The priests did not say, ‘Where is the LORD?’ Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse points out that not only did the people stray, but their spiritual and civil leaders—priests, scribes, rulers, and prophets—were deeply complicit, either through deliberate ignorance, professional neglect, or outright betrayal of God by serving false deities. This highlights that spiritual decay often starts at the top, with those expected to lead others toward God actively turning away from Him.
The priests did not say, ‘Where is the LORD?’ Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In this passage, Jeremiah confronts Judah about their spiritual unfaithfulness, likening their departure from God to a wife abandoning her husband. He's already established that the people have forgotten the LORD who rescued them from Egypt and led them through the wilderness. Now, the prophet turns his focus to the nation's spiritual and civil leaders, revealing their complicity in the people's widespread rebellion against God.
Imagine going to church and the leaders have no idea who God is. Jeremiah says this was the reality in his day.
Jeremiah calls out the priests first. Their job was to know and teach about the LORD. But the verse states, 'The priests did not say, ‘Where is the LORD?’’ This isn't just a question they forgot to ask; it signifies a deep-seated indifference. They were going through the motions of their religious duties, but the actual presence and will of God were absent from their minds and conversations. They 'handled the law' – meaning they were experts in its details and procedures – but this knowledge didn't lead them to know the LORD personally. It was a knowledge about God, not a relationship with God.
The leaders who should have guided the people ended up leading them away from God. How does this happen?
The verse then shifts to 'the shepherds.' In ancient Israel, 'shepherds' often referred to kings and civil rulers – those responsible for the well-being and guidance of God's people. Their sin is described as 'transgressed against me.' This wasn't just minor disobedience; it was rebellion and betrayal. Instead of protecting and leading the flock towards the LORD, they actively rebelled against Him. They failed in their fundamental duty: to rule justly and in accordance with God's will. Their leadership led the nation further into spiritual decay.
Even the spiritual guides, the prophets, were leading people astray with messages not from God.
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Finally, Jeremiah addresses the prophets. Their role was to deliver God's message, to speak His truth. But these prophets 'prophesied by Baal.' Baal was a prominent Canaanite deity associated with fertility and storms. By prophesying 'by Baal,' they were not just worshipping an idol; they were drawing their 'inspiration' and messages from false sources. They were essentially conduits for demonic lies. The verse concludes that they 'went after things that do not profit' – idols and false practices that offered no true benefit or salvation. This highlights a complete inversion: those meant to lead people to the life-giving God were actively directing them towards worthless and destructive falsehoods.
Understand the original words
kohen · Hebrew Noun
Religious officials responsible for mediating between God and the people through sacrifice, teaching, and maintaining ritual purity.
torah · Hebrew Noun
The divine instruction or revelation given by God, serving as the standard for life, faith, and behavior for the people of Israel.
ro'eh · Hebrew Noun/Participle
A term often used metaphorically for leaders (kings, princes, or prophets) tasked with the care, guidance, and protection of God’s people.
pasha' · Hebrew Verb
To cross over a boundary, to rebel, or to break a covenant; it implies a conscious act of revolt against God's authority.
Ba'al · Hebrew Noun
A generic Canaanite deity or idol; in biblical polemic, it represents the worship of false gods who are powerless and unable to deliver.
This verse reveals the depth of spiritual corruption in Judah, where the very leaders meant to guide the people toward God had instead abandoned Him, leading worship of false gods and embracing hollow traditions.
c. 870 BC
Ahab Introduces Baal Worship
King Ahab of the northern Kingdom of Israel, influenced by his Phoenician wife Jezebel, promotes the worship of Baal, leading to widespread religious corruption and persecution of prophets of the LORD.
c. 740 BC
Assyrian Empire's Rise
The Neo-Assyrian Empire begins its aggressive expansion, putting increasing political and military pressure on the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, contributing to a climate of fear and instability.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian army conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, destroying its capital Samaria and deporting its population, serving as a dire warning to Judah.
c. 627 BC
Jeremiah's Call to Prophesy
Jeremiah is called by God to prophesy to Judah, facing a nation deeply entrenched in religious apostasy, political intrigue, and facing the looming threat of Babylonian invasion.
609 BC
Josiah's Reforms Reversed
Following the death of the godly King Josiah, Judah quickly abandons his reforms and reverts to idolatry and syncretism, despite Jeremiah's warnings.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a group of its elite citizens, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon, marking the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 600 BC— this verse
Jeremiah Denounces Religious Leaders
Jeremiah confronts the spiritual and civil leaders of Judah, exposing their hypocrisy, ignorance of God, and their role in leading the people into idolatry and ultimately, destruction.
This passage echoes Jeremiah's lament, stating that God's people are destroyed 'for lack of knowledge' and that the priests have rejected knowledge, showing a recurring theme of spiritual leadership failing to know or teach about the Lord.
Ezekiel 34:2-10This passage directly addresses the 'shepherds' (rulers) who have failed to care for God's flock, instead feeding themselves and scattering the sheep. It parallels Jeremiah's accusation of spiritual and civil leaders transgressing against God.
1 Kings 18:20-40The confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel vividly illustrates the very 'prophesying by Baal' that Jeremiah condemns, showing the intense spiritual battle and the ultimate vindication of the LORD over false gods.
Micah 3:11This verse criticizes the leaders of Israel who 'teach for hire' and 'prophesy for money,' while claiming the Lord is among them. It aligns with Jeremiah's message that those who should be upholding God's law and truth are instead corrupt and serving their own interests or false deities.
clarkeJeremiah 2:8: "The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit."
They that handle the law - ותפשי vethophe shey, they that draw out the law; they whose office it is to explain it, draw out its spiritual meanings, and show to what its testimonies refer. The pastors also - Kings, political and civil rulers. Prophesied by Baal - Became his pr…
pulpitJeremiah 2:8: "The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit."
Verse 8. - The priests, etc. The blame principally falls on the three leading classes (as in ver. 26; Micah 3:11). First on the priests who "handle the Law," i.e. who have a traditional knowledge of the details of the Law, and teach the people accordingly (Deuteronomy 17:9-11;…
The verse points out that not only did the people stray, but their spiritual and civil leaders—priests, scribes, rulers, and prophets—were deeply complicit, either through deliberate ignorance, professional neglect, or outright betrayal of God by serving false deities. This highlights that spiritual decay often starts at the top, with those expected to lead others toward God actively turning away from Him.
In this passage, Jeremiah confronts Judah about their spiritual unfaithfulness, likening their departure from God to a wife abandoning her husband. He's already established that the people have forgotten the LORD who rescued them from Egypt and led them through the wilderness. Now, the prophet turns his focus to the nation's spiritual and civil leaders, revealing their complicity in the people's widespread rebellion against God.
In this passage, Jeremiah confronts Judah about their spiritual unfaithfulness, likening their departure from God to a wife abandoning her husband. He's already established that the people have forgotten the LORD who rescued them from Egypt and led them through the wilderness. Now, the prophet turns his focus to the nation's spiritual and civil leaders, revealing their complicity in the people's widespread rebellion against God.
"The priests did not say, ‘Where is the LORD?’ Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit." — The verse points out that not only did the people stray, but their spiritual and civil leaders—priests, scribes, rulers, and prophets—were deeply complicit, either through deliberate ignorance, profe…
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Last reviewed October 2026