1
Jeremiah 3:1
英文原文
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.
2
Jeremiah 3:2
這些話並非對良心不安之人所說的安慰之語，而是對剛硬罪人的嚴厲勸責。因此，這些話證實了對前一節所作解釋的正確性。
「好像亞拉伯人……」——貝都因人嗜於劫掠的習性，在古時已成人們的諺語。沙漠部族對劫掠何等熱切，以色列對拜偶像也同樣熱切。
英文原文
These words are not the language of consolation to the conscience-stricken, but of vehement expostulation with hardened sinners. They prove, therefore, the truth of the interpretation put upon the preceding verse.
As the Arabian ... - The freebooting propensities of the Bedouin had passed in ancient times into a proverb. As eager as the desert-tribes were for plunder, so was Israel for idolatry.
4
Jeremiah 3:4
或作：「從今以後，你豈不向我呼叫說：『我父啊，你是我幼年的丈夫』？」即從約西亞十八年改革的時候起，與「古時」（Jeremiah 2:20）相對。
英文原文
Or, Hast thou Not from this time called "me, My Father, thou art the" husband "of my youth?" i. e., from the time of Josiah's reforms in his eighteenth year, in opposition to "of old time" Jeremiah 2:20.
5
Jeremiah 3:5
寧作:「他」——即那少年的丈夫——「豈要」永遠懷怒("keep up ... forever")!這些話當與耶利米書3:4相連。
「看哪」——寧作:「看哪,你曾這樣說話」("Behold ... spoken"),你卻固執地「行惡事」("evil things")。欽定本的譯法讀來彷彿猶大的言語和行為都是惡的;其實她的言語動聽,她的行為卻證明那些話是虛假的。
預言到此結束。這段預言極有意義,顯明約西亞在位十四年期間,耶利米對同胞勸勉的大致性質。他將神與以色列以婚約聯合的圖景擺在他們面前:耶和華對這約的條件永遠信實,以色列卻熱切地行各樣拜偶像的事。因此,神的福分被扣留不降。這是一個誠實而剛正的警告;它教導我們的大功課是:在神面前,惟有真實而由衷的悔改,隨後過聖潔的生活並真誠事奉他,才有功效。
耶利米書3:6-4:4——「悔改的呼召」
前一個預言以宣告神因以色列頑固堅持犯罪而永遠懷怒作結;現在則是悔改的邀請與赦免的保證。論證如下:以色列犯了背道之罪,因此神已休了她;她的姊妹猶大比她更有罪,卻未以此為鑑,仍舊持續同樣的罪(耶利米書3:6-11)。因此,以色列蒙邀藉悔改歸回婚約(耶利米書3:12-14);果真如此,她與猶大——既在同樣的條件下蒙悅納——將一同成為屬靈神權政體的成員(耶利米書3:15-18)。神所要求的悔改必須是真實的(耶利米書3:19-4:4)。
英文原文
Rather, "Will he, the young husband," retain, "keep up His anger forever!" These words should be joined to Jeremiah 3:4.
Behold ... - Rather, "Behold, thou hast spoken" thus, but thou hast "done evil things" persistently. The King James Version translates as if Judah's words and deeds were both evil. Really her words were fair, but her deeds proved them to be false.
And here ends the prophecy, most interesting as showing what was the general nature of Jeremiah's exhortations to his countrymen, during the 14 years of Josiah's reign. He sets before them God and Israel united by a covenant of marriage, to the conditions of which Yahweh is ever true, while Israel practices with zest every form of idolatry. Therefore, the divine blessing is withheld. It is an honest and manly warning, and the great lesson it teaches us is, that with God nothing avails but a real and heartfelt repentance followed by a life of holiness and sincere devotion to His service.
Jeremiah 3:6-4:4 - "The Call to Repentance"
The former prophecy ended with the denunciation of God's perpetual anger because of Israel's obstinate persistence in sin. Now there is an invitation to repentance, and the assurance of forgiveness. The argument is as follows: Israel had been guilty of apostasy, and therefore God bad put her away. Unwarned by this example her more guilty sister Judah persists in the same sins Jeremiah 3:6-11. Israel therefore is invited to, return to the marriage-covenant by repentance Jeremiah 3:12-14, in which case she and Judah, accepted upon the like condition, shall become joint members of a spiritual theocracy. Jeremiah 3:15-18. The repentance which God requires must be real Jeremiah 3:19-4:4.
