Jeremiah 2:23

“How canst thou say, I am not polluted, etc.] No man can say this; for all are defiled with sin; but this was the cast and complexion of these people in all ages; they were a generation of men that were pure in their own eyes, but were not cleansed from their filthiness; they fancied that their ceremonial washings and sacrifices cleansed them from moral impurities, when those only sanctified to the purifying of the flesh; still their iniquity remained marked before the Lord; they acted the part of the adulterous woman in (<203020>Proverbs 30:20) to whom they are compared in the context; and, therefore, as wondering at their impudence, they having a whore’s forehead, this question is put, how…”

“(Pro 30:12). Baalim--plural, to express manifold excellency: compare Elohim. see--consider. the valley--namely, of Hinnom, or Tophet, south and east of Jerusalem: rendered infamous by the human sacrifices to Moloch in it (compare Jer 19:2, Jer 19:6, Jer 19:13-14; Jer 32:35; see on Isa 30:33). thou art--omit. The substantive that follows in this verse (and also that in Jer 2:24) is in apposition with the preceding "thou." dromedary--rather, a "young she-camel." traversing--literally, "enfolding"; making its ways complicated by wandering hither and thither, lusting after the male. Compare as to the Jews' spiritual lust, Hos 2:6-7.”

“In their defense of themselves (compare Jeremiah 2:35), the people probably appealed to the maintenance of the daily sacrifice, and the Mosaic ritual: and even more confidently perhaps to Josiah’s splendid restoration of the temple, and to the suppression of the open worship of Baal. All such pleas availed little as long as the rites of Moloch were still privately practiced. Thy way in the valley - i. e., of Hinnom (see 2 Kings 23:10 note). From the time of Ahaz it had been the seat of the worship of Moloch, and the prophet more than once identifies Moloch with Baal. “Way” is put metaphorically for “conduct, doings.” Traversing - Interlacing her ways. The word describes the tangled mazes of…”

“Baalim - The word is plural, as comprehensive of all their idols. Thy way - The filthiness thou hast left behind thee, whereby thou mayst be traced. Valley - Whether of Hinnom where they burnt their children in sacrifice, or in any valleys where thou hast been frequent in thy idolatries. Traversing - A metaphor taken from creatures that are hunted, that keep no direct path. Jeremiah 2:24”

“2:23–3:5 Instead of acting like a faithful wife, Israel behaved like a wild animal in heat (2:23-25), a thief (2:26-30), and a prostitute (2:31–3:5). 2:23 The people protested that it was not true that they were Baal worshipers (cp. 2:25). Archaeologists have found small plaques showing an Asherah (female goddess) and a male god resembling Baal, but their inscriptions bear the name of the Lord (Yahweh). Baal worship was apparently sometimes disguised as worship of Israel’s God.”

“How canst: Jer 2:34, Jer 2:35; Gen 3:12, Gen 3:13; Sa1 15:13, Sa1 15:14; Psa 36:2; Pro 28:13, Pro 30:12, Pro 30:20; Luk 10:29; Rom 3:19; Jo1 1:8-10; Rev 3:17, Rev 3:18 see: Jer 3:2; Psa 50:21; Ezek. 16:1-63, 23:1-49 valley: Jer 7:31; Isa 57:5, Isa 57:6 thou art a swift: or, O swift, Est 8:16 Jeremiah 2:24”