CHAPTER VIII _The judgments threatened in the last chapter are here declared_ _to extend to the very dead, whose tombs should be opened, and_ _the carcasses treated with every mark of indignity_, 1-3. _From this the prophet returns to reprove them for their_ _perseverance in transgression_, 4-6... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 8:4. _MOREOVER THOU SHALT SAY_] Dr. _Blayney_ very properly observes, "In that part of the prophecy which follows next, the difference of speakers requires to be attended to; the transition being quick and sudden, but full of life and energy. The prophet at first, in the name of God,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 8:6. _AS THE HORSE RUSHETH INTO THE BATTLE._] This strongly marks the unthinking, careless desperation of their conduct.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 8:7. _THE STORK IN THE HEAVEN_] The _birds of passage_ know the times of their going and return, and punctually observe them; they obey the dictates of nature, but my people do not obey my law.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 8:8. _THE PEN OF THE SCRIBES_ IS _IN VAIN._] The _deceitful pen_ of the scribes. They have written falsely, though they had the truth before them. It is too bold an assertion to say that "the Jews have never falsified the sacred oracles;" they have done it again and again. They have w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 8:10. _THEREFORE WILL I GIVE THEIR WIVES_] From this to the end of Jeremiah 8:15 is repeated from Jeremiah 6:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 8:16. _THE SNORTING OF HIS HORSES WAS HEARD FROM DAN:_] _Dan_ lay in the way from Babylon to Jerusalem; and it was by this city, after the battle of Carchemish, that Nebuchadnezzar, in pursuing the Egyptians, entered Palestine. _THE WHOLE LAND TREMBLED AT THE SOUND OF THE NEIGHING OF... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 8:17. _I WILL SEND SERPENTS_] These were symbols of the enemies that were coming against them; a foe that would rather slay them and destroy the land than get booty and ransom.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 8:20. _THE HARVEST IS PAST_] The siege of Jerusalem lasted _two_ _years_; for Nebuchadnezzar came against it in the _ninth_ year of Zedekiah, and the city was taken in the _eleventh_; see 2 Kings 25:1. This seems to have been a proverb: "We expected deliverance the _first year_ - none... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 8:22. IS THERE _NO BALM IN GILEAD?_] Yes, the most excellent in the world. "Is there no physician there?" Yes, persons well skilled to apply it. "Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" Because ye have not applied to the physician, nor used the balm. Ye di... [ Continue Reading ]