New International Version Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles beside the spreading trees and on the high hills. New Living Translation Even their children go to worship at their pagan altars and Asherah poles, beneath every green tree and on every high hill. English Standard Version while their children remember their altars and their Asherim, beside every green tree and on the high hills, Berean Standard Bible Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles by the green trees and on the high hills. Berean Literal Bible while their sons remember their altars and their Asherah poles, by the green trees on the high hills. King James Bible Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills. New King James Version While their children remember Their altars and their wooden images By the green trees on the high hills. New American Standard Bible As they remember their children, So they remember their altars and their Asherim By green trees on the high hills. NASB 1995 As they remember their children, So they remember their altars and their Asherim By green trees on the high hills. NASB 1977 As they remember their children, So they remember their altars and their Asherim By green trees on the high hills. Legacy Standard Bible As they remember their children, So they remember their altars and their Asherim By green trees on the high hills. Amplified Bible As they remember their children, So they remember [in detail] their [pagan] altars and their Asherim Beside green trees on the high hills. Berean Annotated Bible Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles (goddess) by the green trees and on the high hills. Christian Standard Bible while their children remember their altars and their Asherah poles, by the green trees on the high hills — Holman Christian Standard Bible while their children remember their altars and their Asherah poles, by the green trees on the high hills— American Standard Version whilst their children remember their altars and their Asherim by the green trees upon the high hills. Contemporary English Version One generation after another has set up pagan altars and worshiped the goddess Asherah everywhere in your country--on hills and mountains, and under large trees. English Revised Version whilst their children remember their altars and their Asherim by the green trees upon the high hills. GOD'S WORD® Translation Even their children remember their altars and their poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah beside large trees on high hills Good News Translation Your people worship at the altars and the symbols that have been set up for the goddess Asherah by every green tree and on the hilltops International Standard Version When their sons remember, they remember their altars and their Asherah poles beside green trees on the high hills. NET Bible Their children are always thinking about their altars and their sacred poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah, set up beside the green trees on the high hills New Heart English Bible while their children remember their altars and their Asherim by the green trees on the high hills. Webster's Bible Translation Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleEven their children remember their altars and Asherah poles by the green trees and on the high hills. World English Bible Even their children remember their altars and their Asherah poles by the green trees on the high hills. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAs their sons remember their altars and their Asherim, "" By the green tree, by the high hills. Berean Literal Bible while their sons remember their altars and their Asherah poles, by the green trees on the high hills. Young's Literal Translation As their sons remember their altars and their shrines, By the green tree, by the high hills. Smith's Literal Translation For their sons remember their altars and their images by the green tree upon the high hills. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhen their children shall remember their altars, and their groves, and their green trees upon high mountains, Catholic Public Domain Version And their sons make a remembrance of their shrines, and their sacred groves, and their leafy trees on high mountains, New American Bible when their children remember their altars and their asherahs, beside the green trees, on the high hills, New Revised Standard Version while their children remember their altars and their sacred poles, beside every green tree, and on the high hills, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd their idols are under every green tree and upon every high hill and upon the mountains and in the open country. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Whenever they recall in their heart their altars and their worshipped things under every tree that is thick and upon every hill that is high OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Like the symbols of their sons are their altars, And their Asherim are by the leafy trees, Upon the high hills. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Sin and Punishment of Judah1“The sin of Judah is written with an iron stylus, engraved with a diamond point on the tablets of their hearts and on the horns of their altars. 2Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles by the green trees and on the high hills. 