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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 9:1-11

The prophet, being commissioned both to foretel the destruction coming upon Judah and Jerusalem and to point out the sin for which that destruction was brought upon them, here, as elsewhere, speaks of both very feelingly: what he said of both came from the heart, and therefore one would have thought it would reach to the heart. I. He abandons himself to sorrow in consideration of the calamitous condition of his people, which he sadly laments, a one that preferred Jerusalem before his chief joy... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 9:2

Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men ,.... Such as travellers take up with in a desert, when they are benighted, and cannot reach a town or village. This the prophet chose, partly that he might have an opportunity to give vent to his grief, being alone; for which reason he did not desire to be in cities and populous places, where he might be amused and diverted while his people were in distress: and partly to show his sympathy, not being able to bear the sight of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 9:2

O that I had in the wilderness - In the eastern countries there are no such inns or houses of entertainment as those in Europe. There are in different places public buildings called caravanserais , where travelers may lodge: but they are without furniture of any kind, and without food. Indeed they are often without a root being mere walls for a protection against the wild beasts of the desert. I wish to hide myself any where, in the most uncomfortable circumstances, that I may not be... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 9:2

Verse 2 Here the Prophet entertains another wish: He had before wished that his head were waters, that he might shed tears, and he had wished his eyes to be the fountains of tears; but now, after having duly considered the wickedness of the people, he puts off every feeling of humanity, and as one incensed, he desires to move elsewhere, and wholly to leave the people; for their impiety had so prevailed that he could no longer live among them. It is indeed certain that the Prophet had no common... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 9:2

A lodging place of wayfaring men ; a "khan" or "caravanserai," to use the terms now so familiar from Eastern travel, where "wayfaring men" could at least find shelter, and the means of preparing their provisions. Comp; besides the parallel passage in Psalms 55:6 , Psalms 55:7 , our own Cowper's fine reminiscence of Jeremiah: "Oh for a lodge in some vast wilderness!" etc . Adulterers … treacherous men (see Jeremiah 2:20 ; Jeremiah 3:8 , Jeremiah 3:9 ; Jeremiah 3:20 ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 9:2

Sighings after the wilderness. The text reminds us of Psalms 55:5 , "Oh that I bad wings," etc.! of Elijah's longing that he might die; of the similar dejection of Moses. Even our Lord said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you?" But such desire as that of the text is in itself— I. UNNATURAL . We are formed to mingle with our fellow-men, to live with them, not away from them. 1. It is in intercourse with them life becomes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 9:2

The lodging-place in the wilderness. I. WHAT IT IS THE PROPHET WISHES FOR . The occurrence of the word "wilderness" may easily mislead us into thinking that the prophet's wish was for solitude, and thus we may be disposed to reproach him, as if, Timon-like, he wanted to get away from his fellow-men altogether. But it is not on the word "wilderness" that we must fix our attention to discover the prophet's feeling. The reference to a travelers lodging-place is the main thing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 9:2-3

The man of God's longing for seclusion. I. IT IS THE NATURAL RECOIL OF A PURE HEART FROM WICKEDNESS . When the knowledge and love of God are in the heart, sin appears more loathsome. The love of goodness will show itself in a hatred of evil, and a desire to be separated from its workers. In some this love of God and goodness overpowers even the natural attachments and ties of life. And it may be carried to such an excess as to become a spiritual disease, in its way as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 9:2-6

The self-opposition and futility of the sinner's life. A strong argument against the practice of a thing may often be found in the supposition that it should become universal. This is valid in the case of the practices and desires of wicked men. The idea of Hobbes concerning the original state of human society is ingenious and conceivable from this very reason, were it not contradicted by the world's history. I. ONE SIN ENTAILS ANOTHER , AND CRIME LEADS TO CRIME . ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 9:2-22

Complaint of the treachery and folly of the people; lamentation over their consequences. read more

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