Jeremiah 2:3

“Israel was holiness unto the Lord, etc.] When first brought out of Egypt into the wilderness, by the Lord’s choice and separation of them to be a holy people to him above all others; by covenant with him, and profession of him; and by his giving them holy laws, and placing a sanctuary among them; and by their high priest, who represented them in the most holy place; and had on the front of his mitre written, holiness unto the Lord; so the spiritual Israel are chosen in Christ to be holy, and he is made sanctification to them; they are sanctified in him, and by his Spirit; they are called with a holy calling, and unto holiness; and, under the influence of grace, live holy lives and…”

“holiness unto the Lord--that is, was consecrated to the service of Jehovah (Exo 19:5-6). They thus answered to the motto on their high priest's breastplate, "Holiness to the Lord" (Deu 7:6; Deu 14:2, Deu 14:21). first-fruits of his increase--that is, of Jehovah's produce. As the first-fruits of the whole produce of the land were devoted to God (Exo 23:19; Num 18:12-13), so Israel was devoted to Him as the first-fruit and representative nation among all nations. So the spiritual Israel (Jam 1:18; Rev 14:4). devour--carrying on the image of first-fruits which were eaten before the Lord by the priests as the Lord's representatives; all who ate (injured) Jehovah's first-fruits (Israel),…”

“Render: “Israel” is an offering consecrated to Yahweh, His firstfruits of increase. The firstfruits were God’s consecrated property, His portion of the whole harvest. Pagan, i. e., unconsecrated, nations must not meddle with Israel, because it is the nation consecrated to God. If they do, they will bring such guilt upon themselves as those incur who eat the first-fruits Leviticus 22:10, Leviticus 22:16. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Holiness - A people dedicated to God. As - As the first fruits were holy to God, so was Israel. Devour - All that were injurious to him. Offend - Were liable to punishment. Evil - Evil was inflicted on them from the Lord, as upon the Egyptians, Amalekites, Midianites, Canaanites. Jeremiah 2:5”

“2:3 Israel was holy because the Lord had separated her from other nations to be his special people and reflect his character (Exod 19:5-6; Lev 19; 22:31-33). • first of his children: Literally the firstfruits of his harvest. Mosaic law required the people to offer the first portion of every harvest to the Lord (Exod 23:16, 19; 34:22, 26; Lev 2:12, 14; 23:10, 17, 20; Num 18:12; 28:26; Deut 18:4; 26:10; Zech 14:20). The people who made the covenant with God at Mount Sinai pledged their full commitment to the one true God. In return, the Lord protected them and punished their enemies during their journey to Canaan.”

“holiness: Exo 19:5, Exo 19:6; Deu 7:6, Deu 14:2, Deu 26:19; Zac 14:20, Zac 14:21; Eph 1:4; Pe1 2:9 the firstfruits: Exo 22:29, Exo 23:16; Num 18:12; Amo 6:1 \*marg. Rom 11:16, Rom 16:5; Jam 1:18; Rev 14:4 all that: Jer 12:14, Jer 50:7; Exo 4:22, Exo 4:23; Psa 81:14, Psa 81:15, Psa 105:14, Psa 105:15, Psa 105:25-36; Isa 41:11; Isa 47:6; Joe 1:3, Joe 1:7, Joe 1:8; Zac 1:15, Zac 2:8, Zac 12:2-4; Act 9:4, Act 9:5 Jeremiah 2:4”