The priests said not, Where [is] the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after [things that] do not profit.
Ver. 8. The priests said not, a Where is the Lord?] Ignorant they were, and idle. They would not be at the pains of a serious inquisition after God and his will; though he be a "rewarder of all that diligently seek him." Heb 11:6
And they that handled the law.] That expounded and applied it. A metaphor from such as are trained in the war, who are said tractate bellum, to handle their arms.
The pastors also transgressed against me.] What marvel, therefore, that the people did so too? For, as in a fish, the corruption of it beginneth at the head; so here.
And the prophets prophesied by Baal.] And taught others to worship idols. We see then, it is nothing new that stars fall from heaven, that church chieftains should fall from God, and draw others after them. It went for a proverb, a little before Luther stirred, Qui theologum seholasticum videt, videt septem peccata mortalia, He that seeth a divine, seeth the seven deadly sins.
a Dixerunt, Ubi victimae, ubi nummi? triobolarium Deum faciunt subque hastam mittunt. - Oecol.