Jeremiah 2:28
New International Version
Where then are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them come if they can save you when you are in trouble! For you, Judah, have as many gods as you have towns.

New Living Translation
But why not call on these gods you have made? When trouble comes, let them save you if they can! For you have as many gods as there are towns in Judah.

English Standard Version
But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you, in your time of trouble; for as many as your cities are your gods, O Judah.

Berean Standard Bible
But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah.

King James Bible
But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

New King James Version
But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, If they can save you in the time of your trouble; For according to the number of your cities Are your gods, O Judah.

New American Standard Bible
“But where are your gods Which you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you In the time of your trouble! For as many as the number of your cities Are your gods, Judah.

NASB 1995
“But where are your gods Which you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you In the time of your trouble; For according to the number of your cities Are your gods, O Judah.

NASB 1977
“But where are your gods Which you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you In the time of your trouble; For according to the number of your cities Are your gods, O Judah.

Legacy Standard Bible
But where are your gods Which you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you In the time when your evil comes; For according to the number of your cities Are your gods, O Judah.

Amplified Bible
“But where are your gods Which you made for yourself? Let them get up, if they can save you In the time of your trouble! For [as many as] the number of your cities Are your gods, O Judah. [Why do not your many man-made idols run to help you?]

Christian Standard Bible
But where are your gods you made for yourself? Let them rise up and save you in your time of disaster if they can, for your gods are as numerous as your cities, Judah.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But where are your gods you made for yourself? Let them rise up and save you in your time of disaster if they can, for your gods are as numerous as your cities, Judah.

American Standard Version
But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

Contemporary English Version
Go cry to the gods you made! There should be enough of them to save you, because Judah has as many gods as it has towns.

English Revised Version
But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Where are the gods that you made for yourselves? Let them come and rescue you when you're in trouble. You have as many gods as you have cities, Judah!

Good News Translation
"Where are the gods that you made for yourselves? When you are in trouble, let them save you--if they can! Judah, you have as many gods as you have cities.

International Standard Version
"But where are your gods that you made for yourselves? Let them rise up, if they can deliver you in the time of your trouble. You have as many gods as you have towns, Judah.

Majority Standard Bible
But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah.

NET Bible
But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them save you when you are in trouble. The sad fact is that you have as many gods as you have towns, Judah.

New Heart English Bible
"But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble. For according to the number of your cities are your gods, Judah. And according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem they were sacrificing to Baal.

Webster's Bible Translation
But where are thy gods that thou hast made for thyself? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

World English Bible
“But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble, for you have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And where [are] your gods, that you have made to yourself? Let them arise, if they may save you, "" In the time of your distress, "" For—the number of your cities have been your gods, O Judah,

Young's Literal Translation
And where are thy gods, that thou hast made to thyself? Let them arise, if they may save thee, In the time of thy vexation, For -- the number of thy cities have been thy gods, O Judah,

Smith's Literal Translation
And where thy gods which thou didst make to thee? they will arise, if they shall save thee in the time of thine evil: for from the numbering of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Where are the gods, whom thou hast made thee? let them arise and deliver thee in the time of thy affliction: for according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Juda.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Where are your gods that you made for yourselves? Let them rise up and deliver you in the time of your affliction. For certainly, your gods were like the number of your cities, O Judah.

New American Bible
Where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up! Will they save you in your time of trouble? For as numerous as your cities are your gods, O Judah! And as many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up for Baal.

New Revised Standard Version
But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them come, if they can save you, in your time of trouble; for you have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But where are your gods that you have made for yourself? Let them arise and save you in the time of your trouble; for according to the number of your cities are your gods, O Judah.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And where are your gods that you have made for yourself? Let them arise; let them save you at the time of your affliction, because according to the number of your cities are your gods, Yehuda!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? Let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble; For according to the number of thy cities Are thy gods, O Judah.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And where are thy gods, which thou madest for thyself? will they arise and save in the time of thine affliction? for according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Juda; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem they sacrificed to Baal.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Israel's Unfaithfulness
27say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their backs to Me and not their faces, yet in the time of trouble they beg, ‘Rise up and save us!’ 28But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah. 29Why do you bring a case against Me? You have all rebelled against Me,” declares the LORD.…

Cross References
Judges 10:14
Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you in your time of trouble.”

Deuteronomy 32:37-38
He will say: “Where are their gods, the rock in which they took refuge, / which ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise up and help you; let them give you shelter!

Isaiah 46:7
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.

2 Kings 17:29-31
Nevertheless, the people of each nation continued to make their own gods in the cities where they had settled, and they set them up in the shrines that the people of Samaria had made on the high places. / The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima, / the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech the gods of Sepharvaim.

Hosea 13:2
Now they sin more and more and make for themselves cast images, idols skillfully made from their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. People say of them, “They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves!”

