“But from our youth the shameful thing has devoured all for which our fathers labored, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The "shame" that devoured everything wasn't just a general feeling of embarrassment; it was specifically the idol Baal, a name that literally means "lord" but which the people deliberately twisted to "shame" because of its corrupting and ruinous influence. This verse highlights how deeply the people were entangled in the destructive practices of idolatry, to the point where the very symbols of their devotion were the source of their utter devastation.
“But from our youth the shameful thing has devoured all for which our fathers labored, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following a direct plea from God for Israel to return from their idolatry, the prophet voices Israel's confession of persistent, shameful sin. This verse highlights how their lifelong devotion to idols, specifically Baal ("the shameful thing"), has utterly destroyed the fruits of their ancestors' hard work and even led to the sacrifice of their children. The context is a profound, nationwide admission of guilt and the ruinous consequences of turning away from the Lord.
The verse calls something a 'shameful thing' that has 'devoured' everything. What is this 'thing,' and how does it consume lives?
The word translated 'shame' in this verse isn't just a feeling; it's often a direct reference to the idol 'Baal.':
Baal: The God of Shame
Idolatry, therefore, wasn't just a misplaced devotion; it was a destructive force that consumed the blessings God had given.
The verse laments that the 'shameful thing' has devoured not just present gains, but the 'labor of our fathers.' What does this say about the long-term consequences of sin?
Jeremiah 3:24 highlights that the cost of idolatry wasn't confined to one generation. It had a devastating, generational impact:
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Inherited Ruin
Understand the original words
bosheth · Hebrew Noun
A term used in the prophets as a polemical name for Baal or his associated idols. It highlights the inherent futility and disgusting nature of idolatry, as it brings only ruin rather than the promised blessings.
This verse comes from Jeremiah's powerful indictment of Judah's persistent idolatry, a sin deeply embedded since the nation's early days. The 'shameful thing' refers directly to the idol Baal, which the people had served instead of Yahweh. The verse highlights the devastating consequences of this unfaithfulness: the loss of their livelihood (flocks, herds) and even their children, likely through horrific sacrifices, all stemming from the spiritual corruption that began in their youth and culminated in the Babylonian deportations.
c. 8th Century BC
Rise of Baal Worship
The worship of Baal, a Canaanite fertility god, became widespread in Israel and Judah, often syncretized with Yahwistic practices. This led to spiritual compromise and idolatry.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling many inhabitants. This event served as a stark warning of the consequences of disobedience and idolatry.
c. 640-609 BC
Reign of Josiah and Religious Reforms
King Josiah of Judah initiated significant religious reforms, attempting to purge the land of idolatrous practices and re-establish pure worship of Yahweh. This created a brief period of renewed devotion.
c. 609 BC
Death of Josiah
King Josiah was killed in battle at Megiddo while opposing Egyptian forces. His death marked a turning point, leading to a rapid decline in Judah's spiritual and political fortunes.
605 BC— this verse
First Deportation to Babylon
Under King Jehoiakim, Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and carried away a first group of exiles, including members of the royal family and skilled artisans. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar deported more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin, after another siege of Jerusalem.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians finally destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and scattering the remaining population into exile.
This passage echoes Jeremiah's sentiment, describing Israel's past devotion to shameful idols, just as Jeremiah lamented that 'the shameful thing has devoured' their labor and families.
Jeremiah 11:13This verse explicitly links Israel's numerous idols to 'shame' and the loss of God's favor, reinforcing Jeremiah 3:24's depiction of these 'shameful things' devouring the nation's prosperity and people.
Psalm 106:37-38This psalm recounts how Israel sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons, directly illustrating Jeremiah 3:24's graphic image of how 'the shameful thing' consumed 'their sons and their daughters'.
Ezekiel 16:16-17This passage describes Jerusalem's idolatry using striking imagery of taking beautiful things and making idols, paralleling Jeremiah's theme of how the nation's focus on 'shameful things' led to the perversion and loss of what they had laboriously acquired.
barnesJeremiah 3:24: "For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters."
For ... - And. It is the continuation of the thought in Jeremiah 3:23 . Idolatry was there described as unprofitable, here as ruinous and hurtful. Shame - literally, the shame (Bosheth, personified), that is, "Baal." The names "Bosheth" and "Baal" are constantly interchanged. Compare Judges 6:31-32. Their flocks and their herds - The temperate and sobe…
wesleyJeremiah 3:24: "For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters."
3:24 Shame - Sin, which causes shame, for that brought shame first into the world. Devoured - This hath been the fruit of our labour.
The "shame" that devoured everything wasn't just a general feeling of embarrassment; it was specifically the idol Baal, a name that literally means "lord" but which the people deliberately twisted to "shame" because of its corrupting and ruinous influence. This verse highlights how deeply the people were entangled in the destructive practices of idolatry, to the point where the very symbols of their devotion were the source of their utter devastation.
Following a direct plea from God for Israel to return from their idolatry, the prophet voices Israel's confession of persistent, shameful sin. This verse highlights how their lifelong devotion to idols, specifically Baal ("the shameful thing"), has utterly destroyed the fruits of their ancestors' hard work and even led to the sacrifice of their children. The context is a profound, nationwide admission of guilt and the ruinous consequences of turning away from the Lord.
Following a direct plea from God for Israel to return from their idolatry, the prophet voices Israel's confession of persistent, shameful sin. This verse highlights how their lifelong devotion to idols, specifically Baal ("the shameful thing"), has utterly destroyed the fruits of their ancestors' hard work and even led to the sacrifice of their children. The context is a profound, nationwide admission of guilt and the ruinous consequences of turning away from the Lord.
"“But from our youth the shameful thing has devoured all for which our fathers labored, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters." — The "shame" that devoured everything wasn't just a general feeling of embarrassment; it was specifically the idol Baal, a name that literally means "lord" but which the people deliberately twisted to…
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Last reviewed October 2026