Jeremiah 17

1 a pen of iron. A small chisel, used for engraving inscriptions upon rocks (Job xix. 24).

graven upon the table of their heart. Deep in their moral nature, and showing itself in their multiplied idolatrics.

your altars. The remaining altars of the Baalim.

2 their children remember. i.e., the children retain and practise the sins which they have learned from their fathers.

their groves. See note on Judg. iii. 7.

3. O My mountain in the field. Or, “O My mountain, with the open country”; meaning Jerusalem, with the whole land of Judah. “For sin” means because of sin.

6 the heath in the desert. Meaning, probably, “a bare (or dry) tree”; as the Hebrew word signifies “naked,” or “destitute.”

8 shall not see. Rather, according to another reading, “shall not fear.”

11. As the partridge, etc. Perhaps, as R.V., “As the partridge that gathereth [young] which she hath not brought forth.” It was anciently supposed that the partridge took the eggs of other birds, and hatched them, but was afterwards abandoned by the young birds; and thus had nothing to compensate her for her trouble. So he that procures riches by unfair means shall find that he has laboured in vain.

12. A glorious high throne, etc. The throne of Jehovah “[set] on high from the beginning,” R.V.; called “the place of our sanctuary,” to show that He is always at hand to help those who seek His protection.

13 written in the earth. “Written in the dust”; i.e., consigned to oblivion. Contrast Job xix. 23, 24.

16 to follow Thee. Rather, “after Thee” (R.V.). I have not shrunk from obeying Thy call to be a teacher of this people; nor, on the other hand, have I desired the calamities which I predicted. I have spoken under Thy influence, and as in Thy presence.

VERS. 19-27. This prophetic message consists of a command to observe the Sabbath, having reference to profanations of it which were probably particularly prevalent at the time (19-23). Great national blessings are promised in case of obedience (24-26); and the destruction of Jerusalem is threatened if the desecration is continued (27).

19 the gate of the children of the people. It is not known what gate is here intended. Orelli translates “gate of the (thy) countrymen,” and explains that Jeremiah’s countrymen are the Benjamites.

26 the plain. “The lowland” (R.V.), called the Shephelah. This was west of Jerusalem. “The Mountains” were the hill country of Judah; the South, or Negeb, the arid region south of Hebron.