Jeremiah 2:33

33 You are very skilled at chasing after love! Even the worst of women can learn from how you act.

Jeremiah 2:33 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 2:33

Why trimmest thou thy 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 dost thou make thy way beautiful, to procure loves (or lovers) to be joined to the people?''

or the sense is, why art thou so diligent and industrious to make thy 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 hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy 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, thou hast taught thyself the worst way among them all; that is, thou hast used thyself 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 thee; that thy ways are evil;
or, as Kimchi explains it,

``I have taught thee by thy ways that they are evil, and evil shall come unto thee because of them.''

The Keri, or reading, is (tdml) , "thou hast taught"; which is confirmed by the Targum; and is followed by the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and other versions. It is by some rendered, "seeing thou hast taught others thy evil ways" ^F16; not content to sin themselves, but taught others to do so, and yet would be thought good.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 "Quandoquidem etiam (alios) malas docuisti vias tuas", Noldius, p. 507. vid. No. 1998.

Jeremiah 2:33 In-Context

31 "You who are now living, consider my message. I am saying, "Have I been like a desert to Israel? Have I been like a land of deep darkness? Why do my people say, 'We are free to wander. We won't come to you anymore'?

32 Does a young woman forget all about her jewelry? Does a bride forget her wedding jewels? But my people have forgotten me more days than anyone can count.

33 You are very skilled at chasing after love! Even the worst of women can learn from how you act.

34 The blood of those you have killed is on your clothes. You have destroyed poor people who were not guilty. You did not catch them in the act of breaking in. In spite of all of that,

35 you say, 'I'm not guilty of doing anything wrong. The LORD isn't angry with me.' But I will judge you. That is because you say, 'I haven't sinned.'