Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 5:22
Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand [for] the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?
22. In MT. “the waves” belongs to the next clause. No subject is supplied to “toss themselves,” but Jer 46:7 f. suggests that the waters thereof (which form one word in Hebrew) should be supplied as accidentally omitted.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 22. Which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea] What can I not do, who confine the sea, that enormous mass of waters, and prevent it from overflowing the earth; not by immense mountains and rocks, but by the sand, no particle of which is in cohesion with another? The most tremendous waves cannot displace nor pass over this simple barrier.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Fear ye not me: either a convincing argument to persuade them to submit unto him; Will ye not submit to me, that can rule the sea? which, as unruly a thing as it is, yet quietly yields to my will: or rather, a very angry challenge and expostulation; Do you think that I, that can tame the boisterous sea, cannot tame you?
Which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea; that stand not in need to make rocks for walls and bounds unto it, but can give a check to it by so small a matter as the sand, that of itself is not only yielding and penetrable, but subject to be blown away with every wind.
By a perpetual decree; either looking backward, that it never could, or forward, that it never shall. Whether this decree have respect to the creation, or to the deluge, it is not much material; the former of which times it could not have been contained within its bounds, neither in the latter could it have exceeded them, without Gods special order, as no time since.
Though the waves thereof toss themselves; though they swell, rage, roar, and threaten never so much, as if they would swallow up all before them; though they foam against the rocks that stand in their way; yet, when they come to their bounds appointed, shall tamely yield unto the sand, and retire back.
Yet can they not prevail; not get any ground upon or against Gods decree and appointment; either the
decree or the
sand; which in regard of their form, situation, unruliness, and fluxibility would overflow the whole earth, were it not for the limits and restraints that are laid upon it, Job 38:11. By this instance, God may show what he could do with reference to that enraged and raging army that is about to come upon them like a torrent, if his people would repent. Or rather be hereby upbraids the Jews with their unreasonable sottishness, that they are more mad in their rebellions against God, than the raging waters of the sea, that, as boisterous as they are, yet obey his will.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
22. sandThough made up ofparticles easily shifting about, I render it sufficient to curb theviolence of the sea. Such is your monstrous perversity, that theraging, senseless sea sooner obeys Me, than ye do who profess to beintelligent [CALVIN],(Job 26:10; Job 38:10;Job 38:11; Pro 8:29;Rev 15:4).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Fear ye not me? saith the Lord,…. They did not fear the Lord, and this is a reproof to them for the want of it, which is a reproof of their ignorance and folly; for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, Pr 9:10, and where that is there is true wisdom; but, where it is not, there is nothing but ignorance and stupidity:
will ye not tremble at my presence? or “face”; his wrath and anger, justly resenting their carriage to him. The Targum is,
“from before my Word;”
the essential Word, his Son: or, “will ye not be in pain?” as a woman in travail; as Kimchi observes the word b signifies:
which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it. This is a very wonderful thing in nature, that the earth and sea, being spherical, and making one terraqueous globe, and the waters of the sea being higher than the earth, should be so bounded and restrained, by the power and providence of God, as not to overflow the earth, and that by means of the sand, which is penetrable, flexible, and movable; and yet this is set as a bound, and by the decree of God remains firm and stable, and that for ever, so that the sea cannot bear it down, go through it, or over it:
and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it; even when the sea is the most tumultuous and raging. This is an instance of the mighty power of God, and carries in it an argument and reason why he should be feared; and yet such was the stupidity of this people, that though they saw this with their eyes, the sea and the tossings of it, and the sand set as a bound to it, and an effectual one, and heard the roarings and ragings of the waves of it in vain; yet they feared not the Lord that did all this; and so showed themselves more stupid and disobedient than the sea and its waves, which obeyed their Maker, though destitute of sense and reason; see Job 26:10.
