Verse 2
the way of the heathen. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 18:3; Leviticus 20:23).
heathen = nations.
Verse 3
customs = statutes, or ordinances.
people = peoples.
vain = a breath.
one cutteth a tree = it [is only] a tree which one cutteth.
Verse 5
upright = stiff.
borne = carried.
Verse 6
there is none like, &c. See note on Exodus 15:11.
Thy name. See note on Psalms 20:1.
Verse 7
Who . . . ? Words quoted in "the song of Moses and the Lamb" (Revelation 15:3, Revelation 15:4).
Verse 9
Tarshish. See note on 1 Kings 10:22.
Uphaz. Probably = Ophir. Compare 1 Kings 9:28; 1 Kings 10:11.
Verse 10
the living God. Both words in plural, referring to the triune God.
everlasting king = king of the ages, or, of eternity.
Verse 11
Thus shall ye say, &c. This verse is in Chaldee, to serve as a confession of their faith in their exile.
not made . . . shall perish. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia. Hebrew. "abadu ye"badu.
Verse 12
world = the habitable world. Hebrew. tebel.
discretion = understanding.
Verse 13
wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.
Verse 14
confounded = put to shame.
breath. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.
Verse 15
vanity. The common appellative for idols.
errors = mockeries.
the time of their visitation. See note on Jeremiah 8:12.
Verse 16
The Portion of Jacob. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 18:20. Deuteronomy 32:9).
Jacob. Not Israel, because the natural seed is spoken of as in Deuteronomy 32:9. See notes on Genesis 32:28; Genesis 43:6.
Former = Framer.
The LORD of hosts. See note on Jeremiah 6:6.
Verse 17
Gather up = Gather in. Occurs only here.
wares = bundle. For that is all they would be able to take with them.
inhabitant = inhabitress. Put for "the daughter of Zion".
fortress. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for the city Jerusalem.
Verse 18
I will sling. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for all that is signified by it. Compare Isaiah 22:17, Isaiah 22:18.
find it so = discover the truth of it.
Verse 19
me. Zion now speaks in view of the coming deportation; or, Jeremiah voices the calamity.
a grief: or, my affliction.
and I = but I.
Verse 20
tabernacle = tent, or dwelling.
children = sons.
Verse 21
pastors = shepherds, or rulers.
are become. This points to Jehoiakim"s reign.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah.(with"eth) = Jehovah Himself. App-4.
Verse 22
noise = voice.
bruit = rumour. French bruit, a voice, from Breton (Celtic) bruchellein, to roar (as a lion). Compare Greek. bruchao-mai.
north. Compare Jeremiah 1:15; Jeremiah 5:15; Jeremiah 6:22, &c.
dragons = jackals.
Verse 23
is not in = belongs not to.
it is not. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "nor".
direct = establish.
Verse 24
with = in.
Verse 25
families. Some codices read "kingdoms". Compare Psalms 79:6.
Thy name = Thee (emphatic). See note on Psalms 20:1.