Jeremiah 2:31

“O generation, see ye the word of the Lord, etc.] Take notice of it, consider it; or, hear it, as the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions. Jarchi and Kimchi thinkf57 the pot of manna was brought out, and shown them, to be looked at by them, for the conviction of them, and confirmation of what follows: have I been a wilderness unto Israel? no: the Israelites were plentifully supplied by him when in the wilderness, and since they were brought into a land flowing with milk and honey; so that they stood in need of nothing; they had a constant supply of all good things: or a land of darkness? of misery, distress, and poverty; where no light of joy, comfort, and prosperity, is; a land that…”

“The Hebrew collocation is, "O, the generation, ye," that is, "O ye who now live." The generation needed only to be named, to call its degeneracy to view, so palpable was it. wilderness--in which all the necessaries of life are wanting. On the contrary, Jehovah was a never-failing source of supply for all Israel's wants in the wilderness, and afterwards in Canaan. darkness--literally, "darkness of Jehovah," the strongest Hebrew term for "darkness; the densest darkness"; compare "land of the shadow of death" (Jer 2:6). We are lords--that is, We are our own masters. We will worship what gods we like (Psa 12:4; Psa 82:6). But it is better to translate from a different Hebrew root: "We ramble at…”

“Or, “O generation” that ye are! An exclamation Of indignation at their hardened resistance to God. A land of darkness - This word is written in Hebrew with two accents, as being a compound, signifying not merely darkness, but the darkness of Yahweh, i. e., very great darkness. We are lords - Others render it: We rove about, wander about at our will, go where we like. return to 'Top of Page'”

“O generation - O ye men of this generation. See - You shall see the thing with your eyes, because your ears are shut against it. A wilderness - Have I been like the wilderness of Arabia, have not I accommodated you with all necessaries? A land of darkness - As it were a land uninhabitable, because of the total want of light. Have I been a God of no use or comfort to them, that they thus leave me? Have they had nothing from me but misery and affliction? We - Words of pride and boasting. Jeremiah 2:32”

“2:31 The Lord’s anger turned to an appeal. He questioned why the Israelites considered life in obedience to him a desert of death and deprivation (Num 21:5), full of the evil and terror of darkness (Job 24:17; 1 Jn 1:5-6).”

“see ye: Amo 1:1; Mic 6:9 Have I been: Jer 2:5, Jer 2:6; Sa2 12:7-9; Ch2 31:10; Neh 9:21-25; Hos 2:7, Hos 2:8; Mal 3:9-11 We are lords: Heb. We have dominion, Deu 8:12-14, Deu 31:20, Deu 32:15; Psa 10:4, Psa 12:4; Pro 30:9; Hos 13:6; Co1 4:8; Rev 3:15-17 Jeremiah 2:32”