b “Significantissima impimis vox est” , “quae significat ita angi ut parturiens”, Schmidt.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
God shews here why he had said that the people were foolish and without understanding. It was indeed a monstrous stupidity, not to fear at the presence of God, since even inanimate elements obey his bidding: and he takes the sea especially as an example; for there is nothing more terrific than a tempestuous sea. It appears as if it would overwhelm the whole world, when its waves swell with so much violence. No one can in this case do otherwise than tremble. But the sea itself, which makes the stoutest to tremble, quietly obeys God; for however furious may be its tossings, they are yet under restraint. Now, if any inquires how this is, it must be confessed to be a miracle which cannot be accounted for; for the sea, we know, as other elements, is spherical. As the earth is round, so also is the element of water, as well as the air and fire. Since then the form of this element is spherical, we must know that it is not lower than the earth: but it being lighter than the earth shews that it stands above it. How then comes it that the sea does not overflow the whole earth? for it is a liquid, and cannot stand in one place, except retained by some secret power of God. It hence follows, that the sea is confined to its own place, because of God’s appointment, according to what is said by Moses,
“
Let the dry land,” said God, “appear,” (Gen 1:9 🙂
for he intimates that the earth was covered with water, and no part of it appeared, until God formed the sea. Now the word of God, though it is not heard by us, nor resounds in the air, is yet heard by the sea; for the sea is confined within its own limits. Were the sea tranquil, it would still be a wonderful work of God, as he has given the earth to be the habitation of men: but when it is moved, as I have said, by a tempest, and heaven and earth seem to blend together, there is no one, being nigh such a sight, who does not feel dread. Hence then the power of God, and his dread might, appear more evident when he calms the turbulent sea.
We now see the scope of the Prophet’s words: He shews that the Jews were monsters, and unworthy not only to be counted men, but even to be classed with brute animals; for there was more sense and understanding in the tempestuous and raging sea than in men, who seemed endued with reason and understanding. This is the design of the comparison.
But as it was a heavy complaint, the Prophet asks a question, Will ye not fear me? As though God had said, “What do you mean? How is it that I am not feared by you? The sea obeys me, and its fury is checked by my secret bidding; for I have once for all commanded the sea to remain within its own limits, and though it may be violently agitated by storms and tempests, it does not yet exceed my orders. Will not you men, endowed with reason, fear me? will you not tremble at my presence?” And he says, that he had set the sand to be the boundary of the sea: and this is much more expressive than if he had said that he had set boundaries to the sea; for the sand is movable and driven by a small breath of wind, and the sand is also penetrable. Were there rocks along all the shores of the sea, it would not be so wonderful. Had God then restrained the violence of the sea by firm and strong mounds, the keeping of it within its limits might be ascribed to nature; but what firmness is there in sand? for a little water thrown on it will soon penetrate through it. How then is it, that the sea, when tossed by violent storms, does not remove the sand, which is so easily shifted? We hence see that this word is not in vain introduced. And there is a similar passage in Job 38:11, where God, speaking of his infinite power, says among other things,
“
Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further:”
for doubtless no storm arises, except when it pleases God. He might indeed keep the sea in the same quiet state; but he does not do so: on the contrary, he gives it as it were loose reins, but he says, “Hitherto shall it come.” When therefore high mountains seem to threaten all mortals, and the earth seems nigh an overthrow, then suddenly the impetuous waves are repressed and become calm.
And he adds, A perpetual ordinance It is indeed true that the sea sometimes overflows its limits; for many cities, we know, have been swallowed up by a flood; but still it is rightly said, that it is a perpetual ordinance or decree, that God confines the sea within its own limits. For whenever the sea overflows a small portion of land, we hence learn what it might do without that restraint, mentioned here by Jeremiah and in the book of Job. We hence learn, that there is nothing to hinder the sea from overflowing the whole earth, but the command of God which it obeys. In the mean time the perpetuity of which the Prophet speaks remains generally the same: for though many storms arise every year, yet the fury of the sea is still quieted, but not otherwise than by the command of God. True then is this — that the sea has prescribed limits, over which its waves are not permitted to pass. And hence he says, Move themselves and not prevail shall its waves; and again, Resound, or tumultuate shall they, and shall not pass over (150)
We now apprehend the design of this verse: God complains, that there was so much madness and stupidity in the people, that they did not obey him as much as the sea, even the stormy sea. He then condemns here the Jews, as though they were monsters; for nothing can be more contrary to nature than for the tempestuous sea to have more understanding than man, created in God’s image and endued with reason. He then adds —
(150) The reference seems to be to the decree or ordinance, and not to the boundary: therefore “transgress” is the most suitable word. I would render the verse thus, —
22. Should you not fear me? saith Jehovah; Ought you not at my presence to tremble? Who have set the sand a boundary to the sea. — An ordinance perpetual, and it transgresses it not; Though toss themselves and prevail not, and roar do its waves, Yet it does not transgress it.
