Jeremiah 2:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 2:14-19

The prophet, further to evince the folly of their forsaking God, shows them what mischiefs they had already brought upon themselves by so doing; it had already cost them dear, for to this were owing all the calamities their country was now groaning under, which were but an earnest of more and greater if they repented not. See how they smarted for their folly. I. Their neighbours, who were their professed enemies, prevailed against them, and this was owing to their sin. 1. They were enslaved... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 2:18

And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt ,.... By worshipping of idols, in imitation of them; or by sending ambassadors thither for help, when they had their Lord, their God, so nigh, had they not forsaken him; nor had Josiah any business to go out against Pharaohnecho, 2 Chronicles 35:21 and, contrary to the express word of God by the Prophet Jeremy, did the Jews which remained in Judea go into Egypt, Jeremiah 42:19 . To drink the waters of Sihor ? which is the river Nile,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 2:18

What hast thou to do in the way of Egypt - Why dost thou make alliances with Egypt? To drink the waters of Sihor? - This means the Nile. See on Isaiah 23:3 ; (note). The way of Assyria - Why make alliances with the Assyrians? All such connections will only expedite thy ruin. To drink the waters of the river? - The Euphrates, as נהר nahar or הנהר hannahar always means Euphrates, the country between the Tigris and Euphrates, is termed to this day Maher alnahar, "the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 2:18

Verse 18 As I have just stated, the Prophet confirms what I said, — that the people could not ascribe the cause of their evils to others; for they ought to have imputed to themselves whatever they suffered; and at the same time their sin was doubled, because they looked here and there for vain remedies, and thus accumulated for themselves new causes of misery; for they ought to have acknowledged no other remedy for their evils except reconciliation with God. If, for instance, any one being ill... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:1-37

It is always interesting to notice how later inspired writers hasten to do honor to their predecessors. Originality is not an object with the prophets, but rather the developing and adapting the truths long ago "delivered." The whole group of prophecies to which Jeremiah 2:1-37 . belongs contains numerous points of contact, in ideas or phraseology, with the song of Hoses ( Deuteronomy 32:1-52 .). The following have been indicated:—Cf. Jeremiah 2:5 with Deuteronomy 32:4 ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:14-19

Israel's punishment and its cause . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:14-19

The Divine ideal, how lost and regained. The prophet has in his mind what was God's original thought for Israel, the Divine ideal concerning him; and along with that the mournful and utter contrast of his actual condition. An indignant "No" is the answer which rises to the prophet's lips as the questions, "Is Israel a slave? Is he a home born slave?" are asked. He thinks of God's words ( Exodus 4:22 ). But then there stares him in the face the most distressing but yet most unanswerable... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:18

What hast thou to do in the way of Egypt? rather, with the way to Egypt . Isaiah ( Isaiah 30:2-5 ; Isaiah 31:1 ) and Hosea ( Hosea 7:11 , Hosea 7:16 ) had already inveighed against an Egyptian alliance. The name given by Manasseh to his sen and successor (Amen) suggests that at one period in his reign an Egyptian policy was in the ascendant, which coincides with the tradition preserved in 2 Chronicles 33:11 , of an Assyrian captivity of Manasseh. Jehoiakim at a later period was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:18

The unreasonableness of appealing to worldly assistance in spiritual enterprises. This was the tendency of Israel when her faith grew weak. It is shown even now by those who trust to the arm of flesh, and who seek worldly alliances for the Church. We ought to be deterred from this when we consider— I. THE OPPOSITION OF THE CHARACTER AND AIMS OF THE WORLD TO THOSE OF SPIRITUAL RELIGION . II. THE UNRELIABLENESS OF THE WORLDLY . III. THE ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 2:18

Sihor - The Nile. To lean upon Egypt was a violation of the principles of theocracy.The two rivers are the two empires, and to drink their waters is to adopt their principles and religion. Compare also Isaiah 8:6-7. read more

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