Jeremiah 8
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
THE JEW'S COMING PUNISHMENT; THEIR UNIVERSAL AND INCURABLE IMPENITENCE. (Jer. 8:1-22) The victorious Babylonians were about to violate the sanctuaries of the dead in search of plunder; for ornaments, treasures, and insignia of royalty were usually buried with kings. Or rather, their purpose was to do the greatest dishonor to the dead (Isa 14:19).
Open source ↗At that time, saith the Lord, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah,.... That is, either the Chaldeans or the Romans would do this; for this refers to the destruction of Jerusalem, either by the former or the latter; and it is certain that Jerusalem was ploughed up by the Romans, whereby the prophecy in Mic 3:12 was accomplished; when it is highly probable the graves were dug up, and the bones of the dead brought out, and scattered abroad by way of revenge; or it may be that graves were opened, especially the graves of kings and great men, for the sake of finding treasure in them: it follows, and the bones of his princes; of the princes of Judah: and the bones of the priests; that sacrificed to idols: and the bones of the prophets: the false prophets; though this might be the case of the priests and prophets of the Lord; whose bones, in this general devastation, might be exposed as well as others; which of all might be thought to be the most sacred: and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem out of their graves; high and low, rich and poor, male and female; their graves, in common, were without the city.
Open source ↗But even then the judgment has not come to a height. Even sinners long dead must yet bear the shame of their sins. "At that time" points back to "days come" in Jer 7:32. The Masoretes wished to have the ו before יוציאוּ deleted, apparently because they took it for ו consec. But it here stands before the jussive, as it does frequently, e.g., Jer 13:10, Exo 12:3. They will take the bones of the kings, princes, priests, and prophets, the rulers and leaders of the people (cf. Jer 2:26), and the bones of the other inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves, and spread them out before the sun, the moon, and the stars, i.e., expose them under the open sky to the influence of the heavenly bodies, so that they shall rot away, become "dung on the face of the earth." The worst dishonour that could be done to the dead, a just return in kind for their worship of sun, moon, and stars: cf. Exo 7:18; Kg2 21:5; Kg2 23:11. This worship the prophet describes in its various stages: "Inclination of the heart, the act of devoting and dedicating themselves to the service, the frequenting of gods' sanctuary in order to worship and to obtain oracles; while he strives to bring out in strong relief the contrast between the zeal of their service and the reward they get by it" (Hitz.). They shall not be gathered, i.e., for burial: cf. Sa2 21:13.; Sa1 31:13. The dead shall suffer this at the hands of enemies despoiling the land. The reason for so doing was, as Jerome observes, the practice of burying ornaments and articles of value along with the dead. Seeking for such things, enemies will turn up the graves (cf. acts of this kind the case of Ibn Chaldun, in Sylv. de Sacy, Abdollat. p. 561), and, in their hatred and insolence, scatter the bones of the dead all about.
Open source ↗These verses might fitly have been joined to the close of the foregoing chapter, as giving a further description of the dreadful desolation which the army of the Chaldeans should make in the land. It shall strangely alter the property of death itself, and for the worse too. I. Death shall not now be, as it always used to be - the repose of the dead. When Job makes his court to the grave it is in hope of this, that there he shall rest with kings and counsellors of the earth; but now the ashes of the dead, even of kings and princes, shall be disturbed, and their bones scattered at the grave's mouth, Psa 141:7. It was threatened in the close of the former chapter that the slain should be unburied; that might be through neglect, and was not so strange; but here we find the graves of those that were buried industriously and maliciously opened by the victorious enemy, who either for covetousness, hoping to find treasure in the graves, or for spite to the nation and in a rage against it, brought out the bones of the kings of Judah and the princes. The dignity of their sepulchres could not secure them, nay, did the more expose them to be rifled; but it was base and barbarous thus to trample upon royal dust. We will hope that the bones of good Josiah were not disturbed, because he piously protected the bones of the man of God when he burnt the bones of the idolatrous priests, Kg2 23:18. The bones of the priests and prophets too were digged up and thrown about. Some think the false prophets and the idol-priests, God putting this mark of ignominy upon them: but, if they were God's prophets and his priests, it is what the Psalmist complains of as the fruit of the outrage of the enemies, Psa 79:1, Psa 79:2. Nay, those of the spiteful Chaldeans that could not reach to violate the sep…
Open source ↗8:1-2 Scattering the bones of the dead was the ultimate act of contempt for a defeated nation. Jerusalem’s favorite pagan deities—the sun, moon, and stars—would be unable to prevent it from happening.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… עֶצֶם (ʻetsem, H6106) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.)… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine קֶבֶר (qeber, H6913) — a sepulchre
