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JEREMIAH 2
PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS
(The parentheses represent poetic literary units)
| NASB | NKJV | NRSV | TEV | NJB |
| Judah's Apostasy | God's Case Against Israel | The Apostasy of Israel | God's Care for Israel | The Earliest Preaching of Jeremiah: the Infidelity of Israel |
| 2:1-3 (2b-3) |
2:1-3 (2b-3) |
2:1-3 | 2:1-3 (2b-3) |
2:1-13 (2b-13) |
| The Sin of Israel's Ancestors | ||||
| 2:4-8 (5-8) |
2:4-8 (5-8) |
2:4-8 (5-8) |
2:4-8 (5-8) |
|
| The Lord's Case Against His People | ||||
| 2:9-13 (9-13) |
2:9-13 (9-13) |
2:9-13 (9-13) |
2:9-13 (9-13) |
|
| The Results of Israel's Unfaithfulness | ||||
| 2:14-19 (14-19) |
2:14-19 (14-19) |
2:14-19 (14-19) |
2:14-19 (14-19) |
2:14-19 (14-19) |
| Israel Refuses to Worship the Lord | ||||
| 2:20-25 (20-25) |
2:20-22 (20-22) |
2:20-25 (20-25) |
2:20-25 (20-25) |
2:20-25 (20-25) |
| 2:23-25 (23-25) |
Israel Deserves To Be Punished | |||
| 2:26-28 (26-28) |
2:26-28 (26-28) |
2:26-28 (26-28) |
2:26-27 | 2:26-32 (26-32) |
| 2:28-34a | ||||
| 2:29-37 (29-37) |
2:29-32 (29-32) |
2:29-32 (29-32) |
||
| 2:33-37 (33-37) |
2:33-37 (33-37) |
2:33-35 (33-35) |
||
| 2:34b-37 | ||||
| 2:36-37 (36-37) |
READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which
means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the
light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not
relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
BACKGROUND
WORD AND PHRASE STUDY
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: JEREMIAH 2:1-3
1Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2"Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the Lord,
"I remember concerning you the devotion of your youth,
The love of your betrothals,
Your following after Me in the wilderness,
Through a land not sown.
3Israel was holy to the Lord,
The first of His harvest.
All who ate of it became guilty;
Evil came upon them," declares the Lord.'"
2:1 This is a literary idiom in the prophets to designate YHWH's message. These were His words not Jeremiah's! It was a very specific revelation. The question is how much of the
is YHWH's and how much is Jeremiah's mind, education, and culture. We simply do not know, but by faith all believers assert it is God's self-revelation (i.e., "Thus says the Lord," Jer. 2:2).
▣ "Go and proclaim" One would think these are IMPERATIVES but they are not.
▣ "in the ears of Jerusalem" Poetry condenses for emphasis. This phrase is addressing the people of Jerusalem, not a personification of the city. Also the message was for all Judeans not just the capital city.
Does this imply that Jeremiah is speaking only to Judah and that Israel has already been exiled (i.e., 722 B.C.)? It is hard/impossible to date the individual poems of Jeremiah. The word "Jerusalem" is missing in the LXX.
▣ In Jer. 2:2 YHWH speaks of the time of the beginning of Israel as a nation (i.e., the exodus and wilderness wandering period of 38 years).
"I remember" (anthropomorphic imagery, see SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD DESCRIBED AS HUMAN)
The rabbis called this period "the honeymoon" period between YHWH (husband) and Israel (wife). He provided their every need.
In a sense this strophe is like Rev. 2:4, which describes how the OT people of God, like the church at Ephesus, had "left her first love" (i.e., beginning devotion and commitment).
▣ "the devotion of your youth" Devotion is hesed.
SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (HESED)
▣ "the wilderness" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE WILDERNESSES OF THE EXODUS
2:3 "Israel" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL (THE NAME)
▣ "holy to the Lord" For "holy see SPECIAL TOPIC: HOLY.
For YHWH (Lord) see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.
▣ "The first of His harvest" This imagery is an allusion to the offering of the first fruits which symbolized YHWH's ownership of the whole crop (cf. Lev. 23:10-11; 1 Cor. 15:20; James 1:18). Here the imagery turns negative. The nations attacked and rejected YHWH by rejecting His chosen vessel of revelation, Israel.
