It is not he. Understand "who speaks by the prophets" (Payne Smith). It is hardly conceivable that any of the Jews absolutely denied the existence of Jehovah. They were practical, not speculative unbelievers, like men of the world in general. read more
Culpable unbelief. The Jews are accused of unbelief as a sin. It is therefore sometimes to be regarded in this light (e.g. Hebrews 4:1-16 .). Let us consider the characteristics of a culpable unbelief and its origin. I. UNBELIEF IS MORALLY CULPABLE WHEN IT ARISES FROM AN EVIL HEART . 1. This unbelief must be distinguished 2. It is recognized II. THE EVIL TENDENCIES TOWARDS A CULPABLE UNBELIEF ARE ABUNDANT AND POWERFUL . These are... read more
And the prophets , etc. A continuation of the speech of the unbelieving Jews. The word is not in them . The Authorized Version gives a good meaning, but it involves an interference with the points. The pointed text must be rendered, he who speaketh ( through the prophets , viz. Jehovah) is not in them . Thus the Jews hurl against prophets like Jeremiah the very charge which Jeremiah himself brings against the "false prophets" in Jeremiah 23:25-32 . Thus shall it be done ; rather,... read more
It is not he - i. e., Who speaks by the prophets. read more
Word - Rather, speaker. Literally, And he who speaketh is not in them, i. e., there is no one who speaketh in them; what the prophets say has no higher authority than themselves.Thus ... - i. e., May the evil which the prophets threaten fall upon their head. read more
Jeremiah 5:10-13 . Go ye up upon her walls, &c. Ye Babylonians, go, execute my vengeance on them; and destroy I commission you not only to take the city, but to make havoc of its inhabitants. But make not a full end Leave a remnant. Thus he sets bounds to the destroying sword, beyond which it must not go. Take away her battlements Lay her fortifications level with the ground. For they are not the Lord’s I disown them, and take away my protection from them. For the house of ... read more
Sins of Jerusalem and Judah (5:1-19)A search of Jerusalem reveals that the city is wholly corrupt. Injustice and selfishness abound. People claim they belong to God and they swear oaths by his name, but they remain untouched by the lessons he is trying to teach them (5:1-3). There may be some excuse for the poor and uneducated if they know nothing of God’s law, but the upper classes are just as ignorant. This indicates that the problem lies not with people’s social background or material... read more
the house of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 2:4 . the house of Judah. See note on Jeremiah 2:4 . read more
belied = acted deceitfully against. Compare Joshua 24:27 . evil = calamity. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 5:10-18
Provoked by the open unbelief of the men of Judah, Jehovah repeats his warning of a sore judgment. read more