6
Jeremiah 3:6
Backsliding Israel（背道的以色列）——原文語氣非常強烈：「你看見那『背道』（Apostasy）了嗎？」——即指以色列：彷彿以色列就是背棄神之罪的化身。
She is…gone up（她上去了）——寧可譯作「她去」；所指是她的慣常行徑。
英文原文
Backsliding Israel - The original is very strong: Hast thou seen Apostasy? i. e., Israel: as though Israel were the very personificatiom of the denial of God.
She is gone up - Rather, she goes; it is her habitual practice.
7
Jeremiah 3:7
或作：「我心裏說（即對自己說）：她行了這一切事之後，必歸回我這裏。」她卻沒有歸回。
「行詭詐」——直譯為「虛謊」，意即虛假、不忠信。兩個姊妹的性格在此分明標出。撒瑪利亞是背道的，她全然離棄了對耶和華的敬拜；猶大則僅存形式，她暗中的戀慕仍繫於異教崇拜的狂歡祭儀。
英文原文
Or, "And I said (i. e., within myself), After she has done all these things, she will return to me." But she did not return.
Treacherous - literally, "Falsehood," i. e., false, faithless. The character of the two sisters is plainly marked. Samaria is apostate; she abandons Yahweh's worship altogether. Judah maintains the form only; her secret desires are set upon the orgies of pagan worship.
8
Jeremiah 3:8
更佳的譯法是：「背道的以色列行了姦淫，我看見這事，便給她休書，將她休掉；她詭詐的妹妹猶大還不懼怕。」……「因她行這一切事」這片語，大概正是休書開首慣用的格式。
英文原文
Rather, "And I saw" that because apostate "Israel" had "committed adultery, I had put her away, and given her" the writing of her divorcement, "yet" false "Judah her sister feared not."...The expression, "For all the causes whereby," is probably the actual formula with which writings of divorcement commenced.
9
Jeremiah 3:9
「輕忽」——另有人照旁註翻譯。
「玷污了」——更佳的譯法是：「褻瀆了」。猶大把那特別分別為聖、專為事奉耶和華之地，視作平凡之地對待。
英文原文
Lightness - Others render as in the margin.
Defiled - Rather, profaned. The land especially consecrated to Yahweh's service was treated by Judah as a common land.
10
Jeremiah 3:10
「她詭詐的妹妹猶大」——這些話有如疊句，在神最終宣判猶大比以色列罪責更重之前，重複了三次（Jeremiah 3:7-8, Jeremiah 3:10）。
英文原文
Her treacherous sister Judith - These words are a sort of refrain, thrice Jeremiah 3:7-8, Jeremiah 3:10 repeated before God finally pronounces Judah more culpable than Israel.
11
Jeremiah 3:11
「顯明自己是義的」——猶大原可得以色列的鑑戒所發警告之益。兩者都離棄敬拜耶和華而去拜偶像，但以色列只是「背道」，猶大更是虛詐。
這一節十分重要：
（1）它解釋了為何耶路撒冷在敬虔的約西亞治世之後這麼快便傾覆。瑪拿西的罪行玷污了那地，但百姓正是因拒絕約西亞的改革，才終於使那地被褻瀆，注定自己的厄運；
（2）它表明一國的存亡並非單繫於其政府的行為。亞哈斯與瑪拿西把他們的影響力加在偶像崇拜的一邊；希西家與約西亞則加在真理的一邊。但哪一方得勝，須由全國自己決定。除了餘民以外，全國擁抱了偶像崇拜，為自己招來毀滅；而在餘民中，這民族又再度復興（Jeremiah 24:5, Jeremiah 24:7）。
英文原文
Hath justified herself - Judah had had the benefit of the warning given by Israel's example. Both abandon Yahweh's service for idolatry, but Israel is simply "apostate," Judah is also false.
