Jeremiah 2:22
Jeremiah 2:22 in Multiple Translations
Although you wash with lye and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before Me,” declares the Lord GOD.
For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
For though thou wash thee with lye, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord Jehovah.
For even if you are washed with soda and take much soap, still your evil-doing is marked before me, says the Lord God.
Even bleach and plenty of soap can't get rid of your guilty stains. I still see them, declares the Lord God.
Though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much sope, yet thine iniquitie is marked before me, sayeth the Lord God.
But though thou dost wash with nitre, And dost multiply to thyself soap, Marked is thine iniquity before Me, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah.
For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before me,” says the Lord GOD.
For though thou shalt wash thee with niter, and take thee much soap, yet thy iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
Though thou wash thyself with nitre, and multiply to thyself the herb borith, thou art stained in thy iniquity before me, saith the Lord God.
Your guilt from your sins is like [MET] very bad stains on a cloth, and you cannot get rid of those stains even by using very strong soap. This is true because I, Yahweh, have said it.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 2:22
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 2:22 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֤י
אִם
תְּכַבְּסִי֙
בַּ/נֶּ֔תֶר
וְ/תַרְבִּי
לָ֖/ךְ
בֹּרִ֑ית
נִכְתָּ֤ם
עֲוֺנֵ/ךְ֙
לְ/פָנַ֔/י
נְאֻ֖ם
אֲדֹנָ֥/י
יְהוִֽה
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
תְּכַבְּסִי֙
kâbaç
H3526
to wash
V-Piel-Imperf-2fs
בַּ/נֶּ֔תֶר
nether
H5427
lye
Prep | N-ms
וְ/תַרְבִּי
râbâh
H7235
to multiply
Conj | V-Hiphil-Imperf-2fs
לָ֖/ךְ
Prep | Suff
בֹּרִ֑ית
bôrîyth
H1287
lye
N-fs
נִכְתָּ֤ם
kâtham
H3799
be stained
V-Niphal-Inf-c
עֲוֺנֵ/ךְ֙
ʻâvôn
H5771
iniquity
N-cs | Suff
לְ/פָנַ֔/י
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp | Suff
נְאֻ֖ם
nᵉʼum
H5002
utterance
N-ms
אֲדֹנָ֥/י
ʼĂdônây
H136
Lord
N-mp | Suff
יְהוִֽה
Yᵉhôvih
H3069
YHWH/God
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 2:22
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
תְּכַבְּסִי֙
kâbaç
H3526
"to wash"
V-Piel-Imperf-2fs
To wash means to clean something, often by trampling or stamping on it with the feet, as seen in the process of washing clothes.
Definition: 1) to wash (by treading), be washed, perform the work of a fuller 1a) (Qal) washer, fuller, treader (participle) 1b) (Piel) to wash (garments, person) 1c) (Pual) to be washed 1d) (Hothpael) to be washed out
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: fuller, wash(-ing). See also: Genesis 49:11; Leviticus 15:21; Psalms 51:4.
בַּ/נֶּ֔תֶר
nether
H5427
"lye"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a type of mineral called natron or nitre, used for cleaning and purification. It is mentioned in the Bible as a substance used for cleansing.
Definition: natron, nitre, soda, carbonate of soda
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: nitre. See also: Proverbs 25:20; Jeremiah 2:22.
וְ/תַרְבִּי
râbâh
H7235
"to multiply"
Conj | V-Hiphil-Imperf-2fs
This word means to increase or grow, like a plant shooting up. It is used in the Bible to describe something getting bigger or more abundant. The KJV translates it as abundance or bring up.
Definition: 1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things) 1a2) to be or grow great 1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make much, make many, have many 1c1a) to multiply, increase 1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly 1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly 1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for H7232 (רָבַב)), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Psalms 16:4.
לָ֖/ךְ
""
Prep | Suff
בֹּרִ֑ית
bôrîyth
H1287
"lye"
N-fs
Lye refers to a type of soap or alkali used for washing, derived from plants. It is mentioned in the Bible as a common household item, used for cleaning and purification.
Definition: lye, potash, soap, alkali (used in washing)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: sope. See also: Jeremiah 2:22; Malachi 3:2.
נִכְתָּ֤ם
kâtham
H3799
"be stained"
V-Niphal-Inf-c
To be stained means to be marked or engraved deeply, like a permanent inscription. It can also mean to be defiled or deeply stained, and is used in the Bible to describe something that is marked or changed.
Definition: (Niphal) to be stained, be defiled, be deeply stained
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: mark. See also: Jeremiah 2:22.
עֲוֺנֵ/ךְ֙
ʻâvôn
H5771
"iniquity"
N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means moral evil or sin, like the kind God sees in people's hearts. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms. This concept is key to understanding human nature.
Definition: : crime 1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity 1a) iniquity 1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition) 1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin. See also: Genesis 4:13; Psalms 107:17; Psalms 18:24.
לְ/פָנַ֔/י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
נְאֻ֖ם
nᵉʼum
H5002
"utterance"
N-ms
This word refers to an utterance or declaration from God, often through a prophet. It is used in the Bible to describe a revelation or message from God, like in Exodus or Numbers.
Definition: 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name)
Usage: Occurs in 358 OT verses. KJV: (hath) said, saith. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 22:16; Psalms 36:2.
אֲדֹנָ֥/י
ʼĂdônây
H136
"Lord"
N-mp | Suff
Adonay is a title used to refer to God, spoken in place of Yahweh as a sign of reverence and respect. It is used throughout the Bible to address God or refer to Him in a formal way. Adonay is a term of worship and devotion.
Definition: Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 430 OT verses. KJV: (my) Lord. See also: Genesis 15:2; Isaiah 3:17; Psalms 2:4.
יְהוִֽה
Yᵉhôvih
H3069
"YHWH/God"
N-proper
YHWH is a name for God, often used in combination with 'Lord'. It is similar to Yehovah, but with different vowels. This name emphasizes God's power and authority.
Definition: 1) Jehovah-used primarily in the combination 'Lord Jehovah' 1a) equal to ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068) but pointed with the vowels of e.lo.him (אֱלֹהִים "God" H0430)
Usage: Occurs in 296 OT verses. KJV: God. See also: Genesis 15:2; Ezekiel 14:21; Psalms 68:21.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 2:22
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 2:22 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 2:22
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 2:22
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:22
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:22
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:22
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:22
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 2:22
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 2:22
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:22
- Sermons on Jeremiah 2:22
Context — The Consequence of Israel’s Sin
20“For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, ‘I will not serve!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute.
21I had planted you like a choice vine from the very best seed. How could you turn yourself before Me into a rotten, wild vine?
22Although you wash with lye and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before Me,” declares the Lord GOD.
23“How can you say, ‘I am not defiled; I have not run after the Baals’? Look at your behavior in the valley; acknowledge what you have done. You are a swift young she-camel galloping here and there, 24a wild donkey at home in the wilderness, sniffing the wind in the heat of her desire. Who can restrain her passion? All who seek her need not weary themselves; in mating season they will find her.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 17:1 | “The sin of Judah is written with an iron stylus, engraved with a diamond point on the tablets of their hearts and on the horns of their altars. |
| 2 | Job 14:17 | My transgression would be sealed in a bag, and You would cover over my iniquity. |
| 3 | Hosea 13:12 | The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is stored up. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 16:17 | For My eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from My face, and their guilt is not concealed from My eyes. |
| 5 | Job 9:30–31 | If I should wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye, then You would plunge me into the pit, and even my own clothes would despise me. |
| 6 | Psalms 130:3 | If You, O LORD, kept track of iniquities, then who, O Lord, could stand? |
| 7 | Psalms 90:8 | You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence. |
| 8 | Amos 8:7 | The LORD has sworn by the Pride of Jacob: “I will never forget any of their deeds. |
| 9 | Deuteronomy 32:34 | “Have I not stored up these things, sealed up within My vaults? |
Jeremiah 2:22 Summary
This verse means that no matter how hard we try to clean up our acts or make ourselves look good on the outside, God still sees the sin in our hearts. It's like trying to wash a stain out of a shirt, but it just won't come out. We need to acknowledge our sin and turn to God for true cleansing, as promised in Psalm 51:7, and trust in His power to transform us, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:17. By seeking God's forgiveness and cleansing, we can experience a deeper level of freedom and intimacy with Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'stain of guilt' mentioned in Jeremiah 2:22?
The 'stain of guilt' refers to the lingering effects of sin in our lives, which cannot be removed by our own efforts, as seen in Jeremiah 2:22, and is a reminder that true cleansing comes from God, as stated in Psalm 51:7.
Why does the Lord GOD say that the people's attempts to clean themselves are insufficient?
The Lord GOD says this because the people's attempts to clean themselves are outward and superficial, whereas their sin is deeply rooted in their hearts, as seen in Jeremiah 17:9, and only God can truly cleanse and transform us, as promised in Ezekiel 36:25-27.
What is the significance of 'lye' and 'soap' in this verse?
The 'lye' and 'soap' represent the people's attempts to cleanse themselves through ritual and external means, but these efforts are ultimately ineffective in removing the stain of guilt, highlighting the need for a deeper, spiritual cleansing, as seen in Isaiah 1:18.
How does this verse relate to the concept of repentance?
This verse emphasizes the importance of true repentance, which involves acknowledging and turning away from sin, rather than just attempting to cover it up or clean it externally, as seen in Jeremiah 2:22, and is a call to seek God's forgiveness and cleansing, as promised in 1 John 1:9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I try to 'wash' away my own guilt and sin, and how can I instead turn to God for true cleansing?
- How does the concept of a 'stain' of guilt affect my understanding of the nature of sin and its consequences?
- In what ways can I apply the lesson of Jeremiah 2:22 to my own life, acknowledging the insufficiency of my own efforts to clean myself and seeking God's transformation instead?
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and His desire for a deep, heart-level relationship with us?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 2:22
For though thou wash thee with nitre,.... The word נתר, "nitre", is only used in this place and in Proverbs 25:20 and it is hard to say what it is.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 2:22
For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:22
Though interpreters do greatly vary. in describing what is particularly meant here by nitre and soap, and it would be superfluous to mention here; yet all agree they are some materials that artists make use of for the cleansing away spots from the skin, clothes, or other things; and the sense is plain, that the blot of his people is by no art to be taken out: it cannot be covered by excuses; Though thou wouldst dissemble thy idolatries, thou canst not deceive me: nor expiated by sacrifices; it is beyond the power of all superstitious or religious washings to cleanse away, which may be understood by these natural and artificial ways of cleansing. Thine iniquity is marked: the meaning seems to be either, Thy filthiness is so foul that it leaves a brand behind it that cannot be hid or washed out, but will abide: see . Or, according to another acceptation of the word, it is laid up with God. See the like . Purge thee, wash thee, do what thou wilt, thou canst by no means conceal thy wickedness from me, . They that would see greater variety of interpretations, let them consult the Synopsis.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:22
Jeremiah 2:22 For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, [yet] thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.Ver. 22. For though thou wash thee with nitre.] Much used of old by fullers and neat laundresses, say Isidore and Athanasius, now not known in these parts; apothecaries use saltpetre instead of it. Sin leaveth behind it a deep stain, so ingrained that it will hardly ever be gotten out, not at all by blanching, extenuating, excusing, &c., or by any legal purifications, hypocritical lotions. All which notwithstanding, Thine iniquity is marked before me.] Nitet iniquitas tua, splendet instar auri, It glisters like gold before me, whose eyes thou canst not blind or blear with any of thy colourable pretexts and pretences. Lib. xvi. Etym.; Lib. de Virg. - Nitrum sordes erodit et expurgat. - Plin. Piscat.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:22
(22) Nitre.—The mineral alkali found in the natron lakes of Egypt that took their name from it. The Hebrew word nether is the origin of the Greek and English words. (Comp. Proverbs 25:20.) Sope.—Not the compounds of alkali and oil or fat now known by the name, but the potash or alkali, obtained from the ashes of plants, which was used by itself as a powerful detergent. The thought is the same as that of Job 9:30, and, we may add, as that of Macbeth, Acts 2, sc. 2 :— “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No; this my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the green one red.” The guilt was too strongly “marked,” too “deep-dyed in grain” to be removed by any outward palliatives.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:22
