Jeremiah 17:23

“But they obeyed not, etc.] Or, “heard not”f365; so as to observe and do; that is, their fathers did not; this command was very early disobeyed, and more or less in all intervening times: neither inclined their ear; or listened attentively to what was said to them; but if they heard at all, it was in a very indifferent and careless manner, as if they cared not whether they heard or not; whereas persons intent on hearing bow the head, and turn the ear; and if they have one better than another, will turn that, in order to take in what they are attentive to; but so did not the Jewish fathers: but made their neck stiff; or “hard”f366; and would not bend it, to take upon them the yoke of the…”

“(Jer 7:24, Jer 7:26).”

“This prophecy on the observance of the Sabbath, is the first of a series of short predictions. arranged probably in chronological order among themselves, but in other respects independent of one another. Its tone is mild, and dissuasive rather of future neglect than condemnatory of past misconduct; and it may be assigned to the commencement of Jehoiakim’s reign. Its similarity to the prophecy contained in Jeremiah 22:1-5 makes it probable that they were contemporaneous. Jeremiah 17:19 The gate of the children of the people - Perhaps the principal entrance of the outer court of the temple. Very probably there was traffic there, as in our Lord’s time, in doves and other requisites for…”

“17:23 they did not listen or obey: The people probably considered the Sabbath too costly to observe, so they ignored it or overlooked its violations.”

“they obeyed: Jer 7:24-26, Jer 11:10, Jer 16:11, Jer 16:12, Jer 19:15; Isa 48:4; Eze 20:13, Eze 20:16, Eze 20:21; Zac 7:11, Zac 7:12; Act 7:51 made: Pro 29:1 nor: Jer 6:8, Jer 32:33, Jer 35:15; Psa 50:17; Pro 1:3, Pro 1:5, Pro 5:12, Pro 8:10; Zep 3:7; Joh 3:19-21 Jeremiah 17:24”