Jeremiah 2:27
Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
Study Note
Study Note
Israel's idolatry is mocked with bitter irony: they say to a wooden idol 'you are my father' and to a stone 'you gave me birth' — reversing the natural order by making inert objects into parents. Yet when trouble comes, they turn back and cry to the Lord — a pattern of crisis-religion that Jeremiah identifies as fundamental hypocrisy rather than genuine repentance. The verse anticipates the New Testament critique of double-mindedness (James 1:8; 4:8) — attempting to maintain both idolatry and covenant relationship. Archaeological evidence of Asherah poles and fertility figurines from Iron Age Judah confirms that syncretistic practice was widespread, giving Jeremiah's satire its historical grounding.
Other Translations
who say to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face; but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
Saying to wood, `My father <FI>art<Fi> thou!' And to a stone, `Thou hast brought me forth,' For they turned unto me the back and not the face, And in the time of their vexation, They say, `Arise Thou, and save us.'
Who say to a tree, You are my father; and to a stone, You have given me life: for their backs have been turned to me, not their faces: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Up! and be our saviour.
Cross References
And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were …
And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for …
When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.
For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
Lord, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.
They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they …
He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is …
They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh …