Jeremiah 2:23

"For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before me,” says the Lord GOD."

Key Reflection

This verse emphasizes that no amount of outward cleansing can fully remove sin from one's life; true righteousness comes from an inward transformation acknowledged by God. Despite extensive efforts at purification, iniquity remains visible to the divine eye.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

In their defense of themselves (compareJeremiah 2:35), the people probably appealed to the maintenance of the daily sacrifice, and the Mosaic ritual: and even more confidently perhaps to Josiah’s splendid restoration of the temple, and to the suppression of the open worship of Baal. All such pleas availed little as long as the rites of Moloch were still privately practiced. Thy way in the valley -i. e., of Hinnom (see2 Kings 23:10note). From the time of Ahaz it had been the seat of the worship of Moloch, and the prophet more than once identifies Moloch with Baal. “Way” is put metaphorically for “conduct, doings.” Traversing -Interlacing her ways.

More from Jeremiah 2

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