Jeremiah 2:22 - Exposition

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 . So Kimchi and Gesenius (through a doubtful etymology); but the Aramaic use of the word favors the rendering stained , i . e . filthy. The word is in the participle, to indicate the permanence of the state (comp. "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood," etc.? 'Macbeth').