Commentaries:
Adam Clarke
After that I was turned - Converted from my sin, folly, and idolatry.
I repented - To conviction of sin, I now added contrition for sin. Conviction, in this sense of the word, must precede contrition or repentance. As soon as a man sees himself lost and undone, he is convicted of sin; when convicted, he begins to mourn. Thus contrition follows conviction.
I smote upon my thigh - My sorrow grew deeper and deeper; I smote upon my thigh through the extremity of my distress. This was a usual sign of deep affliction. See Ezekiel 21:12. It was the same among the ancient Greeks. So Homer: -
'
\, .
IL. lib. 15:113.
"She spake: and with expanded arms, his thighs
Smiting, thus sorrowful, the god exclaimed."
Cowper.
-
.
IL. lib. 16:124.
"Achilles saw it, smote his thigh, and said."
Cowper.
I have often seen persons in deep grief act thus.
Other Adam Clarke entries containing Jeremiah 31:19:
Ezekiel 21:12
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