For this city hath been to me as a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,
This city hath been to me as a provocation of mine anger - literally, 'for mine anger.' Calvin, therefore, connects these words with those at the end of the verse, 'this city has been to me an object for mine anger (namely, by reason of the provocations mentioned Jeremiah 32:30), etc., that I should remove it,' etc. Thus, there will not be the repetition of the sentiment (Jeremiah 32:30) as in the English version: the Hebrew also favours this rendering. However, Jeremiah delights in repetitions. In the English version the words, "that I should remove it," etc., stand independently as the result of what precedes. The time is ripe for taking vengeance on them (2 Kings 23:27).
From the day that they built it. Solomon completed the building of the city; and it was he who first, of the Jewish kings, turned to idolatry. It was originally built by the idolatrous Canaanites.