King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 2:7 Mean?

Jeremiah 2:7 in the King James Version says “And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye d...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 2:7 · KJV

Context

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.

9

Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead.

Read Jeremiah 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God contrasts His faithfulness with Israel's unfaithfulness: 'And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof.' The phrase 'plentiful country' (erets karmel, אֶרֶץ כַּרְמֶל) means a land of fruitful field or garden land—Canaan's fertility contrasted sharply with wilderness barrenness. God's purpose was blessing—'to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof'—Israel was to enjoy Canaan's abundance as God's gift. However, their response perverted God's blessing: 'but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.' The verb 'defiled' (tame, טָמֵא) means made ceremonially impure, polluted, corrupted—particularly through idolatry and moral corruption (Leviticus 18:24-28). The phrase 'my land' (artsi, אַרְצִי) emphasizes divine ownership—Canaan belonged to God, given to Israel as stewards. 'Mine heritage' (nachalati, נַחֲלָתִי) refers to God's inherited possession, His treasured property. 'An abomination' (to'evah, תּוֹעֵבָה) is the strongest Hebrew term for something detestable to God, often associated with idolatry and sexual immorality. Instead of gratefully enjoying God's gift, Israel corrupted it through pagan worship and injustice. This pattern—receiving blessing, then corrupting it—characterizes human sin.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The conquest of Canaan under Joshua (c. 1406-1390 BC traditional dating) fulfilled God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21). Canaan was indeed remarkably fertile—"a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8)—with Mediterranean climate, rainfall adequate for agriculture, diverse terrain allowing various crops, and strategic trade routes bringing prosperity. However, Canaanite culture practiced Baal worship involving ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and syncretistic religion attempting to manipulate divine forces for agricultural fertility. Israel was commanded to destroy Canaanite religious practices entirely (Deuteronomy 7:1-5, 12:29-31) to avoid corruption. Yet Judges records Israel's failure—they assimilated Canaanite practices, worshipped at high places, intermarried, and adopted pagan worship. Archaeological discoveries of household idols, syncretistic altars, and figurines from Israelite sites confirm widespread religious corruption. By Jeremiah's time, even the Jerusalem temple had housed pagan altars and Asherah poles (2 Kings 21:3-7, 23:4-7). The land intended as showcase of covenant blessing became exhibition of covenant curse.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the pattern of receiving God's blessing then corrupting it reflect ongoing human temptation to take credit for what God provides?
  2. What modern "defilements" might turn God's blessings (material prosperity, freedom, resources) into "abominations" through misuse or idolatry?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַתָּבֹ֙אוּ֙1 of 15

“And I brought”

H935

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

אֶתְכֶם֙2 of 15
H853

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

אֶל3 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַרְצִ֔י4 of 15

“country”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַכַּרְמֶ֔ל5 of 15

“you into a plentiful”

H3759

a planted field (garden, orchard, vineyard or park); by implication, garden produce

לֶאֱכֹ֥ל6 of 15

“to eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

פִּרְיָ֖הּ7 of 15

“the fruit”

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

וְטוּבָ֑הּ8 of 15

“thereof and the goodness”

H2898

good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the best), beauty, gladness, welfare

וַתָּבֹ֙אוּ֙9 of 15

“And I brought”

H935

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

וַתְּטַמְּא֣וּ10 of 15

“ye defiled”

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

אֶת11 of 15
H853

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

אַרְצִ֔י12 of 15

“country”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְנַחֲלָתִ֥י13 of 15

“mine heritage”

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

שַׂמְתֶּ֖ם14 of 15

“and made”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לְתוֹעֵבָֽה׃15 of 15

“an abomination”

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

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 2:7 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 2:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 8:7-9Jeremiah 16:18Numbers 13:27Ezekiel 36:17Psalms 106:38-39Jeremiah 3:9

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