Westminster Annotations, Jeremiah · Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
Vers. 1. MOreover] Or, Again. Chap. 1. 11.
the word of the LORD came to me] Heb. was to me. as Chap. 1. 3, 4.
V. 2. in the ears of Jerusalem] Or, in the hearing. Isa. 5. 9. and 22. 14. The inhabitants of Jerusalem. Isa. 1. 27.
I remember thee, the kindnesse of thy youth] Or, I remember for thy sake the kindnesse of thy youth. or, I remember thee for (as Mal. 2. 5.) or, with (as Psal. 17. 14. & 106. 4.) the kindnesse of thy youth. According to that favour and kindnes which I shewed thee, when I first chose thee, and …spoused thee to my self. Deut. 4. 20, 34. Isa. 54. 6. Chap. 32. 30. Ezek. 16. 8, 60.
when thou wentest after me in the wildernesse] Or, how thou wentest, &c. as Lam. 1. 9. Heb. thy going after me, &c. Deuter. 2. 7. When I brought thee out of Egypt, led thee along, and fed thee in, the waste wildernesse. Deuter. 8. 2, 3. & 29. 5, 6. & 32. 10, 12.
V. 3. Israel was holinesse unto the LORD] Consecrate to
God. Psal. 114. 1, 2. Exod. 19. 5, 6. Chap. 31. 44. as the holy things; not to be eaten by strangers. Lev. 22. 10.
the first-fruits of his increase] Which were so also, Deut. 26. 10. and so are all Gods people; as his first-fruits. Jam. 1. 18. Rev. 14. 4. his first-born. Exod. 4. 22. Heb. 12. 23.
all that devour him, shall offend; evill shall come upon them] Or, all that devoured him, became guilty; (that is, became lyable to judgement. Exod. 4. 23. Prov. 20. 25. Chap 12. 14.) evill befell them. None that then wronged them, escaped without punishment. Exod. 17. 8, 14. Psal. 105 14, 15. Withall implying, that the case was much altered, it was not so now. Chap. 50. 7. See Chap. 43. 28. & 47. 6.
V. 5. What iniquitie have your fathers found in me] God challengeth them, to alleadge what they can for themselves; that the equitie of his proceedings may the more clearly appear; Isa. 1. 19. 5. 3. Mic. 6. 3, 4. Vers. 31. and the reason why he tendreth them not now so, as formerly he did.
are gone farre from me, and have walked after vanitie] Have left me, and follow Idols: Chap. 1. 16. which are but meer vanitie. Isa. 41. 29. & 44. 9. Chap. 8. 19. & 10. 15. See 2 King. 17. 15.
are become vain] In their counsels and courses. Rom. 1. 21, 22. like the idols, which they follow. Jon. 2 8.
V. 6. said they] Thought with themselves. Chap. 5. 24.
Where is the LORD] They had no regard of inquiring after God, that they might serve him, who had done so much for them. Vers. 8.
that brought us up out of the land of Egypt] Exod. 20. 2. Psal. 81. 10. Isa. 63. 9, 11, 13. Hos. 13. 4. Heb. that made us to ascend. as Chap. 1. 13. alluding to the situation of that countrey, lying low. or, that brought you forth. as Ezek. 27. 22. See Isa. 52. 4.
a land of drought, and of the shadow of death] Where for want of necessaries, nothing but death and buriall could be expected. Exod. 14. 11, 12. & 16. 3. & 17. 3. Deut. 32. 10. Psalm 23. 4. Vers. 2.
a land that no man passed through] Chap. 9. 12.
V. 7. I brought you into a plentifull countrey] Heb. a land of Carmel. Isa. 32. 15. See Deut. 8. 7-9. & 11. 10-12.
the goodnesse thereof] Isa. 1. 19.
ye desiled my land] By your idolatries and other wicked courses. Psal. 78. 58. & 106. 38. Chap. 3. 1.
made mine heritage an abomination] Chap. 16. 18.
