Jeremiah 2

God setteth before the etes of his people,in serious manner , the mercies which he had bestowed on them from the beginning ,and cpmplaineth vehemently of their abominable,continual,and most unreasonable idolatrous unthankfulness ,verse 1. The loke was not to be found among the heathen ,10 and thier horrible and double wickedness ,12 . whereby themselves are the cause of their miseries, 14.An upbraiding of their running in vain to Egypt and Assur ,18,36.also of their loose, impudent stiffnecked ,manifold ,and more then heathenish idolatry, and shameful forgetfulnessand forsaking of God,20 also bloodshedding, and hypocricy,34.

1. And the word of the LORD came unto me saying :

2. Go ,and cry before the ears of Jerusalem ,[That is , of the inhabitants ofJerusalem] as above cha.]. Saying : Thus saith the LORD ; l remember the kindness of thy youth ,[Hebr. L remember thee,&c. See Psalms 79.on verse 8( the kindness ofthy youth)That is the kindness, or ,mercy, which l shewed thee in thy youth] and love of thine espousals,[ That is , the love which l bear unto thee, when l married thee ; that is , when l first accepted you to be my people in Egypt, and afterward made my covenant with you in Horeb.[compare Ezech .16.8,22. and see concerning the phase, Psalms59.11 and 106.4 , Isai26.11 also below chap.51.35 , Joel 3:19 .Obad. Verse 10,Jona2.9. e.t.c] when thou walkest after me in the wilderness , in an unknown land[compare below verse6]

3. Israel was holiness unto the LORD, the first -fruits of his increase [Hallowed by him to his people, and separated from all other nations : as the frst-fruits were hallowed unto him see Exudus 19,4,5,6] all that did eat him up ,[That is sought to eat him up : that is to destroy him; that wronged or hurt him[compare Nehem.6 on verse 9 and Psalms 14 on verse 4 and 79 on verse 7] were counted guilty[And punished as such ,as the following words shew] evil came upon them[To wit, evil of punishment ;that is, misery, destruction: as appeared in theEgyptians, the Amalekites , the Kings Sihon and Og. The Medians, and the Canaanites] saith the LORD

4. Hear the words of the LORD, ye house of Jacob ,and the families of the house of Israel.

5. Thus saith the LORD, what iniquity have you fathers found in me, that they are turned away far from me? [compare Mic.6.3,4]and have walked after vanity?[That is after idols , that are nothing but vanity , and make Idolaters in vain in their imagniations ,and deceive them in their hope and expectation. Compare 2 Kings 16 on v. 15. Psal. 62 on verse 11 and below verse 8.11.] and they are become vain?

6. And said not; [To wit, with themselves; that is, thought not. So verse 8.] Where is the LORD, that brought us up out of the land of Egypt? that led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, [Hebr. of the desert , and of the ditch;[That is, waste and full of pits; that is , rugged, uneven, untrodden. Some such a land, where, in regard of the want of all things, the passengers could look for nothing but death ,and the grave ,unless God did exraordinarily, provide other ways]in a land of drought,and of the shadow of death,[see Psal 23.on verse 4] in a land that no man pass thorow,and where no man dwelt?

7. And I brought you into a fruitful land [Thes are again God's words (into a fruitful land)Hebr.carmel. See 2 Kings 19 on verse 23.So below chap4.26 and 48 .32,& c meaning Canaan] to eat the fruit thereof, and the good thereof:but when ye entered into it,ye defiled my land,and made mine heritage[see Psal 68 on verse 10] an abomination[committing therein all manner of idolatry, as followeth]

8. The priest saith not , where is the LORD? And they that handleth the law [As the [Priests, Levites, Scribes that were to teach and expound the law of God or the scripture unto the people [See Malach 2.6,7 also Ezra 7:6 Nehemi8.1,3,7,8&c]knew me not;[see Rom2.20]and the shepherds transgressed against me :[Oth.revolted from me ,see 1 Kings 8.50and 12 on verse 19] and the prophets prophesied by Baal[That is , in Baal's name, see Judg. 2 on verse 11] and ( after things that)do not profit [That is after idols, and traditions of men . So verse11 which above verse5 are called vanity , and below verse13 self-hewen cisterns, that hold no water]

