Jeremiah Chapter 17

“The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, etc.] Or an iron tool, such as engravers use in working on hard matter: [and] with the point of a diamond; such as glaziers use in cutting their glass; though this is not the word used for a diamond in (<022818>Exodus 28:18), this word is elsewhere translated an adamant, (<260309>Ezekiel 3:9 <380712> Zechariah 7:12). Bothartf346 takes it to be the smiris, which jewellers use in polishing their gems. Jarchi makes mention of a Midrash, or exposition, which explains the iron pen of Jeremiah, and the point of the adamant, or diamond, of Ezekiel, because of what is said…”

“THE JEWS' INVETERATE LOVE OF IDOLATRY. (Jer. 17:1-27) The first of the four clauses relates to the third, the second to the fourth, by alternate parallelism. The sense is: They are as keen after idols as if their propensity was "graven with an iron pen (Job 19:24) on their hearts," or as if it were sanctioned by a law "inscribed with a diamond point" on their altars. The names of their gods used to be written on "the horns of the altars" (Act 17:23). As the clause "on their hearts" refers to their inward propensity, so "on . . . altars," the outward exhibition of it. Others refer "on the horns of . . . altars" to…”

“This section Jeremiah 17:1-4 is inseparably connected with the preceding. Judah’s sin had been described Jeremiah 16:19 as one of which the very Gentiles will become ashamed. and for which she will shortly be punished by, an intervention of God’s hand more marked than anything in her previous history. Jeremiah now dwells upon the indelible nature of her sin. A pen of iron - i. e., an iron chisel for cutting inscriptions upon tables of stone. The point of a diamond - The ancients were well acquainted with the cutting powers of the diamond. Altars - Not Yahweh’s one altar, but the many altars which the Jews had set…”

“Graven - Nor is it a thing done in secret, but it is engraven upon the horns of their altars. God's altar was four - square, and at each corner there was a rising part made of brass, these were called the horns of the altar. Now their sin is said to be engraven upon the horns of the altar, because the blood of the sacrifices which they offered to idols was sprinkled there, or because their altars had some inscription upon them, declaring to what idol that altar was consecrated. Jeremiah 17:2”

“17:1-4 The families of Judah were committed to Baal worship; once again, the Lord listed the sins that justified their judgment. 17:1 A stone mason used an iron chisel or a diamond point to permanently inscribe images and texts on stones. Idol worship had so hardened the thoughts, emotions, and will of the people that it seemed impossible for them to change. • In Old Testament times, the corners of . . . altars had projections called “horns” (e.g., Exod 27:1-2). According to covenant rules, when an animal sacrifice was offered, blood was applied to these horns. How Baal worshipers treated them is unknown.”

“written: Job 19:23, Job 19:24 point: Heb. nail graven: Pro 3:3, Pro 7:3; Co2 3:3 and upon: Lev 4:17, Lev 4:18, Lev 4:25; Hos 12:11 Jeremiah 17:2”

“Judah's sin is ineffaceably stamped upon the hearts of the people and on their altars. These four verses are closely connected with the preceding, and show why it is necessary that Judah be cast forth amidst the heathen, by reason of its being perfectly stepped in idolatry. Jer 17:1. "The sin of Judah is written with an iron pen, with the point of a diamond graven on the table of their hearts and on the horns of your altars. Jer 17:2. As they remember their children, so do they their altars and their Astartes by the green tree upon the high hills. Jer 17:3. My mountain in the field, thy substance, all thy…”