Jer 3:5, Lam 5:20 | JFB | STEP | 5. he —"thou," the second person, had preceded. The change to the third person implies a putting away of God to a greater distance from them; instead of repenting and forsaking their idols, they merely deprecate the continuance of their punishment. , answer their question in the event of their penitence. spoken and —rather (God's reply to them), "Thou hast spoken (thus), and yet (all the while) thou hast done evil," &c. as thou couldest —with all thy might; with incorrigible persistency [CALVIN ].

Jeremiah 3:5

5. he—"thou," the second person, had preceded. The change to the third person implies a putting away of God to a greater distance from them; instead of repenting and forsaking their idols, they merely deprecate the continuance of their punishment. Jer 3:12 and Ps 103:9, answer their question in the event of their penitence.

spoken and—rather (God's reply to them), "Thou hast spoken (thus), and yet (all the while) thou hast done evil," &c.

as thou couldest—with all thy might; with incorrigible persistency [CALVIN].

Lamentations 5:20

20. for ever—that is, for "so long a time."