▣ "ate" This term (Qal PARTICIPLE, BDB 37, KB 46) was used in Akkadian for an "illegal invasion," but here it denotes the nations of Palestine's rejection and attack on Israel. This phrase shows Israel's specialness (cf. Gen. 12:3; 27:29; Exod. 19:5-6). She was created and called for a larger purpose.
SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: JEREMIAH 2:4-8
4Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel.
5Thus says the Lord,
"What injustice did your fathers find in Me,
That they went far from Me
And walked after emptiness and became empty?
6They did not say, 'Where is the Lord
Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt,
Who led us through the wilderness,
Through a land of deserts and of pits,
Through a land of drought and of deep darkness,
Through a land that no one crossed
And where no man dwelt?'
7I brought you into the fruitful land
To eat its fruit and its good things.
But you came and defiled My land,
And My inheritance you made an abomination.
8The priests did not say, 'Where is the Lord?'
And those who handle the law did not know Me;
The rulers also transgressed against Me,
And the prophets prophesied by Baal
And walked after things that did not profit."
2:4 "Hear" This is the theologically significant VERB Shema (Qal IMPERATIVE, BDB 1033, KB 1570). Its basic meaning is "to hear, so as to do." It has great importance in Deut. 4:1; 5:1; 6:3,4. Jeremiah was deeply influenced by Deuteronomy (as was Jesus, i.e., He quotes from it several times in His temptation experience, Matthew 4; Luke 4).
▣ "O house of Jacob. . .families of the house of Israel" These are parallel phrases used of all the seed of Abraham, after the split of the United Monarchy (Saul, David, Solomon) in 922 B.C. The northern ten tribes are called Israel, Ephraim, or Samaria. This has caused great confusion in the use of the term "Israel."
SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL (THE NAME)
2:5 "What injustice did your fathers find in Me" This is the literary imagery of a court scene (cf. Jer. 2:4-8). YHWH's true nature is expressed in Deut. 32:4. YHWH asked this same question in Micah 6:3. He was not the problem, they were!
SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT)
▣ "they went far from Me" The VERB (Qal PERFECT, BDB 934, KB 1221) is in direct contradiction to "follow after Me" in Jer. 2:2.
Also notice the personal element. Not just follow my laws but follow "Me"! Biblical faith is a personal faith, in a personal God, on a daily moment-by-moment basis. It is a faith relationship, but it is personal (i.e., prayer, daily trust, and obedience to the known will of God).
▣ "walked" This (BDB 229, KB 246, Qal IMPERFECT with waw) is recurrent biblical imagery of lifestyle choices and actions.
SPECIAL TOPIC: THE WAY. . .THE PATH
▣ "emptiness and became empty" The NOUN (BDB 210 I) and VERB (Qal IMPERFECT with waw, BDB 211, KB 236) are put together for emphasis. This refers to idolatry (cf. Jer. 8:19; 10:3-5,8-10,14-15; 16:19-20; 51:17-18).
SPECIAL TOPIC: CONSENQUENCES OF IDOLATRY
2:6-7 These verses refer to the exodus and wilderness wandering period (i.e., Exodus and Numbers).
Notice the things YHWH did for them as He fulfilled His promise/prophecy to Abraham (cf. Gen. 15:12-21).
The exact date, route, and number of the Exodus is uncertain.
SPECIAL TOPIC: THE EXODUS (uncertainties)
2:7 Palestine of this period was a very fertile place (cf. Num. 13:23-24,27; Deut. 8:1-9; 11:10-12).
▣ "defiled My land" The VERB (Piel IMPERFECT with waw, BDB 379, KB 375) is used of
Notice this is God's land and He will not tolerate those who live inappropriately (cf. Lev. 18:24-30). As He removed the Canaanites (cf. Gen. 15:16) He will remove Abraham's seed if they reject Him (cf. Jer. 2:6a, 8a).
▣ "abomination" This term (BDB 1072) appears often in Jeremiah (cf. Jer. 2:7; 6:15; 7:10; 8:12; 16:18; 32:35; 44:4,22).
2:8 What a terrible condemnation of the leadership of God's covenant people.
Notice their sins.
▣ "things that did not profit" In Hebrew poetry one looks for several markers.
It is surely possible that an intended sound play is here (Jer. 2:8).
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: JEREMIAH 2:9-13
9"Therefore I will yet contend with you," declares the Lord,
"And with your sons' sons I will contend.
10For cross to the coastlands of Kittim and see,
And send to Kedar and observe closely
And see if there has been such a thing as this!
