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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 2:20-28

In these verses the prophet goes on with his charge against this backsliding people. Observe here, I. The sin itself that he charges them with?idolatry, that great provocation which they were so notoriously guilty of. 1. They frequented the places of idol-worship (Jer. 2:20): ?Upon every high hill and under every green tree, in the high places and the groves, such as the heathen had a foolish fondness and veneration for, thou wanderest, first to one and then to another, like one unsettled, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 2:23

How canst thou say, I am not polluted ,.... No man can say this; for all are defiled with sin; but this was the cast and complexion of these people in all ages; they were a generation of men that were pure in their own eyes, but were not cleansed from their filthiness; they fancied that their ceremonial washings and sacrifices cleansed them from moral impurities, when those only sanctified to the purifying of the flesh; still their iniquity remained marked before the Lord; they acted the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 2:24

A wild ass used to the wilderness ,.... That is, one that has been brought up in the wilderness, and has been accustomed to live, and run, and range about there; as men in general are compared to this creature for its ignorance, stupidity, folly, stubbornness, and unteachableness, Job 11:12 , so the Jewish people are represented as like unto it, for its wantonness and lust: that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure ; draws it in at her nostrils, and snuffs it up; or opens her mouth,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 2:25

Withhold thy foot from being unshod ,.... That it may not be unshod, be naked and bare. The sense is, either, as some, do not take long journeys into foreign countries for help, as into Assyria and Egypt, whither they used to go barefoot; or wore out their shoes by their long journeys, and so returned without; or refrain from idolatry, as Jarchi interprets it, that thou mayest not go naked into captivity; or this is an euphemism, as others think, forbidding adulterous actions, showing the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 2:26

As the thief is ashamed when be is found ,.... Taken in the fact, or convicted of it; that is, as the Targum explains it, one that has been accounted faithful, and is found a thief; for, otherwise, those who have lost their character, and are notorious for their thefts and robberies, are not ashamed when they are found out, taken, and convicted: so is the house of Israel ashamed : of their idolatry, or ought to be; or "shall be", as the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions render it;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 2:27

Saying to a stock ,.... "To a tree" F6 לעץ "ligno", V. L. Pagnanius, Montanus, Schmidt. ; to a piece of wood; that is, to an image made of it; so the Targum, "they say to an image of wood;' what follows: thou art my father ; ascribing that to the idol which belongs to God, who was their Father that made them, and upheld them, was the author of their beings, and the God of their mercies: and to a stone ; an image of stone: thou hast brought me forth : into being;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 2:28

But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee ?.... This is, or would be, the Lord's answer to them, what is become of your gods? why do not you apply to them for help in time of trouble? the gods that you have chosen for yourselves and worshipped; the gods, not that made you, but whom you yourselves have made: let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble ; call upon them to arise, those statues of wood and stone, those lifeless and senseless images; let them rise... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 2:23

See thy way in the valley - The valley of Hinnom, where they offered their own children to Moloch, an idol of the Ammonites. A swift dromedary traversing her ways - Dr. Blayney translates, "A fleet dromedary that hath taken to company with her." Dr. Dahler rather paraphrases, thus: - Semblable a une dromedaire en chaleur, Qui court d'une tote a l'autre read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 2:24

A wild ass used to the wilderness - Another comparison to express the same thing. Snuffeth up the wind - In a high fever from the inward heat felt at such times, these animals open their mouths and nostrils as wide as possible, to take in large draughts of fresh air, in order to cool them. In her mouth they shall find her - The meaning is, that although such animals are exceedingly fierce and dangerous when they are in this state; yet, as soon as they have found the male, the desire... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 2:25

Withhold thy foot from being unshod - When it was said to them, "Cease from discovering thy feet; prostitute thyself no more to thy idols." And thy throat from thirst - Drink no more of their libations, nor use those potions which tend only to increase thy appetite for pollution. Thou didst say, There is no hope: it is useless to advise me thus; I am determined; I have loved these strange pods, and to them will I cleave. read more

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