2. The peace of the grave is better than the condition of unrest under
their rulers (Isaiah 57:1).
SHALL ENTER.. SHALL REST] RV 'entereth.. rest.'
3, 5. SONS, etc.] i.e. descendants, perpetuating the character of
their ancestors. SEED, etc.] i.e. through your idolatry violating the
mystical union... [ Continue Reading ]
SPORT YOURSELVES] implying that they find delight in the misfortune of
the servants of Jehovah.... [ Continue Reading ]
ENFLAMING] The word describes the excitement attending the orgies
which accompanied the celebration of heathen rites: cp. 1 Kings 18:26;
1 Kings 18:28. SLAYING, etc.] referring to human sacrifices practised
under Ahaz and Manasseh (2 Chronicles 28:3; 2 Kings 21:6).... [ Continue Reading ]
An allusion to stone-worship (Jeremiah 3:9). Large stones, such as
those referred to, were fetiches of the Semitic races in early times,
and were thought to be abodes of a deity: cp. the action of Jacob,
Genesis 28:11; Genesis 28:18. THY LOT] whereas Jehovah was their true
portion (Jeremiah 10:16; P... [ Continue Reading ]
THY BED] Idolatry is in OT. commonly figured as adultery (Exodus
34:15; Deuteronomy 31:16); hence _bed_ is put for the place of
idol-worship.... [ Continue Reading ]
REMEMBRANCE] RV 'memorial,' i.e. idolatrous inscription, in place of
the memorial of God's law (Deuteronomy 6:9).... [ Continue Reading ]
The figure is that of a woman trying to attract admirers. Judah had
coquetted with foreign kings, especially with the king of Assyria (2
Kings 16:7; 2 Kings 16:10). Or perhaps for the king we should read
'Moloch'; the reference then is to idolatry, as in the preceding vv.
MESSENGERS] RV 'ambassador... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE GREATNESS] RV 'with the length.' HAST FOUND.. HAND] RV 'didst
find a quickening of thy strength,' i.e. Judah imagined her power
increased by foreign alliances.
GRIEVED] RV 'faint.'... [ Continue Reading ]
OF WHOM] i.e. heathen gods. LIED] in outwardly recognising Jehovah,
while in heart faithless to Him.
OF OLD] RV 'of long time.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Ironical.
AND THY WORKS, etc.] RV 'and as for. thy works, they shall not profit
thee.'... [ Continue Reading ]
COMPANIES] RM 'rabble,' alluding to the numerous gods introduced.
VANITY, etc.] RV 'a breath shall carry them away.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Let all barriers to the return be removed.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah remembers and will restore the faithful among the exiles.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE SPIRIT SHOULD FAIL] i.e. mankind could not survive God's
judgments.... [ Continue Reading ]
God hid His face and was angry, in order to turn His people from their
sins. COVETOUSNESS] cp. Jeremiah 6:13; Amos 8:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS WAYS] of repentance.... [ Continue Reading ]
I CREATE, etc.] i.e. Jehovah gives men occasion to praise Him. FAR
OFF.. NEAR] referring to the dispersed Israelites, those far off from
Jerusalem, and those near to it: cp. Daniel 9:7.... [ Continue Reading ]