Jeremiah 3:5 - Exposition

Will he reserve ? rather, Will he retain , etc.? It is a continuation of the supposed address of Judah. To the end ? rather, everlastingly? Behold, thou hast spoken , etc.; rather, Behold , thou hast spoken it , but hast done these evil things , and hast prevailed (i.e. succeeded ). The substance of the two verses (4 and 5) is well given by Ewald: "Unhappily her power truly to return has been exhausted, as not long ago after fresh signs of the Divine displeasure she prayed in beautiful language to [Jehovah] for new favor and abatement of the old sufferings, [but] she immediately fell again into her sin, and carried it out with cool determination."