Jeremiah 2:33

“Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? etc.] To seek the love, and gain the affections and esteem, of the idolatrous nations; as a lascivious woman dresses herself out in the best manner to excite the lust and move the affections of her lovers; and as Jezebel, who painted her face, and tired her head, (<120930>2 Kings 9:30) or dressed it in the best manner, where the same word is used as here; so the Targum, “why dost thou make thy way beautiful, to procure loves (or lovers) to be joined to the people?” or the sense is, why art thou so diligent and industrious to make thy way, which is exceeding bad, look a good one, by sacrifices and ceremonies, oblations and ablutions, in order to seek…”

“Why trimmest--MAURER translates, "How skilfully thou dost prepare thy way," &c. But see Kg2 9:30. "Trimmest" best suits the image of one decking herself as a harlot. way--course of life. therefore--accordingly. Or else, "nay, thou hast even," &c. also . . . wicked ones--even the wicked harlots, that is, (laying aside the metaphor) even the Gentiles who are wicked, thou teachest to be still more so [GROTIUS].”

“Why trimmest thou thy way - literally, “Why makest thou thy way good,” a phrase used here of the pains taken by the Jews to learn the idolatries of foreign nations. The wicked ones ... - Or, “therefore thou hast taught” thy ways wickednesses.” return to 'Top of Page'”

“Trimmest - Or, deckest, Eze 23:40, thinking thereby to entice others to thy help. Taught - Nations that have been vile enough of themselves, by thy example are become more vile. Jeremiah 2:34”

“2:33-34 The Israelites would plot and scheme with their lovers, their neighbors with powerful armies, by making treaties to gain the protection that the Lord had already promised them. God considered this an act of prostitution that left a stain of blood on Israel’s character. Like their pagan neighbors, Israel now crushed its own innocent and poor (7:6; 2 Kgs 21:16; 24:4).”

“Why: Jer 2:23, Jer 2:36, Jer 3:1, Jer 3:2; Isa 57:7-10; Hos 2:5-7, Hos 2:13 hast: Ch2 33:9; Eze 16:27, Eze 16:47, Eze 16:51, Eze 16:52 Jeremiah 2:34”

“In Jer 2:33 the style of address is ironical. How good thou makest thy way! i.e., how well thou knowest to choose out and follow the right way to seek love. היטיב דּרך sig. usually: strive after a good walk and conversation; cf. Jer 7:3, Jer 7:5; Jer 18:11, etc.; here, on the other hand, to take the right way for gaining the end in view. "Love" here is seen from the context to be love to the idols, intrigues with the heathen and their gods. Seek love = strive to gain the love of the false gods. To attain this end thou hast taught thy ways misdeeds, i.e., accustomed thy ways to misdeeds, forsaken the commandments of thy God which demand righteousness and the purifying of one's life, and…”