THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
What the maiden of Israel accomplished. Just as that was essential, so it is imperative for you; it was even more crucial than the tangible event, and it cannot be otherwise.
Jeremiah 18:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
Therefore thus saith the Lord: Ask among the nations: Who hath heard such horrible things, as the virgin of Israel hath done to excess?
לָכֵ֗ן כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה שַֽׁאֲלוּ־נָא֙ בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם מִ֥י שָׁמַ֖ע כָּאֵ֑לֶּה שַֽׁעֲרֻרִת֙ עָשְׂתָ֣ה מְאֹ֔ד בְּתוּלַ֖ת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Jerome of Stridon
Thus, declare to the man of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: the Lord says, Behold, I set against you calamity and devise plans for you. Let each one forsake his wicked ways and amend his actions. Yet, they responded, We are fortified in our resolve; we shall follow our own thoughts, and each will pursue the desires of his wicked heart. Therefore, the Lord proclaims, Inquire among the nations; who has witnessed such a dreadful act as that committed by the virgin of Israel?
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The Lord expands upon the lesson He conveyed through both His words and a visible sign, stating, I prepare for you calamities as a potter shapes clay—ill-fated things as discerned through the words of Isaiah, I am the Creator of peace, and the Architect of disaster (Isaiah 45:7)—not because they are inherently evil, but because they appear so to those who endure them. I have a design against you, meaning I intend to render a judgment based on your deeds. Transform your actions and reform your conduct so that even suffering may give way to blessings. However, they insisted, Let us be resolute, that is, in our wrongdoing, or according to Aquila, we are disheartened, and according to Symmachus, we are weary; both attitudes are displeasing to God—despairing of salvation and growing weary in spirit regarding the goodness of God. They claimed, We shall follow our own inclinations. Here lies the quandary: absent the grace of God, where is the force of free will and the determination to choose one's own path? To pursue one's thoughts and comply with an evil heart is a grievous offense against God. Hence, He adds, Inquire among the nations and all those surrounding your land; which of the idol worshipers has witnessed such deeds as those performed by the virgin of Israel? He refers to her as a virgin because she worshiped one God, as articulated by the prophet: God reigns in Judah; His name is great in Israel (Psalm 75:2).
Theodoret of Cyrus
For this reason, the Lord proclaims, ‘Inquire of the voices, who listens to the daughter of Jerusalem proclaiming, “A wretched virgin”? He refers to Jerusalem as ‘virgin’ not due to its lack of immorality, but rather because it is celebrated and esteemed for its splendor.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Jer 5:30Astonishing and wonderful things have been done in the land.
- Jer 23:14And I have seen the likeness of adulterers, and the way of lying in the prophets of Jerusalem: and they strengthened the hands of the wicked, that no man should return from his evil doings, they are all become unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrha.
- Jer 2:10Pass over to the isles of Cethim, and see: and send into Cedar, and consider diligently: and see if there hath been done any thing like this.
- Jer 2:13For my people have done two evils. They have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and have digged to themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
- Isa 66:8Who hath ever heard such a thing? and who hath seen the like to this? shall the earth bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be brought forth at once, because Sion hath been in labour, and hath brought forth her children?
- Hos 6:10I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel: the fornications of Ephraim there: Israel is defiled.
- Jer 31:4And I will build thee again, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy timbrels, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
- Jer 14:17And thou shalt speak this word to them: Let my eyes shed down tears night and day, and let them not cease, because the virgin daughter of my people is afflicted with a great affliction, with an exceeding grievous evil.