Jeremiah 2:37 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 2:37 mean?

Jeremiah 2:37 warns that the people will leave in defeat and shame, with their hands on their heads, because the LORD has rejected the things they trusted in, and they will not succeed through them. The verse makes clear that relying on those false confidences will not bring prosperity or help.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah, who have been seeking help from foreign nations instead of trusting the LORD (H3068; יְהוָה, Yahweh). The image of going forth with hands on the head is a sign of grief and humiliation. Jeremiah tells them plainly that their alliances and strategies (their "confidences") will fail because God has rejected (H3988; מָאַס, ma'as) those efforts.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 2:37

• "Rejected" (מָאַס, ma'as, H3988) means to despise or refuse. Here it emphasizes that God is not just ignoring their plans but actively refusing to support what they have put their trust in.
• "Confidences" (מִבְטַח, mivtach, H4009) refers to things or people in which one puts trust. The verse highlights that these are not just general hopes, but specific sources of security the people have chosen instead of God.
• "Prosper" (צָלַח, tsalach, H6743) means to succeed or thrive. The verse makes it clear that without God's approval, their efforts will not bring the success they expect.

Why Jeremiah 2:37 matters

• Jeremiah 2:37 clarifies that seeking security apart from God leads to disappointment and shame, not just a neutral outcome.
• The verse connects to the larger message of Jeremiah 2, where the prophet rebukes Judah for abandoning their relationship with God in favor of unreliable alliances.
• The vivid image of "hands upon thine head" helps readers understand the depth of the people's coming humiliation and the seriousness of turning away from God.