John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 5:11

"For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith Jehovah." — Jeremiah 5:11 (ASV)

The verb בגד, begad, means to deceive, to act treacherously. God then charges the Jews here with treachery, because they had revolted from him: for he not only complains that they had to some extent sinned against him, and that he was therefore offended with them, but he charges them with general defection.

Therefore he says that both the Israelites and the Jews had become treacherous and apostates. The people, as we know, were now divided into two kingdoms: and though Jeremiah had been given especially as a teacher to the tribe of Judah, it was still his duty to labor also for the Israelites.

The kingdom of Israel was now to some extent fallen, for four tribes had been driven into exile, and the kingdom was dismembered and feeble. Yet he wished to do all the good he could to the remnant. Therefore he says here that they were wicked apostates, for they had acted treacherously towards God.

And as this charge was heinous, and might have deeply wounded their minds, he ascribes to God what the Jews would scarcely have endured coming from him; and says, thus saith Jehovah, as if he had said, “There is no reason for you to contend with me, as if I had dealt severely with you: contend with God himself, since it is he who declares that you are all treacherous.” He afterwards adds —