3O My mountain in the countryside, I will give over your wealth and all your treasures as plunder, because of the sin of your high places, within all your borders.… Cross References Even their children remember their altars 2 Kings 17:41 So these nations worshiped the LORD but also served their idols, and to this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did. Ezekiel 20:18 In the wilderness I said to their children: ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers or keep their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols. Deuteronomy 5:9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, and Asherah poles 2 Chronicles 33:3 For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, and he raised up altars for the Baals and made Asherah poles. And he worshiped and served all the host of heaven. 2 Kings 21:7 Manasseh even took the carved Asherah pole he had made and set it up in the temple, of which the LORD had said to David and his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My Name forever. Deuteronomy 16:21 Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole next to the altar you will build for the LORD your God, by the green trees 2 Kings 17:10 They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. Isaiah 57:5 who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? Hosea 4:13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery. and on the high hills. 2 Kings 17:11 They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger. Deuteronomy 12:2 Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. 2 Chronicles 14:3 He removed the foreign altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and chopped down the Asherah poles. Ezekiel 6:13 Then you will know that I am the LORD, when their slain lie among their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, and under every green tree and leafy oak—the places where they offered fragrant incense to all their idols. 1 Kings 14:23 They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. 2 Chronicles 28:4 And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree. Isaiah 1:29 Surely you will be ashamed of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be embarrassed by the gardens that you have chosen. Treasury of Scripture Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees on the high hills. their children. Jeremiah 7:18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger. Hosea 4:13,14 They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery… their altars. Jeremiah 2:20 For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot. Judges 3:7 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves. 2 Chronicles 24:18 And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass. Jump to Previous Altars Asherah Asherim Ashe'rim Branching Children Green Groves High Hills Leafy Mountains Pillars Poles Remember Spreading Symbols Tree Trees Whilst WoodJump to Next Altars Asherah Asherim Ashe'rim Branching Children Green Groves High Hills Leafy Mountains Pillars Poles Remember Spreading Symbols Tree Trees Whilst WoodJeremiah 17 1. The captivity of Judah for her sin.5. Trust in man is cursed; 7. in God is blessed. 9. The deceitful heart cannot deceive God. 12. The salvation of God. 15. The prophet complains of the mockers of his prophecy. 19. He is sent to renew the covenant in hallowing the Sabbath. Even their children remember their altars Idolatry had become so established in Judah that children grew up knowing its shrines and practices. What earlier generations embraced was being preserved and repeated by those who followed, revealing how deeply rebellion against the Lord had entered family and community life. 2Ki 17:41 So these nations worshiped the LORD but also served… and Asherah poles These wooden cult objects honored Asherah, a Canaanite goddess often associated with Baal worship. Their presence in Judah showed that the people had adopted pagan religious practices and blended them with the worship owed to the Lord alone. 2Ch 33:3 For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah… by the green trees Groves and large trees commonly served as settings for Canaanite worship. Rather than rejecting these pagan sites, many in Judah used them for forbidden ceremonies, turning places within God’s creation into centers of idolatry. 2Ki 17:10 They set up for themselves sacred pillars… and on the high hills. Elevated sites were widely used for pagan altars and sacred objects. Judah’s hills had become visible reminders of its covenant unfaithfulness, as the people sought other gods instead of worshiping the Lord according to His command. 2Ki 17:11 They burned incense on all the high places… Persons / Places / Events 1. Children of IsraelThe descendants of the Israelites who have inherited the practices and idolatry of their ancestors. 2. Altars Structures built for worship, often used in the context of idol worship in this passage. 3. Asherah Poles Wooden symbols associated with the worship of the Canaanite goddess Asherah, representing idolatry. 