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Jeremiah 9
1Oh that my head were waters, and my eyes a spring of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!
2Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they are all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.
3They bend their tongue, [as it were] their bow, for falsehood; and they are grown strong in the land, but not for truth: for they proceed from evil to evil, and they don't know me, says Yahweh.
4Take heed everyone of his neighbor, and don't trust in any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will go about with slanders.
5They will deceive everyone his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves to commit iniquity.
6Your habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, says Yahweh.
7Therefore thus says Yahweh of Armies, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how [else] should I do, because of the daughter of my people?
8Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceit: one speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he lays wait for him.
9Shall I not visit them for these things? says Yahweh; shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
10For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the pastures of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none passes through; neither can men hear the voice of the livestock; both the birds of the sky and the animals are fled, they are gone.
11I will make Jerusalem heaps, a dwelling place of jackals; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.
12Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and [who is] he to whom the mouth of Yahweh has spoken, that he may declare it? why is the land perished and burned up like a wilderness, so that none passes through?
13Yahweh says, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein,
14but have walked after the stubbornness of their own heart, and after the Baals, which their fathers taught them;
15therefore thus says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.
16I will scatter them also among the nations, whom neither they nor their fathers have known; and I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them.
17Thus says Yahweh of Armies, Consider, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for the skillful women, that they may come:
18and let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.
19For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we ruined! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because they have cast down our dwellings.
20Yet hear the word of Yahweh, you women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth; and teach your daughters wailing, and everyone her neighbor lamentation.
21For death is come up into our windows, it is entered into our palaces; to cut off the children from outside, [and] the young men from the streets.
22Speak, Thus says Yahweh, The dead bodies of men shall fall as dung on the open field, and as the handful after the harvester; and none shall gather [them].
23Thus says Yahweh, Don't let the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, don't let the rich man glory in his riches;
24but let him who glories glory in this, that he has understanding, and knows me, that I am Yahweh who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, says Yahweh.
25Behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that I will punish all those who are circumcised in [their] uncircumcision:
26Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that have the corners [of their hair] cut off, who dwell in the wilderness; for all the nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.
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Afflictions Made Beneficial in Purifying Us Jeremiah 9:6, 7
You dwell in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of the daughter of My people?
Ammonites: Prophecies Concerning Jeremiah 9:25, 26
“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will punish all who are circumcised yet uncircumcised: / Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab, and all the inhabitants of the desert who clip the hair of their temples. For all these nations are uncircumcised, and the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart.”
Arrows of Slanderous Tongues Jeremiah 9:8
Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.
Believing Lies Jeremiah 9:3
“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD.
Birds: Often Remove from Places Suffering Calamities Jeremiah 9:10
I will take up a weeping and wailing for the mountains, a dirge over the wilderness pasture, for they have been scorched so no one passes through, and the lowing of cattle is not heard. Both the birds of the air and the beasts have fled; they have gone away.
Blindness: Spiritual Jeremiah 9:3, 6
“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. / You dwell in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD.
Boasting: General Scriptures Concerning Jeremiah 9:23
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.
Bragging Jeremiah 9:23
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.
Burial: Attended by Hired Mourners Jeremiah 9:17, 18
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Take note, and summon the wailing women; send for the most skillful among them. / Let them come quickly and take up a lament over us, that our eyes may overflow with tears, and our eyelids may gush with water.
Character of the Wicked: Uncircumcised in Heart Jeremiah 9:26
Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab, and all the inhabitants of the desert who clip the hair of their temples. For all these nations are uncircumcised, and the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart.”
Church: Backslidden Jeremiah 9:1–3
Oh, that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night over the slain daughter of my people. / If only I had a traveler’s lodge in the wilderness, I would abandon my people and depart from them, for they are all adulterers, a crowd of faithless people. / “They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD.
Church: Love For Jeremiah 9:1
Oh, that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night over the slain daughter of my people.
Circumcision: Figurative Jeremiah 9:26
Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab, and all the inhabitants of the desert who clip the hair of their temples. For all these nations are uncircumcised, and the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart.”
Company: Evil Jeremiah 9:2
If only I had a traveler’s lodge in the wilderness, I would abandon my people and depart from them, for they are all adulterers, a crowd of faithless people.
Compassion and Sympathy: Exercise Towards: The Chastened Jeremiah 9:1
Oh, that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night over the slain daughter of my people.
Conceit: General Scriptures Concerning Jeremiah 9:23
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.
Death: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Jeremiah 9:21
For death has climbed in through our windows; it has entered our fortresses to cut off the children from the streets, the young men from the town squares.
