The Hebrew words abotam harisonim mean their fathers the former ones,
translated here as their forefathers.
The compound phrase makes it clear that Jeremiah is referring back to the earliest times of rebellion under Moses in the wilderness and the Judges in the land.1 The people of Judah in Jeremiah’s day have turned back
to these same ways by going after other gods to serve them. These words suggest that the reform that had taken place under Josiah, had been very short-lived and shallow. The nation had remained in its state of rebellion. The shortness of the reformation is compared to the long history of rebellion; not even Josiah’s best efforts could change the rebellious hearts of the people.2
10 They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, who refused to hear my words. They have gone after other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant that I made with their fathers.