Jeremiah 2:23
"How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;"

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

How canst thou say, I am not polluted,.... No man can say this; for all are defiled with sin; but this was the cast and complexion of these people in all ages; they were a generation of men that were pure in their own eyes, but were not cleansed from their filthiness; they fancied that their ceremonial washings and sacrifices cleansed them from moral impurities, when those only sanctified to the purifying of the flesh; still their iniquity remained marked before the Lord; they acted the part of the adulterous woman in Pro 30:20 to whom they are compared in the context; and, therefore, as wondering at their impudence, they having a whore's forehead, this question is put, how and with what face they could affirm this, and what follows:

I have not gone after Baalim? or, "the Baalim"; the idols of the people, as the Targum interprets it; for there were many Baals, as Baalzephon, Baalpeor, Baalzebub, and others: see thy way in the valley; where idols were set up and worshipped; or through which the way lay, as Kimchi observes, to the hills and mountains where idolatry was frequently committed; perhaps no particular valley is meant, but any in which idols were worshipped, or which they passed through to the worshipping of them; though the Targum interprets it of the valley in which they dwelt, over against Baalpeor, so Jarchi and Abarbinel, when they worshipped that idol; and seems to design the valley of Shittim, Num 25:1 , but rather, if any particular valley is intended, the valley of Hinnom seems to bid fair for it; and to this it may be the Septuagint version has respect, rendering it , "in the sepulchre of the multitude"; multitudes being burnt and buried here: know what thou hast done; in the valley, especially in the valley of Hinnom, where they caused their children to pass through the fire to Molech: thou art a swift dromedary. The Targum, Jarchi, and Kimchi, interpret it a young camel; and so the word in the Arabic language signifies; and the epithet "swift" better agrees with that than with the dromedary. Curtius (z) makes mention of dromedary camels of great swiftness; but it may be this is to be understood, not of its swiftness in running, but of its impetuous lust, as Calvin observes; and, indeed, each of these creatures are very libidinous; and therefore these people are compared to them; See Gill on Mic 1:13 , it follows: traversing her ways; running about here and there after the male, burning with lust, sometimes one way, and sometimes another; and so these people sometimes run after one idol, and sometimes another, and followed a multitude of them. The Targum renders it, "which corrupts or depraves her ways". De Dieu observes, that the word in the Ethiopic language, signifies "the evening"; and so may intend walking in the evening, in the dark, rather than in the light; which, as it is the way of dromedaries, and almost of all beasts, so of harlots, to whom these people are likened; and he further observes, that, in the Arabic language, it signifies to make common, which agrees with adulterous persons, as these were in a spiritual sense. The word is only used in this place, and is deduced from, or has some relation to, the word which signifies a "shoelatchet", Gen 14:23 as Jarchi and Kimchi observe; and may denote, as the shoe is bound and fastened with the latchet, the binding of her ways to her heart, as the former suggests, the strengthening and confirming of her in her evil ways, and her constant persisting therein; but the first sense of running here and there through lust is best; and is approved by Bynaeus (a) and by Buxtorf (b). (z) (Curtius) L. 5. c. 2. (a) De Calceis Heb. l. 1. c. 7. sect. 4. (b) Lex. Heb. rad.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (18 words)

H0349 אֵיךְ
Definition:

9;2 Samuel 1:5,14;1 Kings 12:6;Isaiah 20:6and elsewhere; often with imperfect (especially in 1 person) in an expostulationGenesis 39:9;Genesis 44:8,34;Joshua 9:7;2 Samuel 2:22;2 Samuel 12:18;Psalm 137 9;2 Samuel 1:5,14;1 Kings 12:6;Isaiah 20:6and elsewhere; often with imperfect (especially in 1 person) in an expostulationGenesis 39:9;Genesis 44:8,34;Joshua 9:7;2 Samuel 2:22;2 Samuel 12:18;Psalm 137

Possible Meanings:
  • How? (semantic_range)
  • How! (semantic_range)
H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H2930 טָמֵא
Definition:

2522t.; 3 feminine singularטָֽמְאָהLeviticus 12:22t.; 2 feminine singularטָמֵאתEzekiel 22:4; pluralטָֽמְאוּLeviticus 15:18;ImperfectיִטְמָאLeviticus 5:334t.; 3 feminine singularתִּטְמָאLeviticus 12:24 2522t.; 3 feminine singularטָֽמְאָהLeviticus 12:22t.; 2 feminine singularטָמֵאתEzekiel 22:4; pluralטָֽמְאוּLeviticus 15:18;ImperfectיִטְמָאLeviticus 5:334t.; 3 feminine singularתִּטְמָאLeviticus 12:24

