The wise/scribes responsible for transmitting
the Torah in written form mishandled the law, misleading the people. Scholars
puzzle over this accusation, especially the reference to “the false pen of the
scribes.” Does this suggest Jeremiah’s disillusionment with the Deuteronomistic
reform (cf. 2 Kgs 23)? While the expression “Torah/torah of YHWH” can designate
the Torah scroll or part of it (Deuteronomy?), however, it can also refer more
generally to ‘YHWH’s will/way’. The interpretation of Torah/torah fell properly
within the purview of the priests. In any case, YHWH’s verdict on the illogical
and unnatural conduct of the people and their leadership includes prophets and
priests. They, too, “behave deceptively,” falsely declaring that “brokenness”
is “peace” (vv 10-12). Since Judah’s failure to act rationally extends to the
leadership, YHWH announces that they will be stripped of family and
possessions: “they will fall with the fallen.” The section concludes with YHWH’s
statement of disappointment, which compares his people to barren grapevines and
fig trees (v 13). (Mark E. Biddle, Jeremiah: The Contextual Critical
Commentary [The Contextual Critical Commentary; Eugene, Oreg.: Cascade
Books, 2026], 97)