4. Green Trees Locations often associated with pagan worship practices, symbolizing fertility and life. 5. High Hills Elevated places where idol worship was commonly practiced, signifying a place of spiritual significance. Teaching Points The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. We must examine our lives for modern-day "altars" and "Asherah poles." Generational Influence The practices of one generation can deeply influence the next. It is crucial to pass down a legacy of faithfulness to God rather than idolatry. The Importance of Spiritual Purity Just as the Israelites were commanded to destroy places of idol worship, we must actively remove anything in our lives that competes with our devotion to God. Awareness of Cultural Influences The Israelites were influenced by the surrounding nations. We must be vigilant about the cultural influences that can lead us away from God. Repentance and Restoration God calls us to repentance and offers restoration. We must turn away from idolatry and return to wholehearted worship of the Lord. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 17:2?2. How does Jeremiah 17:2 illustrate the consequences of idolatry in our lives today? 3. What does "their altars and Asherah poles" reveal about Israel's spiritual condition? 4. How can we guard against modern-day idols as warned in Jeremiah 17:2? 5. Compare Jeremiah 17:2 with Exodus 20:3-5. What similarities do you find? 6. How can we ensure our hearts remain faithful to God, avoiding idolatry? 7. What does Jeremiah 17:2 reveal about the Israelites' spiritual condition and idolatry practices? 8. How does Jeremiah 17:2 reflect the consequences of turning away from God? 9. What historical context is necessary to understand Jeremiah 17:2? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 17? (2) Whilst their children remember . . .--If we take "children" as referring to age, there may be a reference to the way in which the horrors of Molech worship were burnt in upon the minds of boys who were present at such a spectacle, so as never to be forgotten, but the general sense in which we speak of the "children" of Israel or Judah seems sufficient. The thought expressed is that every locality that could be used for idolatrous worship made them "remember" that worship, and set about reproducing it. By some interpreters the clause is rendered, as they remember their children so do they their altars and their groves; i.e., their idols are as dear to them as their offspring. The former construction is, however, the more natural, and is best supported by the versions. Groves.--i.e., as throughout the Old Testament, when connected with idolatry, the wooden columns that were the symbols of the Ph?nician goddess Asherah, possibly the same as Astarte (Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 16:21; 1Kings 14:23). The "green trees" suggested the thought of this worship--for the Asherah, though not a grove, was generally connected with one--as the "high hills" did that of the altars. Commonly the worship is described as "under every green tree." Here a different preposition is used, "on the green trees," connecting them with the verb "remember." Verse 2. - Whilst their children remember, etc. The connection of this with the preceding verse is rather obscure. Probably it is intended as an exemplification of the "sin of Judah," the inveterateness of which is shown by their thoughts spontaneously turning to the altars and symbols of the false gods whenever they are near a leafy tree or a high hill (probably "under the green trees" is the right reading; comp. 1 Kings 14:23; so Targum). To make "their sons" the accusative (with Hitzig and Keil), rendering, "As they remember their children, [even so they remember their altars]," seems unnatural; why should "children" and "altars" be associated in idea? Groves; rather, idols of Asherah, the Canaanitish goddess. Jeremiah 17:2 paints a heartbreaking picture: idolatry so entrenched that even the children cherish it, recalling the exact spots—altars, Asherah poles, shady groves, lofty hills—where their nation betrays the LORD. The verse warns that tolerated sin becomes celebrated sin, crossing generational lines and inviting judgment. God’s people are called instead to remember Him, tear down every rival altar, and pass on a legacy of faithfulness rather than rebellion.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Even their childrenבְּנֵיהֶם֙ (bə·nê·hem) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 1121: A son remember כִּזְכֹּ֤ר (kiz·kōr) Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male their altars מִזְבְּחוֹתָ֔ם (miz·bə·ḥō·w·ṯām) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 4196: An altar and Asherah poles, וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶ֖ם (wa·’ă·šê·rê·hem) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 842: A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same by עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the green רַֽעֲנָ֑ן (ra·‘ă·nān) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7488: Verdant, new, prosperous trees, עֵ֣ץ (‘êṣ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood on עַ֖ל (‘al) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the high הַגְּבֹהֽוֹת׃ (hag·gə·ḇō·hō·wṯ) Article | Adjective - feminine plural Strong's 1364: Elevated, powerful, arrogant hills. גְּבָע֥וֹת (gə·ḇā·‘ō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 1389: A hillock Additonal Resources Jeremiah 17:2 Blue Letter BibleJeremiah 17:2 Bible Gateway Jeremiah 17:2 Bible.com Jeremiah 17:2 NIV |
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