Jeremias 31:32

32 O vine of Aserema, as with the weeping of Jazer: thy branches are gone over the sea, they reached the cities of Jazer: destruction has come upon thy fruits, upon thy grape-gatherers.

Jeremias 31:32 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 31:32

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers,
&c.] Meaning not Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; but the ancestors of the Jews that came out of Egypt, as appears by what follows. This was the covenant made at Sinai, which is here referred to; but the above covenant was not according to that; for, though it was not properly a covenant of works, but a typical one; yet it was in some sense faulty and deficient; or, however, the persons under it were faulty, and did not keep it; and besides, it was made with the Israelites; whereas this new covenant belongs both to Jews and Gentiles. That the Sinai covenant is intended is clear by the following circumstances: in the day [that] I took them by the hand, to bring them out of the
land of Egypt;
that is, immediately after their being brought out of Egypt, the covenant was made with them; see ( Exodus 19:1-8 ) ( Exodus 24:7 Exodus 24:8 ) ; at which time of their bringing out, the Lord took them by the hand, as being unable to deliver themselves, and to go out of themselves; which is expressive, as of their weakness, so of his power and goodness, kindness and tenderness to them; and is an aggravation of their ingratitude to him in breaking the covenant, made with them at such a time by the Lord, who was so kind and indulgent to them; and which is still more fully expressed in the following clause: which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them,
saith the Lord;
they promised fair, but did not perform; their hearts were not right with God, nor were they steadfast in his covenant; though it was such a solemn transaction, and had the nature of a matrimonial contract; it was the day of their espousal; they were betrothed to the Lord, and he acted the part of a husband to them in nourishing and cherishing them in providing food and raiment for them; manna that continued with them, and clothes that waxed not old; and in protecting them from their enemies, and bringing them to a good settlement in the land of Canaan. The Septuagint version renders it, "and I regarded them not"; and so the apostle, ( Hebrews 8:9 ) ; for the reconciliation of which to the Hebrew text (See Gill on Hebrews 8:9).

Jeremias 31:32 In-Context

30 But I know his works: is it not enough for him? has he not done thus?

31 Therefore howl ye for Moab on all sides; cry out against the shorn men a gloomy place. I will weep for thee,

32 O vine of Aserema, as with the weeping of Jazer: thy branches are gone over the sea, they reached the cities of Jazer: destruction has come upon thy fruits, upon thy grape-gatherers.

33 Joy and gladness have been utterly swept off the land of Moab: and there was wine in thy presses, in the morning they trod it not, neither in the evening did they raise the cry of joy.

34 From the cry of Esebon even to Aetam their cities uttered their voice, from Zogor to Oronaim, and their tidings a heifer of three years old, for the water also of Nebrin shall be dried up.