who say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their back to me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they say, ‘Arise and save us!’
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights a striking contrast: people call inanimate objects their "father" and "mother" when things are good, but only cry out to God for salvation when they're in trouble. This reveals their hollow devotion, treating God as a last resort rather than their true source of life and support.
who say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their back to me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they say, ‘Arise and save us!’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah exposes the depth of Israel’s apostasy by illustrating their worship of lifeless idols, calling trees and stones their creators. This direct rejection of God, turning their backs on Him, is contrasted with their desperate cries for salvation when trouble strikes. These laments reveal their fickle reliance on false gods, only turning to the true God when their idols fail them.
What does it mean to call a tree 'father' and a stone 'mother'? Jeremiah paints a vivid, almost absurd picture of Israel's spiritual bankruptcy.
Israel had turned away from the true God, the Creator and Sustainer of all life. Instead, they created idols from lifeless objects—trees and stones—and attributed to them the very roles of parenthood, fatherhood, and motherhood. This wasn't just a minor mistake; it was a profound reversal of reality.
The Ultimate Insult
Jeremiah points out a chilling detail: Israel turned their 'back' to God, not their 'face.' What does this subtle distinction reveal about their rebellion?
The imagery of turning one's back signifies rejection and deliberate disregard. While facing someone implies attention, acknowledgment, and relationship, turning one's back is an act of dismissal.
A Calculated Disconnect
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When disaster strikes, a desperate cry goes up: 'Arise and save us!' But who are they calling to, and why is this cry so telling?
This verse exposes the superficiality of Israel's devotion. They embraced idols in times of peace and prosperity, but when trouble hit, their true allegiance surfaced in a panicked plea to the one true God.
The God of Necessity, Not Choice
Jeremiah's prophecy in this verse is a stinging indictment against the people of Judah during the late monarchy, especially as they faced the looming threat of Babylonian conquest. Their turning to lifeless idols for help, while shunning God, highlights a profound spiritual crisis right before their ultimate national catastrophe.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following King Solomon's death, the united Kingdom of Israel splits into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This division often led to increased idolatry and shifting alliances.
c. 8th Century BC
Assyrian Dominance
The Neo-Assyrian Empire rises to power, expanding its influence and often demanding tribute from the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. This period saw significant political and military pressure.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The capital of the Northern Kingdom, Samaria, falls to the Assyrians, leading to the deportation of a large portion of its population and the end of the northern kingdom as a distinct entity.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under King Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon defeats Egypt and begins deporting key citizens and treasures from Judah to Babylon, marking the start of the Babylonian exile.
c. 587/586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This event is a profound crisis for the Judean people.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, opening the way for the return of Jewish exiles to Judah.
This passage echoes Jeremiah's theme, describing the futility of the people's calls for help from hills and mountains, contrasting their vain idol worship with their eventual desperate cry to God.
Isaiah 44:17This verse highlights the utter foolishness of idol worship, as described in Jeremiah, by showing how people use the same wood for fuel and for making an idol, a stark depiction of the inanimate nature of their gods.
Judges 10:10This passage directly parallels the sentiment of Jeremiah 2:27, showing the Israelites crying out to God in their distress after turning away to worship other gods, a recurring pattern of seeking divine help only when in trouble.
Hosea 2:3Similar to Jeremiah's complaint, Hosea describes the spiritual adultery of Israel, where they turn to idols for provision and support, only to later cry out to God when their false gods fail them.
Psalm 115:4-7This psalm directly critiques the nature of idols, describing them as objects of silver and gold made by human hands, with mouths that do not speak and eyes that do not see, underscoring the lifelessness of what Jeremiah's people were worshipping.
pulpitJeremiah 2:27: "Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us."
Verse 27. - And to a stone, etc. Stone ('ebhen) is feminine in Hebrew, and therefore addressed as the mother.
clarkeJeremiah 2:27: "Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us."
Thou art my father - By thee we have been produced, and by thee we are sustained. This was the property of the true God; for he is the Author and Supporter of being. How deeply fallen and brutishly ignorant must they be when they could attribute this to the stock of a t…
The verse highlights a striking contrast: people call inanimate objects their "father" and "mother" when things are good, but only cry out to God for salvation when they're in trouble. This reveals their hollow devotion, treating God as a last resort rather than their true source of life and support.
Jeremiah exposes the depth of Israel’s apostasy by illustrating their worship of lifeless idols, calling trees and stones their creators. This direct rejection of God, turning their backs on Him, is contrasted with their desperate cries for salvation when trouble strikes. These laments reveal their fickle reliance on false gods, only turning to the true God when their idols fail them.
Jeremiah exposes the depth of Israel’s apostasy by illustrating their worship of lifeless idols, calling trees and stones their creators. This direct rejection of God, turning their backs on Him, is contrasted with their desperate cries for salvation when trouble strikes. These laments reveal their fickle reliance on false gods, only turning to the true God when their idols fail them.
"who say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their back to me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they say, ‘Arise and save us!’" — The verse highlights a striking contrast: people call inanimate objects their "father" and "mother" when things are good, but only cry out to God for salvation when they're in trouble. This reveals t…
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Last reviewed October 2026