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 2:8KJV
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Jeremiah 2:8 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 2:8 mean?

Jeremiah 2:8 describes how Israel’s religious and spiritual leaders failed in their responsibilities: the priests did not seek God, those who taught the law did not truly know Him, the shepherds (leaders) rebelled, and the prophets spoke by the name of Baal and followed worthless things. The verse points to a complete breakdown among all levels of leadership, showing why the nation had strayed from God.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s message to the people of Judah, calling out the failure of every group responsible for guiding the nation spiritually. The verse lists priests, teachers of the law, leaders, and prophets, showing that none were faithful to God—some even turned to Baal, a foreign god, and pursued things that brought no benefit. This sets the stage for understanding why God is bringing judgment and calling the people to account.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 2:8

  • The word for "priests" (כֹּהֵן, kohen) refers to those who were supposed to lead worship and teach about God, highlighting their failure to even ask, “Where is the LORD?” (יְהוָה, YHWH).
  • "Handle the law" uses the word תָּפַשׂ (taphas), which means to grasp or take hold of, suggesting that those who were supposed to be experts in God’s instruction (תּוֹרָה, torah) did not truly know (יָדַע, yada) God personally.
  • "Pastors" (רָעָה, ra‘ah) here means shepherds or rulers, not just religious leaders, showing that even political or community leaders had rebelled (פָּשַׁע, pasha‘) against God.
  • The prophets (נָבִיא, navi) are accused of prophesying by Baal (בַּעַל, Ba‘al), a Canaanite god, and following after things that do not profit (יָעַל, ya‘al), emphasizing their pursuit of empty, false religion.

Why Jeremiah 2:8 matters

  • Jeremiah 2:8 clarifies that the nation’s spiritual decline was not just among ordinary people, but started with those who should have known and taught better—the leaders.
  • The verse emphasizes that outward religious activity is not enough; even those handling the law can miss truly knowing God.
  • This verse connects to the wider message of Jeremiah, where God’s case against Judah is built on the unfaithfulness of every level of leadership, explaining the seriousness of the coming judgment.

Where else these words appear

“profit” Hebrew H3276 · used in 21 verses

  • 1 Samuel 12:21 And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
  • Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
  • Isaiah 57:12 I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.

“transgressed” Hebrew H6586 · used in 37 verses

  • 1 Kings 8:50 And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:
  • Psalms 51:13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
  • Jeremiah 3:13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.

“handle” Hebrew H8610 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 4:21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
  • 2 Kings 14:13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
  • Jeremiah 50:16 Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land.

“Baal” Hebrew H1168 · used in 68 verses

  • Judges 2:11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
  • 1 Kings 19:18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;