14 Is Israel a servant, a slave by birth? Why then has he become plunder?

Other Translations of Jeremiah 2:14

King James Version

14 Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled spoiled: Heb. become a spoil?

English Standard Version

14 "Is Israel a slave? Is he a homeborn servant? Why then has he become a prey?

The Message

14 "Isn't Israel a valued servant, born into a family with place and position? So how did she end up a piece of meat

New King James Version

14 "Is Israel a servant? Is he a homeborn slave? Why is he plundered?

New Living Translation

14 "Why has Israel become a slave? Why has he been carried away as plunder?

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:14

Commentary on Jeremiah 2:14-19

(Read Jeremiah 2:14-19)

Is Israel a servant? No, they are the seed of Abraham. We may apply this spiritually: Is the soul of man a slave? No, it is not; but has sold its own liberty, and enslaved itself to divers lusts and passions. The Assyrian princes, like lions, prevailed against Israel. People from Egypt destroyed their glory and strength. They brought these calamities on themselves by departing from the Lord. The use and application of this is, Repent of thy sin, that thy correction may not be thy ruin. What has a Christian to do in the ways of forbidden pleasure or vain sinful mirth, or with the pursuits of covetousness and ambition?