And be thou instructed, O Jerusalem
Or "corrected" F19; receive discipline or instructions by chastisements and corrections, return by repentance, that the evils threatened may not come: this shows the affection of the Lord to his people, notwithstanding all their sins; that their amendment, and not their destruction, were pleasing to him; that it was with reluctance he was about to visit them in the manner threatened; and that even now it was not too late, provided they were instructed and reformed; but, if not, they must expect what follows: lest my soul depart from thee;
his Shechinah, or divine Presence, and all the tokens of his love, favour, and good will. The Targum interprets it of the Word of the Lord,
``lest my Word cast thee off;''see ( Romans 11:1 ) , or, "lest my soul pluck itself from thee"; or "be plucked" F20, and separated from thee: the phrase denotes an utter separation, a forcible one, joined with the utmost abhorrence and detestation. In ( Ezekiel 23:18 ) , it is rendered, "my mind was alienated"; it denotes disunion and disaffection. Lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited;
``as the land of Sodom;''so that not a man should dwell in it; see ( Jeremiah 4:25 Jeremiah 4:27 Jeremiah 4:29 ) .