Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 44:17

17 But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth , to burn incense unto the queen of heaven , and to pour out drink-offerings unto her, as we have done , we and our fathers, our kings and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem : for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil .

Here is the root of all sinners disobedience, their resolution to please and humour themselves, not knowing how in any thing to deny themselves, hence it is that denying our selves is by Christ made the first law or condition of his Disciples.

By the Queen of heaven some here understand the Sun, which notion is favoured from the words being of the Feminine gender, which signifieth the Sun in Heb. others reading it not the Queen, but the frame of heaven, by it understanding the Sun, Moon and Stars.

Drink-offerings were a Divine Homage which God had commanded to be paid to him, Lev. 23.13. Num. 6.17.

Their argument for it was Custom and Antiquity, they and their Fathers had used to do it. 2 The Example of their Kings and Princes.

The Plenty and prosperity they had while they did so, as if their Idolatry had been the cause of it.

Marginal references: Num. 30.12. See ver. 25.; Or, frame of heaven.; chap. 7.18.; Heb. bread.