11Has a nation changed gods
When they were not gods?
But My people have changed their glory
For that which does not profit.
12Be appalled, O heavens, at this,
And shudder, be very desolate," declares the Lord.
13"For My people have committed two evils:
They have forsaken Me,
The fountain of living waters,
To hew for themselves cisterns,
Broken cisterns
That can hold no water."
2:9 "contend" This VERB repeated twice (Qal IMPERFECT, BDB 936, KB 1224, cf. Jer. 2:29) refers to a legal lawsuit (cf. Jer. 2:35). This literary structure is one of three used by Prophets to communicate their message (lament, legal case, promise oracle). YHWH is divorcing His covenant partner for covenant faithlessness.
▣ "with your sons' sons I will contend" This shows that lifestyle priorities are passed on to our children with the result of blessing or cursing (cf. Exod. 34:7; Deut. 5:9). Just an additional thought, I so rejoice in Deut. 7:9, where God's love and mercy extends to the "thousand generations" of those who love and trust Him.
2:10 Notice the series of IMPERATIVES.
▣ "Kittim" This (BDB 508) refers to the original Phoenician settlement on Cyprus, but came to refer to all of the islands to the west of Palestine.
▣ "Kedar" This (BDB 871) was an Arab tribe to the east. This entire phrase is used metaphorically for "from east to west." The whole point of the verse is "Ask anyone!" Let anyone be a witness about the things of Jer. 2:11-13.
2:11 What a powerful question. Israel had abandoned the only true God and went after the false, vain, non-existent idols of the surrounding pagan nations (cf. Jer. 2:13).
▣ "their glory" The NKJV and NRSV capitalize "glory" (BDB 458) thereby showing it is a characteristic title for God (cf. Rom. 1:23). He was Israel's glory! When they reject Him they have no glory (cf. Hos. 4:7).
▣ "For that which does not profit" If Jer. 2:8, lines 3 and 4, are parallel, then this may refer to Ba'al worship.
SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE
2:12 "O heavens" The heavens are often used as witnesses in God's lawsuit (cf. Deut. 4:26; 30:19; 32:1).
Notice that YHWH directs the oldest witness ("O heavens," usually paired with "O earth") to
2:13 "fountain of living waters" This is another descriptive title for God (cf. Jer. 17:13; Ps. 36:9; John 4:10-14; 7:38-39; Rev. 21:6).
▣ "To hew for themselves" This is the problem of fallen humanity, even covenant humanity. They try to run their own lives (cf. Jer. 2:17,19). Their ongoing failure will open the door for YHWH's mercy and grace in the "new covenant" of Jer. 31:31-34 (cf. Ezek. 36:22-36).
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: JEREMIAH 2:14-19
14"Is Israel a slave? Or is he a homeborn servant?
Why has he become a prey?
15The young lions have roared at him,
They have roared loudly.
And they have made his land a waste;
His cities have been destroyed, without inhabitant.
16Also the men of Memphis and Tahpanhes
Have shaved the crown of your head.
17Have you not done this to yourself
By your forsaking the Lord your God
When He led you in the way?
18But now what are you doing on the road to Egypt,
To drink the waters of the Nile?
Or what are you doing on the road to Assyria,
To drink the waters of the Euphrates?
19Your own wickedness will correct you,
And your apostasies will reprove you;
Know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter
For you to forsake the Lord your God,
And the dread of Me is not in you," declares the Lord God of hosts.
2:14 Another question starts a new strophe. This question is answered by another rhetorical question in Jer. 2:17. Israel is reaping what she sowed (cf. Jer. 17:10; 32:19). She is no longer what she was when she was formed (i.e., Jer. 2:2-3, devoted, loving, holy to the Lord, the first of His harvest). Now she is a slave who has become a prey (i.e., of other nations and their false gods).
2:15 "young lions" This is imagery for power and strength used of the nations. Young lions were well known top predators. Here it symbolized Israel's invading enemies. Without her God, she was vulnerable and weak! The false gods who could not see or hear, could not help!
SPECIAL TOPIC: LIONS IN THE OT
| ▣ | |
| NASB | "destroyed" |
| NKJV, NRSV | "burned" |
| TEV, NJB | "in ruins" |
| JPSOA, Peshitta | "desolate" |
| REB | "razed to the ground" |
| LXX | "were torn down" |
The MT has "burned" (נצתה, Niphal PERFECT, BDB 428, KB 429, but the Masoretic scholars suggested נצתו), which would be translated "are in ruins." Both options fit the context (see above line which is in synonymous parallelism).
