John Gill Commentary Jeremiah 2:33
John Gill Commentary
Jeremiah 2:33
John Gill Commentary
Jeremiah 2:33
SCRIPTURE
"How trimmest thou thy way to seek love! therefore even the wicked women hast thou taught thy ways." — Jeremiah 2:33 (ASV)
Why do you trim your way to seek love ? &c.] To seek the love, and gain the affections and esteem, of the idolatrous nations; as a lascivious woman dresses herself out in the best manner to excite the lust and move the affections of her lovers; and as Jezebel, who painted her face, and tired her head, (2 Kings 9:30) or dressed it in the best manner, where the same word is used as here; so the Targum, "why do you make your way beautiful, to procure loves (or lovers) to be joined to the people?" or the sense is, why are you so diligent and industrious to make your way, which is exceeding bad, look a good one, by sacrifices and ceremonies, oblations and ablutions, in order to seek and obtain my love and favour, which is all in vain? it is not to be gained by such methods:
therefore have you also taught the wicked ones your ways ; the wicked idolatrous nations, to whom they joined themselves; these they taught their ways of sacrificing, their rites, ceremonies, and superstitions; or, as Jarchi interprets it, you have taught yourself the worst way among them all; that is, you have used yourself to it: there is a double reading in this clause. The Cetib, or writing, is (ytdml) , "I have taught"; as if they were the words of God, saying, "wherefore I have taught"; or, "will teach"; that is, by punishing you; that your ways are evil ; or, as Kimchi explains it, "I have taught you by your ways that they are evil, and evil shall come unto you because of them."
The Keri, or reading, is (tdml) , "you have taught"; which is confirmed by the Targum; and is followed by the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and other versions. It is by some rendered, "seeing you have taught others your evil ways" F16 ; not content to sin themselves, but taught others to do so, and yet would be thought good.
FOOTNOTES:
- F16: "Quandoquidem etiam (alios) malas docuisti vias tuas", Noldius, p. 507. vid. No. 1998.