King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 8:2 Mean?

Jeremiah 8:2 in the King James Version says “And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.

Jeremiah 8:2 · KJV


Context

1

At that time, saith the LORD, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves:

2

And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.

3

And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of hosts.

4

Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse continues the horrific imagery, showing that the exhumed bones would be spread before 'the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served.' The irony is devastating: the celestial objects Israel worshipped would witness their ultimate shame rather than save them. The verbs accumulate: 'loved' (ahavu, אָהֲבוּ), 'served' (avdum, עֲבָדוּם), 'walked after' (halku achareihem), 'sought' (derashu), 'worshipped' (hishtachavu). This fivefold description emphasizes the totality of their idolatrous devotion to astral deities. The bones would lie 'as dung upon the face of the earth,' using the Hebrew domem (דֹּמֶם, dung), the most contemptible imagery possible. Their gods cannot respond, save, or even acknowledge their worshippers' fate.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Astral worship—veneration of sun, moon, and stars—was prominent in Mesopotamian religion and infiltrated Judah especially during Manasseh's reign (2 Kings 21:3-5, 23:5). Rooftop altars for burning incense to heavenly bodies were common (Jeremiah 19:13, Zephaniah 1:5). The practice combined Canaanite and Mesopotamian elements, reflecting Judah's political and cultural submission to foreign powers. Josiah's reforms destroyed many such sites (2 Kings 23:5), but the practices returned after his death.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the judgment of being exposed before the very gods they worshipped demonstrate the futility of idolatry?
  2. What modern 'gods' might we serve that will ultimately be unable to help us in our time of greatest need?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וּשְׁטָחוּם֩1 of 27

And they shall spread

H7849

to expand

לַשֶּׁ֨מֶשׁ2 of 27

them before the sun

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

וְלַיָּרֵ֜חַ3 of 27

and the moon

H3394

the moon

וּלְכֹ֣ל׀4 of 27
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צְבָ֣א5 of 27

and all the host

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם6 of 27

of heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

אֲשֶׁ֨ר7 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֲהֵב֜וּם8 of 27

whom they have loved

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר9 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עֲבָדוּם֙10 of 27

and whom they have served

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

וַֽאֲשֶׁר֙11 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָלְכ֣וּ12 of 27

whom they have walked

H1980

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

אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֔ם13 of 27

and after

H310

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

וַאֲשֶׁ֣ר14 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דְּרָשׁ֔וּם15 of 27

and whom they have sought

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר16 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ17 of 27

and whom they have worshipped

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

לָהֶ֑ם18 of 27
H0
לֹ֤א19 of 27
H3808

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

יֵאָֽסְפוּ֙20 of 27

they shall not be gathered

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

וְלֹ֣א21 of 27
H3808

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

יִקָּבֵ֔רוּ22 of 27

nor be buried

H6912

to inter

לְדֹ֛מֶן23 of 27

they shall be for dung

H1828

manure

עַל24 of 27
H5921

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

פְּנֵ֥י25 of 27

upon the face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָאֲדָמָ֖ה26 of 27

of the earth

H127

soil (from its general redness)

יִֽהְיֽוּ׃27 of 27
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)


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 8:2 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 8:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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