Jeremiah 2:23 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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;

I am not polluted - (Proverbs 30:12, "There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness").

Baalim - plural, to express manifold excellency: cf. 'Elohiym (H430).

See - consider.

The valley - namely, of Hinnom, or Tophet: south and east of Jerusalem: rendered infamous by the human sacrifices to Moloch in it (cf. Jeremiah 7:31-32; Jeremiah 19:2; Jeremiah 19:6; Jeremiah 19:13-14; Jeremiah 32:35), the type of hell with its ever-burning fire. (Isaiah 30:33); cf. remark.)

Thou art - omit, as not being in the Hebrew. The substantive that follows in this verse (and also that in Jeremiah 2:24) is in opposition with the preceding "thou."

Dromedary - rather, a young she-camel.

Traversing - literally, infolding; making its ways complicated by wandering here and there, lusting after the male. (Compare as to the Jews' spiritual lust, Hosea 2:6-7.)

Jeremiah 2:23

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;