Jeremiah 3:20

20 But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you, Israel, have been unfaithful to me,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 3:20 in Other Translations

20 Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD.

20 Surely, as a treacherous wife leaves her husband, so have you been treacherous to me, O house of Israel, declares the LORD.'"

20 But you have been unfaithful to me, you people of Israel! You have been like a faithless wife who leaves her husband. I, the LORD, have spoken.”

20 But no luck. Like a false-hearted woman walking out on her husband, you, the whole family of Israel, have proven false to me." God's Decree.

20 However, as a woman may betray her lover, so you have betrayed Me, house of Israel. [This is] the Lord's declaration.

Jeremiah 3:20 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 3:20

Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband,
&c.] Or, "her friend" ^F9; who loves her, takes care of her, and provides for her, and goes after another man, and cohabits with him; which is a violation of the marriage covenant, and acting a base and treacherous part unto him to whom she is married so have you dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the
Lord;
who was their Father, friend, and husband; who loved them and distinguished them from all other people, by a variety of blessings and privileges; and yet they departed from his commandments and ordinances, and held the traditions of the elders, and taught for doctrines the commandments of men, and rejected the Messiah, and still continue in their disbelief of him, and hatred to him; and therefore it need not be wondered at that he should make any difficulty about their adoption and inheritance; and a marvellous thing it must be to take such persons, and put them openly among his children, and give them a right and meetness for the goodly inheritance.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 (herm) "ab amico suo", Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "a socio suo", Cocceius.

Jeremiah 3:20 In-Context

18 In those days the people of Judah will join the people of Israel, and together they will come from a northern land to the land I gave your ancestors as an inheritance.

19 “I myself said, “ ‘How gladly would I treat you like my children and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.’ I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me.

20 But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you, Israel, have been unfaithful to me,” declares the LORD.

21 A cry is heard on the barren heights, the weeping and pleading of the people of Israel, because they have perverted their ways and have forgotten the LORD their God.

22 “Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.” “Yes, we will come to you, for you are the LORD our God.

Cross References

• 1. S Isaiah 24:16