9. Therefore l will yet contend with you,saith the LORD: ye with your childrens children will l contend .

10. For passe over into the Isles of the Chittites ,[See Genes25 on verse4, Numb 24 on verse24]and behold, and send (unto) Kedar,[See Genes 25 on v 13. and below chap 49 .27, Psal 120 ,5,6, Song of Solomon 1:5 it is held to be a country in the desert and stony Arabia .Compare Ezech 27.21] and consider it well[Hebr. Greatly] and see if the like has been done.

11. Hath also a nation changed (their) Gods, though there are no Gods? Yet my people have changed their glory,(unto that which) doth not profit.[That is ,the true God, and the true Religion, into Idols ,and Idolatry. See Psl 106.20 with the annot.]

12. Be astonished here at, ye hevens,[See Deut 4 on verse 26]be sffrighted,[Properly let your hairs rise up: or be moved] be very desolate [By withdrawing, or loffe of the heavenly light] saith the LORD .

13. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me, the fountain of living water.[The authour and original of true happiness, of all blessed and permanent help , of saving comforts , and of eternal life, compare John 4:14 & c ( of living water) see Genes 26 on verse 19 and compare Psal 36 on verse10]to hew themselves out cisterns [Or troughs .Compare above on verse 8] broken cisterns that hold no water.

14. Is Israel then a servant?[That is so ill delt withal by enemies, as if so be he a servant and a slave] or is he an inborn of the houses ?[That is , a slave servant, who is also called the son of the house , see Genes 15 on verse 3 . and 17 .13] why is he (then) become a prey?[god speaketh of the approaching judgements ,as if they had already lighted upon his people, because of the undoubted certainty thereof. So in the sequel, and elsewhere often]

15. The young lions[That is , the enemies;To wit; the Babylonians]have roared upon him ,[see isai 5.29 below chap 4.7]they have lift up [Hebr .given] their voice [That is made a found, cry, as a wild beast doth upon his prey] and they have made his land a desolation , his cities are burnt, [so] that no man dwelleth in them.

16. Also the children ofNoph and Tachphans [That is , the Egyptians. See both these Cities,Isaiah 19:13 and 30.3,4 also below chap 43.7,8 also Ezekiel 30:18, with the annot. These words are somewhat otherwise written in the Hebrew] have eaten up [Oth. Broken, bruised in pieces]the crown of thy head [whereas thou thinkest to be holpen by them , they shall spoil thee, especially in the South-boarders lying towards Egypt]

17. Doth thou not do this thyself?( in that) thou forsakest the LORD thy God, in the time when he leadeth thee in the way .[When he leadeth thee the light way , or, in his way bthe Doctrine and exhortations of his servants]

18. And now,what hast thou tho do [Hebr. What is it to thee, or, what hast thou ;to wit, to do ? Compare Judges 11 on verse 12 . 2 Sam 16 on verse 10] with the way of Egypt,to drink waters of Sihor? [see Jos 13 on verse 3 ,Isai 23.3] and what hast thou to do with the way of Assur, to drink the waters of the river ? [Euphrates. The meaning is, To what purpose doest thou thus run and travel into Egypt, or into Aslytria for help, as if l were not able to help thee? Compare below verse36.]

