1God reminding the Jews of his former kindness contendeth with them for their causeless and unprecedented revolt. 14They are the authors of their own calamities. 18God upbraideth them with their fondness for idolatrous worship. 35The vain confidences of Judah are rejected.
1MOREOVER the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
2Go and cry in the ears of 1Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; 2I remember thee, the kindness 3of thy youth, the love of thine espousals,a when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, 4in a land that was not sown.
1 That is, of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, as Jer. 1:3, etc.
2 Or, I remember the kindness, etc. Hebr. I remember thee, etc. See Psalm 79 on verse 8.
3 That is, the kindness or mercy which I showed thee in thy youth; also the love of thine espousal, that is, the love which I bare unto thee when I married thee, that is, when I first accepted thee to be My people in Egypt, and afterward made My covenant with thee at Horeb. Compare Ezek. 16:8, 22, and see concerning the manner of speech Psalm 59:10; 106:4; Isa. 26:11. Likewise Jer. 51:35; Joel 3:19; Obadiah verse 10; Jonah 2:8, with the annotation, etc.
a time of betrothal
4 Compare verse 6.
3Israel was 5holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that 6devour him shall 7offend; 8evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.
5 Sanctified by Him to be His people and separated from all other nations; as the firstfruits were hallowed unto Him. See Exod. 19:4, 5, 6.
6 That is, sought to eat, that is, to destroy, who wronged him. Compare Neh. 6 on verse 9; Psalm 14 on verse 4; Psalm 79 on verse 7.
7 And punished as such; as the following words do show.
8 Namely, the evil of the punishment, that is, misery, destruction; as appeared to the Egyptians, the Amalekites, the kings of Sihon and Og, the Midianites and Canaanites.
4Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:
5¶Thus saith the LORD, Whatb iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after 9vanity, and are become vain?
b Micah 6:3, 4.
9 That is, after idols, which are nothing but vanity, and make idolaters vain in their imaginations, and deceive them in their hope and expectation. Compare verses 8, 11; 2 Kings 17 on verse 15; Psalm 62 on verse 10.
6Neither 10said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of 11deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the 12shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?
10 Namely, within themselves, that is, they thought not, also verse 8.
11 Hebr. of the desert and of the pit or of the ditch, that is, desolate and full of pits, that is, rugged, uneven or untrodden; some understand by the pit the grave, that is, such a land, where, in regard of the lack of all things (verse 2), the passengers could look for nothing but death, and the grave, unless God did extraordinarily provide other ways.
12 See Psalm 23 on verse 4.
7And 13I brought you into a 14plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine 15heritage an 16abomination.
13 These are again God’s words.
14 Hebr. Carmel. See 2 Kings 19 on verse 23. Also Jer. 4:26; 48:32, etc. Understand Canaan.
15 See Psalm 68 on verse 9.
16 Committing therein all manner of idolatry, as follows.
8The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they 17thatc handle the law knew me not: the pastors also 18transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied 19by Baal, and walked after things that do 20not profit.
17 As priests, Levites, scribes, who were to teach and expound the law of God, or the Holy Scripture to the people. See Ezra 7:6; Neh. 8:1, 3, 7, 8, etc.; Mal. 2:6, 7.
c Rom. 2:20.
18 Other, revolted from me. See 1 Kings 8:50; 1 Kings 12 on verse 19.
19 That is, in Baal’s name. See Judges 2 on verse 11.
20 That is, the idols, and human traditions, also verse 11, which in verse 5 are called vanity, and self-hewn cisterns, that can hold no water, verse 13.
9¶Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead.
10For pass over the isles of 21Chittim, and see; and send unto 22Kedar, and consider 23diligently, and see if there be such a thing.
21 See Gen. 10 on verse 4; Num. 24 on verse 24.
22 See Gen. 25 on verse 13; Psalm 120:5; Cant. 1:5; Jer. 49:28. It is held to be a country in the desert and stony Arabia. Compare Ezek. 27:21.
23 Hebr. greatly.
11Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changedd their 24glory for that which doth not profit.
d Psalm 106:20.
24 That is, the true God and the true religion into idols and idolatry. See Psalm 106:20 with the annotation.
12Be astonished, O ye 25heavens,e at this, and 26be horribly afraid, 27be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.
25 See Deut. 4 on verse 26.
e Deut. 32:1; Isa. 1:2.
