Jeremiah 2:11-13
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The verse highlights a stark contrast: even pagan nations remain remarkably loyal to their false gods, while God's own people have abandoned their true glory – the LORD Himself – for things that offer no lasting value. This wasn't just a change of religious practice, but a rejection of their ultimate source of honor and well-being.
Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is confronting His people about their unfaithfulness, comparing them to pagan nations who, despite worshipping false gods, remain loyal to them. Jeremiah challenges Israel by asking if any other nation would abandon its gods, even though they are mere idols, emphasizing Israel's unique betrayal of the true God who was their true glory and source of prosperity. This stands in stark contrast to the ephemeral and ultimately useless things they’ve turned to instead.
Imagine a world obsessed with fake gods, yet fiercely loyal to them. Now consider how Israel stacked up. This verse throws a surprising challenge at us.
Jeremiah uses a stark comparison to highlight Israel's unfaithfulness. He asks, 'Has a nation ever changed its gods?' The implied answer is a resounding 'no!'.
We often hear about the 'glory' of God. But what happens when we trade that glory for something that offers nothing in return?
The verse hits hard with the phrase 'that which does not profit.' This points to the ultimate futility of chasing anything other than the living God.
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Understand the original words
goy · Hebrew Noun
Refers to a people group or ethnic body, often used in contrast to Israel (the nations/Gentiles) or to describe the corporate entity of Israel itself. In the Old Testament, it emphasizes the collective identity and political structure of a people.
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The Hebrew term for the God of Israel, the covenant-keeping I AM who revealed Himself to Moses. It signifies His holiness, faithfulness, and supreme authority as the Creator and Redeemer.
kabod · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the manifestation of God's presence, majesty, and character. In this context, it speaks to the honor and unique dignity that belongs to God, which Israel foolishly traded away.
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
A moral or spiritual failing that contradicts God's law or His character. In Scripture, evil is not just a mistake but an active rebellion against the divine order.
'azab · Hebrew Verb
To abandon, leave behind, or turn away from someone or something. In a covenantal context, it describes the act of apostasy or willful turning away from God to pursue idols.
maqor mayim hayyim · Hebrew Noun phrase
A metaphor for God as the perpetual, self-sustaining source of life, grace, and spiritual refreshment. Unlike a stagnant pool, "living water" refers to flowing, life-giving water.
bor · Hebrew Noun
Man-made receptacles intended to store rainwater. Biblically, they represent human attempts to create their own security, satisfaction, or salvation apart from God, which ultimately prove ineffective.
shamem · Hebrew Verb/Adjective
A condition of extreme desolation, ruin, or spiritual emptiness. It characterizes the consequences of judgment or the state of being forsaken by God.
This verse hits hard because Jeremiah is speaking to a people who have experienced God's incredible power and faithfulness, evidenced by their very existence as a nation chosen by Him. Unlike pagan nations who might stick with their powerless idols out of tradition, Israel is abandoning the one true God who is their glory and source of true profit, a betrayal far more egregious.
c. 18th century BC
Abrahamic Covenant Established
God establishes a foundational covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants and a special relationship, laying the groundwork for Israel's unique identity.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God dramatically rescues the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, giving them His Law at Mount Sinai and establishing the Mosaic Covenant. This event solidifies their status as God's chosen people.
c. 10th century BC
United Monarchy Peaks
Under Kings David and Solomon, Israel experiences a period of national unity and prominence, with Jerusalem as its capital and the Ark of the Covenant housed in the Temple.
931 BC
Kingdom Divides
Following Solomon's reign, the unified kingdom splits into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, weakening the nation politically and spiritually.
722 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Northern Kingdom
The powerful Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling its people and scattering them, a stark warning to Judah.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar conquers Judah and begins deporting its elite citizens, including young Daniel, to Babylon as a form of control and assimilation.
c. 590 BC— this verse
Jeremiah Prophesies
Jeremiah delivers his prophetic messages, including this verse, during a time of severe national crisis, warning Judah of impending destruction due to their unfaithfulness to God.
This passage describes Israel making a golden calf and changing their 'glory' (God) for an idol, directly mirroring Jeremiah's accusation that they exchanged God for worthless things.
Romans 1:22-23Paul describes people exchanging the glory of the immortal God for images crafted by human hands, echoing Jeremiah's theme of forsaking the true God for worthless substitutes.
Galatians 3:1Paul calls the Galatians 'foolish' for turning away from Jesus Christ, who was set forth publicly as crucified, which aligns with Jeremiah's rebuke of his people for abandoning their true glory.
1 Samuel 4:21The exclamation 'Ichabod' ('The glory has departed from Israel!') after the Ark of God was captured powerfully illustrates the concept of losing one's true glory, as described by Jeremiah.
henryJeremiah 2:9-13: "Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead."
2:9-13 Before God punishes sinners, he pleads with them, to bring them to repentance. He pleads with us, what we should plead with ourselves. Be afraid to think of the wrath and curse which will be the portion of those who throw themselves out of God's grace and favour. Grace in Christ is compared to water from a fountain, it being cooling and refreshing, cleansing and making…
barnesJeremiah 2:11: "Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit."
A nation - A Gentile nation, in strong antithesis to people, the appellation of Israel. Their glory - Though the worship of the one true God is a nation's greatest glory, yet it is irksome because it puts a constraint on human passions. That which doth not profit - Israel had exchanged the prosperity which was God's reward of obedience for the calamiti…
The verse highlights a stark contrast: even pagan nations remain remarkably loyal to their false gods, while God's own people have abandoned their true glory – the LORD Himself – for things that offer no lasting value. This wasn't just a change of religious practice, but a rejection of their ultimate source of honor and well-being.
God is confronting His people about their unfaithfulness, comparing them to pagan nations who, despite worshipping false gods, remain loyal to them. Jeremiah challenges Israel by asking if any other nation would abandon its gods, even though they are mere idols, emphasizing Israel's unique betrayal of the true God who was their true glory and source of prosperity. This stands in stark contrast to the ephemeral and ultimately useless things they’ve turned to instead.
God is confronting His people about their unfaithfulness, comparing them to pagan nations who, despite worshipping false gods, remain loyal to them. Jeremiah challenges Israel by asking if any other nation would abandon its gods, even though they are mere idols, emphasizing Israel's unique betrayal of the true God who was their true glory and source of prosperity. This stands in stark contrast to the ephemeral and ultimately useless things they’ve turned to instead.
"Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate,…" — The verse highlights a stark contrast: even pagan nations remain remarkably loyal to their false gods, while God's own people have abandoned their true glory – the LORD Himself – for things that offe…
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Last reviewed October 2026
