Jeremiah 3:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 3:20-25

Here is, I. The charge God exhibits against Israel for their treacherous departures from him, Jer. 3:20. As an adulterous wife elopes from her husband, so have they gone a whoring from God. They were joined to God by a marriage-covenant, but they broke that covenant, they dealt treacherously with God, who had always dealt kindly and faithfully with them. Treacherous dealing with men like ourselves is bad enough, but to deal treacherously with God is to deal treasonably. II. Their conviction... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 3:20

Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband ,.... Or, "her friend" F9 מרעה "ab amico suo", Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "a socio suo", Cocceius. ; who loves her, takes care of her, and provides for her, and goes after another man, and cohabits with him; which is a violation of the marriage covenant, and acting a base and treacherous part unto him to whom she is married so have you dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord ; who... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 3:20

Verse 20 He confirms the first clause of the preceding verse: for he had said that it could hardly be that the Jews would recover what they had lost, and be formed again a new people; and he shews the reason, — because they were like an adulteress, as he had before stated. But he did not yet wish to take away every hope; only he insists on this, that they were seriously to consider their sins, in order that they might become displeased with themsalves, and flee to God’s mercy for refuge. Nor... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 3:1-25

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 3:20

Surely . The word acquires an adversative sense from the context, as in Isaiah 53:4 , and is virtually equivalent to "but surely." From her husband ; literally, from her friend or companion . The choice of the word seems to indicate the inner hollowness of the married life. The woman only sees in her husband the companion, behind whoso back she can follow her own inclinations. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 3:20

Jeremiah 4:2 God's way of restoration; or, the experiences of a young convert. In Jeremiah 4:19 we have given us the expression of the Divine perplexity in regard to lost Israel: "How shall I place thee among the children," etc.? But ere the verse closes we behold the problem solved, the seeming impossibility accomplished, for the lost is found, and he that was dead is alive again. The rebel Israel has become the loving obedient child. And now in these verses (20- Jeremiah 4:2 ) we... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 3:20

Surely as - Rather: “Just as.” read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 3:20-21

Jeremiah 3:20-21. Surely, as a wife treacherously departeth, &c. This may be rendered, As a woman is not faithful to her husband, or, her friend, as the Hebrew רעה signifies. Here God returns to the carnal Israelites; so that the Jewish doctors seem to be right in calling the spirit of prophecy an abrupt spirit. So have you dealt treacherously with me God, by thus reminding the Israelites of what they had formerly been, endeavours to bring them to repentance and new obedience for... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 3:19-25

Repentance means genuine change (3:19-4:4)God wanted the relationship between him and his people to be like that between a father and a son, or between a husband and a wife. But his people have been rebellious and unfaithful (19-20). In hope, the prophet pictures the people turning from their false worship at Baal’s high places and crying out to God for forgiveness. In response God promises that if they truly repent, he will forgive them and heal them (21-22a).The people then turn to God and... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Jeremiah 3:20

husband = guide, or friend, as in Jeremiah 3:4 . read more

Group of Brands