For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.

JEREMIAH 2:10KJV
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Jeremiah 2:10 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 2:10 mean?

Jeremiah 2:10 is a challenge from God, spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, telling the people of Judah to look at distant nations—places like Chittim and Kedar—and see if any other nation has ever done what Israel has done. The verse sets up a comparison, asking if any other nation has abandoned its gods the way Israel has abandoned the Lord.

Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah during a time when they have turned away from God to worship other gods. God, through Jeremiah, points to well-known foreign lands—Chittim (often associated with Cyprus or western lands) and Kedar (nomadic tribes to the east)—and urges the people to investigate whether any nation has ever forsaken its own gods. This rhetorical question highlights the uniqueness and seriousness of Judah’s unfaithfulness.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 2:10

  • "isles" (אִיִּים, 'iyyim): This word often refers to distant coastlands or islands, emphasizing the far reach of the search God is asking for—look as far west as you can.
  • "Chittim" (כִּתִּים, Kittim): This name points to a region far to the west, likely Cyprus or the western Mediterranean, representing distant foreign peoples.
  • "Kedar" (קֵדָר, Qedar): Refers to nomadic tribes in the Arabian desert to the east, showing the scope covers both east and west.
  • "consider diligently" (מְאֹד, me'od): This word means "very" or "exceedingly," stressing that the people should look carefully and thoroughly, not just casually.

Why Jeremiah 2:10 matters

  • Jeremiah 2:10 clears up the idea that Israel’s unfaithfulness is a common or understandable thing; the verse stresses that even pagan nations are more loyal to their gods than Israel has been to the true God.
  • The verse sets up a powerful contrast that prepares the reader for the accusation in the next verse, making the charge against Judah stand out more sharply.
  • By referencing both Chittim and Kedar, Jeremiah shows that the lesson is universal—no matter how far you look, you won’t find another nation behaving as Judah has.

Where else these words appear

“Chittim” Hebrew H3794 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 10:4 And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
  • 1 Chronicles 1:7 And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
  • Isaiah 23:12 And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.

“Kedar” Hebrew H6938 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 25:13 And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
  • Song of Solomon 1:5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
  • Isaiah 42:11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.

“isles” Hebrew H339 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 10:5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
  • Isaiah 41:5 The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came.
  • Jeremiah 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.