King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 3:2 Mean?

Jeremiah 3:2 in the King James Version says “Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them,...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.”

Jeremiah 3:2 · KJV

Context

1

They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD. They say: Heb. Saying

2

Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.

3

Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.

4

Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth?

Read Jeremiah 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God commands Jeremiah to survey the land visually: 'Lift up thine eyes unto the high places' (śĕʾî-ʿênayiḵ ʿal-šĕp̄āyim, שְׂאִי־עֵינַיִךְ עַל־שְׁפָיִם). The 'high places' were elevated worship sites where Israel practiced syncretistic religion mixing Yahweh worship with Canaanite fertility rites. The rhetorical question 'where hast thou not been lien with?' uses šuggal (שֻׁגַּל), a crude term for sexual violation, intensifying the adultery metaphor. Israel waited for pagan worshipers 'as the Arabian in the wilderness'—like a desert bandit ambushing travelers or a prostitute soliciting customers. The indictment concludes: 'thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness' (waṯĕḥănĕp̄î ʾereṣ bĕziwnûṯayiḵ ûbĕrāʿāṯēḵ). The vocabulary progression—whoredoms (zĕnûṯ), wickedness (rāʿâ), pollution (ḥānēp̄)—emphasizes comprehensive moral corruption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological excavations throughout Israel and Judah have uncovered numerous high places with altars, standing stones (maṣṣēḇôṯ), and Asherah poles. These sites continued functioning despite periodic reforms. The comparison to 'Arabian' (desert nomad) reflects knowledge of Bedouin customs. Jeremiah's contemporary audience would recognize these locations—hilltop shrines visible across the landscape. The prophet's graphic language shocked hearers accustomed to thinking themselves religiously acceptable. The pollution concept derived from Levitical holiness codes where sexual sin and idolatry both defiled the land, potentially causing the land to 'vomit out' its inhabitants (Leviticus 18:25, 28)—precisely what happened in the Babylonian exile.

Reflection Questions

  1. What areas of compromise or syncretism in your life need to be exposed and abandoned for wholehearted devotion to Christ?
  2. How does viewing sin as spiritual adultery against God change your perspective on behaviors you might otherwise minimize?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
שְׂאִֽי1 of 18

“Lift up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

עֵינַ֨יִךְ2 of 18

“thine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

עַל3 of 18
H5921

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

שְׁפָיִ֜ם4 of 18

“unto the high places”

H8205

bareness; concretely, a bare hill or plain

וּרְאִ֗י5 of 18

“and see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֵיפֹה֙6 of 18

“where”

H375

what place?; also (of time) when?; or (of means) how?

לֹ֣א7 of 18
H3808

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

שֻׁגַּ֔לְתְּ8 of 18

“thou hast not been lien”

H7693

to copulate with

עַל9 of 18
H5921

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

דְּרָכִים֙10 of 18

“with In the ways”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

יָשַׁ֣בְתְּ11 of 18

“hast thou sat”

H3427

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

לָהֶ֔ם12 of 18
H0
כַּעֲרָבִ֖י13 of 18

“for them as the Arabian”

H6163

an arabian or inhabitant of arab (i.e., arabia)

בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר14 of 18

“in the wilderness”

H4057

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

וַתַּחֲנִ֣יפִי15 of 18

“and thou hast polluted”

H2610

to soil, especially in a moral sense

אֶ֔רֶץ16 of 18

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בִּזְנוּתַ֖יִךְ17 of 18

“with thy whoredoms”

H2184

adultery, i.e., (figuratively) infidelity, idolatry

וּבְרָעָתֵֽךְ׃18 of 18

“and with thy wickedness”

H7451

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

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 3:2 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 3:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 2:7Genesis 38:14Ezekiel 16:24-25Ezekiel 8:4-6Jeremiah 2:20Deuteronomy 12:2

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 3 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes