Jeremiah
Verse 1. It. Hebrew “a saying.” Septuagint “If,” and so forth Deuteronomy 24:1. Bible.—Woman. Hebrew “land.”—Lovers. Septuagint “shepherds,” Calmet. seeking aid from idols and foreigners.
EXPLANATIONS
Jeremiah 3
Historical chapter commentary
Jeremiah
Verse 2. High. Lit. “straight forward.” Bible.—On the hills, idolatry and immorality prevailed.—Ways, where harlots used to sit. Genesis 38:14. Proverbs 7:9 and 23:27.—Robber; “Arab,” (Chal. and so forth) or “crow.” (Sept.) Calmet.—No sin is so great as to be irremissible to the true penitent. Worthington.
Jeremiah
Verse 3. Rain; about November. Deuteronomy 11:14. This drought happened under Josias, (Calmet. 5:24) and was different from that specified, Calmet. 8:13 and 14:1.
Jeremiah
Verse 4. Guide. Husband. Proverbs 2:16 and Joel 1:8.
Jeremiah
Verse 5. Wilt. Hebrew “will he,” and so forth The faithless people will not use this language, but do all the evil possible.
Jeremiah
Verse 6. Days, before the 18th year. God now pronounces sentence ( Calmet.) on all. Bible.—Rebellious, a faithless wife. The kingdom of Israel gave way to idolatry first. But the people were less favoured than Juda, which had many prophets and good kings, the temple, and so forth Moreover, the misfortunes of Israel did not open the eyes of their brethren. Calmet.—Both the ten tribes, and the two tribes ( Worthington.) which adhered to the line of David, prevaricated. Bible.
Jeremiah
Verse 10. Falsehood. Their reform was only apparent, under Joas, and so forth Calmet.
Jeremiah
Verse 11. Soul, and appeared comparatively innocent. verse 6. Ezekiel 16:51. Saint Jerome—Yet neither of them was excusable. Worthington.
Jeremiah
Verse 12. North. Samaria, or rather Assyria, where the people were captives.—Face, in anger.
Jeremiah
Verse 13. Ways, dividing thy love, and adoring idols with me.
Jeremiah
Verse 14. Kindred. Only few Israelites returned under Cyrus. The rest came by degrees, though it was more fully accomplished by the conversion of the Gentiles.
Jeremiah
Verse 15. Pastors. Zorobabel, and so forth but more particularly Christ and his apostles.
Jeremiah
Verse 16. Ark. It was no longer at Jerusalem. The law and its figures cease.
Jeremiah
Verse 17. All. Many might embrace the Jewish religion. But the predictions of the prophets on this head, were not verified, till the gospel was preached. Calmet.—Then many embraced the faith: several captives also returned to God. Worthington.
Jeremiah
Verse 18. North. Septuagint add, “and from all places” where the Jews were in captivity. Bible.—Many thus returned to their own country. verse 14. Calmet.—Israel had been led into captivity sooner, but all were released at once. Theodor. Worthington.
Jeremiah
Verse 19. Gentiles, which they all covet, or to which they are invited in the Church. Calmet.—Me. On these conditions thou shalt be restored. Bible.
Jeremiah
Verse 21. God. Hence proceed these miseries and lamentations.
Jeremiah
Verse 23. Liars, unfruitful; and the idols have left us empty. Calmet.—They were placed on the hills. Houbigant.
Jeremiah
Verse 24. Confusion. Thus Baal was styled Boseth, contemptuously. Jeremiah 11:13.
Jeremiah
Verse 25. Shame. We are justly punished with exile, ( Calmet.) and death. Menochius.