The verse is important,
(1) as accounting for the destruction of Jerusalem so soon after the pious reign of Josiah. Manasseh's crimes had defiled the land, but it was by rejecting the reforms of Josiah that the people finally profaned it, and sealed their doom:
(2) As showing that it is not by the acts of its government that a nation stands or falls. Ahaz and Manasseh lent the weight of their influence to the cause of idolatry: Hezekiah and Josiah to the cause of truth. But the nation had to determine which should prevail. Excepting a remnant it embraced idolatry, and brought upon itself ruin: in the remnant the nation again revived Jeremiah 24:5, Jeremiah 24:7.
12
Jeremiah 3:12
「北方」——指撒縵以柱安置在亞述北部的十個支派。
「我必不向你們變臉」——直譯為：「我必不使我的臉向你們沉下」；意即「我必不以怒容接待你們」。這子句前的「並且」應刪去，下一子句「我必不……存怒」前的「並且」也當如此。
「我必不存怒」——神一切的應許與警告，都以人的行為為條件。
英文原文
The north - The ten tribes, settled by Salmanezer in the north of Assyria.
I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you - literally, I will not cause my face "to fall upon you:" i. e., "I will not receive you with averted looks." The "and" before this clause should be omitted, as also before the next clause, "I will not keep ..."
I will not keep - All God's promises and threats are conditional upon man's conduct.
13
Jeremiah 3:13
「承認」——按字面是「知道你的罪孽」，即知道你的行為乃是罪惡。
「分散你的道路」——意即流離徘徊，尋求外邦各族所行的拜偶像之事。
英文原文
Acknowledge - literally, "know thy iniquity;" know that thy doings are iniquitous.
Scattered thy ways - Wandered in search of those idolatries which foreign nations practice.
14
Jeremiah 3:14
「兒女……我怎樣娶了你們」——這雙重的關係給予雙重的蒙悅納之確據。作為兒女，他們確信父親的愛；作為妻子，他們可以盼望年少時的丈夫重燃昔日的愛情。
「一城取一人，一族取兩人」——在希伯來文裏，「族」遠比城大，因為它包括同一祖先的一切後裔。猶大支派便只分為四或五個族。背道無論多麼遍及全國，也不會把少數忠信的人牽連在罪中；應許仍是他們理應承受的產業。
「歸向錫安」——即歸向真正的教會。這應許的應驗始於巴比倫被擄之後歸回巴勒斯坦，但惟有在基督教裏才得以完全。
英文原文
Children ... married - The twofold relationship gives a double certainty of acceptance. As children, they were sure of a father's love, as a wife they might hope for a revival of past affection from the husband of their youth.
One of a city, and two of a family - The family (in Hebrew) is far larger than a city, as it embraces all the descendants of a common ancestor. Thus, the tribe of Judah was divided into only four or five families. However national the apostasy, it does not involve in its guilt the few who are faithful, and the promises are still their rightful possession.
To Zion - To the true Church. The fulfillment of the promise began with the return to Palestine after the Babylonian exile, but is complete only in Christianity.
15
Jeremiah 3:15
「牧人」——即「君王、掌權者」（比較 Jeremiah 2:8）。不是以武力篡奪王位的人（Hosea 8:4），而是像大衛那樣真正事奉神的人（1 Samuel 13:14）。
英文原文
Pastors - "Kings, rulers" (compare Jeremiah 2:8). Not military usurpers Hosea 8:4, but true servants of God, as David 1 Samuel 13:14.
16
Jeremiah 3:16
「在那些日子」——這片語以及「末後的日子」，在眾先知的彌賽亞教導之下，已成為指基督來臨、民族一切盼望都將成就之時的固定用語。
約櫃是摩西體制的中心：櫃內藏有律法的兩塊版，作為聖約的條款；其上的施恩座上有舍金拿，作為神同在的可見記號。但「在那些日子」，這表號必須消逝，因為那時神要藉聖靈的恩賜住在祂的子民裏面（1 Corinthians 3:16），聖約的條款也必寫在他們的心上（Jeremiah 31:33）。
「也不追想」——宜作「也不想念它」，即他們不會為它掛慮，也不惋惜它的失去。
「也不再製造」——宜作「它（約櫃）也不再製造」；它必不再被更新或修復，因為神的帳幕將是「非人手所造」的（Hebrews 9:11），就是祂信徒的心。
英文原文
In those days - This and the phrase "the latter days," had become under the Messianic teaching of the prophets a regular formula for the time of Christ's coming, when all the nation's hopes would be fulfilled.