Isaiah 44:17
From the rest he makes a god, his graven image. He bows down to it and worships; he prays to it and says, “Save me, for you are my god.”

Psalm 115:4-8
Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...

Psalm 135:15-18
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ...

1 Kings 18:26-29
And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. / At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” / So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them. ...

Isaiah 57:13
When you cry out, let your companies of idols deliver you! Yet the wind will carry off all of them, a breath will take them away. But he who seeks refuge in Me will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain.”

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.

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.

Romans 1:21-23
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

1 Corinthians 10:19-20
Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.

Galatians 4:8
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.


Treasury of Scripture

But where are your gods that you have made you? let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble: for according to the number of your cities are your gods, O Judah.

but where

Deuteronomy 32:37
And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,

Judges 10:14
Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

2 Kings 3:13
And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.

trouble.

Jeremiah 11:13
For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.

2 Kings 17:30,31
And the men of Babylon made Succothbenoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima, …

Hosea 10:1
Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.

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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.














But where are your gods
This phrase challenges the Israelites to consider the impotence of the idols they have chosen over the one true God. The Hebrew word for "gods" here is "elohim," which can refer to deities or judges, but in this context, it denotes the false gods or idols. Historically, the Israelites often fell into idolatry, influenced by surrounding nations. This rhetorical question underscores the futility of relying on man-made deities, contrasting them with the omnipotent God of Israel.

you made for yourself?
The phrase highlights the self-made nature of these idols, emphasizing human effort in their creation. The Hebrew root "asah" means to make or do, indicating that these gods are the product of human hands and imagination. This serves as a stark reminder of the folly in worshiping creations rather than the Creator. It reflects the human tendency to craft gods that suit personal desires, rather than submitting to the sovereign will of the Almighty.

Let them rise up if they can save you
This challenge exposes the powerlessness of idols. The Hebrew word "qum" means to rise or stand up, suggesting action or intervention. The irony here is palpable; these gods, crafted by human hands, are incapable of action or salvation. This phrase calls the Israelites to recognize the absurdity of expecting deliverance from lifeless objects, urging them to return to the living God who alone can save.

in your time of trouble
The "time of trouble" refers to periods of distress or calamity, often a result of divine judgment due to Israel's unfaithfulness. The Hebrew "ra" denotes evil or distress, indicating the severity of their situation. Historically, Israel faced numerous adversities, often as consequences of their idolatry. This phrase serves as a reminder that only God can provide true refuge and deliverance in times of crisis.

for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah
This hyperbolic statement illustrates the extent of Judah's idolatry. The comparison to the number of cities underscores the widespread nature of their apostasy. The historical context reveals that each city often had its own patron deity, reflecting a fragmented and faithless society. The mention of "Judah" specifically calls out the southern kingdom, which, despite witnessing the fall of the northern kingdom due to similar sins, persisted in idolatry. This serves as a poignant reminder of the need for national repentance and a return to exclusive worship of Yahweh.

(28) Where are thy gods . . .?--The question is asked in indignant scorn. "Thou madest the gods, and yet they cannot profit thee." Though every city had its tutelary deity, there was none found to deliver. The LXX. adds, as in Jeremiah 11:13, the words "according to the number of the streets in Jerusalem they sacrificed to Baal."

Verse 28. - According to the number of thy cities, etc. A remarkable statement, and one that well illustrates the superficial character of Hezekiah's reformation. True, Manasseh's reactionary reign had intervened, but his counter-movement would not have been so successful had it not been attended by the good wishes of the people; and besides, the last years of Manasseh, according to the tradition in 2 Chronicles 33:12-16 were devoted to undoing the mischief of his former life. The force of the prophet's words is strikingly brought out by M. Renan (he led an expedition to Phoenicia), who has shown that every district and every town had a cultus of its own, which often only differed from the neighboring cultus by words and titles (nomina, numina); comp. Baal-Hamon, Baal-Hazor, eta Dr. Payne Smith well expresses the argument of Jeremiah: "When every city has its special deity, surely among so many there might be found one able to help his worshippers."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But where
וְאַיֵּ֤ה (wə·’ay·yêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 346: Where?

are the gods
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

you made for yourself?
עָשִׂ֣יתָ (‘ā·śî·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

Let them rise up
יָק֕וּמוּ (yā·qū·mū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

and save you
יוֹשִׁיע֖וּךָ (yō·wō·šî·‘ū·ḵā)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor

if they can
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

in your time
בְּעֵ֣ת (bə·‘êṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

of trouble;
רָעָתֶ֑ךָ (rā·‘ā·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

for
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

your gods
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

are
הָי֥וּ (hā·yū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

as numerous
מִסְפַּ֣ר (mis·par)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4557: A number, definite, indefinite, narration

as your cities,
עָרֶ֔יךָ (‘ā·re·ḵā)
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

O Judah.
יְהוּדָֽה׃ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 2:28 But where are your gods that you (Jer.)
Jeremiah 2:27
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