Jeremiah 2:33

33 Why dost thou endeavour to shew thy way good to seek my love, thou who hast also taught thy malices to be thy ways,

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 See ye the word of the Lord: Am I become a wilderness to Israel, or a lateward springing land? why then have my people said: We are revolted, we will come to thee no more?

32 Will a virgin forget her ornament, or a bride her stomacher? but my people hath forgotten me days without number.

33 Why dost thou endeavour to shew thy way good to seek my love, thou who hast also taught thy malices to be thy ways,

34 And in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor and innocent? not in ditches have I found them, but in all places, which I mentioned before.

35 And thou hast said: I am without sin and am innocent: and therefore let thy anger be turned away from me. Behold, I will contend with thee in judgment, because thou hast said: I have not sinned.