I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.

I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness - as the traveler in a wilderness is delighted at finding grapes to quench his thirst, or the early fig, esteemed a great delicacy in the East (; ; ), so it was my delight to choose your fathers as my special people in Egypt ().

I saw your fathers as the first-ripe in the fig tree at her first time - when the first-fruits of the fig tree become ripe.

But they went to Baal-peor - (, "Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor") the Moabite idol, in whose worship young females prostituted themselves: the very sin Israel was latterly guilty of.

And separated themselves - consecrated, or, rather, desecrated themselves.

Unto that shame - to that shameful or foul idol ().

And their abominations were according as they loved - rather, as Vulgate, 'they became abominable like the object of their love' (; , "They that make them are like unto them; so is everyone that trusteth in them"). The English version gives good sense, 'their abominable idols they followed after, according as their lusts prompted them' (margin, , 'Offer a thanksgiving with leaven; for this liketh you (so ye love), O ye children of Israel').

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