The future tense in Hebrew may be often rendered subjunctively or potentially, and especially in questions. The non-transgressor is the sea — the non-transgressor of the decree, notwithstanding the tumult of its waves. “An ordinance perpetual” is rendered “ πρόσταγμα αἰώνιον — an everlasting command,” by the Septuagint, — “ praeceptum sempiternum — a sempiternal precept,“ by the Vulgate and the Targum, — and “ lege perpetua — by a perpetual law,“ by the Syriac. A perpetual ordinance is the version of Blayney. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(22) Which have placed the sand . . .The greatness of Jehovah is shown by the majesty of His work in nature. As in Job. 38:8-11, so, probably, here also there is something of the wonder of one to whom, as dwelling in an inland village, the billows breaking on the shore was an unfamiliar sight. Here was the token that even the forces which seem wildest and least restrained are subject to an overruling law. Even the sand which seems so shifting keeps in the surging waters.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
22. Fear ye not me The greatness of God measures the greatness of sin. They have set at defiance that God against whom the furious sea cannot successfully rebel.
Placed the sand What so resistless as the sea? What so yielding as the sand? And yet by the appointment of God this contemptible thing is the conqueror!
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jer 5:22 Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand [for] the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?
Ver. 22. Fear ye not me? saith the Lord. ] What! not me, whom the sea itself, that tumultuous and unruly creature, feareth and obeyeth? See Psa 65:7 ; Psa 93:4 .
Who have placed the sand for a bound to the sea.
By a perpetual decree.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fear ye not: Jer 10:7, Deu 28:58, Psa 119:120, Mat 10:28, Luk 12:5, Rev 15:4
tremble: Psa 99:1, Psa 119:120, Isa 66:5, Dan 6:26
placed: Job 26:10, Job 38:10, Job 38:11, Psa 33:7, Psa 93:3, Psa 93:4, Psa 104:9, Pro 8:29, Isa 50:2, Amo 9:6, Nah 1:4, Mar 4:39
Reciprocal: Gen 1:9 – General Gen 7:11 – all Exo 19:16 – all the people 1Ki 13:28 – the lion had 1Ch 16:25 – he also 1Ch 21:30 – he was afraid Job 13:11 – Shall Job 37:1 – General Job 38:8 – who Psa 4:4 – Stand Psa 24:2 – and Psa 46:3 – the waters Psa 95:5 – The sea is his Psa 96:4 – he is Psa 104:32 – looketh Psa 114:7 – Tremble Psa 124:5 – the proud Isa 27:11 – for it is Isa 64:2 – that the nations Jer 2:19 – and that my Jer 5:24 – Let us now Jer 31:35 – when Hos 11:10 – shall tremble Joe 2:1 – let Amo 3:6 – and the people Luk 8:24 – he arose Act 16:29 – and came Act 16:35 – General Rev 12:8 – prevailed not Rev 13:1 – upon
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
A BARRIER OF SAND
Which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by an everlasting ordinance, which it cannot pass.
Jer 5:22 (R.V.)
I. What an insignificant atom is a grain of sand!But God has chosen to arrest the advance of the mighty billows by a barrier of sand-grains. Let the ocean chafe as it will, it cannot pass its defined limits. It may destroy the solid masonry of human construction, but it is foiled by a bank of soft sand.
II. So it has always been in the history of the Church.The pride of the persecutor has been arrested by the sufferings of men, women, and children, who have had no more strength in themselves than a bank of sand-grains, but have succeeded in exhausting the might of their foes by passive endurance. The persecutions of the Roman Empire were finally renounced because they actually promoted the cause they were intended to destroy. By the weak things of this world God brings to nought the things that are reckoned mighty.
III. The weakest things that God has made are invincible.What, then, may not those who are strong in His strength do! Who would not tremble at His presence, since He can do so much with what man despises? What a great God is this, Whose weakness is stronger than men!
What cannot His power accomplish for me,
Who made of soft sand a strong bar to the sea!
