Jeremiah 23:10

“For the land is full of adulterers, etc.] Of such as were guilty of corporeal adultery, and of spiritual adultery, which is idolatry. Now, though in this, and in the following verses, the prophet describes the men of his generation, both ecclesiastics and laics; yet also so as to have regard to the Jews in the times of Christ, to which this prophecy has respect; between whom there was a great resemblance; adulteries were so frequent in Christ’s time, that the Jews left off the use of the bitter watersf472; and our Lord sometimes calls the generation in which he lived an adulterous one, (<401239>Matthew 12:39 16:4); for because of swearing the land mourneth; because of false swearing and…”

“adulterers--spiritual, that is, forsakers of God, Israel's true Husband (Isa 54:5) for idols, at the instigation of the false "prophets" (Jer 23:9, Jer 23:15). Literal adultery and fornication, the usual concomitants of idolatry, are also meant. swearing--MAURER, &c., translate, "Because of the curse (of God on it), the land mourneth" (Deu 27:15-26; Deu. 28:15-68; Isa 24:6). More than usual notoriety had been given to the curses of the law, by the finding and reading of it in Josiah's time (Kg2 22:11, &c.). But Hos 4:2-3, favors English Version (compare Jer 12:4). A drought was sent by God on the pastures ("pleasant places," oases) in the desert, on account of the "profaneness" of the…”

“Because of swearing - Rather, because of the curse denounced against sin Jeremiah 11:3. The mourning probably refers to the drought Jeremiah 12:4. The pleasant places - “Pastures.” Their course - Their mode of life. Their force is not right - “Their heroism,” that on which they pride themselves as mighty men, “is not right,” is wrong (see Jeremiah 8:6 note). return to 'Top of Page'”

“Adulterers - Under this term all species of uncleanness are comprehended. Swearing - By false - swearing, or by idle and profane swearing. The pleasant places - The wrath of God was extended to all places whether more or less inhabited. Their courses - The prophets did not only err in single acts, but the whole course of their actions was evil, and particularly their power, rule and government, was not right. Jeremiah 23:13”

“23:10 People everywhere engaged in adultery. They thought that the ritual sex of Baal worship would guarantee good crops, but instead it brought the curse of a crop-destroying drought upon the people of Judah.”

“full: Jer 5:7, Jer 5:8, Jer 7:9, Jer 9:2; Eze 22:9-11; Hos 4:2, Hos 4:3; Mal 3:5; Co1 6:9, Co1 6:10; Gal 5:19-21; Heb 13:4; Jam 4:4 because: Zac 5:3, Zac 5:4; Ti1 1:10 swearing: Heb. cursing the land: Jer 12:3, Jer 12:4, Jer 14:2; Lam 1:2-4; Joe 1:10 the pleasant: Jer 9:10; Psa 107:34; Isa 24:6 course: or, violence Jeremiah 23:11”