Jeremiah 3

Notes on the verses

Chap. III. Ver. 1. shee say.—See margin. Or, ‘* Thus saith,” (viz. the law.) Ver. 2. Lien with.—This refers not to literal, but to figurative prostitution, or the worshipping of idols, which was generally “in high places,” or in ves; see ver. 6.—As the Arabian.—[Sir J. Chardin, in a MS. note cited by Harmer, states, that “the Arabs wait for caravans with the most violent avidity, looking about them on all sides, raising themselves up on their horses, running here and there to see if they can perceive any smoke, or dust, or tracks on the ground, or any other marks of people passing along.”]—Bagster. So eager are the Jews represented in their idolatry. Ver. 3. Therefore the showers, &c.—See (Deuteronomy 28:24).—[The former rain, which prepared the land for tillage, fell in autumn; and the latter rain, (Blayney, “Harvest rain,”) which filled the ears of corn, generally fell in April; after which there was scarcely any more rain.]—Bagster.—A whore’s forehead.—See (Jeremiah 5:3).; vi. 15. Ver. 6. The Lord said, &c.—[This is a new discourse supposed to have been delivered after the 18th year of Josiah; in which the prophet shows the people of Judah the transgressions, idolatry, obstinacy, and punishment of Israel; who were, nevertheless, less culpable than they who practised the same iniquities, while they had the punishment and ruin of the others before their eyes.]—Bagster. Ver. 9. The lightness.—Blayney, “Wantonness.” Ver. 12. Towards the north.—Because Israel was gone into captivity in the north. N. B. From the beginning of ver. 6 to these words, Dr. Blayney translates as prose, and here again commences the Hebrew verse. Ver. 13. Scattered thy ways.—That is, “Thou hast run after various heathen nations in their actual vice.” Parkhurst. Ver. 16. Neither shall they visit it.—Blayney, “Care about it.” Neither shall that be done.—Blayney, “made” any more. The ark was wanting in the second temple. The privileges of the Jewish establishment were to be superseded by the blessings of the Christian dispensation. Ver. 17. All nations shall be gathered.—Gentiles as well as Jews.—After the imagination,—See margin.

Blayney, “seats.” Ver. 20. As a wife treacherously.—Blayney, “As a wicked woman,” &c.—Husband.—Margin, “Friend,” but meaning the same. Ver. 22. Backslidings.—(The term backsliding seems to be taken from oxen, when they turn back, instead of drawing forward, in the yoke.)—B. Ver. 24. Shame.—Blayney, “That thing of shame;” Boothroyd, “That shameful idol.” See (Jeremiah 11:13). (Hosea 9:10).