Jeremías 2:33

33 ¿Para qué abonas tu camino para hallar amor, pues aun a las malvadas enseñaste tus caminos?

Jeremías 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.

Jeremías 2:33 In-Context

31 ¡Oh generación! Ved vosotros la palabra del SEÑOR. ¿He sido yo soledad a Israel, o tierra de tinieblas? ¿Por qué ha dicho mi pueblo: Señores somos; nunca más vendremos a ti?

32 ¿Por ventura se olvida la virgen de su atavío, o la desposada de sus galas? Mas mi pueblo se ha olvidado de mí por días que no tienen número.

33 ¿Para qué abonas tu camino para hallar amor, pues aun a las malvadas enseñaste tus caminos?

34 Aun en tus faldas se halló la sangre de las almas de los pobres, de los inocentes; no los hallaste en ningún delito, sino por todas estas cosas.

35 Y dices: Porque soy inocente, de cierto su ira se apartó de mí. He aquí yo entraré en juicio contigo, porque dijiste: No pequé.