Jeremiah 2:22 NIV

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 2:22

For though thou wash thee with nitre ,.... The word נתר , "nitre", is only used in this place and in Proverbs 25:20 and it is hard to say what it is. Kimchi and Ben Melech observe, that some say it is what is called "alum"; and others that it is a dust with which they wash the head, and cleanse everything; and so Jarchi says it is a kind of earth used in cleaning garments; and "nitre" is mentioned by the Misnic doctors F19 Misn. Sabbat, c. 9. sect. 5. & Nidda, c. 9. sect. 6.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 2:22

For though thou wash thee with nitre - It should be rendered natar or natron, a substance totally different from our nitre. It comes from the root נתר nathar , to dissolve, loosen, because a solution of it in water is abstersive, taking out spots, etc., from clothes. It is still used in the east for the purpose of washing. If vinegar be poured on it, Dr. Shaw says, a strong effervescence is the immediate consequence, which illustrates Proverbs 25:20 ; : "The singing of songs to a heavy... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 2:22

Verse 22 We have already seen, and the Prophet will often repeat the same thing, — that the people were become so refractory that they would not willingly give way to any reproofs; for they were almost all of such a hard front, and so obdurate in their wickedness, that they dared insolently to raise objections against the prophets; whenever they severely reproved them: “What! Are not we God’s holy people? Has he not chosen us? Are we not the holy seed of Abraham?” It was therefore necessary for... 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 2:20-37

Jehovah's indictment against Israel. Note— I. ITS MANY COUNTS . 1. Their sin of outrageous character . It is spoken of as in Jeremiah 2:20 , because it so commonly involved the grossest fleshly sins, and because it involved shameful denial of God. Cf. Jeremiah 2:27 , "Saying to a stock, Thou art my father," etc. And it was chargeable with numerous and shameful murders ( Jeremiah 2:30 ). Killing the prophets of God; Jeremiah 2:34 , "In thy skirts is found the blood... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:22

Nitre does not mean the substance which now bears that name, but "natron," a mineral alkali, deposited on the shores and on the bed of certain lakes in Egypt, especially those in the Wady Nat-run (the ancient Nitria, whence came so large a store of precious Syriac manuscripts). In ancient times, this natron was collected to make lye from for washing purposes (comp. Proverbs 25:20 ). Sope ; rather, potash; the corresponding vegetable alkali (comp. Isaiah 1:25 ). Thine iniquity is marked ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:22

The stains of sin. I. SIN STAINS THE CHARACTER AND LIFE OF MEN . 1. Sin leaves stains behind it. No man can have clean hands after touching it. These stains are of two classes: 2. The stains of sin are not natural . They are no part of the true color of a man's character. They are all contracted by experience. 3. These stains are all evil things . They are not like marks of immature development or of the necessary imperfection of humanity. They are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:22

The sinner's attempt to wash away his sin. I. WHEREFORE HE MAKES THE ATTEMPT . Sometimes it is that II. THE MANNER IN WHICH HE PROCEEDS . 1. He partially abandons known sin, as Pharaoh, Nineveh, Israel. at time of Josiah's reformation, Herod. 2. Multiplies religious services. 3. Is ready with good resolves. 4. There is some stir of religious feeling. Tears are shed, the emotional nature is excited, and there is some temporary tenderness of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 2:22

Nitre - Or, natron, a mineral alkali, found in the Nile valley, where it effloresces upon the rocks and surfaces of the dykes, and in old time was carefully collected, and used to make lye for washing (see Proverbs 25:20).Sope - A vegetable alkali, now called “potash,” because obtained from the ashes of plants. Its combination with oils, etc., to form soap was not known to the Hebrews until long after Jeremiah’s time, but they used the lye, formed by passing water through the ashes. Thus then,... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 2:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 2:22

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 2:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:1-37

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:20-37

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:22

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 2:22

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