19. Thine (own) wickedness shall chasten thee, [That is,thou shalt be punished of thy wickedness: or let thy wickedness correct thee , that is ,let the friut of thy wickedness instruct and convince thee, that thou hast offended] and thy backsliding shall reprove thee:know then and see , that it is evil and bitter, that thou forsakest the LORD thy God , and (that) my fear is not with thee , speaketh the Lord, the LORD of hosts[see 1 Kings 18 on verse 15]

20. When I of old[or, because, l, etc.(of old) Or, in former time.So the hebrew word olam ( which otherwise signifieth eternity , also a long time to come , also the time of man's life ) is likewise often taken for a long while ago ,for things of old,etc see Genesis 6:4, Deuteronomy 32:7 , Isai 57.11 and below chap 6.16 and 18.15 and 28.8 Ezech 26.20, etc] had broken thy yoke ,[meaning the yoke bondage and thraldom in Egypt](and) burnt[Or ,pulled off, pluck off.]thy bands , the thou saidst,I will not serve[To wit, Idols. Oth. I will not transgress. Compare the promises which they made unto God , Exod.19.8 and 24.3 . , Joshua 24:16, etc] but upon all (or, every)high hill, and under all(or,every) green tree that thou runnest about , playing the harlot [As if the LORD should say ,But ye have not kept your word : for upon every hill,&c (thou runnest about) compare this signification of the Hebrew word , with Isaiah 51:14 and 63.1 and below chap 48.12. oth. Thou liest, or thou layest thyself down , thou rollest thyself (playing the harlot) compare below verse 23. That is ,committing idolatry. See Lev 17 on verse7. And Deut 12 on verse 2,3 Or, thou harlot]

21. Yet l have planted thee a noble vine [see Exod15.17 ,Psal 44.3 and 80.9] a wholly faithful seed: [Hebr . Seed of truth, or, faithfulness; that is ,a true good stock, a right plant that bringeth forth good feed ,that is , good fruit, that beareth seed in it. Compare Isaiah 1:22 and 5.2 .oth, whose whole feed( should be) truth,in one and the fame sense] how art thou the turned to me (into) degenerate[Hebr. Properly declining .That is,degenerate,bastard] branches of a strange[or outlandish] vine?

22. For though thou shouldst wash thee with salt peter,[Hebr.Nether; that is, nitre,salt-peter, salt digged out of the grou] and shouldst take the much sope, (yet) thine iniquity is signed [or marked] before me , saith the LORD.[so that it cannot be hid or obscured from me ,as fine gold hath its mark.Thae Hebrew is only found so here , being derived from another,which signifieth fine gold and is likewise taken by Hebrews fo a mark.token or spot, whereby a thing may be known and discerned.Some render it,glistereth,or shineth,like gold also spotted .(Though thou shouldest wash thee ,etc) that is all thy hypocritical pretences, execuses,fig-leaves,wherewith thou seekest to cover thy wickedness, cannot help thee]

23. How sayest thou, lam not polluted, l have not walked after the Baals ? See thy way[that is,thne Idolatrous nature and practice] in the valley ,[this may be understood of valleys in general, Isaiah 57:5,6 or in particular, of the valley of Hinnom that lay near Jerusalem, where they committed their abominable Idolatry with Molech. See 2 Kings 23:10 and bnelow chap 19.2 &c] know what thou hast done, thou light swift she-carmel,[Its conceived, that the Hebrew word Bichra signifieth a certain kind of small, or young she-carmels, that were very swift in running , as post horses are , and so run before others ,as the first born(from whence the word Bechoris used ) came before the other children ,compare Isaiah 60:6 Therefore such a she-carmel was called by a Greek word Dromas, that is ,she-runner;the word Dromedary is also used in our own language.Hereunto God compareth Israel , by reason of their fiery disposition to run into all manner of Idolatry] that traverseth he wayes [the Hebrew word rendered here traverseth, is only found in this place,being derived from another word, which signifieth a shoe-latchet . God doth intimate hereby,that Israel ran up and down,to and fro in Idolatry, as a shoe-latchetis often variously turned and shaken to and fro.]

