Jeremiah 9:2
Context9:2 (9:1) I wish I had a lodging place in the desert
where I could spend some time like a weary traveler. 1
Then I would desert my people
and walk away from them
because they are all unfaithful to God,
a congregation 2 of people that has been disloyal to him. 3
Jeremiah 13:16
Context13:16 Show the Lord your God the respect that is due him. 4
Do it before he brings the darkness of disaster. 5
Do it before you stumble 6 into distress
like a traveler on the mountains at twilight. 7
Do it before he turns the light of deliverance you hope for
into the darkness and gloom of exile. 8
Jeremiah 14:8
Context14:8 You have been the object of Israel’s hopes.
You have saved them when they were in trouble.
Why have you become like a resident foreigner 9 in the land?
Why have you become like a traveler who only stops in to spend the night?
1 tn Heb “I wish I had in the desert a lodging place [inn, or place to spend the night] for travelers.”
2 tn Or “bunch,” but this loses the irony; the word is used for the solemn assemblies at the religious feasts.
3 tn Heb “they are all adulterers, a congregation of unfaithful people.” However, spiritual adultery is, of course, meant, not literal adultery. So the literal translation would be misleading.
4 tn Heb “Give glory/respect to the
5 tn The words “of disaster” are not in the text. They are supplied in the translation to explain the significance of the metaphor to readers who may not be acquainted with the metaphorical use of light and darkness for salvation and joy and distress and sorrow respectively.
sn For the metaphorical use of these terms the reader should consult O. A. Piper, “Light, Light and Darkness,” IDB 3:130-32. For the association of darkness with the Day of the
6 tn Heb “your feet stumble.”
7 tn Heb “you stumble on the mountains at twilight.” The added words are again supplied in the translation to help explain the metaphor to the uninitiated reader.
8 tn Heb “and while you hope for light he will turn it into deep darkness and make [it] into gloom.” The meaning of the metaphor is again explained through the addition of the “of” phrases for readers who are unacquainted with the metaphorical use of these terms.
sn For the meaning and usage of the term “deep darkness” (צַלְמָוֶת, tsalmavet), see the notes on Jer 2:6. For the association of the term with exile see Isa 9:2 (9:1 HT). For the association of the word gloom with the Day of the
9 tn It would be a mistake to translate this word as “stranger.” This word (גֵּר, ger) refers to a resident alien or resident foreigner who stays in a country not his own. He is accorded the privilege of protection through the common rights of hospitality but he does not have the rights of the native born or citizen. The simile here is particularly effective. The land was the