The ark was the center of the Mosaic economy, containing within it the two tables' of the Law as the conditions of the covenant and having over it, upon the mercy-seat, the Shechinah as the visible sign of God's presence. But "in those days" the symbol must pass away, because God will then dwell in His people by the gift of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 3:16, and the terms of the covenant will be written on their hearts Jeremiah 31:33.
Neither shall they visit it - Rather, neither shall they miss it; i. e., they will not trouble about it, nor regret its loss.
Neither shall that be done anymore - Rather, "neither shall it (the ark) be made anymore;" it shall not be renewed or repaired, because the tabernacle of God will be one "made without hands" Hebrews 9:11, even the heart of His believing people.
17
Jeremiah 3:17
「耶和華的寶座」——耶和華的寶座將不再是約櫃，而是耶路撒冷，即基督教會（Revelation 21:2; Galatians 4:26）。
「往耶路撒冷」——七十士譯本和敘利亞譯本略去此詞，大概是對的。
「存……的心」——即「頑梗」（旁註）。這詞總是用於壞的意義，指「固執」。
英文原文
The throne of the Lord - Yahweh's throne shall not be the ark, but Jerusalem, i. e., the Christian Church Revelation 21:2; Galatians 4:26.
To Jerusalem - The Septuagint and Syriac are probably right in omitting this word.
Imagination ... - Stubbornness (margin). A word always used in a bad sense, for "obstinacy."
18
Jeremiah 3:18
「與」——當照旁註譯作「到」。先知剛剛描述了十支派的歸回（Jeremiah 3:14 等）。經文把以色列描繪為首先悔改者，猶大必須到她那裏去，好使他們不再分為猶太人和以色列人，而是融合為一個民族，一同回到聖地。
「從北方之地出來」——有人反對說，猶太人不像以色列人那樣被擄到亞述北部各省（Jeremiah 3:12），而是被擄到巴比倫；這反對意見誤解了整個預言。預言的要旨是：以色列若悔改，猶大就必須謙卑地尋找她，並因自己罪更重，甘願從今以後居於次要的地位（見 Jeremiah 3:11）。
英文原文
With - To (margin). The prophet has just described the return of the ten tribes Jeremiah 3:14, etc. Israel is represented as the first to repent, and Judah must go to her, in order that they may come together back to the holy land, divided no longer into Jews and Israelites, but merged into one people.
Out of the land of the north - The objection that the Jews were not carried like the Israelites into the northern provinces of Assyria Jeremiah 3:12, but into Babylonia, misinterprets the whole prophecy, the gist of which is that in case of Israel's repentance, Judah must humbly seek her out, and be content henceforward to take the inferior place, as having been the more guilty (see Jeremiah 3:11).
19
Jeremiah 3:19
「我卻說」——（強調語氣）即「至於我」。重點在於神豐盛的良善，與以色列的任性形成對比。
「我怎樣……？」——宜作感歎而非疑問：「何等榮耀！我要以何等的尊榮把你安置在兒女之中！」
「美好……的……」——宜作「萬國至美之業」。大意是以色列「擁有比任何民族更美的疆土」。
「我又說」——這子句不是像欽定本那樣回答一個疑難，而是補足對神慈愛旨意的描述：「我心裏曾說，我要待你如兒子，賜你榮美的產業；我也曾說，你們必回應我的愛，必稱我為父，不再對我不忠。」
英文原文
But I-- (emphatic). "And I." The emphasis lies in the abundant goodness of God contrasted with Israel's waywardness.
How ...? - Rather, How ...! i. e., How gloriously! With what honor will I place thee among the children!
Goodly ... of the hosts ... - Rather, "a heritage of the chief beauty of nations." The general sense is, that Israel "possesses the most beautiful territory of any nation."
And I said - This clause is not the answer to a difficulty, as in the King James Version, but completes the description of God's loving purpose. "I said within myself that I would treat thee as a son, and give thee a glorious inheritance: I also said, that ye would return my love, would call me Father, and be untrue to me no more."