2:16 "Memphis and Tahpanhes" These were ancient capitals of Egypt (cf. Jer. 44:1). Each city in Egypt had its own patron deity.
| ▣ | |
| NASB, NRSV | "shaved" |
| NKJV, NJB | "broken" |
| TEV, NET | "cracked" |
| JPSOA | "lay bare" |
| REB | "will break" |
| LXX | "mocked" |
| Peshitta | "rule over" |
The VERB comes from two possible roots.
The UBS Text Project, p. 176, gives option #1 a "B" rating (some doubt).
2:17 See note at Jer. 2:13d. Line 3 of the MT is printed in the NASB. The Septuagint has a totally different line. It is not a textual corruption, but a separate tradition. The DSS have Hebrew copies of both the MT form of Jeremiah and the radically shorter LXX version.
Here is the LXX:
"'Has not your abandoning of Me brought about these things for you?' says the Lord God."
2:18 "on the road to Egypt. . .Assyria" Israel tried to find security themselves by political alliances against Babylon instead of with faith in YHWH. These alliances included involvement (ceremonies) with their national idols!
▣ "To drink the water" This repeated VERBAL (Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, BDB 1059, KB 1667) is imagery used as voluntary service of another. In a sense this was "self-imposed" exile!
2:19 Like Jer. 2:13d and 17, this verse emphasizes the terrible results of Israel's choices (cf. Jer. 4:18)! Notice how "wickedness" (BDB 948) and "apostasies" (BDB 1000, cf. Jer. 3:6,8,11,14) will reprove and correct.
YHWH responds with two Qal IMPERATIVES (i.e., "know" and "see"). They will realize the consequences of their choices.
SPECIAL TOPIC: APOSTASY (APHISTĒMI)
▣ "God of hosts" See SPECIAL TOPIC: LORD OF HOSTS
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: JEREMIAH 2:20-25
20"For long ago I broke your yoke
And tore off your bonds;
But you said, 'I will not serve!'
For on every high hill
And under every green tree
You have lain down as a harlot.
21Yet I planted you a choice vine,
A completely faithful seed.
How then have you turned yourself before Me
Into the degenerate shoots of a foreign vine?
22Although you wash yourself with lye
And use much soap,
The stain of your iniquity is before Me," declares the Lord God.
23"How can you say, 'I am not defiled, I have not gone after the Baals'?
Look at your way in the valley!
Know what you have done!
You are a swift young camel entangling her ways,
24A wild donkey accustomed to the wilderness,
That sniffs the wind in her passion.
In the time of her heat who can turn her away?
All who seek her will not become weary;
In her month they will find her.
25Keep your feet from being unshod
And your throat from thirst;
But you said, 'It is hopeless!
No! For I have loved strangers,
And after them I will walk.'"
2:20-25 The UBS Handbook on Jeremiah lists the imagery used to describe Israel's apostasy (p. 69).
2:20 The first two parallel lines speak of the Exodus, where God formed Israel into a nation (cf. "planted" in Jer. 2:21) as He promised in Gen. 15:13-16. There are several other texts that use slavery imagery (cf. Lev. 26:13; Isa. 52:2-3; Jer. 30:8; Ezek. 34:27). Israel traded the slavery of Egypt for the slavery of Mesopotamia!
▣ Lines 4-6 refer to the pervasiveness of the fertility cult of Ba'al and Asherah (cf. Jer. 3:2,6; 17:2; Deut. 16:21; Hos. 4:11-14).
SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE
| 2:20 | |
| NASB, NRSV, NJB, REB | "I will not serve" |
| NKJV | "I will not transgress" |
| TEV | "refused to obey me and worship me" |
| JPSOA | "I will not work" |
| LXX | "I will not be a slave" |
| Peshitta | "I will never serve another god again" |
The MT has "I will not serve" (BDB 712, KB 773, Qal IMPERFECT, NEGATED, but Masoretic scholars suggested "I will not transgress" (see NKJV).
2:21 "choice vine" This is sorek (BDB 977 I), which means "red grape." This was one of the best varieties of grapes (cf. Isa. 5:1-7). But Israel became idolatrous and "turned yourself" (Niphal PERFECT, BDB 245, KB 253) "into the degenerate shoots of a foreign vine" (v. 21d).