Verse 22. For though thou wash thee with nitre] It should be rendered natar or natron, a substance totally different from our nitre. It comes from the root נתר nathar, to dissolve, loosen, because a solution of it in water is abstersive, taking out spots, c., from clothes. It is still used in the east for the purpose of washing. If vinegar be poured on it, Dr. Shaw says, a strong effervescence is the immediate consequence, which illustrates Proverbs 25:20: "The singing of songs to a heavy heart is like vinegar upon natron" that is, there is no affinity between them; opposition and strife are occasioned by any attempt to unite them. Thine iniquity is marked before me] No washing will take out thy spots; the marks of thy idolatry and corruption are too deeply rooted to be extracted by any human means.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 2:22
22. lye] the same as washing-soda. “It occurs as an incrustation on the ground in Egypt, Persia and elsewhere, and is also a constituent in the water of certain saline lakes. The most famous of the latter are the ‘natron lakes’ in Egypt. They lie in the ‘natron valley’ about 60 miles W.N.W. of Cairo.” HDB. s. v. Nitre. soap] As natron is a mineral so this is a vegetable alkali. Salsola kali (saltwort) is the chief plant among those used in its production, and is found in abundance on the Mediterranean coast of Palestine, as well as on the shores of the Dead Sea. This and other plants on being burnt furnish ashes, the lye of which (formed by passing water through them) was used for cleansing purposes. The immense heaps of rubbish frequently found in Palestine shew the extent of the manufacture. Soap-making by the admixture of oils and animal fat, now a prominent branch of industry in Palestine, was much later than Jeremiah’s time. thine iniquity is marked] The original word occurs nowhere else in O.T. and apparently means stained. Cp. our expression, (iniquity) of the deepest dye.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 2:22
Nitre - Or, natron, a mineral alkali, found in the Nile valley, where it effloresces upon the rocks and surfaces of the dykes, and in old time was carefully collected, and used to make lye for washing (see Proverbs 25:20).
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:22
22. Nitre — A mineral alkali. Soap — A vegetable alkali. The original for wash is not the ordinary term, but the one which is used in application to the fuller.
Sermons on Jeremiah 2:22
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Deceitfulness of the Heart by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the deceptive nature of sin and the false promises it offers. He warns against being deceived by the temporary pleasures and illusions of si |
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Friendship With God in Prayer by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of spending quality time with God and listening to His voice. He highlights the need to be still and quiet in order to hear fr |
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God's Bag and Bottle by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound care God has for our sorrows and sins, illustrating that God keeps a record of our iniquities in a bag and collects our tears in a bottle. He |
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Two Infamous Strumpets by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the omnipresence and omniscience of God, asserting that no sin, whether secret or open, can escape His watchful eye. He illustrates that even the most hidd |
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The Discipline of Defeat by Denis Lyle | Denis Lyle preaches on 'The Discipline of Defeat' using the story of Achan's sin in the Bible to illustrate how even the smallest sin can have significant consequences, affecting n |
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A Confessing Sinner, and a Forgiving God by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches about the importance of acknowledging our sinful nature and the impossibility of achieving perfection in ourselves. He emphasizes that true perfection is foun |
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The Fear of God - Part 1 by Jerry Bridges | In this sermon, the preacher begins by introducing the topic of the fear of God and the importance of understanding the God whom we are to fear. He reads from Isaiah chapter 6, des |