a wild donkey used to the wilderness, in her heat sniffing the wind! Who can restrain her lust? None who seek her need weary themselves; in her month they will find her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse vividly portrays Israel's insatiable pursuit of idolatry as a wild donkey driven by uncontrollable lust. What's easily missed is the stark contrast: unlike the wild donkey's seasonal appetite, Israel’s craving for forbidden worship is presented as a perpetual, "any time" condition, implying a deeper, more dangerous depravity. This wildness means any seeker can easily "find her" because she is always actively seeking out her next obsession, not just responding to opportunity.
a wild donkey used to the wilderness, in her heat sniffing the wind! Who can restrain her lust? None who seek her need weary themselves; in her month they will find her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah is vividly illustrating Judah's relentless pursuit of foreign gods, comparing their unbridled idolatry to a wild female donkey driven by instinct. This pursuit is so intense and self-directed that no one can easily stop her; rather, those who seek her will find her easily when her "season" arrives, indicating her unashamed and constant availability for sinful acts. This imagery highlights their stubborn rebellion against God and their willingness to engage in "promiscuous" worship of other deities whenever the opportunity arises.
Why would Jeremiah compare God's people to a wild donkey? This image is graphic, but it powerfully illustrates a deep spiritual truth about unchecked desire.
A Creature of Pure Impulse
Jeremiah uses the image of a wild ass to describe Israel's devotion to idolatry and sin.
This vivid picture highlights how Israel, in their pursuit of idols and sin, acted with a similar lack of control, driven by an insatiable desire that seemed impossible to bridle.
Jeremiah doesn't just paint a picture of out-of-control desire; he also speaks to the futility of pursuing it. What does this mean for us?
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A Pursuit That Yields Nothing
The imagery continues to show the consequence of this unchecked lust:
Understand the original words
ʾanaq · Hebrew Noun/Verb
Refers to the persistent, uncontrollable pursuit of sinful desires. It characterizes a soul that has abandoned self-control and restraint in order to indulge in idolatry and spiritual adultery.
This passage also uses the imagery of a wild ass, describing its freedom and untamed nature, which parallels Jeremiah's description of Israel's uncontrollable lust for idolatry.
Hosea 2:13This verse speaks of Israel acting like a 'lustful donkey' that runs after lovers, directly reflecting the uncontrolled passion and pursuit of forbidden relationships described in Jeremiah 2:24.
Proverbs 7:10-20This passage illustrates the seductive and unrestrained nature of a harlot who actively seeks out partners, echoing the imagery of the wild ass 'snuffing the wind' and being found 'in her month' due to her unbridled desire.
Isaiah 57:3Here, God calls the rebellious people 'adulterers and harlots,' describing how they 'draw near' to commit sin, mirroring the unrestrained and active pursuit of forbidden relationships depicted in Jeremiah's analogy.
clarkeJeremiah 2:24: "A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her."
A wild ass used to the wilderness - Another comparison to express the same thing. Snuffeth up the wind - In a high fever from the inward heat felt at such times, these animals open their mouths and nostrils as wide as possible, to take in large draughts of fresh air, in order to c…
pooleJeremiah 2:24: "A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her."
A wild ass; or, O wild ass ; another similitude for the more lively description of the same thing; neither need we be solicitous about the variety or extravagancies of conjectures about this beast; or you may consult as before. It is said to be wild and untamed, as being used to t…
The verse vividly portrays Israel's insatiable pursuit of idolatry as a wild donkey driven by uncontrollable lust. What's easily missed is the stark contrast: unlike the wild donkey's seasonal appetite, Israel’s craving for forbidden worship is presented as a perpetual, "any time" condition, implying a deeper, more dangerous depravity. This wildness means any seeker can easily "find her" because she is always actively seeking out her next obsession, not just responding to opportunity.
Jeremiah is vividly illustrating Judah's relentless pursuit of foreign gods, comparing their unbridled idolatry to a wild female donkey driven by instinct. This pursuit is so intense and self-directed that no one can easily stop her; rather, those who seek her will find her easily when her "season" arrives, indicating her unashamed and constant availability for sinful acts. This imagery highlights their stubborn rebellion against God and their willingness to engage in "promiscuous" worship of other deities whenever the opportunity arises.
Jeremiah is vividly illustrating Judah's relentless pursuit of foreign gods, comparing their unbridled idolatry to a wild female donkey driven by instinct. This pursuit is so intense and self-directed that no one can easily stop her; rather, those who seek her will find her easily when her "season" arrives, indicating her unashamed and constant availability for sinful acts. This imagery highlights their stubborn rebellion against God and their willingness to engage in "promiscuous" worship of other deities whenever the opportunity arises.
"a wild donkey used to the wilderness, in her heat sniffing the wind! Who can restrain her lust? None who seek her need weary themselves; in her month they will find her." — The verse vividly portrays Israel's insatiable pursuit of idolatry as a wild donkey driven by uncontrollable lust. What's easily missed is the stark contrast: unlike the wild donkey's seasonal appeti…
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Last reviewed October 2026