--- title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible" author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown" languages: [en] shelf: "Commentaries" section: 379 of 927 url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/379/ cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 379. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/379/" --- # Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible *Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown* The Victorian standard commentary, critical and practical, from Genesis to Revelation. ## 379. Jeremiah · 3 of 56 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/379/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/379/#p-N [¶0] my fear--rather, "the fear of Me." [¶1] 20. I--the Hebrew should be pointed as the second person feminine, a form common in Jeremiah: "Thou hast broken," &c. So the Septuagint, and the sense requires it. [¶2] thy yoke ... bands--the yoke and bands which I laid on thee, My laws ([Jr 5:5]). [¶3] transgress--so the Keri, and many manuscripts read. But the Septuagint and most authorities read, "I will not serve," that is, obey. The sense of English Version is, "I broke thy yoke (in Egypt)," &c., "and (at that time) thou saidst, I will not transgress; whereas thou hast (since then) wandered (from Me)" ([Ex 19:8]). [¶4] hill ... green tree--the scene of idolatries ([De 12:2]; [Is 57:5], ). [¶5] wanderest--rather, "thou hast bowed down thyself" (for the act of adultery: figurative of shameless idolatry, [Ex 34:15], ; compare [Job 31:10]). [¶6] 21. The same image as in [De 32:32]; [Psa 80:8], ; [Is 5:1], &c. [¶7] unto me--with respect to Me. [¶8] 22. nitre--not what is now so called, namely, saltpeter; but the natron of Egypt, a mineral alkali, an incrustation at the bottom of the lakes, after the summer heat has evaporated the water: used for washing (compare [Job 9:30]; [Pr 25:20]). [¶9] soap--potash, the carbonate of which is obtained impure from burning different plants, especially the kali of Egypt and Arabia. Mixed with oil it was used for washing. [¶10] marked--deeply ingrained, indelibly marked; the Hebrew, catham, being equivalent to cathab. Others translate, "is treasured up," from the Arabic. Maurer from a Syriac root, "is polluted." [¶11] 23. ([Pr 30:12]). [¶12] Baalim--plural, to express manifold excellency: compare Elohim. [¶13] see--consider. [¶14] the valley--namely, of Hinnom, or Tophet, south and east of Jerusalem: rendered infamous by the human sacrifices to Moloch in it (compare [Jr 19:2], [6, 13], ; ; see on [Is 30:33]). [¶15] thou art--omit. The substantive that follows in this verse (and also that in [Jr 2:24]) is in apposition with the preceding "thou." [¶16] dromedary--rather, a "young she-camel." [¶17] traversing--literally, "enfolding"; making its ways complicated by wandering hither and thither, lusting after the male. Compare as to the Jews' spiritual lust, [Ho 2:6], . [¶18] 24. ([Jr 14:6]; [Job 39:5]). "A wild ass," agreeing with "thou" ([Jr 2:23]). [¶19] at her pleasure--rather, "in her ardor," namely, in pursuit of a male, sniffing the wind to ascertain where one is to be found [Maurer]. [¶20] occasion--either from a Hebrew root, "to meet"; "her meeting (with the male for sexual intercourse), who can avert it?" Or better from an Arabic root: "her heat (sexual impulse), who can allay it?" [Maurer]. [¶21] all they--whichever of the males desire her company [Horsley]. [¶22] will not weary themselves--have no need to weary themselves in searching for her. [¶23] her month--in the season of the year when her sexual impulse is strongest, she puts herself in the way of the males, so that they have no difficulty in finding her. [¶24] 25. Withhold, &c.--that is, abstain from incontinence; figuratively for idolatry [Houbigant]. [¶25] unshod, &c.--do not run so violently in pursuing lovers, as to wear out thy shoes: do not "thirst" so incontinently after sexual intercourse. Hitzig thinks the reference is to penances performed barefoot to idols, and the thirst occasioned by loud and continued invocations to them. [¶26] no hope--([Jr 18:12]; [Is 57:10]). "It is hopeless," that is, I am desperately resolved to go on in my own course. [¶27] strangers--that is, laying aside the metaphor, "strange gods" ([Jr 3:13]; [De 32:16]). [¶28] 26. is ashamed--is put to shame. [¶29] thief--([Joh 10:1]). [¶30] Israel--that is, Judah ([Jr 2:28]). [¶31] 27. Thou art my father--(Contrast [Jr 3:4]; [Is 64:8]). [¶32] in ... trouble they will say--namely, to God ([Psa 78:34]; [Is 26:16]). Trouble often brings men to their senses ([Lu 15:16-18]). [¶33] 28. But--God sends them to the gods for whom they forsook Him, to see if they can help them ([De 32:37], ; [Jud 10:14]). [¶34] according to the number of thy cities--Besides national deities, each city had its tutelary god ([Jr 11:13]). [¶35] 29. plead with me--that is, contend with Me for afflicting you ([Jr 2:23], 35). [¶36] 30. ([Jr 5:3]; ; [Is 1:5]; ). [¶37] your children--that is, your people, you. [¶38] your ... sword ... devoured ... prophets--([2Ch 36:16]; [Ne 9:26]; [Mt 23:29], ). [¶39] 31. The Hebrew collocation is, "O, the generation, ye," that is, "O ye who now live." The generation needed only to be named, to call its degeneracy to view, so palpable was it. [¶40] wilderness--in which all the necessaries of life are wanting. On the contrary, Jehovah was a never-failing source of supply for all Israel's wants in the wilderness, and afterwards in Canaan. [¶41] darkness--literally, "darkness of Jehovah," the strongest Hebrew term for "darkness; the densest darkness"; compare "land of the shadow of death" ([Jr 2:6]). [¶42] We are lords--that is, We are our own masters. We will worship what gods we like ([Psa 12:4]; ). But it is better to translate from a different Hebrew root: "We ramble at large," without restraint pursuing our idolatrous lusts. [¶43] 32. Oriental women greatly pride themselves on their ornaments (compare [Is 61:10]). [¶44] attire--girdles for the breast.