Jeremiah 3:1

“They say, if a man put away his wife, etc.] Or, “saying”f69; wherefore some connect those words with the last verse of the preceding chapter, as if they were a continuation of what the Lord had been there saying, that he would reject their confidences; so Kimchi; but they seem rather to begin a new section, or a paragraph, with what were commonly said among men, or in the law, and as the sense of that; that if a man divorced his wife upon any occasion, and she go from him; departs from his house, and is separated from bed and board with him: and become another man’s, be married to another, as she might according to the law: shall he return unto her again? take her to be his wife again; her…”

“GOD'S MERCY NOTWITHSTANDING JUDAH'S VILENESS. (Jer. 3:1-25) They say--rather, as Hebrew, "saying," in agreement with "the LORD"; Jer 2:37 of last chapter [MAURER]. Or, it is equivalent to, "Suppose this case." Some copyist may have omitted, "The word of the Lord came to me," saying. shall he return unto her--will he take her back? It was unlawful to do so (Deu 24:1-4). shall not--Should not the land be polluted if this were done? yet return-- (Jer 3:22; Jer 4:1; Zac 1:3; compare Eze 16:51, Eze 16:58, Eze 16:60). "Nevertheless," &c. (see on Isa 50:1).”

“They say - Or, That is to say. The prophet has completed his survey of Israel’s conduct, and draws the conclusion that as an adulterous wife could not be taken back by her husband, so Israel has forfeited her part in the covenant with God. Apparently the opening word, which literally means “to say,” only introduces the quotation in the margin. Yet return again to me - Or, “and thinkest thou to return unto me!” The whole argument is not of mercy, but is the proof that after her repeated adulteries, Israel could not again take her place as wife. To think of returning to God, with the marriage-law unrepealed, was folly. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Shall be - He cannot take her again according to the law, Deu 24:1-4. Yet I am ready to be reconciled to you. Polluted - Would not so great a sin greatly pollute a nation? Many - Not with one only, but many idols. Jeremiah 3:2”

“3:1-5 Adultery was solid grounds for divorce (Deut 24:1-2; Hos 2:1-5; 9:1). Judah committed spiritual adultery, smugly assuming that God would have no objections (Ezek 16:26; Zech 1:3). 3:1 The law prohibited a man from marrying a woman he had previously divorced who had then married another man (Deut 24:1-4). A woman who had many lovers was even less likely to be received back.”

“They say: Heb. Saying If a man: Deu 24:1-4 shall not that: Jer 3:9, Jer 2:7; Lev 18:24-28; Isa 24:5; Mic 2:10 but thou hast: Jer 2:20, Jer 2:23; Deu 22:21; Jdg 19:2; Eze 16:26, Eze 16:28, Eze 16:29, 23:4-49; Hos 1:2, Hos 2:5-7 yet return: Jer 3:12-14, Jer 3:22, Jer 4:1, Jer 4:14, Jer 8:4-6; Deu 4:29-31; Isa 55:6-9; Eze 33:11; Hos 14:1-4; Zac 1:3; Luk 15:16-24 Jeremiah 3:2”

“As a divorced woman who has become another man's wife cannot return to her first husband, so Judah, after it has turned away to other gods, will not be received again by Jahveh; especially since, in spite of all chastisement, it adheres to its evil ways. Jer 3:1. "He saith, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, can he return to her again? would not such a land be polluted? and thou hast whored with many partners; and wouldst thou return to me? saith Jahveh. Jer 3:2. Lift up thine eyes unto the bare-topped hills and look, where hast thou not been lien with; on the ways thou sattest for them, like an Arab in the desert, and pollutedst the land by thy…”