20
Jeremiah 3:20
「誠然……好像」——宜作「正如」。
英文原文
Surely as - Rather: "Just as."
21
Jeremiah 3:21
「在高處」——在那些光禿的高原上，那裏從前是以色列拜偶像之地（Jeremiah 3:2）。先知設想以色列已接受那悔改即蒙憐憫的提議，如今描述以色列既知罪，便陷入悲痛的苦楚之中。
「哀哭和懇求」——按字面是「懇切求憐憫之禱告的哀哭」。
「因為他們……」——宜作「因為他們使自己的路彎曲」。這說明了他們呼求憐憫的原因。
英文原文
Upon the high places - Upon those bare table-lands, which previously had been the scene of Israel's idolatries Jeremiah 3:2. The prophet supposes the offer of mercy to Israel if repentant to have been accepted, and describes Israel's agony of grief now that she is convinced of her sins.
Weeping and supplications - literally, "the weeping of earliest prayers for mercy."
For they have ... - Rather, because "they hare perverted their way," literally, made it crooked. It gives the reason of their cry for mercy.
22
Jeremiah 3:22
耶和華對他們在 Jeremiah 3:21 之禱告的回答之後，隨即是他們接受神憐憫之提議的場面。
「這是」——宜作「這是因為……」。這信仰的表白，說明了他們歸向耶和華的原因。整段描述構思極為生動：百姓在山岡上哭泣；神滿有恩慈的聲音召他們歸回；悔改者喜樂的呼喊，說他們來了；神的愛從他們身上贏得的信仰表白——這一切構成了一幅極其動人的全民悔改圖畫。
英文原文
Yahweh's answer to their prayer in Jeremiah 3:21 is immediately followed by their acceptance of the offer of divine mercy.
For - Rather, because ... This profession of faith gives the reason why they return to Yahweh. The whole description is most graphically conceived. The people weeping upon the hills: God's gracious voice bidding them return: the glad cry of the penitents exclaiming that they come: the profession of faith won from them by the divine love; these form altogether a most touching picture of a national repentance.
23
Jeremiah 3:23
宜作「誠然，從山間而來的狂歡是枉然的」。悔改者在其中把敬拜偶像的無益，與耶和華賜給祂百姓的救恩相對比。
英文原文
Rather, Surely "in vain from the hills" is the revelry of the mountains. The penitents contrast in it the uselessness of idol-worship with the salvation which Yahweh gives to His people.
24
Jeremiah 3:24
「這是……」——即「並且」，延續 Jeremiah 3:23 的思路：那裏描寫拜偶像為無益，這裏則描寫它為毀滅性和有害的。
「羞恥」——按字面是「羞恥」（人格化的波設〔Bosheth〕），即「巴力」。波設與巴力二名常互相通用。比較 Judges 6:31-32。
「他們的羊羣牛羣」——與獻祭給耶和華相連的有節制、清醒的享樂，不會導致放縱；而在敬拜偶像中，百姓「坐下喫喝，起來玩耍」，在放蕩的狂歡中耗盡健康與財產。
「他們的兒女……」——這大概指獻人為祭。
英文原文
For ... - And. It is the continuation of the thought in Jeremiah 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 Judges 6:31-32.
Their flocks and their herds - The temperate and sober enjoyments connected with Yahweh's 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.
25
Jeremiah 3:25
「我們躺臥……」——或作「我們要躺臥」：我們甘願在痛苦的羞辱中伏在地上。
「遮蓋」——按字面是「必遮蓋我們」。我們要在別人面前掩面。
英文原文
We lie down ... - Or, We will lie down: we are ready to throw ourselves upon the ground in bitter humiliation.
Covereth - literally, shall cover us. We will hide our face from others.
「有話說」——或作「意即」。先知已完成了對以色列行為的縱覽，並得出結論：正如淫婦不能被丈夫收回，以色列也已失去她在與神所立聖約中的分。顯然，這個開頭的字——按原文意為「說」——只是引出邊註中的引文。
「還可以歸向我」——邊註作「你還想歸回我嗎！」這整個論證並非出於憐憫，而是要證明：以色列屢次行淫之後，不能再居於妻子的地位。婚姻之律既未廢除，還想歸回神，那是愚妄。