26 Properly: let your hairs rise up, or, be moved.
27 By withdrawing or loss of the heavenly light.
13For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the 28fountainf of 29living waters, and hewed them out 30cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
28 The Author and Origin of true happiness, of all blessed and permanent help, of saving comforts and of eternal life. Compare John 4:14, etc.
f Cant. 4:15; Jer. 17:13.
29 See Gen. 26 on verse 19, and compare Psalm 36 on verse 9.
30 Or, troughs. Compare Jer. 2 on verse 8, ref #20.
14¶Is Israel a 31servant? is he a 32homeborn slave? why 33is he spoiled?
31 That he is thus treated by enemies, as if he were a servant and a slave.
32 That is, a slave, a servant, who is also called a son of the house. See Gen. 15 on verse 3; 17:13.
33 God speaks of the approaching punishments, as if they had already happened upon His people, because of the undoubted certainty thereof. Also in the sequel, and elsewhere often.
15Theg young 34lions roared upon him, and 35yelled, and they made his land waste:h his cities are burned without inhabitant.
g Isa. 5:29; Jer. 4:7.
34 The enemies, namely, the Babylonians.
35 Hebr. given, that is, made a sound, cry, as a wild beast does upon his prey.
h Jer. 4:7.
16Also the 36children of Noph and 37Tahapanes have broken the 38crown of thy head.
36 That is, the Egyptians. See of both these cities Isa. 19:13; 30:3, 4. Likewise Jer. 43:7.
37 See Jer. 43:7, 8. Likewise Ezek. 30:18 with the annotation. The words are written somewhat differently in the Hebrew.
38 Whereas thou thinkest to be helped by them, they shall spoil thee, especially in the borders of the south, situated towards Egypt. Other, eaten up, bruised.
17Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the 39way?
39 When He leads thee the right way, or, in His way, by the doctrines and exhortations of His servants.
18And now what 40hast thou to do in the way of Egypt,i to drink the waters of 41Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the 42river?
40 Hebr. what is it to thee, or, what hast thou, namely, to do? Compare Judges 11 on verse 12; 2 Sam. 16 on verse 10. The sense is: To what purpose doest thou thus run and travel into Egypt or into Assyria for help, as if I were not able to help thee? Compare verse 36.
i Isa. 31:1.
41 See Joshua 13 on verse 3; Isa. 23:3.
42 Euphrates.
19Thine own wickednessj43shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of 44hosts.
j Isa. 3:9; Hosea 5:5.
43 That is, thou shalt be punished for thy wickedness. Or, Let thy wickedness correct thee, etc., that is, let the fruits of thy wickedness instruct and convince thee that thou hast offended.
44 See 1 Kings 18 on verse 15.
20 ¶ 45For 46of old time I have broken thy 47yoke, and 48burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not 49transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou 50wanderest, playing the 51harlot.
45 Or, Because, etc.
46 Or, in former time. So the Hebrew word olam (otherwise signifies eternity, also a long time to come, also the time of man’s life) is likewise often taken for a long while ago, for things of old, etc. See Gen. 6:4; Deut. 32:7; Isa. 57:11; Jer. 6:16; 18:15; 28:8; Ezek. 26:20, etc.
47 Understand the yoke of bondage and slavery in Egypt.
48 Or, pulled off, plucked off.
49 Or, I will not serve, namely, the idols. Other, I will not transgress. Compare the promises which they made unto God Exod. 19:8; 24:3; Joshua 24:16, etc. But, as if the Lord said, ye have not kept your word, for, upon every high hill, etc.
50 Compare this signification of the Hebrew word with Isa. 51:14; 63:1; Jer. 48:12. Other, thou liest, or, thou layest thyself down, thou rollest thyself.
51 Compare verse 23. That is, committing idolatry. See Lev. 17 on verse 7; Deut. 12 on verses 2 and 3. Or, thou harlot.
21Yet I had plantedk thee a noble vine, wholly a 52right seed: how then art thou turned into the 53degenerate plant of a 54strange vine unto me?
k Exod. 15:17; Psalm 44:2; 80:8.
52 Hebr. seed of truth or faithfulness, that is, a true good stock, a right plant, that bringing forth good seed, that is, good fruit, which bears seed in it. Compare Isa. 1:22; 5:2. Other, whose whole seed should be truth, in one and the same sense.
53 Hebr. properly: declining, that is, degenerated, inferior vines.
54 Or, outlandish.
22For though thou 55washl thee with 56nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is 57marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
55 That is, all thy hypocritical pretences, excuses, fig leaves, wherewith thou seekest to cover thy wickedness, cannot help thee.
l Job 9:30.
