Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, [but] not in truth, nor in righteousness.
Ver. 1. Hear ye this, O house of Jacob.] Ye stiffnecked of Israel, and "uncircumcised in heart and ears, who do always resist the Holy Ghost," Act 7:51 to you be it spoken; for to the "Israelites indeed" enough hath been said of this subject already.
Which are called by the name of Israel] a Sed nomen inane crimen immane. Ye are "called Jews, and make your boast of God," Rom 2:17 having a form of knowledge, Rom 2:20 and of godliness, 2Ti 3:5 and that is all; the voice of Jacob, but the hands of Esau. Let such fear Jacob's fear, "My father perhaps will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing." Gen 27:12 It is sure enough.
And are come forth out of the waters b of Judah,] i.e., Out of the bowels, as Gen 15:4 as waters out of a spring. Deu 33:28 Psa 68:26 Judah was the tribe royal: hence they so gloried, and remained "ruling with God, and faithful with the saints," when other tribes revolted.
Which swear by the name of the Lord.] And not of Baal.
And make mention of the God of Israel.] Who was near in their mouths, but far from their reins. Jeremiah 12:2 Psa 50:16 Religionem simulabant, cum in cute essent nequissimi. Arrant hypocrites.
But not in truth, nor in righteousness,] i.e., Without faith and sound conversion.
a Picti estis Israelitae, estis hypocritae.
b Pro ממי videtur hic legendum ממעי