1Jeremiah, reproving the Jews for disregarding God's messages by his prophets, 8foretelleth the seventy years' captivity, 12and the succeeding destruction of Babylon. 15Under the figure of the cup of God's fury he foresheweth the overthrow of divers nations. 34The howling of the shepherds.
1THE word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
2The 1which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying,
1 Word of the Lord.
3From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, 2that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, 3rising early and speaking; but ye have not 4hearkened.
2 Or, these three and twenty years.
3 That is, very diligently, seasonably and constantly. Compare Jer. 7 on verse 13, and here the next verse.
4 That is, obeyed, as also in the sequel and elsewhere often.
4And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, 5rising earlya and sending them; but ye have notb hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.
5 Compare Jer. 7 on verse 13.
a Jer. 7:13, 25; 11:7.
b Jer. 11:7, 8, 10; 13:10, 11; 16:12; 17:23; 18:12; 19:15; 22:21.
5They said, Turnc ye again now every one from his evil 6way, and from the evil of your doings, and 7dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:
c 2 Kings 17:13; Jer. 18:11; 35:15; Jonah 3:8.
6 See Gen. 6 on verse 12.
7 That is, then ye shall surely dwell, I will make that ye, etc. See Psalm 37 on verse 3.
6And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no 8hurt.
8 Understand the evil of punishment, that is, that I do not send mischief or misery, as often.
7Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.
8¶Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words,
9Behold, I will 9send and take all the 10families of the north, saith the LORD, and 11Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my 12servant, and will bring them 13against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly 14destroy them, and make them an 15astonishment, and an hissing,d and 16perpetual desolations.
9 That is, I shall by My secret Divine Providence cause them to gather together, and come up, as if they came upon express order and command. Compare Jer. 49:14.
10 That is, all nations that dwell northward. Compare Jer. 1:15.
11 Understand shall I send, as in the previous words is expressed; or, and Nebuchadnezzar, namely, shall I take, etc.
12 Whom I have intended to use for the carrying out of My judgments upon many nations. Compare Isa. 44:28; 45:1. Also Jer. 27:6; 43:10. Compare likewise Jer. 29:4, 7, 14, 20; 51:7.
13 Or, upon, and so in the sequel.
14 See Deut. 2 on verse 34.
15 Or, terror. Other, desolation. See verse 18; Jer. 18:16.
d Jer. 19:8.
16 Hebr. desolations of eternity, that is, long-lasting desolations.
10Moreover I will take from them thee17voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the 18millstones, and the light of the 19candle.
e Isa. 24:7; Jer. 7:34; 16:9; Ezek. 26:13.
17 As Jer. 7:34.
18 Or, mills. Understand of the hand-mills, which in such a large and populous city were many in number. See Exod. 11 on verse 5; Deut. 24 on verse 6. Likewise Rev. 18:22. The meaning is: that God would take away all accommodation of livelihood.
19 Or, lamp; whereby may be understood that God would cause their feasts and banquets, which they kept late in the night by large lamps or candles and torches, to cease; or simply that there would be no more night watches in respect whereof there was wont to be light all the night long in such a large city; or, in general, that there would be no prosperity, joy, nor comfort, as such is understood in Scripture by darkness or want of light.
11And this whole land shall be a desolation, and 20an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.
20 Or, unto astonishing or afflicting. Also verse 18.
12¶And it shall come to pass, when seventyf years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make 21it 22perpetual desolations.
f 2 Chron. 36:22; Ezra 1:1; Jer. 29:10; Dan. 9:2.
21People or land of the Chaldeans.
22 Hebr. desolations of eternity.
13And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations.
14For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves 23ofg them also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands.
23 Hebr. have served themselves, that is, shall assuredly cause themselves to be served of them, using them as slaves. The meaning is: As the Chaldeans or the Babylonians have subdued other great nations and kings and have compelled them to servitude; likewise shall it be done to them again by such nations and kings that are as mighty and great as they, namely the Persians and the Medes. See similar manner of speech Jer. 22 on verse 13; 27:7; 30:8; Ezek. 34:27, etc.
g Jer. 27:7.
