Jeremiah 11

3 this covenant. The covenant made with your ancestors (4), and recently renewed by Josiah (2 Kings xxii. 8-xxiii. 25). Much of the language of these verses is derived from the Book of Deuteronomy, which had just been publicly read in the hearing of the people: see Deut. iv. 20, 23, 24; v. 2; xi. 26-28; xxvii. 26; xxviii. 1; xxix. 13, etc.

4. From the iron furnace. Or, “Out of the iron furnace,” i.e., Egypt.

5. So be it. “Amen.” This appears to be the prophet’s response to the covenant just repeated, as prescribed in Deut. xxvii. 15, 26.

6. Proclaim. A command to the prophet, showing that he took an active part in the proceedings of Josiah (2 Kings xxiii. 2, etc.).

8. I will bring upon them, etc. Rather, “I brought upon them,” etc. (R.V.).

9. A conspiracy. This was no secret confederacy (see ver. 13), but an almost universal return, as if by agreement, to the sins which Josiah’s reformation had checked for a time.

13 according to the number of thy cities, etc. Among the heathen, every city, street, and house had its tutelary deity.

15 she hath wrought lewdness [with] many. This verse is difficult, and the ancient versions appear to have had different readings. Driver translates, “What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she bringeth evil devices to pass? Will vows and holy flesh remove thine evil from off thee? then mightest thou rejoice.”

16 a great tumult. The tumult of on-rushing foes.

18 knowledge of it. Rather, “knowledge of them,” i.e., of “their doings.”

19 a lamb [or] an ox. Rather, “a pet” or “house lamb,” see 2 Sam. xii. 3. “A gentle lamb,” R.V.: cp. Isa. liii. 7.

with the fruit thereof. Rather, “in its food,” or “fruit”; i.e., when fruit-bearing: meaning Jeremiah whilst prophesying.

23 no remnant. None should be left in Anathoth. We find from Ezra ii. 23 that 128 returned from exile.