Jeremiah 3:11

11 And Jehovah saith unto me: `Justified herself hath backsliding Israel, More than treacherous Judah.

Jeremiah 3:11 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 3:11

And the Lord said unto me
To the Prophet Jeremiah, as in ( Jeremiah 3:6 ) and at or about the same time: the backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous
Judah;
that is, was comparatively more righteous; of the two she appeared the most righteous; though neither of them could vindicate their conduct, or justify themselves before God; see ( Luke 18:14 ) . Judah was most to blame, because that after Israel committed idolatry, and was carried captive, she took no warning by it, but fell into the same sin; and in Manasseh's time committed greater idolatries, and more wickedness, than ever Israel did; and more than even the Amorites themselves, and other Heathen nations, had done, ( 2 Kings 21:6-11 ) and though a reformation was made in Josiah's time, it was only feignedly, it was not cordial and hearty; and therefore she is all along here charged with perfidy and treachery.

Jeremiah 3:11 In-Context

9 And it hath come to pass, from the vileness of her fornication, that the land is defiled, and she committeth fornication with stone and with wood.

10 And even in all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned back unto Me with all her heart, but with falsehood, an affirmation of Jehovah.'

11 And Jehovah saith unto me: `Justified herself hath backsliding Israel, More than treacherous Judah.

12 Go, and thou hast proclaimed these words toward the north, and hast said, Turn back, O backsliding Israel, An affirmation of Jehovah! I cause not Mine anger to fall upon you, For I [am] kind, an affirmation of Jehovah, I watch not to the age.

13 Only, know thine iniquity, For against Jehovah thy God thou hast transgressed, And thou dost scatter thy ways to strangers, Under every green tree, And to My voice thou hast not hearkened, An affirmation of Jehovah.