Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Ever. True wisdom may be found in the law. It constitutes the happiness of Israel. Deuteronomy 4:7. Christ perfected and fulfilled it. Matthew 5:7.—Life. Moses promised temporal blessings; (Calmet. 3:14. Deuteronomy 30:15) yet the faithful would be rewarded eternally. Calmet.—Wisdom is the law of God. Calmet. 3:12. Worthington.
Verse 3. Nation. Be faithful, lest another take thy place. This Christians have done. Deuteronomy 32:21. Calmet.
Verse 5. Memorial. Greek lit. “O memorable Israel.” Bible.—Ye are left to support and restore the nation. This part of the letter is for their comfort.
Verse 6. Sold, like slaves, or people taken in war. Calmet.
Verse 8. God. Lit. “Him.” Greek “the Eternal.” Bible.—This is taken from Deuteronomy 32:15. Calmet.—Nursed you. The city is beautifully personified as a widow. verse 12. Bible.
Verse 9. Near. Hebrew would be “daughters of Sion.” verse 14.
Verse 15. Tongue. So the Chaldees are described, Deuteronomy 28:49. Isaiah 33:19. Calmet.
Verse 16. Children. Greek “daughters.” Bible.—Many of both sexes were taken with Jechonias. Calmet.—Jerusalem comforts her children, and assures them of God’s mercy. Worthington.
Verse 20. Peace: the ornaments worn in my prosperity.—Sackcloth, or a rough garment, used by penitents and in times of public distress.
Verse 25. Neck. Mardochai, Daniel, and so forth were governors. Isaiah 40:14. These predictions were more fully verified when the Gentiles embraced the gospel. Calmet.
Verse 28. When. Greek “now ten times as much, being converted, seek him.” Bible.—The Jews became much more docile and attached to the law.
Verse 30. Named thee as his servant, spouse, ( Calmet.) and intimate friend.
Verse 31. The. Greek Δειλαιοι. “wretched those who have injured thee, and rejoiced in thy fall! Wretched the cities,” and so forth Bible.
Verse 32. She; Babylon. Challoner.—Greek “Wretched she,” and so forth Bible.—Babylon shall fall a prey to Cyrus.
Verse 35. Fire of war.—Devils. Whether they really dwell in ruins, or the people were of that opinion, (as the common sort are still) is not clear. Jeremiah 50:39. Isaiah 34:14.
Verse 37. East and west. From Babylon and from the islands. Isaiah 11:11. Zechariah 8:7.