Open source ↗שָׁטַח (shâṭach, H7849) — to expand שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched… יָרֵחַ (yârêach, H3394) — the moon צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… קָבַר (qâbar, H6912) — to inter דֹּמֶן (dômen, H1828) — manure
Open source ↗מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);… בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… שְׁאֵרִית (shᵉʼêrîyth, H7611) — a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion שָׁאַר (shâʼar, H7604) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… נָדַח (nâdach, H5080) — to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to… נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not…
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… נָצַח (nâtsach, H5329) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of… מְשׁוּבָה (mᵉshûwbâh, H4878) — apostasy חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… תׇּרְמָה (tormâh, H8649) — fraud מָאֵן (mâʼên, H3985) — to refuse
Open source ↗קָשַׁב (qâshab, H7181) — to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… נָחַם (nâcham, H5162) — properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a… עַל (ʻal, H5921) — above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect)… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… מְרוּצָה (mᵉrûwtsâh, H4794) — a race (the act), whether the manner or the progress סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) שָׁטַף (shâṭaph, H7857) — to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare)
Open source ↗חֲסִידָה (chăçîydâh, H2624) — the kind (maternal) bird, i.e. a stork שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… תּוֹר (tôwr, H8449) — a ring-dove, often (figuratively) as a term of endearment סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) עָגוּר (ʻâgûwr, H5693) — probably the swallow שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָכֵן (ʼâkên, H403) — firmly; figuratively, surely; also (advers.) but שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עֵט (ʻêṭ, H5842) — a stylus or marking stick סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,…
Open source ↗חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) יָבֵשׁ (yâbêsh, H3001) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither… חָתַת (châthath, H2865) — properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or… לָכַד (lâkad, H3920) — to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by… מָאַס (mâʼaç, H3988) — to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense)
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman אַחֵר (ʼachêr, H312) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc. שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent בָּצַע (bâtsaʻ, H1214) — figuratively, to finish, or (intransitively) stop בֶּצַע (betsaʻ, H1215) — plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust) נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
Open source ↗רָפָא (râphâʼ, H7495) — properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e. (figuratively) to cure שֶׁבֶר (sheber, H7667) — a fracture, figuratively, ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream) בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… קָלַל (qâlal, H7043) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,…
Open source ↗יָבֵשׁ (yâbêsh, H3001) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah, H8441) — properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially… בּוּשׁ (bûwsh, H954) — properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… כָּלַם (kâlam, H3637) — properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. פְּקֻדָּה (pᵉquddâh, H6486) — visitation (in many senses, chiefly official) כָּשַׁל (kâshal, H3782) — to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication,… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… סוּף (çûwph, H5486) — to snatch away, i.e. terminate נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עֵנָב (ʻênâb, H6025) — a grape גֶּפֶן (gephen, H1612) — a vine (as twining), especially the grape תְּאֵן (tᵉʼên, H8384) — the fig (tree or fruit) עָלֶה (ʻâleh, H5929) — a leaf (as coming up on a tree); collectively, foliage נָבֵל (nâbêl, H5034) — to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint; figuratively, to be foolish or (morally)… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,…
Open source ↗יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מִבְצָר (mibtsâr, H4013) — a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… דָּמַם (dâmam, H1826) — to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7219) — a poisonous plant, probably the poppy (from its conspicuous head); generally poison (even… שָׁקָה (shâqâh, H8248) — to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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I will lay the corpses of the Israelites before their idols and scatter your bones around your altars.
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by His Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley, and it was full of bones.
And as Josiah turned, he saw the tombs there on the hillside, and he sent someone to take the bones out of the tombs, and he burned them on the altar to defile it, according to the word of the LORD proclaimed by the man of God who had foretold these things.
On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places, and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Moab, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he burned to lime the bones of Edom’s king.
And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’”