Jeremiah 2:20

“For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands, etc.] The yoke of the people, as the Targum expresses it, that was upon their necks, and the bands in which they were bound by them; referring to the deliverance of them of old from Egyptian bondage by the hands of Moses, and out of their several captivities among their neighbours by the means of the judges, and in their time; though the Vulgate Latin version renders it, “of old thou hast broken my yoke, and burst my bands”; or “thy yoke”, and “thy bands”, as the Septuagint and Arabic versions; the yoke of the law that the Lord put upon them, and the bands of statutes and ordinances which he enjoined them; but the former sense is…”

“I--the Hebrew should be pointed as the second person feminine, a form common in Jeremiah: "Thou hast broken," &c. So the Septuagint, and the sense requires it. thy yoke . . . bands--the yoke and bands which I laid on thee, My laws (Jer 5:5). transgress--so the Keri, and many manuscripts read. But the Septuagint and most authorities read, "I will not serve," that is, obey. The sense of English Version is, "I broke thy yoke (in Egypt)," &c., "and (at that time) thou saidst, I will not transgress; whereas thou hast (since then) wandered (from Me)" (Exo 19:8). hill . . . green tree--the scene of idolatries (Deu 12:2; Isa 57:5, Isa 57:7). wanderest--rather, "thou hast bowed down thyself" (for the…”

“Transgress - Rather, as in marg. If the “yoke” and “bands” refer to the slavery in Egypt from which Yahweh freed Israel, the sense is - “For of old time I Yahweh broke thy yoke, I burst thy bands,” not that thou mightest be free to do thy own will, but that thou mightest serve me: “and thou saidst, I will not serve.” When ... - “For ... under every leafy tree thou” layest thyself down as a harlot. The verb indicates the eagerness with which she prostrates herself before the objects of her idolatrous worship. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Broken - The bondage and tyranny that thou wert under in old time in Egypt, as also divers times besides. Tree - Under these shades idolaters thought there lay some hidden deity. Wanderest - The word properly signifies, making hast from one tree to another, or from one idol to another. Playing - Committing idolatry, which is a spiritual harlotry, Jer 3:1-2. Jeremiah 2:21”

“2:20-21 Long ago: Lessons from Israel’s history concerning the Israelites’ rescue from slavery in Egypt had little effect, and the people of Israel defiantly refused to serve God (Exod 19:8; 34:15; Lev 26:13; Deut 12:2; Josh 24:16; Judg 10:16; Isa 57:5, 7). • you have prostituted yourselves: This metaphor was especially apt regarding the Israelites’ bowing down to idols. The Israelites backed their defiant words with rebellious behavior. They repeatedly worshiped fertility deities in hopes of good crops and green pastures. Their rituals were useless because the Lord is the one who had planted the Israelites in Canaan, and he creates life and fertility.”

“For of: Jer 30:8; Exo 3:8; Lev 26:13; Deu 4:20, Deu 4:34, Deu 15:15; Isa 9:4, Isa 10:27, Isa 14:25; Nah 1:13 and thou saidst: Exo 19:8, Exo 24:3; Deu 5:27, Deu 26:17; Jos 1:16, Jos 24:16-24; Sa1 12:10 transgress: or, serve when upon: Jer 3:6; Deu 12:2; Kg1 12:32; Psa 78:58; Isa 57:5-7; Eze 16:24, Eze 16:25, Eze 16:31; Eze 20:28 playing: Jer 3:1, Jer 3:6-8; Exo 34:14-16; Deu 12:2; Isa 1:21; Eze 16:15, Eze 16:16, Eze 16:28, Eze 16:41, Eze 23:5; Hos 2:5, Hos 3:3 Jeremiah 2:21”

“All along Israel has been refractory; it cannot and will not cease from idolatry. Jer 2:20. "For of old time thou hast broken thy yoke, torn off thy bands; and hast said: I will not serve; but upon every high hill, and under every green tree, thou stretchedst thyself as a harlot. Jer 2:21. And I have planted thee a noble vine, all of genuine stock: and how hast thou changed thyself to me into the bastards of a strange vine? Jer 2:22. Even though thou washedst thee with natron and tookest much soap, filthy remains thy guilt before me, saith the Lord Jahveh. Jer 2:23. How canst thou say, I have not defiled me, after the Baals have I not gone? See thy way in the valley, know what thou hast…”