56 Hebr. nether, that is, nitre, salt-peter, salt dug out of the ground.
57 Or, manifested, that it cannot be obscured from Me, as fine gold has its mark. The Hebrew word is only found so here, being derived from another, which signifies fine gold, and is likewise taken by the Hebrews for a mark, sign or spot whereby a thing may be known and discerned. Some render it glistereth or shineth, like gold. Likewise spotted.
23How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy 58way in the 59valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a 60swift dromedary 61traversing her ways;
58 That is, thine idolatrous nature and practice.
59 This may be understood of valleys in general, Isa. 57:5, 6, or in particular of the valley of Hinnom, situated near Jerusalem, where they committed their abominable idolatry with Molech. See 2 Kings 23:10; Jer. 19:2, etc.
60 It is conceived that the Hebrew word bichra signifies a certain kind of small or young she-camels, which were very swift in running, as post-horses, and so run before others, as the firstborn (from which the word bechor is used) came before the other children. Compare Isa. 60:6. Therefore such a she-camel was called by a Greek word dromas, that is, she-runner; the word dromedary is also used in our own language. God compares Israel herewith, by reason of their fiery disposition to run into all manner of idolatry.
61 The Hebrew word is only found in this place, being derived from another word, which signifies a shoe-strap. God intimates herewith, that Israel ran up and down, to and fro in idolatry, as a shoe-strap is often variously turned and shaken to and fro.
24A wild ass 62used to the wilderness, that 63snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? 64all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her 65month they shall find her.
62 Hebr. taught, that is, accustomed, exercised, experienced, as Jer. 13:21, 23; 31:18; Hosea 10:11. The sense is, that she is no less to be restrained or tamed in her hot disposition than a wild ass is. See Job 39:5.
63 Or, swalloweth in the wind. Compare Jer. 14:6. That is, she cheereth and delighteth herself upon all occasions, which she herself seeketh and pursueth after, in her spiritual whoredom, being so impudently hot, as that none can restrain or beat her off from it. Other, snuffeth up the wind according to her occasion, who should turn her away?
64 The idolaters, who desire to commit fornication with her, need not to take great pains, she is easy to be found. Compare Ezek. 16:33, 34; 23:40.
65The new moon, or monthly courses; for, she has laid aside all modesty. See Lev. 20:18. Some understand this of the idolatry which they committed on every new moon.
2566Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, 67There is no hope: no; for I have loved 68strangers, and after them will I go.
66 These are the words of God, Who calls Israel away from their impudent heat.
67 It is in vain; it is lost labor; I will not do it.
68 Namely, idols.
2669As the thief is ashamed when he is 70found, so 71is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets,
69 Hebr. According to the shame of a thief. Compare Jer. 48:27.
70 That is, taken and apprehended in the very act.
71 Or, shall be ashamed. Other, they have made the house of Israel ashamed, that is, they shall make ashamed, etc., they shall be made ashamed, that is, they shall be surely ashamed.
27Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast 72brought me forth: for they have turned their 73back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their 74trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
72 Or, begotten.
73 They have revolted from Me, and have been refractory and rebellious. See Jer. 7:24; 32:33, and compare Exod. 32:9.
74 Of the punishment, when the threatened miseries come upon them. Also in the next verse.
28But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? 75let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for 76according to them number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.
75 Compare Deut. 32:38; Judges 10:14.
76 That is, thou hast as many particular idols as thou hast cities. Therefore let us once see whether all of them together be able to help thee.
m Isa. 2:8; Jer. 11:13.
29Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed 77against me, saith the LORD.
77 See verse 8.
30In vain have I 78smittenn your children; they received noo79correction: your own 80sword hath devoured your prophets, like a 81destroying lion.
78 See Isa. 1:5.
n Isa. 1:5; Jer. 5:3.
o Jer. 5:3.
79 See Prov. 1 on verse 2.
80 It is so far from this that ye would have accepted My reproofs, as on the contrary ye have, like raging, wild beasts, destroyed the prophets, who dissuaded your from idolatry; as came to pass in the time of Asa, Joash, and Manasseh. See also Mat. 23:29, etc.; Luke 11:47, etc.; 13:34.
81 Or, ruining. See of the Hebrew word Judges 20 on verse 21.
31¶Op generation, 82see ye the word of the LORD. 83Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land 84of darkness? wherefore say my people, 85We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?
p Mat. 23:26, etc.
