King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 2:8 Mean?

Jeremiah 2:8 in the King James Version says “The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 2:8 · KJV

Context

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.

10

For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing. over: or, over to

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God specifies those who failed to seek Him: '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.' Four leadership categories are indicted. First, priests who should have taught the people to seek God instead failed to ask "Where is the LORD?" themselves. Second, "they that handle the law" (tophsei hatorah, תֹּפְשֵׂי הַתּוֹרָה)—those responsible for teaching and interpreting Torah—"knew me not" (lo yeda'uni, לֹא יְדָעוּנִי), lacking personal relationship with God despite professional religious duties. Third, "pastors" (ro'im, רֹעִים, literally "shepherds")—political and spiritual leaders—"transgressed against me" (pash'u bi, פָּשְׁעוּ בִי), meaning rebelled or broke covenant. Fourth, prophets "prophesied by Baal" (beniv'u nibe'u, בַבַּעַל נִבְּאוּ)—claiming divine inspiration while actually serving false gods. The phrase "walked after things that do not profit" (acherei lo-yo'ilu halakhu, אַחֲרֵי לֹא־יוֹעִילוּ הָלָכוּ) describes pursuing worthless idols that cannot save or help. This comprehensive leadership failure—religious, legal, political, and prophetic—explains the nation's corruption. When those responsible for spiritual direction are themselves apostate, the people follow into destruction.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah's era witnessed catastrophic leadership failure at every level. Priests like those descended from Eli's house at Anathoth had compromised covenant worship for generations. The high priesthood under Manasseh tolerated and even participated in idolatry in the Jerusalem temple itself (2 Kings 21:4-7). Torah teachers (scribes and Levites) either didn't understand or didn't apply covenant requirements to confront sin and injustice. Political leaders ("pastors"/"shepherds")—including kings like Jehoiakim and princes who influenced policy—pursued alliances with Egypt and Babylon rather than trusting God, oppressed the poor, and tolerated injustice (Jeremiah 22:13-17). False prophets like Hananiah and those mentioned in Jeremiah 23 and 28 promised peace and prosperity while contradicting God's actual word through Jeremiah. Archaeological evidence from this period shows syncretistic practices even among religious officials—inscriptions combining Yahweh worship with Asherah veneration, suggesting religious leadership itself was compromised. Jesus later confronted similar leadership corruption among Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 23), and Paul warned that false teachers would arise even within the church (Acts 20:29-30, 2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does corruption among spiritual leaders exponentially increase the damage compared to individual sin, and what responsibility do leaders bear?
  2. What are signs that religious professionals might be "handling the law" or "prophesying" without actually knowing God personally?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
הַכֹּהֲנִ֗ים1 of 19

“The priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

לֹ֤א2 of 19
H3808

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

אָֽמְרוּ֙3 of 19

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַיֵּ֣ה4 of 19
H346

where?

יְהוָ֔ה5 of 19

“not Where is the LORD”

H3068

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

וְתֹפְשֵׂ֤י6 of 19

“and they that handle”

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

הַתּוֹרָה֙7 of 19

“the law”

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

לֹ֣א8 of 19
H3808

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

יְדָע֔וּנִי9 of 19

“knew”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וְהָרֹעִ֖ים10 of 19

“me not the pastors”

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

פָּ֣שְׁעוּ11 of 19

“also transgressed”

H6586

to break away (from just authority), i.e., trespass, apostatize, quarrel

בִ֑י12 of 19
H0
וְהַנְּבִיאִים֙13 of 19

“against me and the prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

נִבְּא֣וּ14 of 19

“prophesied”

H5012

to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)

בַבַּ֔עַל15 of 19

“by Baal”

H1168

baal, a phoenician deity

וְאַחֲרֵ֥י16 of 19

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

לֹֽא17 of 19
H3808

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

יוֹעִ֖לוּ18 of 19

“things that do not profit”

H3276

properly, to ascend; figuratively, to be valuable (objectively; useful, subjectively; benefited)

הָלָֽכוּ׃19 of 19

“and walked”

H1980

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

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 2:8 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 2:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Habakkuk 2:18Jeremiah 5:31Hosea 4:6Jeremiah 10:212 Corinthians 4:2Romans 2:17-24

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