Jeremiah 2:11
New International Version
Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols.

New Living Translation
Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols!

English Standard Version
Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.

Berean Standard Bible
Has a nation ever changed its gods, though they are no gods at all? Yet My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.

King James Bible
Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

New King James Version
Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory For what does not profit.

New American Standard Bible
“Has a nation changed gods, When they were not gods? But My people have exchanged their glory For that which is of no benefit.

NASB 1995
“Has a nation changed gods When they were not gods? But My people have changed their glory For that which does not profit.

NASB 1977
“Has a nation changed gods, When they were not gods? But My people have changed their glory For that which does not profit.

Legacy Standard Bible
Has a nation changed gods Though they were not gods? But My people have changed their glory For that which does not profit.

Amplified Bible
“Has a nation [ever] changed gods Even though they were not gods [but merely man-made objects]? But My people have exchanged their Glory (the true God) For that [man-made idol] which does not benefit [them].

Christian Standard Bible
Has a nation ever exchanged its gods? (But they were not gods! ) Yet my people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Has a nation ever exchanged its gods? (But they were not gods!) Yet My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.

American Standard Version
Hath a nation changed its gods, which yet are no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

Contemporary English Version
You will find that no nation has ever abandoned its gods even though they were false. I am the true and glorious God, but you have rejected me to worship idols.

English Revised Version
Hath a nation changed their gods, which yet are no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Has any nation ever exchanged gods? (Their gods aren't really gods.) Yet, my people have exchanged their Glory for something that doesn't help them.

Good News Translation
No other nation has ever changed its gods, even though they were not real. But my people have exchanged me, the God who has brought them honor, for gods that can do nothing for them.

International Standard Version
Has a nation ever changed gods when they aren't even gods? But my people have exchanged their glory for that which does not profit.

Majority Standard Bible
Has a nation ever changed its gods, though they are no gods at all? Yet My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.

NET Bible
Has a nation ever changed its gods (even though they are not really gods at all)? But my people have exchanged me, their glorious God, for a god that cannot help them at all!

New Heart English Bible
Has a nation changed its gods, which really are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.

Webster's Bible Translation
Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

World English Bible
Has a nation changed its gods, which really are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which doesn’t profit.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Has a nation changed gods? (And they [are] no gods!) And My people has changed its glory "" For that which does not profit.

Young's Literal Translation
Hath a nation changed gods? (And they are no gods!) And My people hath changed its honour For that which doth not profit.

Smith's Literal Translation
Did a nation change their gods, and they no gods? and my people changed their glory for what will not profit.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If a nation hath changed their gods, and indeed they are not gods,: but my people have changed their glory into an idol.

Catholic Public Domain Version
See if a nation has ever changed their gods, though certainly those are not gods. Yet truly, my people have exchanged their glory for an idol.

New American Bible
Does any other nation change its gods?— even though they are not gods at all! But my people have changed their glory for useless things.

New Revised Standard Version
Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Have the Gentiles changed their gods, which are not gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
If the nations exchange their gods, those that have not been gods, and my people have exchanged its honor with that which does not profit
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Hath a nation changed its gods, Which yet are no gods? But My people hath changed its glory For that which doth not profit.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
if the nations will change their gods, though they are not gods: but my people have changed their glory, for that from which they shall not be profited.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Israel has Forsaken God
10Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus and take a look; send to Kedar and consider carefully; see if there has ever been anything like this: 11Has a nation ever changed its gods, though they are no gods at all? Yet My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols. 12Be stunned by this, O heavens; be shocked and utterly appalled,” declares the LORD.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:21
They have provoked My jealousy by that which is not God; they have enraged Me with their worthless idols. So I will make them jealous by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation without understanding.

Romans 1:23
and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Isaiah 44:9-20
All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ...

1 Kings 11:33
For they have forsaken Me to worship Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in My ways, nor done what is right in My eyes, nor kept My statutes and judgments, as Solomon’s father David did.

2 Kings 17:15
They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate.

Psalm 106:20
They exchanged their Glory for the image of a grass-eating ox.

Hosea 4:7
The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace.

Micah 4:5
Though all the nations may walk in the name of their gods, yet we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever.

1 Corinthians 8:5-6
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.

Galatians 4:8-9
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. / But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

2 Corinthians 6:16
What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

Isaiah 2:8
Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.

Isaiah 46:5-7
To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike? / They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. / They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.

Acts 17:29
Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.

1 Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God


Treasury of Scripture

Has a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.

a nation

Jeremiah 2:5
Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

Micah 4:5
For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.

