Jeremiah 2:26 — Meaning and Application

A wild ass used to the wilderness, {that} snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her. {A wild...: or, O wild ass, etc} {used: Heb. taught} {her pleasure: Heb. the desire of her heart} {turn...: or, reverse it?}

Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go. {There...: or, Is the case desperate?}

As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets,

Saying to a stock, Thou {art} my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned {their} back unto me, and not {their} face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. {brought...: or, begotten me} {their back: Heb. the hinder part of the neck}

But where {are} thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for {according to} the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah. {trouble: Heb. evil}