V. 8. The priests said not, Where is the LORD] They taught not the people to seek after God. vers. 6.
they that handle the law] That should have expounded Gods law to the people. Deut. 33. 10. Nehem. 8. 8. Mal. 2. 7. Rom. 2. 20.
knew me not] Hos. 4. 6.
the pastours also transgressed against me] As well Princes as Priests. 2 Chron. 36. 12, 14.
walked after things that do not profit] Followed idols; that could do no good; Isai. 44. 9, 10. Hab. 2. 18. vers. 11. and drew the people after them. 1 King. 18. 22.
V. 9. I will yet plead with you] Though I might without more adoe, passe sentence upon you, and put it in execution; yet I will argue the case with you, to make you the more inexcusable. Isa. 1. 10. & 43. 26. Vers. 5.
V. 10. passe over] Or, go over to. as Isa. 8. 8.
the isles] Or, lands. as Isa. 20. 6. & 41. 1. Chap. 47. 4.
of Chittim] Of Achaia and Macedonia; Numb. 24. 24. Isai. 23. 1. that lay North-ward.
Kedar] Arabia; Isa. 60. 7. that lay South-ward from them. Go to any countrey, North or South.
V. 11. Hath a nation changed their gods] Or, whether any nation have changed their gods. Whether they keep not constant to their own countrey idols. 1 King. 17. 29-33. Mic. 4. 5.
which are yet no gods] Chap. 16. 20. Isa. 37. 19. Gal. 4. 8.
my people have changed their glory] The true God: who is their glory; Psal. 106. 20. & 148. 14. and maketh them glorious, Deu. 4. 6, 7, 8. Psal. 149. 4. and yet are they lesse loyall and constant to him, then the heathen to their idol…: Mal. 3. 8. exchanging him for idols, that can do them no good. vers. 8 17.
for that which doth not profit] Or▪ cannot profit. Job 15. 3. Lam. 4. 17.
V. 12. Be astonished, O ye heavens, &c.] Implying, that the very senslesse creatures, were they apprehensive of such things, would abhorre such dealings, and tremble to think, what the issue of them would be. Isa. 1. 2. Or, that their courses were such, as might justly fill both heaven and earth with astonishment. Isa. 59. 16.
be ye very desolate] Or, clean dried up. Isa. 19. 6.
V. 13. they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters] A well-spring; yeelding water, that runneth constantly, and never faileth. Gen. 26. 19. John 4. 14. & 7. 38. Revel. 22. 1. such as God is to his. Psal. 36. 9. Chap. 17. 13. & 18. 14.
hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water] Betaken themselves to idols; that, like wells without water, 2 Pet. 2. 17. can afford them no relief or refreshing. Isa. 46. 7.
V. 14. Is Israel a servant] Have I used him as a servant? and not rather as a sonne? Exod. 4. 22. Or, is he a slave, that he is so slavishly intreated? to wit, in the time of his captivitie; like that, Chap. 49. 1. Or, how cometh it to passe, that he that was in such respect with God, is now left unto such a despicable condition, as if he had been by birth a slave? See vers. 2, 3.
is he a home-borne slave] Such as being born of slaves in their Lord or Masters service, were slaves by birth. Gen. 17. 12. Exod.. 21. 4. Psal. 116. 16.
why is he spoiled] Heb. become a spoil. Chap. 49. 32. Isai. 42. 24.
V. 15. The young lions] The Assyrians, and the Chaldeans. Chap. 4. 7. & 50. 17.
yelled] Heb. gave out their voice. Chap. 48. 34.
made his land waste] Heb. put it unto desolation. Chap. 4. 7.
his cities are burnt without inhabitant] So that none dwell in them. Chap. 47. 29. Zeph. 2. 5.
V. 16. the children of Noph and Tahapanes] The Egyptians: for these were two principall cities of Egypt. Isa. 19. 13. & 30. 4.
have broken the crown of thy head] Or, fed on thy crown. Deut. 33. 12. Isa. 8. 8. They spoil the best part of thee: Isa. 1. 6. or, do grievously vex thee. Deut. 33. 12.
