Jeremiah 4:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 4:3-4

The prophet here turns his speech, in God's name, to the men of the place where he lived. We have heard what words he proclaimed towards the north (Jer. 3:12), for the comfort of those that were now in captivity and were humbled under the hand of God; let us now see what he says to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, who were now in prosperity, for their conviction and awakening. In these two verses he exhorts them to repentance and reformation, as the only way left them to prevent the desolating... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 4:4

Circumcise yourselves to the Lord ,.... Or, "be ye circumcised", as the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions render it. This is to be understood of the circumcision of the heart, as Kimchi observes; and as appears from the following words: and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem ; this is the true spiritual circumcision; and they that are possessed of it are the circumcision, the only truly circumcised persons; and they are such who have... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:4

Circumcise yourselves - Put away every thing that has a tendency to grieve the Spirit of God, or to render your present holy resolutions unfruitful. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:4

Verse 4 The Prophet expresses here more clearly what he had before said metaphorically or by a figure; for he had bidden them to eradicate their vices, according to what is usually done by breaking up the fallow ground; but now dropping that figure, he clearly shews what was to be done, and yet the clause contains what is figurative. He calls their attention to circumcision, which was a symbol of renovation, as though he had said, — That they sufficiently understood what they were to do, except... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 4:1-4

The duty of reality in religious profession. The reformations of Jehu and Josiah were superficial and short-lived. Something more thorough was required. A real, immediate return to Jehovah was demanded. I. THE SIGNS OF UNREALITY . 1. Retention of the memories and symbols of the guilty past . They may not be used, but they are there. There has not been strength of will to remove them, or the fear of man has produced vacillation. Externally the heathen temple stands side... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 4:3-4

The peril of profession without possession of real religion. This will be shown if we consider— I. THE SCENE HERE PRESENTED TO US . 1. The fallow ground; that is, ground unoccupied, free. Not hardened, as the wayside (cf. Matthew 13:1-58 .); not shallow-soiled, as the stony ground; not poor and barren, but capable of yielding rich return. 2. Sowers about to cast in seed—good seed. 3. A stern prohibition of their work. They are commanded to "sow not." A reason... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 4:4

Circumcise yourselves to the Lord . A significant passage. All the Jews were circumcised, but not all were "circumcised to the Lord." There were but too many who were "circumcised in uncircumcision" ( Jeremiah 9:25 ), and the prophet sternly reduces ouch circumcision to the level of the heathenish rite of cutting off the hair ( Jeremiah 9:26 ; comp. Herod. 3.8). Jeremiah seems to have been specially anxious to counteract a merely formal, ritualistic notion of circumcision, sharing in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 4:4

See the Deuteronomy 10:16 note. Nature, such as it is in itself, unconsecrated to God, is to be removed from our inner selves, that a new and spiritual nature may take its place.Lest my fury ... - God is long-suffering, but unless this change take place, the time of judgment must at length come to all as it came to Jerusalem - “like fire” (compare 1 Corinthians 3:13; Philippians 2:12-13).Jeremiah 4:5-6:30 “God’s Judgment upon the Unrepentant”A group of prophecies now commences, extending to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 4:3-4

Jeremiah 4:3-4. For thus saith the Lord The prophet now addresses himself to the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem, and exhorts them to repentance and reformation in metaphorical language. Break up your fallow ground, &c. That is, purge and purify the field of your hearts, by godly sorrow for your sins, and hatred to them; prepare your hearts for receiving the seed of the divine word, by making them soft, tender, and pliable, fit to believe and obey it. And sow not among thorns ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 4:1-4

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

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