Deceit: Evil of Hinders Knowledge of God Jeremiah 9:6
You dwell in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD.
Deceit: Evil of Keeps from Knowledge of God Jeremiah 9:6
You dwell in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD.
Deceit: Punishment of Jeremiah 9:7–9
Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of the daughter of My people? / Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him. / Should I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD. Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?”
Deceit: The Wicked: Use, to Each Other Jeremiah 9:5
Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.
Deceit: Use, to Each Other Jeremiah 9:5
Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.
Dishonesty: General Scriptures Concerning Jeremiah 9:4–6, 8
“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity. / You dwell in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD.
Disobedience to God: Bitter Results of, Illustrated Jeremiah 9:13, 15
And the LORD answered, “It is because they have forsaken My law, which I set before them; they have not walked in it or obeyed My voice. / Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will feed this people wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink.
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Jeremiah 9:1-26 Jeremiah's Lamentation for the Jews' Sins and Consequent
Punishment.
Jeremiah 9:1 Verse 1
This verse is more fitly joined to the last chapter, as verse 23 in the Hebrew (compare Isa 22:4; La 2:11; 3:48).
Jeremiah 9:2 Verse 2
lodging-place--a caravanseral for caravans, or companies travelling in the desert, remote from towns. It was a square building enclosing an open court. Though a lonely and often filthy dwelling, Jeremiah would prefer even it to the comforts of Jerusalem, so as to be removed from the pollutions of the capital (Ps 55:7, 8).
Jeremiah 9:3 Verse 3
bend ... tongues ... for lies--that is, with lies as their arrows; they direct lies on their tongue as their bow (Ps 64:3, 4). not valiant for ... truth--(Jer 7:28). Maurer translates, "They do not prevail by truth" or faith (Ps 12:4). Their tongue, not faith, is their weapon. upon ... earth--rather, "in the land." know not me--(Ho 4:1).
Jeremiah 9:4 Verse 4
supplant--literally, "trip up by the heel" (Ho 12:3). walk with slanders--(Jer 6:28).
Jeremiah 9:5 Verse 5
weary themselves--are at laborious pains to act perversely [Maurer]. Sin is a hard bondage (Hab 2:13).
Jeremiah 9:6 Verse 6
Thine--God addresses Jeremiah, who dwelt in the midst of deceitful men. refuse to know me--Their ignorance of God is wilful (Jer 9:3; 5:4, 5).
Jeremiah 9:7 Verse 7
melt ... try them--by sending calamities on them. for how shall I do--"What else can I do for the sake of the daughter of My people?" [Maurer], (Isa 1:25; Mal 3:3).
Jeremiah 9:8 Verse 8
tongue ... arrow shot out--rather, "a murdering arrow" [Maurer] (Jer 9:3). speaketh peaceably ... in heart ... layeth ... wait--layeth his ambush [Henderson], (Ps 55:21).
Jeremiah 9:9 Verse 9
(Jer 5:9, 29).
Jeremiah 9:10 Verse 10
Jeremiah breaks in upon Jehovah's threats of wrath with lamentation for his desolated country. mountains--once cultivated and fruitful: the hillsides were cultivated in terraces between the rocks. habitations of ... wilderness--rather, "the pleasant herbage (literally, 'the choice parts' of any thing) of the pasture plain." The Hebrew for "wilderness" expresses not a barren desert, but an untilled plain, fit for pasture. burned up--because no one waters them, the inhabitants being all gone. none can pass through them--much less inhabit them. fowl--(Jer 4:25).
Jeremiah 9:11 Verse 11
And--omit "And." Jehovah here resumes His speech from Jer 9:9. heaps--(see on Isa 25:2). dragons--jackals.
Jeremiah 9:12 Verse 12
Rather, "Who is a wise man? (that is, Whosoever has inspired wisdom, 2Pe 3:15); let him understand this (weigh well the evils impending, and the causes of their being sent); and he to whom the mouth of the Lord hath spoken (that is, whosoever is prophetically inspired), let him declare it to his fellow countrymen," if haply they may be roused to repentance, the only hope of safety.
Jeremiah 9:13 Verse 13
Answer to the "for what the land perisheth" (Jer 9:12).
Jeremiah 9:14 Verse 14
(Jer 7:24). Baalim--plural of Baal, to express his supposed manifold powers. fathers taught them--(Ga 1:14; 1Pe 1:18). We are not to follow the errors of the fathers, but the authority of Scripture and of God [Jerome].