2:22 God's people needed a spiritual cleaning (cf. Jer. 4:14; 13:27).
This, of course, is figurative language for "repentance."
SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (OT)
▣ "Lord God" This is the common title for Deity using Adon and YHWH in combination.
SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.
2:23 "How can you say, 'I am not defiled'" Here is the real problem (cf. Jer. 2:35). They thought
Self-deception is the worst possible blindness (cf. Pro. 16:2; 30:12; Luke 16:15; 18:9-14).
▣ "the Baals" This was the male fertility god of Canaan.
SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE
▣ "the valley" This is possibly a reference to Ben Hinnom (cf. Jer. 7:31-32; 19:2-6; 32:35; 2 Chr. 28:3; 33:6). It was where Molech, the fertility fire god, was worshiped by child sacrifice (cf. Lev. 18:21).
SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD? II. D.
2:23-24 "a swift young camel" This is a sexual, animal imagery for Israel's desire for political alliances.
2:25 "feet from being unshod. . .throat from thirst" This refers either to imagery for
I think #1 fits the context best (cf. v. 18).
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: JEREMIAH 2:26-28
26"As the thief is shamed when he is discovered,
So the house of Israel is shamed;
They, their kings, their princes
And their priests and their prophets,
27Who say to a tree, 'You are my father,'
And to a stone, 'You gave me birth.'
For they have turned their back to Me,
And not their face;
But in the time of their trouble they will say,
'Arise and save us.'
28But where are your gods
Which you made for yourself?
Let them arise, if they can save you
In the time of your trouble;
For according to the number of your cities
Are your gods, O Judah."
2:26 These are the same leaders mentioned in Jer. 2:8.
▣ "is shamed" This VERB (Hiphil PERFECT, BDB 101, KB 116) is also found in Jer. 6:15; 46:24; 48:1,20; 50:2, also notice Jer. 8:9,12! Fear of shame was a powerful motivation for eastern people (i.e., Jer. 15:9; 31:19; 48:13,39; Isa. 1:29; 19:9; 20:5; 23:4; 37:27; 45:16).
2:27 "tree, 'You are my father'. . .stone, 'You gave me birth'" This is a play on the symbols of the Canaanite fertility gods. Ba'al was symbolized by an uplifted stone (i.e., phallic symbol) and Asherah by a carved stake or live tree (i.e., the tree of life symbol).
▣ "You gave me birth" The MT has the SINGULAR VERB (Qal PERFECT, BDB 408, KB 411, SINGULAR); the Masoretic scholars suggested (Qere) it be changed to the PLURAL.
▣ "they have turned their back to Me" This is another Qal PERFECT (BDB 815, KB 937). It parallels Jer. 32:33. In response YHWH turns His back to them (cf. Jer. 18:17).
▣ There are two IMPERATIVES used to mock what idol worshipers said to their non-existent idols (cf. Jer. 2:28).
Superstition is a sad and powerful reality in our fallen world (cf. Isa. 44:17; 45:20; 46:6-7).
▣ "save us" This is a Hiphil IMPERATIVE (BDB 446, KB 448). In the OT this refers to physical deliverance.
SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OLD TESTAMENT TERM)
2:28 "according to the number of your cities
Are your gods, O Judah" This refers either to the local Ba'als (cf. Jer. 11:13) or as we learn from Ugaritic literature, the Canaanite pantheon, which had 250 gods.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: JEREMIAH 2:29-37
29"Why do you contend with Me?
You have all transgressed against Me," declares the Lord.
30"In vain I have struck your sons;
They accepted no chastening.
Your sword has devoured your prophets
Like a destroying lion.
31O generation, heed the word of the Lord.
Have I been a wilderness to Israel,
Or a land of thick darkness?
Why do My people say, 'We are free to roam;
We will no longer come to You'?
32Can a virgin forget her ornaments,
Or a bride her attire?
Yet My people have forgotten Me
Days without number.
33How well you prepare your way
To seek love!
Therefore even the wicked women
You have taught your ways.
34Also on your skirts is found
The lifeblood of the innocent poor;
You did not find them breaking in.
But in spite of all these things,
35Yet you said, 'I am innocent;
Surely His anger is turned away from me.'
Behold, I will enter into judgment with you
Because you say, 'I have not sinned.'
36Why do you go around so much
Changing your way?
