Jeremia 3:11

Lutherbibel

Und der HERR sprach zu mir: Die abtrünnige Israel ist fromm gegen die verstockte Juda.

Parallel Translations

Schlachter Bibel (1951)
Und der Herr sprach zu mir: Die Abtrünnige, Israel, steht gerechter da als die treulose Juda.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

The backsliding: Jeremiah 3:8, Jeremiah 3:22, Hosea 4:16, Hosea 11:7

justified: Ezekiel 16:47, Ezekiel 16:51, Ezekiel 16:52, Ezekiel 23:11

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 2:19 - and thy Jeremiah 3:6 - backsliding Jeremiah 8:5 - slidden Jeremiah 31:22 - backsliding Jeremiah 34:10 - then Hosea 4:15 - yet Matthew 12:41 - rise Luke 7:41 - the other Luke 11:31 - rise

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And the Lord said unto me,.... To the Prophet Jeremiah, as in Jeremiah 3:6 and at or about the same time:

the backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah; that is, was comparatively more righteous; of the two she appeared the most righteous; though neither of them could vindicate their conduct, or justify themselves before God; see Luke 18:14. Judah was most to blame, because that after Israel committed idolatry, and was carried captive, she took no warning by it, but fell into the same sin; and in Manasseh's time committed greater idolatries, and more wickedness, than ever Israel did; and more than even the Amorites themselves, and other Heathen nations, had done, 2 Kings 21:6 and though a reformation was made in Josiah's time, it was only feignedly, it was not cordial and hearty; and therefore she is all along here charged with perfidy and treachery.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Hath justified herself - Judah had had the benefit of the warning given by Israel’s example. Both abandon Yahweh’s service for idolatry, but Israel is simply “apostate,” Judah is also false.

The verse is important,

(1) as accounting for the destruction of Jerusalem so soon after the pious reign of Josiah. Manasseh’s crimes had defiled the land, but it was by rejecting the reforms of Josiah that the people finally profaned it, and sealed their doom:

(2) As showing that it is not by the acts of its government that a nation stands or falls. Ahaz and Manasseh lent the weight of their influence to the cause of idolatry: Hezekiah and Josiah to the cause of truth. But the nation had to determine which should prevail. Excepting a remnant it embraced idolatry, and brought upon itself ruin: in the remnant the nation again revived Jeremiah 24:5, Jeremiah 24:7.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Jeremiah 3:11. Backsliding Israel hath justified herself more — She was less offensive in my eyes, and more excusable, than treacherous Judah. So it is said, Luke 18:14, the humbled publican went down to his house justified rather than the boasting Pharisee. The one was more to be pitied than the other, and more likely to receive the mercy of God.