Jeremiah 2:28 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

Thy gods; thy idols, viz. gods of thy own making; what do they do for thee? Isaiah 31:3. Let them arise: either by way of challenge, let them produce their idols now, to help them, if they can, whom they call their fathers and their makers; or by way of scoff, as Elijah to Baal's priests: see Judges 10:14. Besides, in this word arise there is an insinuation of their lifelessness and deadness, Isaiah 46:7 Jeremiah 10:15. And further, there may be a secret reply couched in it: q.d. In your trouble you will say to me, Arise, save us; now say so to them, and see if they can arise, and save you. According to the number of thy cities are thy gods: q.d. Thou hast them near to thee, and enough of them, imitating the heathens, who had according to Varro above thirty thousand deities; no marvel if I, who am but one, be slighted, when thou hast in every city at least one, 2 Kings 17:29-31, and in Jerusalem one in every street, Jeremiah 11:13. It is a hard case if none nor all these thy tutelar gods can help thee: see Deuteronomy 32:37-39. Make trial if any, or all of them together, can help thee.

Jeremiah 2:28

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