Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 3:24
For shame hath devoured the labor of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.
24. Vain was the boisterous service spoken of in Jer 3:23. It is not merely without profit, but most hurtful.
the shameful thing ] Heb. Bosheth (shame), a word frequently substituted for Baal, when the latter had come to have idolatrous and therefore shameful associations. Cp. Jer 11:13, where the two are identified, also Hos 9:10; so too Jerubbaal (Jdg 6:32) = Jerubbesheth (2Sa 11:21); Eshbaal (1Ch 8:33) = Ishbosheth (2Sa 2:8).
their sons and their daughters ] See on Jer 5:17, and cp. 2Ki 16:3 ; 2Ki 21:6.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For … – And. It is the continuation of the thought in Jer 3:23. Idolatry was there described as unprofitable, here as ruinous and hurtful.
Shame – literally, the shame (Bosheth, personified), that is, Baal. The names Bosheth and Baal are constantly interchanged. Compare Jdg 6:31-32.
Their flocks and their herds – The temperate and sober enjoyments connected with Yahwehs sacrifices led to no excess, whereas in idol-worship the people, after sitting down to eat and drink, rose up to play, and wasted both health and substance in licentious revelry.
Their sons … – This probably refers to human sacrifices.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 24. For shame hath devoured] The word shame, here and in Jer 11:13; Ho 9:10, is supposed to signify Baal, the idol which they worshipped. That thing or shame which has brought you into contempt, confusion, and ruin. Sooner or later every sinner must be ashamed of his conduct; next, confounded; and, lastly, ruined by it, unless by true faith and hearty repentance he returns to the Lord.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Shame; either in general put for sin, which causeth shame, a metonymy of the effect; for that brought shame first into the world, Gen 2:25. Or in particular the idol Baal, called the shameful thing, Jer 11:13; Hos 9:10. Hath devoured the labour of our fathers: q.d. This hath been the fruit of our idolatry, to have all things go to ruin, both in respect of expense; that which our fathers having got for themselves and us by their industry, they have expended upon Baal, and other idols, Eze 16:16-21; and also of the heavy judgments that God brought upon us for it, Jer 5:17.
From our youth; either with reference to the nation, ever since they began first to be a people unto God, and followed him in the wilderness, Jer 2:2; or rather, ever since we were born, or took notice of any thing, thus it was from time to time; we find from our childhood that our fathers have laboured in vain, and all things have succeeded ill with us, because of their departure from God. Their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters: all these things are mentioned to show that they did thrive in nothing; but either a blast upon all from God, Hos 9:11, to the end; Mal 2:2,3; or idolatrous sacrifices, consumed all, Amo 4:4,5, the idols not sparing even their very children, Psa 106:37; or the enemy spoiled them of all, Jer 5:17; and all this as the sad effect of their idolatries.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
24. shamethat is, the idols,whose worship only covers us with shame (Jer 11:13;Hos 9:10). So far from bringingus “salvation,” they have cost us our cattle and even ourchildren, whom we have sacrificed to them.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth,…. That is, sin, which is the cause of shame, and of which sinners ought to be ashamed, and will be sooner or later; so the Targum renders it, “the confusion of sins”; and the Jewish writers generally interpret it of idolatry, and of the idol Baal, as Kimchi and others, called “shame”, or that “shameful thing”, Jer 11:13, this idol, because of the multitude of the sacrifices offered to it, consumed what their fathers laboured for, ever since they had known them; or, for their worshipping of this idol, such judgments came upon them as consumed all they got by hard labour; or rather it may regard their shameful sin of rejecting the Messiah, and crucifying him; which they will be ashamed of at the time of their conversion, when they shall look on him whom they have pierced, and on account of which they suffer the many calamities they now do:
their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters; whatever evils have befallen them in their persons, families, and estates, they will confess are owing to sin they have committed, of which they will now be ashamed; hence it follows:
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
They confirm more fully the same complaint, — That God had by manifest proofs shewed the sins of the nation; for he had consumed their labor, that is, whatever they had acquired by labor. He also adds sheep and cattle, and then sons and daughters He does not indeed ascribe this consumption to God; but the mode of speaking is more emphatic, when he says, Shame has consumed the labor of our fathers from our childhood: for by shame he understands wickedness, of which they ought to have been ashamed. The meaning then is, that all the evils they had endured could in no other way be accounted for, inasmuch as the whole was to be ascribed to their wickedness. Our shame, then, (96) that is, our wickedness, has consumed the labor of our fathers It follows —
(96) Rather, “And the shame,” i e , the idol-worship, referred to in the preceding verse; the article ה is prefixed to the noun. This is the view taken by Gataker and Blayney See Jer 11:13; Hos 9:10. — Ed
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(24) Shame.The Hebrew noun has the article, the shame, and is the word constantly used as the interchangeable synonym for Baal, as in Jerubbaal and Jerubbesheth (Jdg. 6:32; 2Sa. 11:21), Mephibosheth and Merib-baal (2Sa. 4:4; 1Ch. 8:34). The words point accordingly to the prodigal waste of victims, possibly of human life also, in the worship of Baal and that of Molech, which in the prophets mind was identified with it, and which had brought with it nothing but a lasting shame. This also forms part of the confession of the repentant people (comp. Jer. 11:13).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
24. Shame hath devoured, etc. Literally, the shame, namely, the shame-god, an opprobrious epithet for Baal, whose worship had eaten up the substance of the people and even devoured their children.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jer 3:24 For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.