V. 17. Hast thou not procured this unto thy self] It is not through any want of love and kindnesse on Gods part, who continueth still the same: Vers. 2. Mal. 3. 6. Jam. 1. 17. but through their own default, that such a change is befaln them, as is complained of, vers. 14. Chap. 4. 18.
in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God] It is not Gods leaving of them, but their leaving of him. Vers. 13. Chap. 1. 16.
when he led thee by the way] When he governed thee by his providence; (alluding to the conduct of them. Exod. 13. 21. Isa. 63. 12.) and would still so have done, hadst thou continued in obedience. Isa. 58. 8, 11. Or, who prescribed thee a way and course of life to walk in; which hadst thou observed, thou hadst been safe and successefull. Isa. 48. 18, 19. & 64. 5. Ezek. 20. 10, 11.
V. 18. what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt] Or, with the way of Egypt: as Psal. 147. 20. What occasion, or need hast thou to travell, or send into Egypt?
to drink the waters of Sihor] To seek help from man, as if God were not able to protect thee; and to drink of puddles, leaving the spring. Isa. 30. 2. & 31. 1.
Sihor] Nilus: so called of the blacknesse of its water, bringing downe with it much slime and mud, that batteleth their grounds: though some think it another river on the border of Egypt. See Josh. 13. 3. Isa. 23. 3.
in the way of Assyria] Or, with. as before.
of the river] Euphrates; by way of eminency so called. Psal. 72. 8. Isa. 7. 20. See Gen. 15. 18.
V. 29. Thine own wickednesse shall correct thee] Isai. 3. 9. Hos. 5. 5.
thy back-slidings shall reprove thee] Thou must feel the bitter fruits of thy wicked courses, before thou wilt learn to waxe wise. Isa. 28. 19. Prov. 20. 30. & 29. 15.
know] Or, consider. Vers. 31.
thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God] Chap. 1. 16. Vers. 13. 17.
my fear is not in thee] Or, the fear of me, &c. as Job 13. 11. Isa. 53. 11. Chap. 5. 22, 24.
V. 20. For of old time I have broken thy yoke, &c.] Or, When of old time I brake thy yoke, &c. thou saidst, as Psal. 142. 7. that is, and freed thee from the Egyptian bondage, when I delivered thee out of Egypt. vers. 6. Psal. 81. 6, 10.
I will not transgresse] Or, I will not serve: for there are two readings in the Hebrew; as also Chap. 15. 14. I will obey thee in all things. Deut. 5. 27. & 26. 17. & 27. 10. Or, I will not serve any, besides thee. Josh. 24. 16. Psal. 81. 9. Ezr. 10, 12.
When] Or, Yet; as Isa. 9. 1.
upon every high hill, &c.] Isa. 57. 5, 7. Chap. 3. 6.
thou wanderest] Gadding after Idols. Vers. 24.
V. 21. Yet I had planted thee] Or, And I then planted thee. Exo. 15. 17. Psal. 44. 2. & 80. 8. Isa. 5. 1, &c. Matth. 21. 33. Mark 12. 1. Luk. 20. 9.
a noble vine] Heb. Sor…k. Isa. 5. 2.
wholly a right seed] Heb. all it, a seed of truth. A right generous plant.
how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant] Spoken by way of admiration; as wondring to see so strange an alteration. See the like, Esa. 1. 21.
plant] Heb. plants.
of a strange vine] Deut. 32. 32.
V. 22. For though] Or, Although.
thou wash thee with nitre] Though thou use all outward means and rites of cleansing; either naturall, Job 9. 30. Mal. 3. 2. or ceremoniall; religious, Numb. 19. 18, 19. Heb. 9. 10, 13. or superstitious; Isai. 66. 17. or, use all the colourable excuses and pretences that may be: vers. 23, 33, 35. yet nothing will avail to clear or cleanse thee from filth, or to free thee from judgement. Job 9. 31.
take thee much sope] Heb. multiply sope; as Chap. 46. 11. Hos. 8. 14.
thine iniquitie is marked before me] It is upon record with me. Deut. 32. 34. Job. 14. 17. Isa. 65. 6. Hos. 13. 12. Or, imprinted on thee so deeply, that it cannot be got off or out. Chap. 17. 1.
