Jeremiah 2:36
New International Version
Why do you go about so much, changing your ways? You will be disappointed by Egypt as you were by Assyria.

New Living Translation
First here, then there— you flit from one ally to another asking for help. But your new friends in Egypt will let you down, just as Assyria did before.

English Standard Version
How much you go about, changing your way! You shall be put to shame by Egypt as you were put to shame by Assyria.

Berean Standard Bible
How impulsive you are, constantly changing your ways! You will be disappointed by Egypt just as you were by Assyria.

King James Bible
Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.

New King James Version
Why do you gad about so much to change your way? Also you shall be ashamed of Egypt as you were ashamed of Assyria.

New American Standard Bible
“Why do you go around so much Changing your way? Also, you will be put to shame by Egypt, Just as you were put to shame by Assyria.

NASB 1995
“Why do you go around so much Changing your way? Also, you will be put to shame by Egypt As you were put to shame by Assyria.

NASB 1977
“Why do you go around so much Changing your way? Also, you shall be put to shame by Egypt As you were put to shame by Assyria.

Legacy Standard Bible
Why do you despise Him so much In changing your way? Also, you will be put to shame by Egypt As you were put to shame by Assyria.

Amplified Bible
“Why do you go around and wander so much Changing your way? Also, you will be shamed by Egypt As you were shamed by Assyria.

Christian Standard Bible
How unstable you are, constantly changing your ways! You will be put to shame by Egypt just as you were put to shame by Assyria.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
How unstable you are, constantly changing your ways! You will be put to shame by Egypt just as you were put to shame by Assyria.

American Standard Version
Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt also, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.

Contemporary English Version
When Assyria let you down, you quickly ran to Egypt, but you'll find no help there,

English Revised Version
Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt also, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You change your mind so easily. You will be put to shame by Egypt as you were put to shame by Assyria.

Good News Translation
You have cheapened yourself by turning to the gods of other nations. You will be disappointed by Egypt, just as you were by Assyria.

International Standard Version
Why do you go about changing your mind so much? You will also be disappointed by Egypt, just as you were disappointed by Assyria.

Majority Standard Bible
How impulsive you are, constantly changing your ways! You will be disappointed by Egypt just as you were by Assyria.

NET Bible
Why do you constantly go about changing your political allegiances? You will get no help from Egypt just as you got no help from Assyria.

New Heart English Bible
Why do you go about so much to change your way? You will be ashamed of Egypt also, as you were ashamed of Assyria.

Webster's Bible Translation
Why dost thou go about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.

World English Bible
Why do you go about so much to change your ways? You will be ashamed of Egypt also, as you were ashamed of Assyria.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
What? You are very vile to repeat your way, "" You are even ashamed of Egypt, "" As you have been ashamed of Asshur,

Young's Literal Translation
What? thou art very vile to repeat thy way, Even of Egypt thou art ashamed, As thou hast been ashamed of Asshur,

Smith's Literal Translation
Why wilt thou despise greatly to do the second time thy way? also thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt as thou wert ashamed of Assur.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
How exceeding base art thou become, going the same ways over again! and thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.

Catholic Public Domain Version
How exceedingly vile you have become, repeating your ways again and again! And so, you will be ashamed of Egypt, just as you were ashamed of Assur.

New American Bible
How frivolous you have become in changing your course! By Egypt you will be shamed, just as you were shamed by Assyria.

New Revised Standard Version
How lightly you gad about, changing your ways! You shall be put to shame by Egypt as you were put to shame by Assyria.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Why do you gad about so much to change your ways? You shall also be ashamed of Egypt, even as you were ashamed of Assyria.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Why do you become very contemptible to repeat your ways? You shall also be ashamed of Egypt as you were ashamed of Assyria
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
How greatly dost thou cheapen thyself To change thy way? Thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt also, As thou wast ashamed of Asshur.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For thou has been so exceedingly contemptuous as to repeat thy ways; but thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assur.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Israel's Unfaithfulness
35you say, ‘I am innocent. Surely His anger will turn from me.’ Behold, I will judge you, because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’ 36How unstable you are, constantly changing your ways! You will be disappointed by Egypt just as you were by Assyria. 37Moreover, you will leave that place with your hands on your head, for the LORD has rejected those you trust; you will not prosper by their help.”…

Cross References
Hosea 7:11
So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove—calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria.