Also, you will be put to shame by Egypt
As you were put to shame by Assyria.
37From this place also you will go out
With your hands on your head;
For the Lord has rejected those in whom you trust,
And you will not prosper with them."
2:29 See note at Jer. 2:9.
▣ "You have all transgressed against Me" Sin is personal and it is a rebellion against YHWH. The VERB is a Qal PERFECT (BDB 833, KB 981) denoting a settled attitude of rebellion and disobedience (cf. Jer. 2:8,29; 3:13; 33:8; Isa. 43:27; 66:24; Ezek. 2:3; 20:38; Hos. 7:13).
Notice the word "all," which could refer to
The rebellion of all Israel, and all humans, is clearly seen in Paul's litany of OT verses in Rom. 3:9-18 and the summary statement in Rom. 3:23!
2:30-31 YHWH disciplined Israel (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28-29) so that she would return to Him, but she would not. She had forgotten His gracious presence, provision, and protection during her formation (i.e., exodus and wilderness wanderings).
Israel's rejection of their God was surprising and unnatural! They wanted their freedom (i.e., the results of the Fall, cf. Genesis 3; the VERB in Jer. 2:31, line 4, is a Qal PERFECT, BDB 923, KB 1194).
SPECIAL TOPIC: LIONS IN THE OT
| 2:31 | |
| NASB | "We are free to roam" |
| NKJV | "We are lords" |
| NRSV | "We are our own masters" |
| NJB | "We are free" |
| JPSOA | "We have broken loose" |
| LXX | "We will not be ruled" |
The VERB רוד (Qal PERFECT, BDB 923, KB 1194, cf. Hos. 12:1) is rare. KB translates the Qal PERFECT as "to roam about freely."
The UBS Handbook (p. 85) suggests it means "go here and there" and links back to the female camel of Jer. 2:23.
2:32 "attire" This (BDB 905) was a sash that shows marital status of women (as does "ornaments," BDB 725). Israel had broken YHWH's covenant symbolized by the marriage contract. This chapter is YHWH's divorce proceedings.
▣ "My people have forgotten Me" This VERB (Qal PERFECT, BDB 1013, KB 1489) is a shocking comment about Israel's relationship to her Deity (the only true Deity). This tragedy continues (i.e., same VERB used in the IMPERFECT stem, cf. Jer. 3:21; 13:25; Ps. 106:21-22).
Here the forgetfulness is a choice not an accident! Israel deliberately chose to leave YHWH, even after all He had done for her.
2:33 "You have taught your ways" Israel was so evil that she taught (Qal PERFECT, twice, BDB 540, KB 531) prostitutes a thing or two about evil. This is an allusion to
2:34 "lifeblood of the innocent poor" The wealthy and powerful were taking advantage of the poor and powerless, see Jer. 7:6; 22:3,17; and the book of Amos.
▣ "You did not find them breaking in" The word translated "breaking in" is a NOUN (BDB 369, KB 573) found only here and in Exod. 22:2, where it refers to the killing of a burglar.
▣ "But in spite of all these things" The Hebrew phrase is very uncertain. The AB, vol. 21, simply puts it in brackets!
The UBS Text Project has two options.
It gives #1 a C rating (considerable doubt). The UBS Handbook also prefers #1 as "the least problematic" (p. 88).
The NASB, NRSV, NJB, and NIV connect the last line of Jer. 2:34 with Jer. 2:35.
2:35 This shows the depth of their sin and self-deception as they rationalize their conduct. Possibly their prosperity blinded their eyes as they claimed the promises from Deuteronomy 28-29, but forgot the conditional nature of YHWH's covenant!
SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT, last paragraph
2:36-37 These verses clearly threaten an exile by Babylon. The political alliances (i.e., Egypt and the remnant of the Assyrian army, cf. Jer. 2:18) cannot save Israel from Nebuchadnezzar II.
| 2:36 | |
| NASB | "go around so much" |
| NKJV | "gad about so much" |
| NRSV | "how frivolously. . ." |
| NJB | "how lightly you gad about" |
| JPSOA | "how you cheapaen yourselves" |
| REB | "why do you so lightly. . ." |
| LXX | "whatever did you greatly despise" |
The root of the VERB is uncertain and the ADVERB, "lightly" (BDB 547), seems to fit well with option #2. Here are the options for the VERB.
2:37 "hands on your head" This is a sign of captivity or mourning.
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