V. 23. How canst thou say] Heb. wilt thou say; as Chap. 11. 12. How canst thou be so shamelesse, as to offer to clear thy self, when thy wickednesse is so evident? Prov. 30. 20.
see thy way] Chap. 3. 2.
in the valley] Of Hinnom. See Chap. 7. 31. & 19. 11. Go no further then that place: there is enough to evict thee. Or, those valleys in generall, wherein thou exercisedst thine idolatries. Isai. 57. 5, 6.
know] Or, take notice. Prov. 27. 23. Chap. 3. 13.
thou art a swift dromedarie] Or, O thou swift dromedarie. Heb. light. Isai. 19. 1. Chap. 3. 9. & 4. 24. Of this beast, see Isai. 60. 6.
traversing her wayes] That runnes over hills and dales in gendring time: as thou doest after thine idols. Vers. 20. The person may be changed, as Job 18. 4.
V. 24. A wilde asse, &c.] Or, O thou wilde asse. Heb. taught the wildernesse, as Hos. 10. 11. That runneth at large; and will not be taken or tamed. Job 39. 5-8.
that snuffeth up the winde] Chap. 14. 6.
at her pleasure] Heb. the desire of her heart. Deut. 12. 15.
in her occasion who can turn her away) Or, who can reverse it? In her head-long, and head-strong course, there is no restraining of her from her idols. Vers. 25. Chap. 8. 6.
all they that seek her, will not weary themselves, in her monethmonth they shall finde her] Or, need not weary themselves; in her monethmonth they may finde her. They that seek her, to be naught with her, need not weary themselves over-much: they may soon finde her ready to entertain them at all times. Ezek. 16. 25. & 22. 10.
V. 25. Withhold thy foot from being unshod, &c.] Leave this wicked and wretched course; that will bring thee to captivity, beggerie, and miserie. Prov. 6. 26. Isai. 20. 2-4. & 46. 2. Chap. 13. 22. & 14. 10. & 48. 18.
There is no hope] Or, Is the case desperate? Isa. 57. 10. Chap. 18. 12.
I have loved strangers] Or, I love strangers. I am affected with, and addicted to strange people, Vers. 18. and strange gods. Vers. 10. Psal. 81. 9.
V. 26. As the thief is ashamed] Heb. according to the shame of a thief; as Isa. 1. 7. & 13. 19.
so is the house of Israel ashamed] Or, so do they (those that they trust to; Vers. 25, 27.) shame the house of Israel. Their idols do but bring them to shame and confusion; as it is with a thief, when he is taken in the manner: Chap. 48. 27. Hos. 4. 19. being not able to help them in their distresses. Vers. 27, 28, 36. Isa. 1. 29-31. and 2. 20, 21. & 20. 4, 5.
they, their kings] Or, them, their kings.
V. 27. Saying] Or, That say.
to a stock] To an idol made of the stock of a tree. Isai. 40. 20. & 44. 14-17.
Thou art my father, &c.] Giving Gods honour to idols; Deut. 32. 6 Isa. 64. 8. and being so senslesse, as to take a stock or a stone, Chap. 3. 9. for their father. Isa. 44. 17.
to a stone] An image made of stone. Dan. 5. 4, 23.
Thou hast brought me forth] Or, begotten me. Gen. 4. 18.
they have turned their back unto me] Chap. 32. 31. Ezek. 8. 16. Heb. the hinder part of the neck. Chap. 18. 17.
but] Or, yet; as Isai. 65. 20.
in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us] They will seek to me to save them; finding to their shame, how little help their idols are able to afford them. Jud. 10. 10, 15. Isa. 26. 16. Hos. 5. 15.
V. 28. where are thy gods] Go to thine idols; whom, leaving me, thou hast served, and trusted to; and trie what they can do for thee. Deut. 32. 37. Judg. 10. 11-14. 2 King. 3. 13. Hos. 13. 10. Chap. 11. 12.
let them arise if they can save thee] Isai. 45. 20.
in the time of thy trouble] Heb. evil. Psal. 49. 5.
according to the number of thy cities, are thy gods] Thou hast enow of them to go to; and those ready enough at hand, could they do thee any good. Chap. 11. 13.