Isaiah 30:1-3
“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. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. / But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace.

Ezekiel 16:28-29
Then you prostituted yourself with the Assyrians, because you were not yet satisfied. Even after that, you were still not satisfied. / So you extended your promiscuity to Chaldea, the land of merchants—but even with this you were not satisfied!

2 Kings 17:4
But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea had conspired to send envoys to King So of Egypt, and that he had not paid tribute to the king of Assyria as in previous years. Therefore the king of Assyria arrested Hoshea and put him in prison.

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.

Hosea 12:1
Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; he multiplies lies and violence; he makes a covenant with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.

2 Chronicles 28:16
At that time King Ahaz sent for help from the king of Assyria.

Isaiah 57:13
When you cry out, let your companies of idols deliver you! Yet the wind will carry off all of them, a breath will take them away. But he who seeks refuge in Me will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain.”

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.

Ezekiel 23:5-7
Oholah prostituted herself while she was still Mine. She lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians—warriors / clothed in blue, governors and commanders, all desirable young men, horsemen mounted on steeds. / She offered sexual favors to all the elite of Assyria. She defiled herself with all the idols of those for whom she lusted.

Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

James 1:8
He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Galatians 1:6-7
I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— / which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:3-4
I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ. / For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it very easily.

Revelation 3:15-16
I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! / So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!


Treasury of Scripture

Why gad you about so much to change your way? you also shall be ashamed of Egypt, as you were ashamed of Assyria.

gaddest

Jeremiah 2:18,23,33
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? …

Jeremiah 31:22
How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.

Hosea 5:13
When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.

thou also shalt

Jeremiah 37:7
Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to inquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.

Isaiah 20:5
And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.

Isaiah 30:1-7
Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: …

as thou wast

2 Chronicles 28:16,20,21
At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him…

Hosea 5:13
When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.

Hosea 10:6
It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.

Jump to Previous
Account Ashamed Asshur Assyria Change Changing Disappointed Egypt Greatly Lightly Purpose Repeat Shame Shamed Thyself Vile Wast Way Ways
Jump to Next
Account Ashamed Asshur Assyria Change Changing Disappointed Egypt Greatly Lightly Purpose Repeat Shame Shamed Thyself Vile Wast Way Ways
Jeremiah 2
1. God having shown his former kindness,
5. expostulates with the people on their causeless and unexampled revolt
14. They are the causes of their own calamities
18. The sins and idolatries of Judah
35. Her confidence is rejected.














How impulsive you are, constantly changing your ways!
This phrase addresses the fickle nature of the Israelites during Jeremiah's time. Historically, Israel often vacillated between following God and pursuing alliances with foreign nations. This impulsiveness reflects a lack of faith and trust in God's provision and protection. The Israelites' tendency to change their ways can be seen throughout the Old Testament, such as in the book of Judges, where they repeatedly turned away from God to follow other gods, only to return to Him in times of distress. This behavior is a warning against spiritual instability and the dangers of not being steadfast in one's faith.

You will be disappointed by Egypt just as you were by Assyria.
This part of the verse highlights the futility of relying on foreign powers for security and deliverance. Historically, Egypt and Assyria were major powers in the ancient Near East, and Israel often sought alliances with them to protect against other threats. However, these alliances frequently led to disappointment and disaster. For example, in 2 Kings 17, the alliance with Assyria ultimately resulted in the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Similarly, reliance on Egypt proved futile, as seen in 2 Kings 24:7, when Egypt was unable to protect Judah from Babylonian conquest. This serves as a reminder of the importance of relying on God rather than human powers, echoing the biblical theme that true security comes from God alone.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, often rebuked by God through the prophets for their idolatry and unfaithfulness.

