Jeremiah 2:30

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 2:29-37

The prophet here goes on in the same strain, aiming to bring a sinful people to repentance, that their destruction might be prevented. I. He avers the truth of the charge. It was evident beyond contradiction; it was the greatest absurdity imaginable in them to think of denying it (Jer. 2:29): ?Wherefore will you plead with me, and put me upon the proof of it, or wherefore will you go about to plead any thing in excuse of the crime or to obtain a mitigation of the sentence? Your plea will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 2:30

In vain have I smitten your children ,.... Or, "for vanity" F7 לשוא "propter vanitatem, sive vaniloquentiam", Vatablus. ; for vain speaking, for making vain oaths and vows; so it is explained in the Talmud F8 T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 32. 2. & Cetubot, fol. 72. 1. ; but the sense is, that the rod of chastisement was used in vain; the afflictions that came upon them had no effect on them to amend and reform them; they were never the better for them: they received no... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 2:30

Verse 30 Some expound the beginning of this verse as though the meaning were, — that God chastised the Jews on account of their folly, because they habituated themselves to falsehoods: but the latter clause does not correspond. There is therefore no doubt but that God here expostulates with the Jews, because he had tried to bring them to the right way and found them wholly irreclaimable. A similar expostulation is found in Isaiah, “In vain,” he says, “have I chastised you; for from the sole of... 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 2:30

Have I smitten your children . The cities and towns of Judah are represented as so many mothers, and the populations as their children. It would, no doubt, be more natural to take "children" literally; but then we must read the verb in the next clause, "Ye have received," as the Septuagint actually renders. In the former case the "smiting" will refer to all God's "sore judgments"—sword, drought, famine, pestilence; in the latter, to the loss of life in battle. Your own sword hath devoured... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:30

Rejecting the chastisements of God. The spiritual benefits of pain, calamity, etc; are contingent for the most part upon their being received in a right way—as from God, and not by accident. They are intended to discover our sins to us, and to lead us to the love and righteousness of God. Where this result is not effected, "chastisement is not accepted." I. THE POSSIBILITY OF REFUSING CHASTISEMENT . II. MISERY AND PAIN ARE NOT OF THEMSELVES MINISTERS OF ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 2:30

Your own sword hath detoured your prophets - An allusion probably to Manasseh 2 Kings 21:16. Death was the usual fate of the true prophet Nehemiah 9:26; Matthew 23:37. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 2:29-30

Jeremiah 2:29-30. Wherefore will ye plead with me? Why do you insist upon your innocence? See Jeremiah 2:35. Why do you lay claim to my former promises, as if you had not forfeited your title to them by your sins? In vain have I smitten your children That is, the children or people of Judah. They had been under divine rebukes of many kinds, whereby God designed to bring them to repentance, but it was in vain: they did not answer God’s end in afflicting them; their consciences were not... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 2:20-37

Idolatry and immorality (2:20-37)In associating with Baal and other gods, Judah has broken the covenant bond with Yahweh. Judah’s unfaithfulness is likened to adultery (20). (Throughout the following chapters, Jeremiah makes repeated reference to the beliefs and practices of Baalism, and to the significance they had in leading God’s people into spiritual adultery and prostitution. For information that will help to understand Jeremiah’s teaching, see introductory notes to Judges, subheading ‘The... read more

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