Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 9. Is unto me as a speckled bird] A bird of divers colours. This is a people who have corrupted the worship of the true God with heathenish rites and ceremonies; therefore, the different nations, (see ver. 10; whose gods and forms of worship they have adopted shall come and spoil them.
As far as you have followed the surrounding nations in their worship, so far shall they prevail over your state. Every one shall take that which is his own; and wherever he finds his own gods, he will consider the land consecrated to them, and take it as his property, because those very gods are the objects of his worship. The fable of the daw and borrowed plumes is no mean illustration of this passage.
Dahler translates the whole verse thus:- Birds of prey! inundate with blood my heritage.
Birds of prey! come against her from all sides.
Run together in crowds, ye savage beasts! Come to the carnage!
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The disobedient Jews reproved. (Jer. 11:1-10) Their utter ruin. (Jer 11:11-17) The people would be destroyed who sought the prophet's life (Jer. 11:18-23)
Jer. 11:1-10 God never promised to bestow blessings on his rationa creatures, while they persist in wilful disobedience. Pardon an acceptance are promised freely to all believers; but no man can be saved who does not obey the command of God to repent, to believe in Christ, to separate from sin and the world, to choose self-denial an newness of life. In general, men will hearken to those who speak of doctrines, promises, and privileges; but when duties are mentioned they will not bend their ear.
Jer. 11:11-17 Evil pursues sinners, and entangles them in snares, ou of which they cannot free themselves. Now, in their distress, their many gods and many altars stand them in no stead. And those whose ow prayers will not be heard, cannot expect benefit from the prayers of others. Their profession of religion shall prove of no use. When trouble came upon them, they made this their confidence, but God ha rejected it. His altar shall yield them no satisfaction. The remembrance of God's former favours to them shall be no comfort unde troubles; and his remembrance of them shall be no argument for their relief. Every sin against the Lord is a sin against ourselves, and s it will be found sooner or later.
Jer. 11:18-23 The prophet Jeremiah tells much concerning himself, the times he lived in being very troublesome. Those of his own city plotte how they might cause his death. They thought to end his days, but he outlived most of his enemies; they thought to blast his memory, but it lives to this day, and will be blessed while time lasts. God knows all the secret designs of his and his people's enemies, and can, when he pleases, make them known. God's justice is a terror to the wicked, but a comfort to the godly. When we are wronged, we have a God to commi our cause to, and it is our duty to commit it to him. We should als look well to our own spirits, that we are not overcome with evil, but that by patient continuance in praying for our enemies, and in kindnes to them, we may overcome evil with good _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew העיט5861 צבוע6641 נחלתי5159 לי העיט5861 סביב5439 עליה5921 לכו1980 אספו622 כל3605 חית2416 השׂדה7704 התיו857 לאכלה׃402
