Sinai Peninsula confirms the extreme harshness described—minimal water sources, treacherous wadis (dry river beds with flash flood danger), sparse vegetation, high temperatures, and dangerous terrain. Ancient caravan routes through Sinai required detailed knowledge of water sources; Israel's forty-year survival in this environment required divine provision (manna, water from rocks, quail, their clothes not wearing out). Deuteronomy repeatedly commands Israel to remember Egypt and wilderness experiences as basis for covenant loyalty (Deuteronomy 8:2-16, 15:15, 16:12, 24:18). Yet by Jeremiah's time (seven centuries later), this foundational memory had faded. The generation comfortable in Canaan's prosperity no longer asked "Where is the LORD?" because they had substituted Canaanite fertility gods. Church history shows similar patterns—later generations forgetting foundational truths experienced by founders.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does failing to remember and recount God's past faithfulness contribute to present spiritual compromise and unfaithfulness?
  2. In what ways might believers today forget to ask "Where is the LORD?" amid comfortable circumstances, neglecting their dependence on God's provision?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וְלֹ֣א1 of 26
H3808

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

אָמְר֔וּ2 of 26

“Neither said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַיֵּ֣ה3 of 26
H346

where?

יְהוָ֔ה4 of 26

“they Where is the LORD”

H3068

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

הַמַּעֲלֶ֥ה5 of 26

“that brought us up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֹתָ֖נוּ6 of 26
H853

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

בְּאֶ֗רֶץ7 of 26

“out of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָ֑יִם8 of 26

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

הַמּוֹלִ֨יךְ9 of 26
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אֹתָ֜נוּ10 of 26
H853

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

בַּמִּדְבָּ֗ר11 of 26

“us through the wilderness”

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

בְּאֶ֗רֶץ12 of 26

“out of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

עֲרָבָ֤ה13 of 26

“of deserts”

H6160

a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea

וְשׁוּחָה֙14 of 26

“and of pits”

H7745

a chasm

בְּאֶ֗רֶץ15 of 26

“out of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

צִיָּ֣ה16 of 26

“of drought”

H6723

aridity; concretely, a desert

וְצַלְמָ֔וֶת17 of 26

“and of the shadow of death”

H6757

shade of death, i.e., the grave (figuratively, calamity)

בְּאֶ֗רֶץ18 of 26

“out of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לֹֽא19 of 26
H3808

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

עָ֤בַר20 of 26

“passed through”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בָּהּ֙21 of 26
H0
אִ֔ישׁ22 of 26

“that no man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וְלֹֽא23 of 26
H3808

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

יָשַׁ֥ב24 of 26

“dwelt”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

אָדָ֖ם25 of 26

“and where no man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

שָֽׁם׃26 of 26
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

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 2:6 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 2:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 32:10Deuteronomy 8:14-16Hosea 13:4Isaiah 63:11-13Exodus 14:1-15Job 35:10

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Jeremiah 2 →

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