Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.

JEREMIAH 3:23KJV
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Jeremiah 3:23 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 3:23 mean?

Jeremiah 3:23 says that looking for rescue or help from the hills and mountains is useless; real salvation for Israel comes only from the LORD their God. The verse points out that trusting in anything other than God—like the high places where people worshipped other gods—will not bring true deliverance.

In this part of Jeremiah, the prophet is speaking to the people of Judah, who had often turned to idol worship on the hills and mountains. Jeremiah is making it clear that these places, which people thought could bring them help, are empty hopes. Only the LORD (Yahweh), the God of Israel, is the true source of salvation, and the people are being called to recognize this.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 3:23

  • "Truly" (אָמְנָם, 'omnam): This word is used at the start and again in the middle of the verse to stress certainty and seriousness, underlining that what follows is a firm truth.
  • "Vain" (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer): This word means "falsehood" or "emptiness." It highlights that the hope placed in the hills and mountains is not just mistaken, but completely empty and deceptive.
  • "Hills" (גִּבְעָה, giv'ah) and "mountains" (הַר, har): These words refer to the physical high places where idol worship often happened. Mentioning both emphasizes the widespread nature of this misplaced trust.
  • "Salvation" (תְּשׁוּעָה, teshua): This word means "deliverance" or "rescue." The verse makes a strong contrast between false hopes and the real rescue that only comes from God.

Why Jeremiah 3:23 matters

  • Jeremiah 3:23 clears up the misunderstanding that religious rituals or traditions done in certain places (like hills and mountains) can bring true help or salvation.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of turning away from God and trusting in other sources, showing that such trust is not just misguided but completely empty.
  • In the wider context, Jeremiah 3:23 is part of a call to repentance, urging the people to recognize where true hope lies and to return to the LORD as their only source of rescue.

Where else these words appear

“Truly” Hebrew H403 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
  • Psalms 31:22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
  • Isaiah 49:4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.

“salvation” Hebrew H8668 · used in 32 verses

  • Judges 15:18 And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?
  • 1 Chronicles 19:12 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will help thee.
  • Psalms 108:12 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

“hills” Hebrew H1389 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 49:26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
  • Psalms 65:12 They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.
  • Jeremiah 13:27 I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?

“multitude” Hebrew H1995 · used in 78 verses

  • Genesis 17:4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
  • Psalms 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
  • Ezekiel 7:14 They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.