Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 9

Verse 1

Oh that, &c. Figure of speech Pathopoeia.

waters . . . fountain . . . tears. Figure of speech Catabasis.

slain. Not healed by "balm" or "physician".

Verse 3

bend: or, prepare.

truth = veracity.

Verse 4

neighbour = friend.

trust ye not = do not confide. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .

every brother . . . supplant. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 25:26 ; Genesis 27:36 ). App-92 .

Verse 7

the LORD of hosts. See note on Jeremiah 6:6 and 1 Samuel 1:3 .

how shall = how [else] shall, &c.

for the daughter: or, because of [the wickedness of] the daughter, &c.

Verse 8

shot out. Hebrew = piercing. But some codices, with two early printed editions, and Syriac, read "pointed".

Verse 9

My soul = I myself (emphatic). Hebrew. nephesh. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

avenged. Compare Jeremiah 5:9 , Jeremiah 5:29 .

Verse 10

habitations = pastures.

Verse 11

dragons = jackals.

Verse 12

Who . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

who . . . ? The Ellipsis is thus correctly supplied.

Verse 13

forsaken. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:15 , Deuteronomy 32:21 ). App-92 .

My law. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 20:0 , &c). App-92 .

set before them. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 4:8 , Deuteronomy 4:44 ). App-92 .

therein. In the law, not the voice.

Verse 14

imagination = stubbornness. Reference to Pentateuch, (see note on Jeremiah 3:17 ).

Verse 15

the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 7:3 .

wormwood . . . gall. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 29:18 ). Repeated in Jeremiah 23:15 . Occurs also in Lamentations 3:19 .

water of gall. Compare Jeremiah 8:14 .

Verse 16

I will scatter. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:33 .Deuteronomy 28:64; Deuteronomy 28:64 ).

heathen = nations.

Verse 17

Thus saith, &c. This (verses: Jeremiah 9:17-20 ) develops the calamity, for which this chapter gives the reason.

mourning women. A class still hired for the purpose. Compare 2 Samuel 1:24 . 2 Chronicles 35:25 .Ecclesiastes 12:5 .Matthew 9:23 .Mark 5:38 .

cunning = skilful (in this business).

Verse 19

How. ! Supply Ellip sis: "[saying], How is it", &c.

because. Some codices, with three early printed editions (one Rabbinic), read "yea, for", or "for indeed".

our dwellings, &c .: or, they have cast down our habitations. Compare Daniel 8:11 .Job 8:18 . Ezekiel 19:12 .

Verse 20

Yet: or, For, or Yea.

women. These had been largely the instrumental cause; now they share the calamities.

Verse 21

children = infant.

streets . . .

Verse 22

Speak. This shows that Jerome's Hebrew text was unpointed, for he read d-b-r as deber = pestilence, instead of dabar = word, or dabber = speak.

open field. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "ground".

none shall gather them. Compare Psalms 79:3 .

Verse 23

Thus saith, &c. The lesson which follows is of universal application.

Let not. Note the Figure of speech Symploke, or Anaphora , for emphasis.

wisdom . . . might . . . riches. These are the three things which men boast of, and trust in. This was Jerusalem's sin.

let not. Some codices, with six early printed editions (one in margin), Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "neither let".

Verse 24

let him, &c. Quoted in 1 Corinthians 1:31 .

knoweth Me. This lies at the foundation of everything: of all trust in God (for One unknown cannot be trusted at all); of all pleasing (Ephesians 1:17 . Colossians 1:9 , Colossians 1:10 ; 1 John 5:20 ). The want of it led to Gentile corruption (Romans 1:28 ); to Israel's fall (Isaiah 1:3 .Luke 19:42 , Luke 19:44 ); and all future blessing is wrapt up in it: for Israel (Jeremiah 31:34 .Isaiah 54:13; Isaiah 54:13 ); and for creation (Isaiah 11:9 ). This is why we have the written Word (2 Timothy 3:15 ), and the living "Word" (John 1:18 ).

Which exercise, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 34:6 ). App-92 .

lovingkindness = favour shown to the unworthy.

judgment = justice to the oppressed. One school of Massorites ( App-30 ) read "and justice", emphasizing the statement by the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6 .

Verse 25

circumcised, &c. : in the flesh, but not in "ears" (Jeremiah 6:10 ), nor in "heart" (Jeremiah 4:4 ). Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:41 , Leviticus 26:42 .Deuteronomy 10:16 ; Deuteronomy 30:6 ). Elsewhere only in Ezekiel 44:7 , Ezekiel 44:9 ,

with the uncircumcised = circumcised in uncircumcision: i.e. "circumcised [externally]who [are yet really] uncircumcised", as explained at the end of the next verse. Hence the contrast with the nations mentioned, which all practiced (external) circumcision (Romans 2:25-29 ).

Verse 26

children = sons.

that are in the utmost corners: or, all that have the corners of their beard polled. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 19:27 ). App-92 . Compare Jeremiah 49:32 .

uncircumcised. Supply Ellipsis , from the next clause: "uncircumcised [in heart], and all", &c.

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