Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.
Ver. 10. Surely thou hast greatly deceived this people,] sc., By those false prophets. Jer 4:9 Compare 1Ki 18:22-29 Ezekiel 14:9. This God doth as a just judge, punishing sin with sin. The words may be rendered as a question, "Hast thou indeed thus deceived this people?" Is it possible that thou shouldst have an active, or so much as a permissive, hand in such a business?
Whenas the sword reacheth unto the soul,] i.e., To the heart, it goes as far as it can. Capulo tenus abdidit ensem. See Psalms 69:11 .