ירמיהו, פרק ח׳, פסוק ה׳

A profound sense of astonishment echoes through the prophetic rebuke, questioning the relentless stubbornness of a society that has lost its way. The tragedy lies not in a momentary lapse of judgment, but in a deep-rooted, continuous rebellion filled with hypocrisy. The people of Jerusalem have turned away from the right path, choosing instead to follow the arbitrary desires of their own hearts.

The primary approach among commentators is that this straying represents a perpetual and willful rebellion. However, [מלבי״ם] offers a distinct perspective on the dynamic between the city and its inhabitants. Rather than the people independently initiating the betrayal, Jerusalem itself acts as the corrupting force. The city spreads hypocrisy outward, influencing its citizens and leading them into a false, deceitful form of repentance. In this view, the city is the active source of deception, while the masses merely absorb its toxic influence.

This culture of deception is something the people cling to with an unyielding grip. While most understand this simply as a deep embrace of dishonesty, [ביאור שטיינזלץ] explains that the specific deceit they anchor themselves to is idolatry. They remain permanently attached to these falsehoods, refusing to even consider turning back to God. Their refusal is driven by a stubborn, mistaken belief that repentance would be entirely useless for them, leaving them forever trapped in their own rebellion [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].