Jeremiah 3:2
Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.
Jeremiah 3:2 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from the book of Jeremiah is a call to the people to reflect on their sinful ways and the consequences of their actions. By lifting up their eyes to the high places, they are urged to see the extent of their moral corruption and spiritual degradation. The imagery of lying with others and sitting in wait like a desert-dwelling Arabian evokes a sense of immorality and deception. The mention of pollution caused by their whoredoms and wickedness emphasizes the detrimental impact of their sins on the land and the society as a whole. Overall, this verse serves as a stark reminder of the importance of living a righteous and moral life, lest one's actions lead to devastation and ruin.
Theological Overview
When studying the verse from Ezekiel 16:24, it is important to acknowledge the theological significance of lifting up one's eyes to the high places. In the context of this passage, the high places are often associated with idolatry and immorality. The act of looking to these high places represents a turning away from God and towards sinful practices. The use of the word "lien" suggests a sense of betrayal and deception, indicating that the people have strayed from the path of righteousness. The imagery of sitting in the ways, like the Arabian in the wilderness, further emphasizes the desolate and sinful nature of their actions. The mention of whoredoms and wickedness highlights the people's unfaithfulness and disobedience to God's commandments, leading to the pollution of the land. Through this verse, readers are called to reflect on their own actions and ensure that they are not engaging in behaviors that lead them away from God's will.
Jeremiah 3:2 in other translations
American Standard Version
Lift up thine eyes unto the bare heights, and see; where hast thou not been lain with? By the ways hast thou sat for them, as an Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.
World English Bible
“Lift up your eyes to the bare heights, and see! Where have you not been lain with? You have sat for them by the ways, as an Arabian in the wilderness. You have polluted the land with your prostitution and with your wickedness.
Douay-Rheims
Lift up thy eyes on high: and see where thou hast not prostituted thyself: thou didst sit in the ways, waiting for them as a robber in the wilderness: and thou hast polluted the land with thy fornications, and with thy wickedness.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Lift vp thine eyes vnto the hie places, and beholde, where thou hast not plaied the harlot: thou hast sit waiting for them in the waies, as the Arabian in the wildernesse: and thou hast polluted the lande with thy whoredomes, and with thy malice.