Jeremiah 3:1
ContextNETBible | “If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him and becomes another man’s wife, he may not take her back again. 1 Doing that would utterly defile the land. 2 But you, Israel, have given yourself as a prostitute to many gods. 3 So what makes you think you can return to me?” 4 says the Lord. |
XREF | Le 18:24-28; De 4:29-31; De 22:21; De 24:1-4; Jud 19:2; Isa 24:5; Isa 55:6-9; Jer 2:7; Jer 2:20,23; Jer 3:9; Jer 3:12-14,22; Jer 4:1,14; Jer 8:4-6; Eze 16:26,28,29; Eze 23:4-49; Eze 33:11; Ho 1:2; Ho 2:5-7; Ho 14:1-4; Mic 2:10; Zec 1:3; Lu 15:16-24 |
NET © Notes |
1 tn Heb “May he go back to her again?” The question is rhetorical and expects a negative answer. sn For the legal background for the illustration that is used here see Deut 24:1-4. 2 tn Heb “Would the land not be utterly defiled?” The stative is here rendered actively to connect better with the preceding. The question is rhetorical and expects a positive answer. 3 tn Heb “But you have played the prostitute with many lovers.” 4 tn Heb “Returning to me.” The form is the bare infinitive which the KJV and ASV have interpreted as an imperative “Yet, return to me!” However, it is more likely that a question is intended, expressing surprise in the light of the law alluded to and the facts cited. For the use of the infinitive absolute in the place of a finite verb, cf. GKC 346 §113.ee. For the introduction of a question without a question marker, cf. GKC 473 §150.a. |