Jeremiah 17:2-3
while their children remember their altars and their Asherim, beside every green tree and on the high hills, on the mountains in the open country. Your wealth and all your treasures I will give for spoil as the price of your high places for sin throughout all your territory.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse points out that idolatry wasn't just a problem of the older generation; it was being passed down, so deeply ingrained that even the children, from a young age, remembered and continued these forbidden practices. It highlights how the very landscape—green trees and high hills—became constant reminders, triggering thoughts and actions associated with their forbidden worship.
Jeremiah is illustrating the deep-rooted nature of Judah's sin by showing how even the next generation is steeped in idolatry. The verse describes how children are taught and remember the forbidden altars and sacred symbols (Asherim) found in prominent, natural settings like green trees and high hills. This memory and practice of pagan worship, passed down from parents, signifies the pervasive and enduring corruption that has taken hold of the people.
Jeremiah vividly paints a picture of Judah's persistent sin. It's not just a fleeting mistake, but something deeply etched into their very being.
The verse highlights how ingrained idolatry had become in Judah. It wasn't just the older generation; even the children remembered their idols and their practices.
A Legacy of Lawlessness
The sin was passed down, becoming a heritage.
This deep remembrance shows how pervasive and enduring their rebellion against God had become. It was a sin that left a lasting imprint.
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God's people were choosing to remember the wrong things, leading them down a path of destruction. What does this verse say about our own memories?
Jeremiah’s prophecy confronts Judah with the reality that their memories were fixed on the wrong objects. The phrase 'remember' here carries a heavy weight.
Fixed on the False
This deliberate remembrance of sin, rather than repentance, sealed their fate. It demonstrates that what we choose to remember profoundly impacts our actions and our destiny.
Understand the original words
asherah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the cultic objects or sacred poles dedicated to the Canaanite goddess Asherah; their worship was strictly forbidden in Israel as it constituted illicit idolatry.
bamah · Hebrew Noun
Places of worship, often on elevated terrain, which were frequently used for unauthorized or pagan religious practices throughout Israel's history.
Jeremiah prophesied during Judah's final decades, a time when the nation was deeply entrenched in idolatry, even teaching these practices to their children. The timeline shows how these pagan customs were a long-standing problem, intensified by political instability and foreign influence, ultimately leading to devastating exile.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united Israelite monarchy splits into two kingdoms: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. This division intensifies regional rivalries and religious practices.
c. 8th century BC
Assyrian Influence and Deportations
The powerful Assyrian Empire expands its reach, leading to increased cultural and religious syncretism within the Israelite kingdoms. This period sees both kingdoms absorbing foreign religious practices.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel and deports its population, leaving Judah as the sole remaining Israelite kingdom. This event serves as a stark warning to Judah about the consequences of disobedience.
c. 622 BC
Josiah's Reforms
King Josiah of Judah discovers the Book of the Law and initiates a sweeping religious reformation, attempting to eradicate idolatry and centralize worship in Jerusalem. This event highlights the deep-seated nature of pagan practices.
605 BC— this verse
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquers Judah and begins deporting prominent citizens, including young men like Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's decline and eventual exile.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, culminating in the mass deportation of the remaining population. This event represents the climax of God's judgment on Judah's persistent idolatry.
This passage prohibits the Asherah, the very idol mentioned in Jeremiah, highlighting the long-standing nature of this idolatry.
Deuteronomy 12:2-3This command to destroy pagan altars and sacred places directly contrasts with the persistent, remembered altars and Asherim in Jeremiah's prophecy.
1 Kings 14:23This verse describes the Israelites engaging in the exact same practices—building high places, setting up Asherim, and worshipping under green trees—as Jeremiah condemns.
Isaiah 57:5-8This passage also speaks of idolatrous worship on high places and under trees, painting a similar picture of widespread, ingrained spiritual unfaithfulness.
Ezekiel 20:28-31This prophetic warning echoes Jeremiah's message, showing how the people continued to offer sacrifices and defile themselves with idols, even after judgment.
barnesJeremiah 17:2: "Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills."
While their children remember their altars - Perhaps an allusion to their sacrifices of children to Moloch. Present perhaps at some such blood-stained rite, its horrors would be engraven forever upon the memory. Groves - "Asherahs," i. e., wooden images of Astarte (see Exodus 34:13 note).
clarkeJeremiah 17:2: "Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills."
Whilst their children remember - Even the rising generation have their imagination stocked with idol images, and their memories with the frantic rites and ceremonies which they saw their parents observe in this abominable worship.
The verse points out that idolatry wasn't just a problem of the older generation; it was being passed down, so deeply ingrained that even the children, from a young age, remembered and continued these forbidden practices. It highlights how the very landscape—green trees and high hills—became constant reminders, triggering thoughts and actions associated with their forbidden worship.
Jeremiah is illustrating the deep-rooted nature of Judah's sin by showing how even the next generation is steeped in idolatry. The verse describes how children are taught and remember the forbidden altars and sacred symbols (Asherim) found in prominent, natural settings like green trees and high hills. This memory and practice of pagan worship, passed down from parents, signifies the pervasive and enduring corruption that has taken hold of the people.
Jeremiah is illustrating the deep-rooted nature of Judah's sin by showing how even the next generation is steeped in idolatry. The verse describes how children are taught and remember the forbidden altars and sacred symbols (Asherim) found in prominent, natural settings like green trees and high hills. This memory and practice of pagan worship, passed down from parents, signifies the pervasive and enduring corruption that has taken hold of the people.
"while their children remember their altars and their Asherim, beside every green tree and on the high hills, on the mountains in the open country. Your wealth and all your treasures I will give for spoil as the price of your high places fo…" — The verse points out that idolatry wasn't just a problem of the older generation; it was being passed down, so deeply ingrained that even the children, from a young age, remembered and continued thes…
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