Jeremiah 23:12 - Exposition

Their way shall be unto them as slippery ways , etc.; rather, slippery places . The passage has a manifest affinity with Psalms 35:6 (in one of the Jeremiahizing psalms; see on Jeremiah 18:19 , Jeremiah 18:20 ). They shall be driven on ; or, as Ewald, taking over the last word of the preceding clause, they shall be thrust into the darkness . This involves a reminiscence, probable enough, of Isaiah 8:22 b. It is against the accentual tradition, but improves the rhythmical derision of the verse. If we ask who "thrusts" them, Psalms 35:5 supplies the answer—it is not merely external circumstances, but "the Angel of Jehovah," i.e. Jehovah himself. As Bishop Hall says, "God wounds us by many instruments, but with one hand." I will bring evil upon them , etc. Favorite expressions of Jeremiah (comp. Jeremiah 11:23 ).