Jeremiah 9:15 Verse 15
feed--(Jer 8:14; 23:15; Ps 80:5).
Jeremiah 9:16 Verse 16
nor their fathers have known--alluding to Jer 9:14, "Their fathers taught them" idolatry; therefore the children shall be scattered to a land which neither their fathers nor they have known. send a sword after them--Not even in flight shall they be safe.
Jeremiah 9:17 Verse 17
mourning women--hired to heighten lamentation by plaintive cries baring the breast, beating the arms, and suffering the hair to flow dishevelled (2Ch 35:25; Ec 12:5; Mt 9:23). cunning--skilled in wailing.
Jeremiah 9:18 Verse 18
(Jer 14:17).
Jeremiah 9:19 Verse 19
The cry of "the mourning women." spoiled--laid waste. dwellings cast us out--fulfilling Le 18:28; 20:22. Calvin translates, "The enemy have cast down our habitations."
Jeremiah 9:20 Verse 20
Yet--rather, "Only" [Henderson]. This particle calls attention to what follows. teach ... daughters wailing--The deaths will be so many that there will be a lack of mourning women to bewail them. The mothers, therefore, must teach their daughters the science to supply the want.
Jeremiah 9:21 Verse 21
death ... windows--The death-inflicting soldiery, finding the doors closed, burst in by the windows. to cut off ... children from ... streets--Death cannot be said to enter the windows to cut off the children in the streets, but to cut them off, so as no more to play in the streets without (Zec 8:5).
Jeremiah 9:22 Verse 22
saith the Lord--continuing the thread of discourse from Jer 9:20. dung--(Jer 8:2). handful ... none ... gather them--implying that the handful has been so trodden as to be not worth even the poor gleaner's effort to gather it. Or the Eastern custom may be referred to: the reaper cuts the grain and is followed by another who gathers it. This grain shall not be worth gathering. How galling to the pride of the Jews to hear that so shall their carcasses be trodden contemptuously under foot!
Jeremiah 9:23 Verse 23
wisdom--political sagacity; as if it could rescue from the impending calamities. might--military prowess.
Jeremiah 9:24 Verse 24
Nothing but an experimental knowledge of God will save the nation. understandeth--theoretically; in the intellect. knoweth--practically: so as to walk in My ways (Jer 22:16; Job 22:21; 1Co 1:31). loving kindness--God's mercy is put in the first and highest place, because without it we should flee from God in fear and despair. judgment ... righteousness--loving-kindness towards the godly; judgment towards the ungodly; righteousness the most perfect fairness in all cases [Grotius]. Faithfulness to His promises to preserve the godly, as well as stern execution of judgment on the ungodly, is included in "righteousness." in the earth--contrary to the dogma of some philosophers, that God does not interfere in terrestrial concerns (Ps 58:11). in these ... I delight--as well in doing them as in seeing them done by others (Mic 6:8; 7:18).
Jeremiah 9:25 Verse 25
with the uncircumcised--rather, "all that are circumcised in uncircumcision" [Henderson]. The Hebrew is an abstract term, not a concrete, as English Version translates, and as the pious "circumcised" is. The nations specified, Egypt, Judah, &c., were outwardly "circumcised," but in heart were "uncircumcised." The heathen nations were defiled, in spite of their literal circumcision, by idolatry. The Jews, with all their glorying in their spiritual privileges, were no better (Jer 4:4; De 10:16; 30:6; Ro 2:28, 29; Col 2:11). However, Eze 31:18; 32:19, may imply that the Egyptians were uncircumcised; and it is uncertain as to the other nations specified whether they were at that early time circumcised. Herodotus says the Egyptians were so; but others think this applies only to the priests and others having a sacred character, not to the mass of the nation; so English Version may be right (Ro 2:28, 29).
Jeremiah 9:26 Verse 26
Egypt--put first to degrade Judah, who, though in privileges above the Gentiles, by unfaithfulness sank below them. Egypt, too, was the power in which the Jews were so prone to trust, and by whose instigation they, as well as the other peoples specified, revolted from Babylon. in the utmost corners--rather, "having the hair shaven (or clipped) in angles," that is, having the beard on the cheek narrowed or cut: a Canaanitish custom, forbidden to the Israelites (Le 19:27; 21:5). The Arabs are hereby referred to (compare Jer 25:23; 49:32), as the words in apposition show, "that dwell in the wilderness." uncircumcised ... uncircumcised in the heart--The addition of "in the heart" in Israel's case marks its greater guilt in proportion to its greater privileges, as compared with the rest.