Ver. 24. For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers. ] That shameful thing, Baal hath done it; Jer 11:13 Hos 9:10 he hath even eaten up our cattle and our children, of whom, if any be left, yet there is nothing left for them. And this we now see, long and last, paenitentia ducti, et nostro male edocti, having bought our wit, and paid dear for our learning. And may not many ill husbands among us say as much of their drunkenness and wantonness? See Pro 5:9-12 . See Trapp on “ Pro 5:9 “ See Trapp on “ Pro 5:10 “ See Trapp on “ Pro 5:11 “ See Trapp on “ Pro 5:12 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Jer 3:24-25
24But the shameful thing has consumed the labor of our fathers since our youth, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. 25Let us lie down in our shame, and let our humiliation cover us; for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day. And we have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.
Jer 3:24 shameful thing This is used sarcastically of Ba’al (cf. Jer 11:13; Hos 9:10) or because of the mention of sons and daughters, it may refer to the worship of Molech (see Special Topic: Molech ).
Jer 3:25 from our youth even to this day This rebellion was no new or passing thing. It went back to the wilderness wandering period (i.e., Exodus 32).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. To what is Jeremiah comparing God’s people?
2. What two metaphors does he use of God?
3. Did His people truly repent? Why or why not?
4. Does Jer 3:19-25 reflect the future or post-exilic time?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
shame = the shameful thing, “shame” being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), for the Asherah which put them to shame (Jer 3:25). See App-42.
labour. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for all that had been produced by labour.
their sons. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read “and their”, thus completing the Figure of speech Polysyndeton, to emphasize the completeness of the Restoration.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Jer 11:13, Eze 16:61, Eze 16:63, Hos 2:8, Hos 9:10, Hos 10:6
Reciprocal: Ezr 9:6 – I am ashamed Jer 2:26 – the thief Jer 20:5 – I will deliver Eze 12:16 – that they Eze 32:24 – borne Eze 39:26 – they have borne Hos 4:19 – and Hag 2:17 – in all
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 3:24. The Jews became ashamed of their past conduct and the humiliating situation to which it brought them. The fruit, of their tabors had been taken over by the enemy and they were reduced to a low estate.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 3:24-25. For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers That is, the fruit of their labour, , which properly signifies labour and toil, being here put by a metonymy for the substance acquired by toil; that is, their labours have been followed by disappointment and shame; they have not reaped the expected fruit of them. Or sin, which causes shame, especially the sin of idolatry, has brought all our calamities upon us, the loss of our goods and substance, the dispersion of our families and nearest relations, and all the other miseries of our captivity: all these evils, which we and our forefathers have felt, are the effects of our idolatry, of which we are now heartily ashamed, and which had brought shame and confusion upon us. Blaney renders , (which we translate shame,) that thing of shame, meaning the idol which they worshipped, called by the same name, chap. Jer 11:13; Hos 10:10; and with good reason, says he, because, in return for all the expense and pains bestowed upon it, it only frustrated the hopes of its votaries, and, as it follows in the next verse, left them mortified with disappointment, and overwhelmed with disgrace, for having deserted the service of a Being that could have saved them, in pursuit of so vile and worthless an object. We lie down in our shame Being unable to bear it. Our confusion covereth us On account both of our sins and sufferings. Sin hath laid us under such rebukes of Gods providence, and such reproaches of our own consciences, as surround us and fill us with shame. These expressions, which set forth the greatness of their repentance and sorrow, are taken from those who cast themselves down upon the ground, and cover themselves with dust or ashes, out of grief and anguish of mind.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
3:24 For shame hath devoured the labour of our {y} fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.
(y) For their idolatry God’s vengeance has light on them and theirs.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Idolatry had consumed the Israelites in all that they had done throughout their history. It had been a blight on their existence, a shame to them as a people. But another nuance may also have been intended.
". . . Baal is referred to under the substitute name bosheth, ’shame’ [cf. Jer 11:13; 2Sa 2:8: Ish-bosheth, lit. man of shame]. . . . ’Shame’ (Baal) had devoured all that the labors of their fathers had produced since the people were children." [Note: Thompson, p. 209.]