Jeremiah 3:8 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

I saw - I saw that, though (whereas) it was for this very reason (namely), because backsliding (apostate) Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away (2 Kings 17:6; 2 Kings 17:18), and given her a bill of divorce, yet Judah feared not, etc. (Ezekiel 23:11, "When her sister Aholibah saw this, she (Aholah) was more corrupt in her inordinate love," etc.)

Bill of divorce - literally, a 'writing of cuttings off.' The plural implies the completeness of the severance. The use of this metaphor here, as in the former discourse (Jeremiah 3:1), implies a close connection between the discourses. The epithets are characteristic: Israel, 'apostate' (as the Hebrew for "backsliding" is better rendered); Judah, not as yet utterly apostate, but treacherous or faithless.

Also - herself also, like Israel.

Jeremiah 3:8

8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.