Possible Meanings:
  • unclean (semantic_range)
H0310 אַחַר
Definition:

13(many MSS.⅏ᵐ5ᵑ6Ol Ew readאֶחָדsee Di)Psalm 68:26.b.of time, afterwardsGenesis 10:18;Genesis 18:5;Genesis 24:55;Genesis 30:21;Judges 19:5+;וְאַחַרin laws of P, asLeviticus 14:8,19;Leviticus 15:28;Lev 13(many MSS.⅏ᵐ5ᵑ6Ol Ew readאֶחָדsee Di)Psalm 68:26.b.of time, afterwardsGenesis 10:18;Genesis 18:5;Genesis 24:55;Genesis 30:21;Judges 19:5+;וְאַחַרin laws of P, asLeviticus 14:8,19;Leviticus 15:28;Lev

H1168 בַּעַל
Definition:

The same asba'al; Baal, a Phoenician deity -- Baal, (plural) Baalim.see HEBREWba'alTopical LexiconOverview of Baal Worship in the Old TestamentBaal appears in Scripture as the chief male deity of the The same asba'al; Baal, a Phoenician deity -- Baal, (plural) Baalim.see HEBREWba'alTopical LexiconOverview of Baal Worship in the Old TestamentBaal appears in Scripture as the chief male deity of the

Possible Meanings:
  • owner (semantic_range)
  • lord (semantic_range)
H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H1980 הָלַךְ
Definition:

26+;הָלָ֑ךְ2 Samuel 8:6+; 3 pluralהָֽלְכוּGenesis 14:24+;(הֶ)הָֽלְכוּאJoshua 10:24(Ges§ 23, 3; 138, 3 b Köi. 414 f.), etc.;Imperfectrarelya.3masculine singularיִהֲלֹךְJeremiah 9:34t. Job, Psalms;וַיַּ 26+;הָלָ֑ךְ2 Samuel 8:6+; 3 pluralהָֽלְכוּGenesis 14:24+;(הֶ)הָֽלְכוּאJoshua 10:24(Ges§ 23, 3; 138, 3 b Köi. 414 f.), etc.;Imperfectrarelya.3masculine singularיִהֲלֹךְJeremiah 9:34t. Job, Psalms;וַיַּ

Possible Meanings:
  • toll (semantic_range)
H7200 רָאָה
Definition:

7, compareריחspectacleDeuteronomy 1:12; Sabeanראיsee, expectDHMZMG xxix (1875), 506,599; Arabicsee, so Ethiopicᵑ7רֵו,רֵיוָאhumanappearance, features, etc. (compare Hebrewרְָאִי2)); —Qal1141Perfect3mas 7, compareריחspectacleDeuteronomy 1:12; Sabeanראיsee, expectDHMZMG xxix (1875), 506,599; Arabicsee, so Ethiopicᵑ7רֵו,רֵיוָאhumanappearance, features, etc. (compare Hebrewרְָאִי2)); —Qal1141Perfect3mas

Possible Meanings:
  • vision (semantic_range)
H1870 דֶּרֶךְ
Definition:

16& (less often)feminineExodus 18:20way, road, distance, journey, manner — absolute׳דGenesis 38:16+;דָּ֑רֶךְGenesis 38:21+; constructדֶּרֶךְGenesis 3:24; suffixדַּרְכִּיGenesis 24:424t. +2 Samuel 22:3 16& (less often)feminineExodus 18:20way, road, distance, journey, manner — absolute׳דGenesis 38:16+;דָּ֑רֶךְGenesis 38:21+; constructדֶּרֶךְGenesis 3:24; suffixדַּרְכִּיGenesis 24:424t. +2 Samuel 22:3

H1516 גַּיְא
Definition:

4(feminineZechariah 14:4)valley— absoluteגַּיְאNumbers 21:208t. +1 Samuel 17:52(compare below),גָּ֑יְא1 Chronicles 4:39,גֵּיאZechariah 14:4,גֶּיאIsaiah 40:4,גַּיDeuteronomy 34:62t.; constructגֵּיאIsai 4(feminineZechariah 14:4)valley— absoluteגַּיְאNumbers 21:208t. +1 Samuel 17:52(compare below),גָּ֑יְא1 Chronicles 4:39,גֵּיאZechariah 14:4,גֶּיאIsaiah 40:4,גַּיDeuteronomy 34:62t.; constructגֵּיאIsai

