Jeremiah 2:18-19
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This verse isn't just about foreign alliances; it's a pointed question about misplaced trust. By "drinking the waters" of Egypt or Assyria, the people were not only seeking political help but also adopting the very principles and ways of worship of those foreign nations, essentially trading God's faithful provision for deceptive, muddy waters.
And now what do you gain by going to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? Or what do you gain by going to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates? Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the LORD your God; the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord GOD of hosts.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah is directly challenging Judah's dangerous foreign policy, urging them to remember their covenant with God instead of seeking help from powerful empires like Egypt and Assyria. This follows his earlier pronouncements about Judah abandoning God, their "fountain of living waters," for "broken cisterns" – alliances that ultimately fail. The prophet highlights their persistent tendency to turn to these foreign powers for security, as if God's provision were insufficient.
Why would Jeremiah talk about drinking water when he's discussing foreign policy? It turns out these mighty rivers were more than just sources of water.
Jeremiah uses the great rivers of Egypt (the Nile, called Sihor) and Assyria (the Euphrates) as powerful metaphors.
The Water of Nations
These rivers represented the dominant empires of the time. To 'drink the waters' of Egypt or Assyria meant seeking alliances, drawing strength, and adopting the principles and even the idolatrous practices of these foreign powers.
A False Hope
God contrasts these 'rivers' with Himself, the 'fountain of living waters.' Just as the people were trying to find life-sustaining water from these foreign sources, they were actually turning away from the true source of life and help – God Himself. These alliances were like broken cisterns, unable to hold water and ultimately useless.
Jeremiah calls out Israel's constant political maneuvering. What was so wrong with trying to make deals with the powerful nations around them?
Israel's history was marked by a dangerous pattern: when threatened, they would seek alliances with either Egypt to the south or Assyria (later Babylon) to the north.
A 'Broken Reed'
These powerful empires were not reliable allies. Egypt, often depicted as a 'broken reed,' would fail to support them when they needed it most. Assyria and Babylon, while mighty, were also expansionist powers that often ended up conquering and oppressing Israel.
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Undermining the Covenant
More importantly, these alliances were a betrayal of their covenant with God. God had established Israel as a unique nation, called to trust in Him alone for protection and provision. Turning to foreign powers was a rejection of God's sovereignty and a sign of deep spiritual unfaithfulness.
Understand the original words
meshubah · Hebrew Noun
Apostasy refers to the act of falling away, rebelling, or backsliding from one's previously held faith or covenant commitment to God. It describes an active abandonment of the relationship and obedience owed to the Lord.
pachad · Hebrew Noun
In the Bible, the fear of the Lord is a reverent awe and profound respect for God’s holiness, authority, and power. It is the beginning of wisdom and leads to a life of humble obedience and avoidance of sin.
seba'ot · Hebrew Noun
The Lord GOD of hosts refers to the Sovereign God who commands the angelic armies and the entire universe. It emphasizes His supreme power and authority over all created beings and nations.
The prophet Jeremiah uses the imagery of powerful, life-giving rivers like the Nile (Sihor) and Euphrates to highlight Judah's foolish reliance on foreign alliances with Egypt and Assyria/Babylon, contrasting these 'broken cisterns' with God, the true 'fountain of living waters.'
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Dominance and Vassalage
The Neo-Assyrian Empire was a dominant superpower, often forcing surrounding kingdoms, including Israel and Judah, into vassalage and tribute. This period saw repeated interventions and deportations.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Israel
The Northern Kingdom of Israel fell to the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Many Israelites were exiled, and their land was repopulated with foreigners, marking a significant geopolitical shift.
c. 630s-620s BC
Josiah's Reforms and Resistance
King Josiah of Judah implemented religious reforms and sought to maintain independence. He resisted the advance of Pharaoh Necho of Egypt on his way to aid Assyria, resulting in Josiah's death.
c. 609 BC— this verse
Jehoiakim's Egyptian Alliance
Following Josiah's death, his successor Jehoiakim became a vassal of Egypt. This alliance involved paying tribute to Egypt and adopting its political alignments.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
The Neo-Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar II, defeated the Egyptians at Carchemish. Jerusalem was besieged, and members of the royal family and elite were deported to Babylon.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
After further rebellion, Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population. This marked the end of Judah as an independent kingdom.
This passage directly critiques seeking help from Egypt, mirroring Jeremiah's accusation that Judah is looking to the Nile (Sihor) for aid instead of God. Both prophets expose the futility and misplaced trust in foreign alliances.
Hosea 7:11Hosea also condemns alliances with foreign powers, comparing Israel to a 'stupid dove' fluttering between Egypt and Assyria. This echoes Jeremiah's questioning of why Judah turns to these same empires for help.
Jeremiah 2:13This verse, immediately preceding the one in question, describes Judah forsaking God, the 'fountain of living waters,' for 'broken cisterns.' The reference to Egypt and Assyria's waters in Jeremiah 2:18 vividly illustrates these 'broken cisterns' that cannot hold water, intensifying the critique.
Isaiah 8:6-7Isaiah uses the imagery of the 'waters of Shiloah' (a subtle reference to Jerusalem's own water source) and contrasts it with the 'raging waters of the River' (Euphrates, representing Assyria). This provides a similar prophetic metaphor, highlighting the danger of relying on powerful foreign nations over God's provision.
clarkeJeremiah 2:18: "And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?"
What hast thou to do in the way of Egypt - Why dost thou make alliances with Egypt? To drink the waters of Sihor? - This means the Nile. See on Isaiah 23:3 (note). The way of Assyria - Why make alliances with the Assyrians? All such connections will only expedite thy ruin. To drink the waters of the river? - The Euphrat…
pulpitJeremiah 2:18: "And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?"
Verse 18. - What hast thou to do in the way of Egypt? rather, with the way to Egypt. Isaiah (Isaiah 30:2-5; Isaiah 31:1) and Hosea (Hosea 7:11, 16) had already inveighed against an Egyptian alliance. The name given by Manasseh to his sen and successor (Amen) suggests that at one period in his reign an Egyptian policy wa…
This verse isn't just about foreign alliances; it's a pointed question about misplaced trust. By "drinking the waters" of Egypt or Assyria, the people were not only seeking political help but also adopting the very principles and ways of worship of those foreign nations, essentially trading God's faithful provision for deceptive, muddy waters.
Jeremiah is directly challenging Judah's dangerous foreign policy, urging them to remember their covenant with God instead of seeking help from powerful empires like Egypt and Assyria. This follows his earlier pronouncements about Judah abandoning God, their "fountain of living waters," for "broken cisterns" – alliances that ultimately fail. The prophet highlights their persistent tendency to turn to these foreign powers for security, as if God's provision were insufficient.
Jeremiah is directly challenging Judah's dangerous foreign policy, urging them to remember their covenant with God instead of seeking help from powerful empires like Egypt and Assyria. This follows his earlier pronouncements about Judah abandoning God, their "fountain of living waters," for "broken cisterns" – alliances that ultimately fail. The prophet highlights their persistent tendency to turn to these foreign powers for security, as if God's provision were insufficient.
"And now what do you gain by going to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? Or what do you gain by going to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates? Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will repro…" — This verse isn't just about foreign alliances; it's a pointed question about misplaced trust. By "drinking the waters" of Egypt or Assyria, the people were not only seeking political help but also ad…
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Last reviewed October 2026
