Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers - i:e., The Old Testament covenant as contrasted with our Gospel covenant (Hebrews 8:8-12; Hebrews 10:16-17, where this prophecy is quoted to prove the abrogation of the law by the Gospel), of which the distinguishing features are its securing, by an adequate atonement, the forgiveness of sins (Jeremiah 31:34, end), and by the inworking of effectual grace insuring permanent obedience (Jeremiah 31:33). An earnest of this is given partially in the present eclectic or elect Church, gathered out of Jews and Gentiles. But the promise here to Israel in the last days is national and universal, and effected by an extraordinary outpouring of the Spirit (Jeremiah 31:33-34; Ezekiel 11:17-20), independent of any merit on their part (Ezekiel 36:25-32; Ezekiel 37:1-28; Ezekiel 39:29; Joel 2:23-28; Zechariah 12:10; 2 Corinthians 3:16).
In the day that I took them by the hand - (Deuteronomy 1:31; Hosea 11:3, "I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms").
Although I was an husband - (cf. Jeremiah 3:14; Hosea 2:7-8). But the Septuagint [eemeleesa autoon], Syriac, and Paul (Hebrews 8:9), translate [ba`altiy], 'I regarded them not;' and Gesenius, etc., justify this rendering of the Hebrew from the Arabic. The double and diverse meaning arises from the literal sense of the Hebrew word х baa`al (H1166)], to be lord, i:e., husband to a woman; or else to lord it over one, to domineer, to act as a stern judge and master. The Hebrews regarded not God, so God regarded them not.