ירמיהו, פרק י״ז, פסוק א׳

The betrayal of the people of Judah is not a fleeting mistake or a momentary lapse in judgment. It is a deep, fundamental flaw permanently etched into their very identity. Unlike other nations that might eventually abandon their idols or claim they are merely following ancient traditions, the people of Judah cling to their false worship with absolute devotion. Their wrongdoing is so vast and continuous that a standard feather quill would wear away trying to record it all; documenting such massive rebellion requires tools of unyielding strength [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל, אהבת יהונתן]. Furthermore, this rebellion possesses a fertile, multiplying nature. It is a living corruption that constantly breeds new wrongs and draws others into failure [נחל שורק, חומת אנך].

To capture the permanence of this corruption, the imagery centers on heavy, destructive tools: an iron stylus and a point of extremely hard stone. The point acts like a sharp talon scratching deeply into a surface, while the stone represents an impossibly hard substance, like flint or a rock-shattering element [רד״ק, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Together, they carve the wrongdoing so deeply that it resembles the deep furrows of a plow torn through the earth, ensuring the mark can never be erased [רש״י, מצודת דוד, צאינה וראינה]. According to an additional perspective, these unyielding tools represent the prophets who desperately tried to correct the people. The iron stylus points to Jeremiah, who was known as an iron pillar, while the hard point refers to Ezekiel, whose resolve was described as harder than stone [רש״י, אברבנאל].

This permanent engraving is stamped onto two distinct places, representing the dual nature of their failure: the private realm of thought and the public realm of action. The tablet of the heart signifies their innermost thoughts, where a deep, unforgettable loyalty to false worship is securely locked away. The horns of the altars, the raised corners where the blood of sacrifices is traditionally applied, represent the physical and visible acts of their idolatry [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. The tools correspond directly to these two realms. The iron stylus, which writes along the surface, aligns with their public, outward actions on the altars. Meanwhile, the sharp point, which cuts far beneath the surface, mirrors the deeply hidden, corrupted thoughts rooted within their hearts [מלבי״ם].

This creates a profound and tragic irony regarding the very nature of worship. Ordinarily, the act of bringing an offering and placing its blood on the corners of the altar is meant to awaken a sense of shame, guiding a person toward true repentance and a broken heart. However, for the people of Judah, the corruption is carved so deeply into their hearts that even as they stand before the altar offering sacrifices, they remain entirely unrepentant, refusing to acknowledge their wrongs or change their ways [אהבת יהונתן].