Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 17:1

1 THE sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond ; it is graven upon the table of their heart , and upon the horns of your altars :

There is much arguing amongst those that are critical about the true signification of words, what is here signified by [non-Latin text not transcribed] which we translate a Diamond; most agree that it doth not signifie a Diamond (not used in ingraving) but that by the Pen of Iron, and the point of a Diamond, are meant some tools with which they were wont to ingrave things upon hard substances, it may be made in a figure resembling the claw of a Bird, as the word seemeth to import.

It is graven in their hearts they are so accustomed to sin, so inured to Idolatry, that there is no hope of any reclaiming them. For how can they that are accustomed to do evil do well?

Nor is it a thing done in secret, but it is written or painted, or ingraven upon the horns of their Altars, Gods Altar was foursquare, and at each corner there was a rising part made of Brass something high, these were called the hornes of the Altar. See Exod. 27.2. Ezek. 43.15, 16. Now their sin is either said to be ingraven, or published, upon the hornes of the Altar, because the blood of the Sacrifices which they offered to idols was sprinkled there, or because their Altars had some inscription upon them, declaring to what Idol that Altar was consecrated, as the Altar of Athens had.

Marginal references: Job 19.24.; Heb. Nai[illegible: 1 letter];