Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 5

Verse 1

streets = out places, or outskirts.

broad places = market, or open places of concourse.

if ye can find. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 18:26 , &c). Points to reign of Jehoiakim rather than that of Josiah.

I will pardon. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 18:24-32 ). App-92 .

Verse 3

the truth = faithfulness. The same word as in Jeremiah 5:1 .

have not grieved = have felt no pain.

Verse 4

poor = become poor, or impoverished, reduced in means. Hebrew. dal. See note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11 .

judgment = justice.

Verse 5

altogether = together, or with one accord.

Verse 6

evenings = deserts.

transgressions = revolts.

backslidings = apostasies.

increased = strong, or many.

Verse 7

children = sons.

forsaken Me. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:15 , Deuteronomy 32:21 ).

sworn. Compare Jeremiah 5:2 .

fed them to the full. So in many codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate; but some codices, with five early printed editions, read "made them swear".

committed adultery. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 20:14 .Deuteronomy 5:18; Deuteronomy 5:18 ). The usual formula for idolatry.

Verse 8

in the morning: i.e. roaming at large.

Verse 9

Shall I not visit . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

My soul = I Myself, for emphasis. Hebrew. nephesh. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

be avenged = avenge herself. Compare Jeremiah 5:29 ; Jeremiah 9:9 .

Verse 10

not a full end. Compare Jeremiah 5:18 , and Jeremiah 4:27 .

Verse 11

the house of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 2:4 .

the house of Judah. See note on Jeremiah 2:4 .

Verse 12

belied = acted deceitfully against. Compare Joshua 24:27 .

evil = calamity.

Verse 13

prophets: i.e. Jeremiah, and others with him. See one in Ch. Jeremiah 26:20 .

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 14

the LORD God of hosts. Hebrew. Jehovah. the Elohim of Zebaioth. Occurs in Jeremiah only here, Jeremiah 15:16 ; Jeremiah 35:17 ; and Jeremiah 49:5 .

Verse 15

I will bring. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:49 ). App-92 .

a nation: i.e. the Chaldeans, but not yet named as such.

ancient. Compare Genesis 10:10 .

understandest = hearest. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for what is understood. Compare 1 Corinthians 14:2 .

Verse 17

they shall eat up. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:16 ). App-92 . Repeated three times by Figure of speech Anaphora , for great emphasis.

harvest, &c. Note the similar enumeration in Habakkuk 3:17 .

impoverish = beat down. Only again in Malachi 1:4 .

trustedst = confidedst. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .

Verse 19

Wherefore . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 29:24 , Deuteronomy 29:25 ).

strange . . . strangers = foreign . . . foreigners, or aliens.

Verse 20

Declare . . . publish. Compare Jeremiah 4:15 .

in the house of Jacob. Only here, and Amos 3:13 , with the Preposition "in". See note on Jeremiah 2:4 .

Verse 21

understanding. Hebrew "heart".

Verse 24

That giveth rain. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 11:14 ).

both = even. Some codices omit this word.

the appointed . . . harvest. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 8:22 ).

Verse 25

iniquities. Hebrew. 'avah. App-44 .

sins. Hebrew. chata' . App-44 .

good = the good (singular)

Verse 26

wicked. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

Verse 28

waxen fat. Reference to Pentateuch, (the same word as in Deuteronomy 32:15 ).

the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

the fatherless = an orphan.

yet they prosper: or, that they [the fatherless] should prosper. Figure of speech Ellipsis. App-6 . Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 10:18 ; Deuteronomy 24:17 ; Deuteronomy 27:19 ).

the needy = needy ones.

Verse 29

Shall I not. ? Note the repeated Figure of speech Erotesis , in the form of Figure of speech Anaphora. App-6 .

Verse 30

A wonderful = An astounding.

Verse 31

by their means. Prophets were raised up when the priests failed in their duty. Now they had become in accord with them. Compare Jeremiah 23:25 , Jeremiah 23:26 . Ezekiel 13:6 , &c.