Elsewhere in Jeremiah the verb spurn is used only in 23.17 and 33.24, where it is translated “despise/despised” by Revised Standard Version. Literally the text has Do not spurn, which both Good News Translation and Revised Standard Version, as well as many other translations, have interpreted as “Do not spurn us.” However, one commentator points out that the poetic structure supports the interpretation whereby the object of spurn is the same as that of dishonor; that is, the translation should be “Do not spurn your glorious throne.” Revised English Bible makes thy name’s sake parallel to throne with “Do not despise the place where your name dwells or bring contempt on your glorious throne.”

For thy name’s sake is rendered “for the sake of your honor” by Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch. If the interpretation given above for the object of spurn is accepted, this phrase might better be at the beginning of the line: “For the sake of your honor, do not despise or dishonor the place of your glorious throne.”

Thy glorious throne refers to Jerusalem, the city where God was enthroned as king: “Jerusalem, the place of your glorious throne” (Good News Translation) and “the city in which your glorious throne stands” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). For throne see 1.15. Here we can say “that glorious place from which you rule.”

For covenant see 3.16.

Remember states positively what is rendered negatively by do not break. Although in Hebrew covenant is the object of both verbs, Good News Translation restructures somewhat differently: “Remember your promises … Do not break the covenant.” In this arrangement “promises” are equivalent to “covenant.” Another way to express this last line is “Remember the covenant you made with us. Don’t break your agreement.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .