Jeremiah 8:8

the law The reply of the priests such as the two Pashhurs (Jeremiah 20:1; Jeremiah 21:1) and prophets such as Shemaiah (Jeremiah 29:24) was, We doknow the Law and have it in writing.

But, behold, the false pen … falsely or (as mg.) hath madeof it falsehood. Jeremiah has been thought by Du., Co. and others (not so Gi.) to refer here to the newly-discovered book supposed to be in a large degree identical with Deuteronomy as we now have it (2 Kings 22:8). We may indeed well believe that the prophet laid but little stress on the ritual portions of the law, there set forth (see Jeremiah 7:22 with notes), as compared with the rest of the Book. But with the moral tone of that Book he was in full sympathy, as is shewn by his frequent use of its words and phrases, and persistent enforcement of its general teaching. See on Jeremiah 11:1, etc. Thus it is far more likely that he here refers to the traditional directions, already committed to writing, which the priesthood claimed to possess for guidance in ritual. These had been perverted in some way to us unknown, so as to sanction iniquitous observances. This was "a peril specially likely to arise, when but few copies of -the law" existed, and when the authority of the written law was not fully recognised," Ryle, Canon of the O.T., p. 67. Cp. Jeremiah 2:8; Zephaniah 3:4; see also Deuteronomy 24:8 ("teach," i.e. give directions for action); Haggai 2:11 ff. The Hebrew word for "law" means literally pointing out, direction. See further in C.B. Joel and Amos, pp. 230 f.

scribes a class of men who devoted themselves to the study and development of the law. See 2 Chronicles 34:13. This laid the foundation for the mass of Rabbinical exposition which belonged to later times.