Charles Ellicott Commentary Jeremiah 8:4

"Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith Jehovah: Shall men fall, and not rise up again? Shall one turn away, and not return?" — Jeremiah 8:4 (ASV)

Shall he turn. —Better, as both clauses are indefinite, Shall men fall and not arise? Shall one turn away and not return? The appeal is made to the common practice of people. Those who fall struggle to their feet again. One who finds that he has lost his way retraces his steps.

In its spiritual aspect, the words assert the possibility of repentance in almost every case, however desperate it may seem. St. Paul’s question, Have they stumbled that they should fall? (Romans 11:11), expresses something of the same belief in the ultimate triumph of the Divine purpose of good. Yet, that purpose, as the next verse shows, seemed to be thwarted.