Jeremiah 17:2 Meaning: Passing Down Idolatry
Even their children remember their altars and their Asherah poles by the green trees on the high hills.
Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills.
whilst their children remember their altars and their Asherim by the green trees upon the high hills.
As their sons remember their altars and their shrines, By the green tree, by the high hills.
whilst their children remember their altars and their Asherahs, by the green trees, upon the high hills.
Meaning in one sentence
Even the children remembered the altars and Asherah poles. This verse reveals how sin leaves its mark on the next generation.
Context
Jeremiah is building a case against Judah. In the verse before this one, he says their sin is engraved like with a diamond point, on their own hearts and on the altars where they sacrificed. Now he adds another layer: the children remember. They have not forgotten the altars, the wooden symbols of the goddess Asherah, the green trees on the high hills. This shows that idolatry was not a one-time mistake but a pattern passed from parent to child. Judah's worship of false gods had taken root so deeply that even the youngest carried its memory. The nation was saturated in it, and this was part of God's indictment against them.
Key Words
The Hebrew word for 'remember' here is zakhar. It means more than recalling a fact, it carries the force of keeping something alive through action. The children did not just know about the altars; they continued the practices that went with them. Their hands and hearts were still involved.
The altars and Asherah poles are central. Altars were places of sacrifice, and here they were dedicated to foreign gods. Asherah poles were wooden images of a Canaanite goddess, set up as part of worship that God had forbidden. The fact that they still stood, in plain sight, shows that Judah had ignored God's clear commands.
And the green trees and high hills, these were the favored spots for pagan worship. Green trees suggested life and fruitfulness, and high hills were thought to be closer to the divine. What looked beautiful and spiritual had become a snare. The very landscape that could have reminded them of God's creation was used to betray Him.
How Christians Read This Verse
Most Christian readers understand this verse as describing the children actively continuing the idol worship they learned from their parents. Adam Clarke wrote that the young generation had their 'imagination stocked with idol images.' Matthew Henry similarly said that the parents taught their children to worship idols. John Calvin emphasized that sin flowed down 'by a hereditary right', not just as isolated failures but as a corruption that kept spreading. Some commentators, like Barnes, also note the possibility of child sacrifice, which would leave a horrifying memory. Across these views, all agree on one thing: sin does not stay contained. It leaves a lasting imprint on those who come after.
A common misunderstanding
Some read this verse and think God holds children guilty for their parents' sins, as if He punishes them for what they did not do. In fact, the verse is describing how sin spreads: children imitate what they see. Throughout Scripture, each person is accountable for their own choices (Ezekiel 18:20). The tragedy here is not God's judgment on innocent children, but the children's own willingness to walk the same road their parents walked.
Living This Out
It might be troubling to read that the children remembered every detail of the altars and poles. That same principle holds true today. The people around you, especially the younger ones, notice what you treat as important. Are they seeing devotion to God, or something else? Maybe it is your worry, your busy schedule, your attachment to comfort or approval. These can become the 'altars' they remember. This verse invites you to look at your life this week and ask: what will they carry with them? And if what they would remember is not good, there is hope in Christ to break the cycle and start something new.
Main takeaway: What we worship gets passed down; choose carefully what your children will remember.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
In the Bible, God said that even the children remembered the altars and wooden poles that were used to worship false gods. It is like when you see your parents do something, and then you do it too. We need to remember to love God more than anything else, so the people around us learn to love God too.
For ages 9, 12
This verse shows a sad truth: what we practice in our homes gets remembered. The children in Judah remembered the altars and the poles in the green trees on the hills. They grew up to do the same things their parents did. Think about your own life: what are you learning from the adults around you? Are you learning to love God and follow Him? You can choose to follow God, even if your family does not. God calls you to be faithful and to remember Him above all.
Questions People Ask
What are Asherah poles?
Asherah poles were wooden symbols or images associated with the Canaanite goddess Asherah, often set up near altars. God commanded Israel to cut them down, but the people kept them as part of idol worship (Judges 3:7). They represented a competing devotion to the one true God.
Does Jeremiah 17:2 mean God punishes children for their parents' sins?
No. The verse describes that children continued the idolatrous practices of their parents. This is a pattern of influence, not a declaration of inherited guilt. Ezekiel 18:20 makes clear that each person is accountable for their own sin. The verse warns about the lasting impact of sinful habits on the next generation.
Why does the verse mention green trees and high hills?
These were common locations for Canaanite worship. Green trees provided shade and were symbols of fertility, while high hills were thought to be closer to the gods. The phrase points to how natural settings were corrupted into places of idolatry. Many prophetic books use similar language to describe unfaithfulness (Jeremiah 2:20, Isaiah 1:29).
How does this verse connect to the larger passage in Jeremiah 17?
Jeremiah 17 opens with God declaring that Judah's sin is engraved on their hearts and on their altars (v1). Verse 2 gives evidence: even the children remember the pagan worship. This leads into a section contrasting trust in man versus trust in God (v5-8). The entire chapter stresses the deep-rootedness of sin and the need for wholehearted dependence on the Lord.
What is the main lesson for Christians today from this verse?
The verse reminds us that our worship practices have a lasting impact on the people around us, especially children. It challenges us to examine what we prioritize and whether we are passing on a legacy of faithfulness to God or something else. The gospel offers cleansing from sin and the power to break the cycle.
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