24. She is wilderness,[Heb. taught, that is,accustomed,exercused and experienced,as below, chap13.21,23 and 31.18. Hosea 10:11] in the wilderness,[the meaning is, that she is not leftton be restrained or temed in her hot disposition , then a wilderness is . See Job39.8] according to the delight of her soul she draweth the winde, who should turn away her meeting ?[she draweth in the wind ; or swalloweth in the winde. Compare below , chap 14.6. that is , she cheereth and delighteth herself upon all occassions (which she herself seeketh and persueth after her spiritual whoredom ) being so impudently hot , as that non can restrain or beat her off from it .Oth.she snuffieth up and draweth the winde according to her occassion,who should turn her away?]all that seek her will grow weary ;in her moneth they shall finde her.[the Idolaters that desire to commit fornication with her , need not to take grea t pains, she is easie to be found. Compare Ezekiel 16:33,34 and 23.40 (they shall finde her in her moneth) The New Moon, or monethly courses , for she hath laid aside all modest. See Levit 20.18. some understand this of the Idolatry, which they commited on every new moon]

25. With-hold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst:[These are the words of God, who calleth Israel away from their impudent heat] but thou saiest, it is past hope, No;[it is in vain, it is lost labour ,I will not do it] for I love strangers,[to wit ,idols] and I will walk after them.

26. As a thief is ashamed,[Hebr. According to the shame of a thief. Compare below, chap 48.27] when he is found,[that is ,is taken and apprehended in the very act] so are they of the house of Israel ashamed:[or, shall be ashamed.Oth.they have made the house of Israel ashamed, that is they shall make ashamed,&c. They shall be made ashamed;that is, they shall be surely ashamed] they, their Kings, their Princes, and their Priests, and their Prophets.

27. That say to a tree, Thou art my father,and to a stone, Thou hast begotten me.[Or,brought me forth] for they turn (their) neck unto me, and not (their) face; [that is, they have revolted from me and have been refractory and rebellious. See below, chap 7.24 and 32.33, And compare Exodus 32:9] but in the time of their evil[to wit,the evil of punishment, when miseries threatened come upon them. So in the next verse]they say, Arise and deliver us.

28. Where are then thy Gods that thou hast made thee ?let them arose , if they shall deliver thee in the time of thy evil : [compare Deuteronomy 32:38.Judg.10.14]for(accordingto) the number of thy cities are thy gods, o Juda.[thatis, thou hast as many several Idols as thou hast cities .Therefore let us once see ,whether allof them together be able to help the .]

29. Wherefore do ye contend against me?ye all have transgressed against me,[see above ,verse 8] speaketh the LORD.

30. In vain have I smitten your children:[see Isaiah 1:5 below, chap5.3]they received not correction ; see Prov 1,onv 2.] your own sword have devoured your Prophets, like a destroying [or devouring .see of the Hebrew word Judg.20. On v.21.]Lion [the meaning is,it is so far from thence, that ye should have received my reproofs ,as that on the contrary ye have like raging wilde beasts destroyed the Prophets , that diswaded you from Idolatry; as came to passe in the time of Asa, Joab,and Manasseh. See also Mat.23.29,&c. Luke11.47,&c and 13.34.]

31. O generation! Comfider [Heb. See] (now) the word of the LORD: have I been a wilderness unto Israel? Or land of utter darknesse? [Have I led and delt ill with Israel, or have they fared so ill by me ,as men that faint and perish in wildernesse,and in daark unfrequented ways , for hunger,grief,sorrow,and want? surely(will the LORD say)the ontrary is most true. Such interrogatives imply a strong denial.(or a land of utter darknesse) Hebr .obsurity of the LORD. The Hebrew particle I A H, according to the opinion of most expositours, being added thereunto for the exaggeration ar aggravation of the thing. Compare Genes. 13, on v.10. Oth. A land that casteth down, or causeth to fall the inhabitants thereof, that is ,causeth them to faint and perish for want ; the sense being all one] wherfore then say my people , We are LORD's,[or, we bear rule] we will come no more unto thee?[thatos,our affairs go well , we have strenghtened our Kingdome by foreign aid and covenants,we have now no more need of thee, we need not seek any more unto thee.]