H3045 יָדַע
Definition:

1+;יָדָ֑עLeviticus 5:1+; suffixיְדָעוֺDeuteronomy 34:10;Job 28:7;יְדָעָהּGenesis 24:16;1 Kings 1:4;יְדָעָ֫נוּIsaiah 63:16; 3feminine singularיָָֽדְעָהJudges 11:394t.; 2 masculine singularיָדַעְתָּGene 1+;יָדָ֑עLeviticus 5:1+; suffixיְדָעוֺDeuteronomy 34:10;Job 28:7;יְדָעָהּGenesis 24:16;1 Kings 1:4;יְדָעָ֫נוּIsaiah 63:16; 3feminine singularיָָֽדְעָהJudges 11:394t.; 2 masculine singularיָדַעְתָּGene

Possible Meanings:
  • know (semantic_range)
  • know (semantic_range)
  • cause to know (semantic_range)
  • inform (semantic_range)
H4100 מָה
Definition:

43;Joshua 22:16;Judges 8:1),מַהֿ,מַהּ,מֶה,מַּ(Exodus 4:2;Isaiah 3:15;Malachi 1:13;1 Chronicles 15:13; 2Chronicles 30:3),מָ(only inמָהֵםEzekiel 8:6Kt., Qr.מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of th 43;Joshua 22:16;Judges 8:1),מַהֿ,מַהּ,מֶה,מַּ(Exodus 4:2;Isaiah 3:15;Malachi 1:13;1 Chronicles 15:13; 2Chronicles 30:3),מָ(only inמָהֵםEzekiel 8:6Kt., Qr.מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of th

Possible Meanings:
  • what? (semantic_range)
H6213 עָשָׂה
Definition:

A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows) -- accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly, A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows) -- accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly,

Possible Meanings:
  • press (semantic_range)
  • squeeze (semantic_range)
H1072 בִּכְרָה
Definition:

23; plural constructבִּכְרֵיIsaiah 60:6.Topical LexiconOverviewבִּכְרָה designates a young female camel. Its solitary appearance inJeremiah 2:23employs the animal’s characteristic energy and wanderlus 23; plural constructבִּכְרֵיIsaiah 60:6.Topical LexiconOverviewבִּכְרָה designates a young female camel. Its solitary appearance inJeremiah 2:23employs the animal’s characteristic energy and wanderlus

Possible Meanings:
  • right of first-born (semantic_range)
H7031 קַל
Definition:

15+,קָ֑לvAmos 2:14; feminine singularקַלָּהJeremiah 2:23; pluralקַלִּיםIsaiah 18:2+; —קַל בְּרַגְלָיוlight with his feetAmos 2:15;2 Samuel 2:18;׳ק, alone,swift, messengersIsaiah 18:2, pursuersLamentat 15+,קָ֑לvAmos 2:14; feminine singularקַלָּהJeremiah 2:23; pluralקַלִּיםIsaiah 18:2+; —קַל בְּרַגְלָיוlight with his feetAmos 2:15;2 Samuel 2:18;׳ק, alone,swift, messengersIsaiah 18:2, pursuersLamentat

Possible Meanings:
  • voice (semantic_range)
H8308 שָׂרַךְ
Definition:

23a swift dromedaryentangling her ways(galloping aimlessly; figurative).Topical LexiconDefinition and ImageryŚāraḵ depicts a “young female camel,” an animal noted for agility, restlessness, and strong 23a swift dromedaryentangling her ways(galloping aimlessly; figurative).Topical LexiconDefinition and ImageryŚāraḵ depicts a “young female camel,” an animal noted for agility, restlessness, and strong

Possible Meanings:
  • twist (semantic_range)
H1870 דֶּרֶךְ
Definition:

16& (less often)feminineExodus 18:20way, road, distance, journey, manner — absolute׳דGenesis 38:16+;דָּ֑רֶךְGenesis 38:21+; constructדֶּרֶךְGenesis 3:24; suffixדַּרְכִּיGenesis 24:424t. +2 Samuel 22:3 16& (less often)feminineExodus 18:20way, road, distance, journey, manner — absolute׳דGenesis 38:16+;דָּ֑רֶךְGenesis 38:21+; constructדֶּרֶךְGenesis 3:24; suffixדַּרְכִּיGenesis 24:424t. +2 Samuel 22:3

Interlinear data not available for this verse yet.

---

Get the daily verse delivered free

Create Free Account

Automatic daily verse emails after signup

← Chapter 2 All Chapters