Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 2:20

20 ¶ For of old time I have broken thy yoke , and burst thy bands and thou saidest, I will not transgress : when upon every high hill , and under every green tree thou wandrest , playing the harlot .

i. e. The Bondage and Tyranny, that thou wert under in old time in Egypt, as also diverse times besides, as appears through the Book of Iudges: the hebrew Olam, that signifies everlasting, is sometimes used for a long time to come, and also for a long time past, so here, and Gen. 6.4. Isa. 57.11.

A double allusion, either to the bands and fetters, with which Prisoners are wont to be bound, chap. 40.4. Or, those bands, wherewith the ends of the yoke of beasts were wont to be bound, see on Isa. 58.6.

When the deliverance was fresh, thou didst put on good resolutions, Heb. serve i. e. Serve or Worship Idols the word is of the foeminine Gender, because God speaks of his People, as of a Woman promising faithfulness, but breaking Covenant some understand thee, I will not serve thee, q. d. which thou madest appear, when upon every hill, &c. and thus he accuseth them of their ingratitude, who owed themselves to their Redeemer, but this doth not so well agree with their engagement, Exod. 19.8.

Or notwithstanding all thy promises.

Idolaters were wont to sacrifice upon the tops of high hills, because there they thought themselves nearer Heaven: nay some have esteemed high hills to be Gods, as the Indians of Peru at this day.

Under these shades Idolaters thought there lay some hidden Deity, with which they conversed.

Viz. Changing thy way to gad after Idols, as one that hast broken Covenant, see on Isa. 57.8. the word properly signifies to go from ones place, as Harlots use to do, instigated either by unbridled Lust, or Covetousness; i. e. Making great haste from one tree to another, or from one Idol to another see verse 23, 24. Others thou lyest down, or thou settest thy self.

Committing Idolatry, which is a spiritual Harlotry, chap. 3.1▪ 2. This is frequent. Some read the former part of the Text otherwise, making it the daring boast of the People thou hast said I have broken, &c. and saidst I will not serve. i. e. I will not obey, but this will not suit well with the rest of the Text.

Marginal references: Or serve.; chap. 3.6.