3. Egypt
A powerful nation to the south of Israel, often seen as a potential ally or refuge by the Israelites, but ultimately unreliable.

4. Assyria
A dominant empire in the ancient Near East, previously a threat to Israel and Judah, and a symbol of misplaced trust when Judah sought alliances.

5. God
The sovereign Lord who calls His people to faithfulness and warns them against relying on foreign powers instead of Him.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Unstable Faith
Just as Judah was criticized for constantly changing its ways, believers today must be wary of wavering in their faith and convictions.

Misplaced Trust
The Israelites' reliance on Egypt and Assyria serves as a cautionary tale about placing our trust in worldly powers or solutions instead of God.

God's Faithfulness vs. Human Unreliability
While human alliances may fail, God's promises remain steadfast. Believers are encouraged to trust in His faithfulness.

Repentance and Return
The call to recognize our own instability and return to God is as relevant today as it was for Judah. Repentance is key to restoring our relationship with God.

Learning from History
Understanding the historical context of Judah's alliances helps us see the importance of learning from past mistakes to avoid repeating them.(36) Why gaddest thou . . .?--The vigorous English expresses well, perhaps even with some added force, the frequentative force of the Hebrew. What meant this perpetual change of policy, this shifting of alliances? Shame and confusion should follow from the alliance with Nechoh, as it had followed from that with Tiglath-pileser (2Kings 16:10; 2Chronicles 28:20).

Verse 36. - Why gaddest thou about so much - many render, Why runnest thou so quickly; but the verb simply means to go, and it is enough to refer to foreign embassies, such as are alluded to in this very chapter (ver. 18) - to change thy way? The "way" or policy of Judah was "changed," according as the party in power favored an Egyptian or an Assyrian alliance. Thou also shalt be ashamed of; rather, thou shalt also be brought to shame through. As thou art ashamed of Assyria (correct rendering as before). This is certainly difficult, for in the reign of Josiah it would appear that the political connection with Assyria still continued, Is it possible that Jeremiah, in these words, has in view rather the circumstances of Jehoiakim than those of Josiah? Does he not appear to look back upon Judah's final "putting to shame through Assyria" as a thing of the past? And to what event can this expression refer but to the overthrow of Josiah at Megiddo (so Graf)?

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
How
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

unstable you are,
תֵּזְלִ֥י (tê·zə·lî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 235: To go away, to disappear

constantly
מְאֹ֖ד (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

changing
לְשַׁנּ֣וֹת (lə·šan·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8138: To fold, duplicate, to transmute

your ways!
דַּרְכֵּ֑ךְ (dar·kêḵ)
Noun - common singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

You will be disappointed
תֵּב֔וֹשִׁי (tê·ḇō·wō·šî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 954: To pale, to be ashamed, to be disappointed, delayed

by Egypt
מִמִּצְרַ֙יִם֙ (mim·miṣ·ra·yim)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

just as
כַּאֲשֶׁר־ (ka·’ă·šer-)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you [were]
בֹּ֖שְׁתְּ (bō·šət)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 954: To pale, to be ashamed, to be disappointed, delayed

by Assyria.
מֵאַשּֽׁוּר׃ (mê·’aš·šūr)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 804: Ashshur


Links
Jeremiah 2:36 NIV
Jeremiah 2:36 NLT
Jeremiah 2:36 ESV
Jeremiah 2:36 NASB
Jeremiah 2:36 KJV

Jeremiah 2:36 BibleApps.com
Jeremiah 2:36 Biblia Paralela
Jeremiah 2:36 Chinese Bible
Jeremiah 2:36 French Bible
Jeremiah 2:36 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Jeremiah 2:36 Why go you about so much (Jer.)
Jeremiah 2:35
Top of Page
Top of Page