Illustrations
(1) The perversity of the human heart is beyond belief. It is not moved by the manifestation of Gods power in the majesty and beauty of Nature as in the soft sand-barrier to the waves. It is not touched by reverent gratitude for Gods beneficence in giving the appointed weeks of harvest. It is only glad when prophet and priest are infected by the common degeneracy, and cease to remonstrate. Let us seek to hear and speak, not what is palatable, but what is profitable unto salvation.
(2) What a delightful metaphor this is which reminds us that God has made the soft sand a perpetual barrier against the sea! It is not necessary for Him to resist the waves with a parapet of cliffs; sand will serve His purpose equally well. It makes one think that the people of God, lowly and pulverised though they be, will yet suffice to resist the onset of the mighty waves of Satans power. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, God ordains strength.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
Jer 5:22. The foolish people are- asked to consider the might of God as it is demonstrated before their own eyes. The boundless sea even is limited by His power so that it cannot pass beyond the decreed limits. Certainly a Being so great deserves the most respectful attention of mortal man who is powerless before those wild billows. They were unwilling to show proper regard while their way seemed prosperous in the homeland, therefore the captivity was decreed to force that impression on them.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 5:22-24. Fear ye not me? saith the Lord He ascribes their stupidity and foolishness to their want of the fear of God. As if he had said, If you would but call to mind Gods almighty power, and your own weakness, and keep an awe of him upon your minds, you would be more observant of his commands, and be afraid to disobey them. Which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea Who need not place rocks or walls to keep it in; but can give an effectual check to it by a little despicable sand. The keeping of the waters within bounds, so that they cannot overflow the earth, is often mentioned in Scripture as an immediate effect of Gods overruling power and providence. For water being specifically lighter than earth, by the common laws of gravitation it should rise above it, and overflow it. And then the adjusting the proportion of the tides, that they rise no higher, to the prejudice of the lower grounds, is another remarkable instance of Gods special providence. Lowth. But this people are more ungovernable than the unruly waves of the sea: they have a revolting and a rebellious heart They have not only revolted from me and gone back, but they continue obstinate, and will not return. They persist in their evil courses, and are determined so to do: they are gone quite away, and are irreclaimable. Neither say they in their heart They are so careless that they never trouble themselves about any thing of the kind; or are so obdurate that they never lay it to heart, nor consider that it is God, who disposeth of all things according to his own pleasure, both in the great deep and on dry land. Let us now fear the Lord our God Or, worship and obey him; all acceptable service to God being both performed in his fear, and proceeding from it. That giveth rain Without which the earth could produce no fruits. By this the true God is distinguished from all false gods, Jer 14:22; and in this appears not only his power in appointing and preparing it, (Psa 147:8,) and his sovereignty in withholding it, (Amo 4:7,) but his general goodness in bestowing it, (Deu 28:12,) and his special providence in distributing it according as there is need. As in the former instance God shows how insensible his people were of his power and glorious greatness in taming such an unruly element as the sea; so here he further sets forth their inattention to, and disregard of, his providence and goodness; implying that they were grown so stupid, unfeeling, and obstinate, that they neither stood in awe of him for his greatness, nor feared to offend him for his goodness. The vicissitudes of seasons, of cold and heat, of drought and moisture, so wisely fitted for the growth of the fruits of the earth, and other uses of human life, are so remarkable a proof of the being and attributes of God and his providence, as to be obvious to the meanest capacity, and on this account they are frequently insisted on by the inspired writers. Lowth. Concerning the former and latter rain, see note on Deu 11:14; and Pro 16:15. He reserveth, &c., the appointed weeks of the harvest He gives seasonable harvests, according to his appointment. The sum is: the prophet would let them know what a foolish as well as wicked thing it was to set themselves against that God who kept, as he still keeps, the whole order of nature at his disposal, governing and changing it as he sees men behave toward him.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Should His people not fear Him and tremble before Him since He sovereignly controlled the untamable sea? Whatever they feared should have had no power over them, because Yahweh-their God-controlled it. He was the One who also sovereignly controlled the borders of nations. The people of Judah had not observed the sovereignly ordained borders for their behavior, spelled out in the Mosaic Law, and chaos was the result.