82 Or, consider; Hebr. see.
83 Have I led and dealt so ill with Israel, or have they fared so ill by Me, as people who faint and perish in a wilderness and in dark unfrequented ways, for hunger, grief, sorrow and want? Surely (the Lord will say) the contrary is most true. Such questions imply a strong denial.
84 Hebr. obscurity or darkness of the LORD. The Hebrew particle JAH (according to the opinion of most expositors) being added thereunto for the exaggeration or aggravation of the thing. Compare Gen. 13 on verse 10. Other, a land that casteth down or causeth to fall the inhabitants, that is, causes them to faint and perish for want; the sense being all one.
85 Or, We bear rule, that is, our affairs go well; we have strengthened our kingdom by foreign aid and covenants; we have now no more of Thee; we need not seek anymore unto Thee.
32Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her 86attire? yet my people have forgottenq87me 88days without number.
86 Or, her bindings; wherewith she ties her attire fast to her head. Some take it to be the ornament of the head or of the neck or throat.
q Jer. 3:21.
87 I, Who am their Glory and only Ornament. See on verse 11; 2 Sam. 1 on verse 19.
88 A very long time.
33Why trimmestr thou thy way to seek 89love? 90therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.
r arrange carefully
89 Or, amourettes. Hebr. properly: love. The meaning seems to be: Why wilt thou yet hide thy idolatrous condition and practice, whereas indeed thou doest nothing else then to seek occasion everywhere to get acquaintance and society with other idolaters, and to commit idolatry with them. Some understand this of her constant running and traveling, to get favor among pagan idolatrous nations, and to make covenant with them; of which verse 36. They did both, and the one depended upon the other.
90 Or, whereby, so that thou also, yea, thou hast also, etc. That is, thou art so vile an harlot, as that thou surpassest the very worst foreign or pagan harlots that be, because by thy practice thou makest them worse than they are of themselves.
34Also in thy 91skirts is found the blood of the 92souls of the poor innocents: I have not found 93it by secret search, but upon 94all these.
91 Namely, of thy garments.
92 That is, persons. Compare Prov. 28:17 with the annotation.
93 Namely, blood. The Hebrew noun which signifies blood is indeed in the previous words used in the singular number, but is joined with a verb of the plural number, as if one would say: The blood are found, that is, the bloods, as Scripture often uses the word bloods thus. Or, it may be understood of much innocent blood wherewith they were defiled. See verse 30. This was so manifest that it needed not to be found out by any strict search, neither needed the blood to be dug up as if it were hid in the earth, but it was publicly to be seen, sticking yet (as we may say) upon the skirts of their garments. Some take it thus: Thou (because the Hebrew verb may be taken in the first person of the masculine gender, and in the second of the feminine) hast not found them (namely, the innocent person) digging through (that thou wouldest have killed them as guilty night-thieves, Exod. 22:2, 3) but thou hast killed them for all those things, namely, for all thy aforementioned idolatries, which they reproved. See on verse 30.
94 Namely, hems of thy garments.
35Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely 95his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will 96plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.
95 Namely, the anger of the Lord, as if they said: We are sufficiently sure of it that the Lord is not wroth with us. Other, Let only his anger turn away from me, that is, I will sufficiently prove that I am innocent, if He is willing but to deal lovingly with me, and not be so rigorous and severe; as the hypocrites do always excuse themselves, and blame God.
96 Or, submit myself with thee to judgment, as elsewhere. See Ezek. 17:20; 20:35; Joel 3:2, etc.
36Why gaddest thou about so 97much 98to change thy way? thou also shalt be 99ashamed of 100Egypt,s as thou wast ashamed of 101Assyria.
97 Hebr. greatly.
98 Gadding, that is, traveling, sometimes to this, sometimes to that party for help.
99 Compare Isa. 30:3, 4, 5; Jer. 37:7; Hosea 5:13, etc.
100 That is, the Egyptians; also Asshur, that is, the Assyrians.
s Isa. 31:1.
101 See 2 Chron. 28:20, 21. As if the Lord would say: As thou hast been deceived by the one, thus shalt thou likewise be deceived by the other.
37Yea, thou shalt go forth 102from him, and thine 103hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected 104thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.
102 Because thou dost thus travel forth from here, therefore thou shalt, etc. Or, from this man, namely, the Egyptian. Other, for that cause.
103 That is, with mourning, shame and disgrace. See 2 Sam. 13:19 with the annotation.
104 Hebr. thy confidences, in the plural number, that is, all thy vain refuge, which thou seekest outside of God.