32. Doth also a Virgin forget her ornaments? (or) a bride her bindings?[wherewith she tieth her attire fast to her head. Some take it to be the attire of the head, or of the nec,or throat] yet my people have forgotten me [who am their glory and onely ornaments, see 2 sam.1. On verse 19 see also below, hap.3.21.] dayes without number. [A very long time]

33. Why doest thou make thy way good, whereas tho seekest dallying[Hebr, properl;y love.The meaning seemeth to be , why wilt thou yet hidethy Idolatrous condition and practise, whereas indeed thou bdoest nothing else then to seek oassion everywhere to get acquintane and society with other Idolaters,and to ommit Idolatry with them. Some understand this of her onstant running and travelling, to get favour among heathenish Idolatrous Nations, and to make covenant with them.Some: whereof,v 36. They did both .and the one depended upon the other] therefore hast thou also taught the most wicked (harlots) thy wayes.[or, whereby, so that thou also, yea, thou hast also,&. That is, thou art sovile an harlot, as thou that surpassest the very worst out-landish or heathenish harlots that be , beause by thy practise thou makest them worse then they are of themselves.]

34. Yea, the blood of the souls[That persons,compare Proverbs 28:17 with the annotat.] of innocent needy ones is found in thy skirts: [to wit of thy garments] I have not found it by digging up, but upon all these , [to wit, skirts of thy garments,(l have not found it et) it, to wit, the blood . The Hebrew known that signifieth blood is indeed in the former words used in the singular number but is joined with a verb of the plural number, as if one should say. The blood are found, that is , the bloods, as the Scripture often useth the word bloods so,or it may be understood of much innoent blood , where with they were defiled. See v30 .This was so manifest, as that it needed not to be found out by any strict search, neithe needed the blood to be digged up , as if it were hid in the earth , but it was publickly to be seen , sticking yet (as we may say) upon the skirts of their garment . (Some take it thus , thou, because the Hebrew verb may be taken in the first person of the masculine gender , and in the second of the faminine )hast not found them (to wit, the innocent poor) digging thorow,(that thou mightest have killed them as guilty night thieves , Exodus 22:2,3.) but (thou hast killed them) for all those things ; to wit, for all thy fore-mentioned Idolatriies, which they reproved. See on verse30.]

35. Yet thou saist,Surely Iam innocent ,Surely this anger,[To wit, the LORD's anger] is turned away from me:[As if they had said , we are sufficiently sure of it, that the LORD is not wroth with us .Oth.let onely his anger turn away from me; that is , l will sufficienly prove that lam innocent, if so be he will but deal kindly with me,and not be sorigorous and severe as do hypocrites do always excuse themselves, and blame God] behold l will plead with thee .[or, submit myself with thee to judgement, as elsewher. See Ezeh.1720and 20.35.Joel3.2,&] beause thou saiest, l have not sinned .

36. Why travellest thou much[Hebr. Greatly] abrosd, changing thy way ?[travelling sometimes to this, sometimes to that party for help] Thou shalt be ashamed of Egypt.[Compare Isa30.3,4,5. And below , hap 37.7. Hos.5.13, & By Egypt is meant here the Egyptians, so in the following clause, by Affur the Assyrians] as thou wast ashamed of Affur [see 2 chron 28.20,21. As if the LORD should say, As thou likewise be deeived by the other .]

37. Thou shalt also go forth from thene [beause thou doest thus travel forth from thence , therefore thou shalt, &c. Or , from this (man) to wit, the Egyptian. Oth for that cause] with thine hands upon thy head,[that is , with mourning, shame, and disgrace, see 2 sam.13.19 with the annot.] for the LORD hath rejeted all thy onfidence, [Hebr. Thy confidences, in the plural number; that is , all thy vain refuge, which thou seekest out of God] so that thou shalt not prosper in it.