What does Jeremiah 2:25 mean?
"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." - Jeremiah 2:25

The verse Jeremiah 2:25 from the King James Version of the Bible reads, "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."
This verse is part of the book of Jeremiah, which contains the words of the prophet Jeremiah as he speaks to the people of Judah. In this verse, Jeremiah is speaking to the people, urging them to turn away from the path of destruction and return to the Lord.
The verse begins with the instruction to "withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst." This can be understood as a metaphor for taking care of oneself and ensuring one's basic needs are met. By withholding one's foot from being unshod, it means not allowing oneself to be exposed and vulnerable, while withholding the throat from thirst means not allowing oneself to remain in a state of need or want. This speaks to the importance of self-preservation and taking care of oneself.
However, despite this instruction, the people respond by saying, "There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go." This reveals the rebellious and stubborn nature of the people, who have turned away from the Lord and have instead chosen to love and follow "strangers," which can be understood as foreign gods or idols.
The theme of this verse is one of rebellion and unfaithfulness. The people of Judah have turned away from the Lord, who has been their protector and provider, and instead have chosen to love and follow foreign gods. This is a recurring theme throughout the book of Jeremiah, as the prophet laments the unfaithfulness of the people and urges them to return to the Lord.
The context of this verse is important in understanding its significance. At the time of Jeremiah, the people of Judah were facing imminent destruction due to their disobedience and unfaithfulness. They had turned away from the Lord and had embraced idolatry and wickedness. Jeremiah's words were a warning to the people, urging them to repent and turn back to the Lord before it was too late.
The symbolism in this verse is powerful and poignant. The image of withholding one's foot from being unshod and one's throat from thirst evokes a sense of self-restraint and self-preservation. This can be seen as a metaphor for the need to resist temptation and refrain from pursuing sinful desires. The mention of loving strangers and going after them symbolizes the people's infidelity and unfaithfulness to the Lord, as they have turned away from Him and embraced foreign gods.
In conclusion, Jeremiah 2:25 is a poignant and powerful verse that conveys a message of warning and admonition. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of unfaithfulness and disobedience, and the importance of remaining faithful and obedient to the Lord. The verse urges us to take care of ourselves and refrain from pursuing sinful desires, and instead to turn back to the Lord and remain faithful to Him. It is a timeless message that resonates through the ages, reminding us of the consequences of straying from the path of righteousness and the need to remain steadfast in our faith.
Have questions about Jeremiah 2:25?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Jeremiah 2:25 Artwork
Jeremiah 2:25 - "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."
"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." - Jeremiah 2:25
Jeremiah 25:2 - "The which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying,"
Jeremiah 2:5 - "¶ Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?"
"The which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying," - Jeremiah 25:2
2 Chronicles 35:25 - "¶ And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations."
Jeremiah 25:25 - "And all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes,"
Jeremiah 25:21 - "Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,"
Jeremiah 25:23 - "Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all that are in the utmost corners,"
Jeremiah 49:25 - "How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!"
Jeremiah 31:25 put bible verse on it
Jeremiah 25:37 - "And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the LORD."
Jeremiah 25:1 - "The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;"
Jeremiah 25:35 - "And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape."
"And all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes," - Jeremiah 25:25
Jeremiah 48:25 - "The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD."
Jeremiah 25:24 - "And all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the desert,"
Jeremiah 4:25 - "I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled."
"Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon," - Jeremiah 25:21
"¶ Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?" - Jeremiah 2:5
Jeremiah 25:16 - "And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them."
Jeremiah 25:19 - "Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his people;"
Jeremiah 25:22 - "And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which are beyond the sea,"
Jeremiah 25:8 - "¶ Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words,"
Jeremiah 6:25 - "Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side."
Jeremiah 31:25 - "For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul."
Jeremiah 25:13 - "And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations."
Jeremiah 25:36 - "A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture."
Jeremiah 9:25 - "¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;"
Jeremiah 25:11 - "And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years."