Thus says the LORD: See 2.2.

The heavens is here the equivalent of “the sky” (Good News Translation).

Be measured … be explored: Revised English Bible uses an active construction, “anyone could measure … or fathom.”

The foundations of the earth: This reflects the world-view of Jeremiah’s day, according to which the earth was a flat, pancake-like mass supported by tall pillars. The same expression for foundations is used in 51.26 (of Jerusalem’s wall).

I will cast off: In Hebrew the pronoun I is emphatic, and in the present context cast off is best rendered “reject” (Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

Says the LORD: See 1.8.

In this verse the LORD is saying that it is impossible to measure the sky or to explore the foundations of the earth, and it is equally impossible for him to reject the people of Israel. Translators must be sure that this point is clear. Examples are:

• No one can measure [how big is] the sky, and no one can explore the foundations of the earth. And in the same way, I cannot reject my people Israel.

• Can anyone measure [how big is] the sky? [No.] Can anyone explore the foundations of the earth? [No.] Nor can I reject my people.

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 .