1 Peter 1:18
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

no gods

Jeremiah 16:20
Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods?

Psalm 115:4
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

Isaiah 37:19
And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.

changed their glory

Jeremiah 2:8
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.

Deuteronomy 33:29
Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

Psalm 3:3
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

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Change Changed Exchange Exchanged Glory Gods Honour Idols Nation Profit Worthless
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Change Changed Exchange Exchanged Glory Gods Honour Idols Nation Profit Worthless
Jeremiah 2
1. God having shown his former kindness,
5. expostulates with the people on their causeless and unexampled revolt
14. They are the causes of their own calamities
18. The sins and idolatries of Judah
35. Her confidence is rejected.














Has a nation ever changed its gods
This phrase challenges the reader to consider the steadfastness of pagan nations in their devotion to false gods. Historically, ancient cultures were deeply rooted in their religious practices, often passing them down through generations. The Hebrew word for "nation" here is "goy," typically referring to Gentile nations. The rhetorical question underscores the absurdity of Israel's actions, as even pagan nations remain loyal to their deities, despite their powerlessness. This highlights the gravity of Israel's betrayal of the one true God.

though they are no gods at all?
The phrase emphasizes the futility and emptiness of idol worship. The Hebrew word "elilim" is often used to describe idols, meaning "worthless" or "vain things." This stark contrast between the living God and lifeless idols serves as a reminder of the unique and unparalleled nature of Yahweh. The rhetorical nature of the question underscores the irrationality of forsaking the true God for non-entities, which have no power or life.

Yet My people have exchanged their Glory
"Glory" here refers to the presence and majesty of God Himself. The Hebrew word "kabod" signifies weightiness, honor, and splendor. Israel's relationship with God was their greatest treasure and source of identity. By exchanging their "Glory," they traded the profound and divine presence of God for something of no value. This exchange is not just a poor decision but a tragic loss of their true identity and purpose.

for useless idols
The term "useless" translates from the Hebrew "lo yo'il," meaning "that which does not profit." This phrase captures the essence of idolatry—pursuing what is ultimately empty and unfulfilling. The idols, often crafted from wood or stone, symbolize the futility of seeking life and meaning apart from God. The historical context of Israel's idolatry involved adopting the practices of surrounding nations, which led them away from the covenant relationship with Yahweh. This serves as a timeless warning against the allure of modern-day "idols" that promise fulfillment but lead to spiritual emptiness.

(11) Hath a nation . . .--Emphatically a heathen "nation," as contrasted with the "people" of Jehovah. They were faithful to their false gods; Israel was unfaithful to the true. The words "changed their glory" find an echo in Romans 1:23, though here they express the thought that the worship of Jehovah was the true glory of Israel as a people, and that they had wilfully abandoned it.

Verse 11. - Hath a nation changed their gods? Has any heathen nation ever changed its idol-god for another? The prophet clearly implies a negative answer; and yet it must be admitted that the adoption of a new religion, under the pressure of conquest or a higher foreign civilization is not an unknown phenomenon in the ancient world. Glory; i.e. source of all outward prosperity (comp. Psalm 3:3," my Glory, and the Lifter up Of my head"). Religion was, in fact, the root of national life in antiquity; contrast our own division between the sacred and the secular Jehovah elsewhere receives the title "the Pride of Israel" -Authorized Version, rather weakly, "the Excellency of Israel" -(Amos 8:7; Hosea 5:5. Comp. the parallel passages, Psalm 106:20; Romans 1:23).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Has a nation
גּוֹי֙ (gō·w)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

ever changed
הַהֵימִ֥יר (ha·hê·mîr)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4171: To alter, to barter, to dispose of

its gods?
אֱלֹהִ֔ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

(though they
וְהֵ֖מָּה (wə·hêm·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

were no
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

gods [at all]!)
אֱלֹהִ֑ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

Yet My people
וְעַמִּ֛י (wə·‘am·mî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

have exchanged
הֵמִ֥יר (hê·mîr)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4171: To alter, to barter, to dispose of

their Glory
כְּבוֹד֖וֹ (kə·ḇō·w·ḏōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3519: Weight, splendor, copiousness

for idols
יוֹעִֽיל׃ (yō·w·‘îl)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3276: To confer or gain profit or benefit

[that are] useless.
בְּל֥וֹא (bə·lō·w)
Preposition-b | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 1094: Worn-out things, rags


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 2:11 Has a nation changed its gods which (Jer.)
Jeremiah 2:10
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