Jeremiah 39

Jeremiah 39:2

Cut off - There is no believing them in any thing they say.

Jeremiah 39:3

Cut off thine hair - This was an usual token of sorrow among the Jews. On high places - Upon the high places where thou wentest a whoring from me. The generation - A generation destined to the wrath of God.

Jeremiah 39:4

In the house - It was not enough to have their idols abroad in the hills and groves, but they must bring them into God’s house.

Jeremiah 39:5

Tophet - It comes from Toph, a drum, because they beat drums to drown the children’s screeches, when they burnt them in sacrifice upon the altars, called here high places, to Moloch. Tophet was situate in a pleasant valley near Jerusalem, a place in the possession of the children of one Hinnom, Joshua 15:8.

Jeremiah 39:10

The bones - This denotes the utter desolation of the city, not only rasing the walls, but turning up the very sepulchres which were accounted sacred, and not to be violated.

Jeremiah 39:13

Not arise - Will they never think of rising again? Not return - Will he wander for ever?

Jeremiah 39:14

Deceit - Their false prophets, encouraging themselves in their wickedness, and pleasing themselves, that their miseries should not come upon them.

Jeremiah 39:16

Appointed time - The seasons of her going and coming. The judgment - God’s vengeance, hovering over Jerusalem, and Judea.

Jeremiah 39:17

How - These things considered where is your wisdom? He speaks to the whole body of the people. The Lord - This may have a more special eye to the priests. In vain - For any use they made of it; neither need it ever have been copied out by the scribe. A scribe was a teacher, one well versed in the scripture, or esteemed to be so.