Jeremiah 2:8 — Bible Verse (KJV)
“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.”
Jeremiah 2:8 — King James Version (KJV), 1611
Jeremiah 2:8 in 6 Bible Translations
Read Jeremiah 2:8 in the King James Version (KJV) and 5 other free, public-domain translations side by side.
Jeremiah 2:8 WEB — World English Bible (2000)
“The priests didn’t say, ‘Where is Yahweh?’ and those who handle the law didn’t know me. The rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal and followed things that do not profit.”
Jeremiah 2:8 — World English Bible
Jeremiah 2:8 ASV — American Standard Version (1901)
“The priests said not, Where is Jehovah? and they that handle the law knew me not: the rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.”
Jeremiah 2:8 — American Standard Version
Jeremiah 2:8 YLT — Young's Literal Translation (1862)
“The priests have not said, `Where <FI>is<Fi> Jehovah?' And those handling the law have not known Me. And the shepherds transgressed against Me, And the prophets have prophesied by Baal, And after those who profit not have gone.”
Jeremiah 2:8 — Young's Literal Translation
Jeremiah 2:8 DBY — Darby Translation (1890)
“The priests said not, Where is Jehovah? and they that handled the law knew me not; and the shepherds transgressed against me; and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after [things that] do not profit.”
Jeremiah 2:8 — Darby Translation
Jeremiah 2:8 GEN — Geneva Bible (1599)
“The priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that should minister the Lawe, knewe me not: the pastours also offended against me, and the Prophets prophesied in Baal, and went after things that did not profite.”
Jeremiah 2:8 — Geneva Bible
Jeremiah 2:8 in Context — Jeremiah 2
6 Y no dijeron: ¿Dónde está Jehová, que nos hizo subir de tierra de Egipto, que nos hizo andar por el desierto, por una tierra desierta y despoblada, por tierra seca y de sombra de muerte, por una tierra por la cual no pasó varón, ni allí habitó hombre?
7 Y os metí en tierra de Carmelo, para que comieseis su fruto y su bien: mas entrasteis, y contaminasteis mi tierra, é hicisteis mi heredad abominable.
8 Los sacerdotes no dijeron: ¿Dónde está Jehová? y los que tenían la ley no me conocieron; y los pastores se rebelaron contra mí, y los profetas profetizaron en Baal, y anduvieron tras lo que no aprovecha.
9 Por tanto entraré aún en juicio con vosotros, dijo Jehová, y con los hijos de vuestros hijos pleitearé.
10 Porque pasad á las islas de Chîttim y mirad; y enviad á Cedar, y considerad cuidadosamente, y ved si se ha hecho cosa semejante á ésta:
Read the full chapter: Jeremiah 2 — Alive in Christ — By Grace Through Faith →
What Does Jeremiah 2:8 Mean?
Ephesians 2:8-9 — 'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast' — is the clearest statement of the doctrine of salvation by grace alone in the entire Bible. Paul is writing to Gentile believers in Ephesus who had no prior covenant standing with God. His point is foundational: the source of salvation is God's grace (unmerited favor), the channel is faith (trust, not achievement), and the explicit negative is works. The phrase 'that not of yourselves' eliminates every human contribution to the act of salvation itself — including the faith. Paul's grammar suggests that the entire package (grace-through-faith salvation) is 'not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.' This verse does not negate the importance of good works (verse 10 immediately follows: 'we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works'). Rather, it separates the basis of salvation (grace alone) from the evidence of salvation (good works). You are not saved by works, but you are saved unto works. Grace produces the very obedience that law demands but cannot create.
Jeremiah 2:8 is from the Book of Jeremiah (Old Testament), chapter 2. Available translations: King James Version (1611), World English Bible (2000), American Standard Version (1901), Young's Literal Translation (1862), Darby Translation (1890), Geneva Bible (1599). Read Jeremiah 2 in full context →
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