Verse 1
streets = out places, or outskirts.
broad places = market, or open places of concourse.
if ye can find. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 18:26, &c). Points to reign of Jehoiakim rather than that of Josiah.
I will pardon. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 18:24-32). App-92.
Verse 3
the truth = faithfulness. The same word as in Jeremiah 5:1.
have not grieved = have felt no pain.
Verse 4
poor = become poor, or impoverished, reduced in means. Hebrew. dal. See note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11.
judgment = justice.
Verse 5
altogether = together, or with one accord.
Verse 6
evenings = deserts.
transgressions = revolts.
backslidings = apostasies.
increased = strong, or many.
Verse 7
children = sons.
forsaken Me. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:15, Deuteronomy 32:21).
sworn. Compare Jeremiah 5:2.
fed them to the full. So in many codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate; but some codices, with five early printed editions, read "made them swear".
committed adultery. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 20:14. Deuteronomy 5:18). The usual formula for idolatry.
Verse 8
in the morning: i.e. roaming at large.
Verse 9
Shall I not visit . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.
My soul = I Myself, for emphasis. Hebrew. nephesh. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.
be avenged = avenge herself. Compare Jeremiah 5:29; Jeremiah 9:9.
Verse 10
not a full end. Compare Jeremiah 5:18, and Jeremiah 4:27.
Verse 11
the house of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 2:4.
the house of Judah. See note on Jeremiah 2:4.
Verse 12
belied = acted deceitfully against. Compare Joshua 24:27.
evil = calamity.
Verse 13
prophets: i.e. Jeremiah, and others with him. See one in Ch. Jeremiah 26:20.
wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.
Verse 14
the LORD God of hosts. Hebrew. Jehovah.the Elohim of Zebaioth. Occurs in Jeremiah only here, Jeremiah 15:16; Jeremiah 35:17; and Jeremiah 49:5.
Verse 15
I will bring. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:49). App-92.
a nation: i.e. the Chaldeans, but not yet named as such.
ancient. Compare Genesis 10:10.
understandest = hearest. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for what is understood. Compare 1 Corinthians 14:2.
Verse 17
they shall eat up. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:16). App-92. Repeated three times by Figure of speech Anaphora, for great emphasis.
harvest, &c. Note the similar enumeration in Habakkuk 3:17.
impoverish = beat down. Only again in Malachi 1:4.
trustedst = confidedst. Hebrew. batah. App-69.
Verse 19
Wherefore . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 29:24, Deuteronomy 29:25).
strange . . . strangers = foreign . . . foreigners, or aliens.
Verse 20
Declare . . . publish. Compare Jeremiah 4:15.
in the house of Jacob. Only here, and Amos 3:13, with the Preposition "in". See note on Jeremiah 2:4.
Verse 21
understanding. Hebrew "heart".
Verse 24
That giveth rain. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 11:14).
both = even. Some codices omit this word.
the appointed . . . harvest. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 8:22).
Verse 25
iniquities. Hebrew. "avah. App-44.
sins. Hebrew. chata". App-44.
good = the good (singular)
Verse 26
wicked. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44.
Verse 28
waxen fat. Reference to Pentateuch, (the same word as in Deuteronomy 32:15).
the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha". App-44.
the fatherless = an orphan.
yet they prosper: or, that they [the fatherless] should prosper. Figure of speech Ellipsis. App-6. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 24:17; Deuteronomy 27:19).
the needy = needy ones.
Verse 29
Shall I not. ? Note the repeated Figure of speech Erotesis, in the form of Figure of speech Anaphora. App-6.
Verse 30
A wonderful = An astounding.
Verse 31
by their means. Prophets were raised up when the priests failed in their duty. Now they had become in accord with them. Compare Jeremiah 23:25, Jeremiah 23:26. Ezekiel 13:6, &c.