Jeremiah 2:18

Translations

Modern

Now what will you gain on your way to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? What will you gain on your way to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates?

Traditional

And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?

Literal

And now, what is unto you in the way of Egypt—to drink the waters of Shihor? Or what is unto you in the way of Assyria—to drink the waters of the River?

Latin

Et nunc quid tibi vis in via Ægypti, ut bibas aquam turbidam? et quid tibi cum via Assyriorum, ut bibas aquam fluminis?

Original

Hebrew

English

Now what will you gain on your way to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? What will you gain on your way to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates?

Notes

Jeremiah 2:18

Israel's alliances with Egypt and agreements with Assyria (2 Kings 15:19–19:37) brought only sorrow, not benefits. Neither the Nile in Egypt nor the Euphrates in Assyria ever helped Israel (Isaiah 30:1–3; Hosea 5:13).

Jeremiah 2:14–22

This review of Israel's history highlights the foolishness, violence, arrogance, and hopelessness of abandoning the true God to worship false pagan gods.

Theme notes and profiles

God’s New Covenant The Broken Covenant

Events

Prophecies of Jeremiahc. 628 BC

Related verses

Joshua 13:3
…from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites;
Isaiah 31:1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.
Jeremiah 2:36
How impulsive you are, constantly changing your ways! You will be disappointed by Egypt just as you were by Assyria.
Hosea 7:11
So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove—calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria.
Jeremiah 37:5–10
Pharaoh’s army had left Egypt, and when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard the report, they withdrew from Jerusalem.
Isaiah 30:1–7
“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin.
2 Chronicles 28:20–21
Then Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came to Ahaz but afflicted him rather than strengthening him.
Ezekiel 17:15
But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’
Hosea 5:13
When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound.
2 Kings 16:7–9
So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hands of the kings of Aram and Israel, who are rising up against me.”
Lamentations 4:17
All the while our eyes were failing as we looked in vain for help. We watched from our towers for a nation that could not save us.

Places

Assyria: A powerful ancient empire, often in conflict with Israel Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus Euphrates: Major river in ancient Near East; boundary of Promised Land Nile: The major river of Egypt, mentioned in various contexts

Glossary

Alliance Book of Jeremiah Courts and Trials Jeremiah (Person) Priests and Levites Sexual Immorality Shihor Sihor

Topics

Assyria: Judah Condemned for Trusting To Church: Backslidden Confidence: False Nile: Called Sihor Rivers: Useful For: Supplying Drink to the People Sihor: A River of Egypt, Given by some Authorities As the Nile River The Euphrates: Waters of, Considered Wholesome The Jews: Condemned for Associating with Other Nations The Nile River the River Nile: Called: Sihor Water: Collected in Rivers

Jeremiah 2:18

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