Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 13:27

Albert Barnes Commentary

Jeremiah 13:27

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Jeremiah 13:27

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"I have seen thine abominations, even thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, on the hills in the field. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! thou wilt not be made clean; how long shall it yet be?" — Jeremiah 13:27 (ASV)

And your abominations — "Even your abominations." The prophet sums up the three charges against Judah, namely, spiritual adultery, inordinate eagerness after idolatry (see the note at Jeremiah 5:7 note), and shameless participation in pagan orgies.

In the fields — "in the field," the open, unenclosed country (Jeremiah 12:4).

Will you not ... once be? — "Or, how long yet before you are made clean!" These words explain the teaching of Jeremiah 13:23. Repentance was not an actual, but a moral impossibility, and after a long time Judah was to be cleansed. It was to return from exile penitent and forgiven.