V. 29. Wherefore will ye plead with me] To what end will ye stand out, debating the matter with me, when the case is so clear against you? Vers. 34. Chap. 3. 2.
V. 30. In vain have I smitten your children] Isai. 1. 5. & 9. 13. Chap. 5. 3. Zeph. 3. 2.
your own sword have devoured your prophets] Ye have slain your Prophets; by whom I called you to repentance, that I might not slay you. 2 Chron. 24. 20, 21. Chap. 26. 23. Matth. 23. 29, 35, 37. Luke 11. 47. & 13. 33, 34. Act. 7. 52. 1 Thes. 2. 15.
V. 31. see ye the word of the LORD] Or, consider; as vers. 19. Chap. 33. 24. see the word▪ as, hear the rod, Mic. 6. 9. Consider seriously of either.
have I been a wildernesse unto Israel] Vers. 5. Have I held them to hard meat, as cattell kept on a bare heath or wilde waste? yea, have I not furnished them with abundance of all things? Isa. 5. 4.
a land of darknesse] Heb. darknesse of God. extream darknesse; as Cant. 8. 6. Darknesse, for miserie; as Lam. 3. 2.
We are lords] Heb. We have dominion. Hos. 11. 12. 1 Cor. 4. 8. We are grown to a kingdom of that strength, that we are able to stand without thy support.
we will come no more unto thee] We will no longer be ruled by thee; we can do well enough without thee. Psal. 30. 6, 7. Chap. 22. 21.
V. 32. my people have forgotten me] Have left looking after me; no more regard me, who am their chief ornament, then as if they had utterly forgotten me. Vers. 11. Deut. 32. 15, 18. Psal. 106. 21. Hos. 8. 14.
V. 33. Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love] Heb. makest good. Chap. 7. 3. Why dost thou set a fair glosse upon thy courses, to gain love, and procure helpers to thee? Isai. 23. 16. Or, why doest thou use vain pretences, whereby to justifie thy courses, when it is apparent that thou seekest nothing but the satisfaction of thy lusts? Vers. 35.
hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy wayes] Or, wicked women. Harlots themselves may learn of thee; thou art so lewd, that even the heathen may learn idolatry from thee. Chap. 5. 18. Ezek. 5. 6, 7. & 16. 48.
V. 34. in thy skirts is found the bloud, &c.] Thy garments are all defiled with innocent bloud: 2 King. 24. 4. Ezek. 7. 23. & 9. 9. to thine idolatry thou hast added murther. Ezek. 16. 20, 21, 36. & 23. 37. Lam. 4. 14.
I have not found it by secret search] Or, privie search. Heb. by digging. Ezek. …. 8. & 12. 5. Or, breaking open. Exod. 22. 2.
V. 35. I will plead with thee] Or, proceed in judgement against thee. Isai. 66. 16.
because thou sayest, I have not sinned] Because thou standest upon thy justification: vers. 23. 29. Prov. 30. 20. and wilt not be brought to acknowledge thy sinne; Chap. 3. 13. I will proceed, without further debate, to passe sentence against thee. Chap. 1. 18.
V. 36. Why gaddest thou about, &c.] Running one while one way, and another while another way, to seek succours abroad. Isai. 57. 10. Chap. 14. 10. Hos. 5. 13. & 12. 1.
thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt] Receiving no more help from Egypt, Isai. 20. 5. & 30. 5. & 31. 5. Chap. 22. 22. & 37. 7. then they had formerly from Ashur. 2 Chron. 28. 20.
V. 37. thou shalt go forth him] From the Egyptians, whom thou soughtest unto for succour. Vers. 18.
and thine hands upon thine head] Or, with thine hands upon thine head; as Chap. 1. 13. In lamenting-wise. 2 Sam. 13. 19. missing of such aid, as from thence thou expectedst.
the LORD hath rejected thy confidences.] Or, disalloweth. See Ps. 1. 6.