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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:3

Verse 3 The Prophet again repeats, that punishment was nigh the Jews, and that it availed them nothing to seek for themselves recesses and lurking-places, for God would draw them forth from the mountains and expose them as a prey to their enemies. Some render הררי, erri, “O my mountain,” etc.; and at the first view this meaning seems appropriate; but as the context requires this to be understood of the Israelites and the Jews, who always resorted to their recesses, when any fear of enemies... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:4

Verse 4 Here, as it is a concise mode of speaking, there seems to be some obscurity; but as to the subject handled, the meaning of the Prophet is evident, that they would be dismissed from their inheritance, and as it were from their own bowels. Hence he says, You shall be dismissed from your inheritance; that is, though ye think yourselves to be beyond the reach of danger, because as yet the city remains safe, and ye continue in it; yet ye shall perish, as they say, living and seeing. There... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:1

The sin of Judah , etc. "Judah's sin" is not merely their tendency to sin, but their sinful practices—their idolatry. This is said to be graven upon the table of their heart , for it is no mere form, but carried on with passionate earnestness, and as indelible as if engraved with an iron pen. How unlike, however, is this record to that of which the same expression is used in Job 19:24 ! With the point of a diamond ; or, with a point of adamant (harder than flint, as Ezekiel 3:9 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:1

Engraved sin. I. SIN LEAVES A RECORD OF ITSELF . It is not an isolated act. It begets consequences—plants memories, creates guilt. The record remains even if we do not read it. God still notes it, and will some day confront us with it. Hence it is not enough to amend our ways for the future. We need to have past transgressions blotted out if we are to be restored to peace with God. II. THE RECORD OF SIN IS ENGRAVED ON HEART OF THE SINNER . 1. It is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:1

The sin of Judah. That which the prophet has to say concerning it in this part of his prophecy is in answer to the question of Jeremiah 16:10 , Jeremiah 16:11 , where Judah inquires what their sin is. In reply, the prophet— I. RECITES THEIR INIQUITIES . ( Jeremiah 16:11 , Jeremiah 16:12 .) II. DENOUNCES GOD 'S JUDGMENTS . ( Jeremiah 16:13-18 .) III. CITES WITNESSES AGAINST THEM .—C. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:1-2

Sin's record. I. THE RECORD IS INEFFACEABLE . This is contrary to the notions of very many. Sin, when it is committed, wears the aspect of insignificance and triflingness. It is the gratification of a momentary impulse, of a personal and individual character; and it is not supposed that any one else, or at any rate any large number of persons, can be affected by it. The sinner supposes that he himself will be able to condone it, and that, when the active prompting of which he is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:1-4

The profound impression of Judah's sin. I. THERE IS IMPLIED JUDAH 'S OWN INDIFFERENCE TO ITS SIN . With supernatural clearness of vision, the prophet saw the sin of Judah; and he spoke concerning that sin with words which Jehovah had put into his mouth. And yet it is evident the people would not admit his representations as being correct and as needing urgent attention. The great bulk of them thought that he was inventing or at least exaggerating. They had lived so long... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:2

Whilst their children remember , etc. The connection of this with the preceding verse is rather obscure. Probably it is intended as an exemplification of the "sin of Judah," the inveterateness of which is shown by their thoughts spontaneously turning to the altars and symbols of the false gods whenever they are near a leafy tree or a high hill. To make "their sons" the accusative (with Hitzig and Keil), rendering, "As they remember their children, [even so they remember their altars]," seems... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:3

O my mountain in the field ; a still more obscure passage. The question is whether "my mountain in the field" is a vocative or an accusative dependent on "I will give." If the former, then the phrase will mean Jerusalem (comp. "rock of the plain," Jeremiah 21:13 ). This, however, does not suit with the second half of the verse ("thy high places," etch), and still less with Jeremiah 17:4 , which evidently refers to the people of Judah. Added to this, if Jerusalem were here addressed we... read more

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