Verse 17
17. not . . . proclaiming liberty—Though the Jews had ostensibly emancipated their bond-servants, they virtually did not do so by revoking the liberty which they had granted. God looks not to outward appearances, but to the sincere intention.
I proclaim a liberty—retribution answering to the offense (Matthew 7:2; Matthew 18:32; Matthew 18:33; Galatians 6:7; James 2:13). The Jews who would not give liberty to their brethren shall themselves receive "a liberty" calamitous to them. God will manumit them from His happy and safe service (James 2:13- :), which is real "liberty" (Psalms 119:45; John 8:36; 2 Corinthians 3:17), only to pass under the terrible bondage of other taskmasters, the "sword," c.
to be removed—The Hebrew expresses agitation (see on 2 Corinthians 3:17- :). Compare Deuteronomy 28:25 Deuteronomy 28:48; Deuteronomy 28:64; Deuteronomy 28:65, as to the restless agitation of the Jews in their ceaseless removals from place to place in their dispersion.
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