15¶For thus 24saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take 25the wineh cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.
24 In a vision.
25 Or, the cup of wine of this indignation; whereby were typified God’s wrath, judgments and plagues, which He had prepared for these nations, and intended to bring upon them, with a command to Jeremiah to show and declare openly all these things unto them to the honor of God, instruction and admonition to His people, and conviction of the wicked. Compare Psalm 75:8; Isa. 51:17; Rev. 16:19.
h Jer. 13:12.
16And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the 26sword that I will send among them.
26 That is, war, with all its bitter consequences. Compare Psalm 22 on verse 20. Also verses 27 and 29.
17Then took I the cup at the LORD's hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me:
18To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a 27desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse; 28as it is this day;
27 As verses 9 and 11.
28 Compare Deut. 4:20, 38; 8:18; 1 Kings 8:24. From this it is gathered by some that Jeremiah wrote this at the time of the accomplishment of this prophecy. Other, as (if it were) this day, that is, it shall surely come to pass as if we now beheld it with our eyes. The attentive reader may also compare 2 Chron. 29:8.
1929Pharaoh king of Egypt,i and his servants, and his princes, and all his people;
29 See Gen. 12 on verse 15; Jeremiah 46.
i Jeremiah 46.
20And all the 30mingled people, and all the kings of the land of 31Uz, and all the 32kings of the land of the Philistines,j and 33Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the 34remnant of Ashdod,
30 Some understand hereby a mixture of all sorts of nations dwelling among one another without distinction or limitation of cities or particular borders. Also verse 24.
31 See Gen. 10 on verse 23; Job 1 on verse 1.
32 Understand petty kings, princes and governors, deputies or lieutenants. Compare Jeremiah 47, and see Judges 3 on verse 3.
j Jer. 47:4, etc.
33 Cities of the Philistines, known in Scripture.
34 Because a great part of this city was already wasted and destroyed by the long-lasting siege of Psammetichus, king of Egypt, who was the father of Pharaoh Nechoh; as some histories do mention. See of Ashdod, 1 Sam. 5 on verse 1.
2135Edom,k and 36Moab,l and the 37children of Ammon,m
35 See Jer. 49:7, etc.
k Jer. 49:7, etc.
36 See Jeremiah 48.
l Jeremiah 48.
37 See Jer. 49:1, etc.
m Jer. 49:1, etc.
22And all the 38kings of Tyrus,n and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the 39isles which are beyond the sea,
38 Successively one after another; or, all rulers, princes, governors, exceeding rich and wealthy merchants and inhabitants, who carried themselves as kings, See Isa. 23:8; Jer. 47:4 and further Joshua 19 on verse 29.
n Jer. 47:4.
39 Hebr. of the isle. See Psalm 72 on verse 10. Other, the region that is by the crossing of the sea. Compare Jer. 49:23.
2340Dedan,o and Tema, and 41Buz, and all that are in the utmost 42corners,p
40 People of the stony Arabia, descended from Keturah; see Gen. 25:3, 15; Isa. 21:13. Of another Dedan, descended from Ham, by Cush, in Kingdom-Arabia or Ethiopia, see Gen. 10 on verse 7, and of Dedan in Edom see Jer. 49:8.
o Jer. 49:8.
41 See Gen. 22:21.
42 See Jer. 9 on verse 26.
p Jer. 9:26.
2443And all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the 44mingledq people that dwell in the 45desert,
43 Or, to wit, or, namely, meaning, that by these kings are understood, those that are cut short at the corner, verse 23.
44 As verse 20.
q Jer. 49:31.
45 Understand the Arabians, who dwelt not in fenced cities, but in tents; Judges 8:11; Jer. 49:31, etc.
25And all the kings of 46Zimri, and all the kings of 47Elam,r and all the kings of the Medes,
46 That is (as some conceive), where the posterity of Zimran dwelt, who was Abraham’s son by Keturah, Gen. 25:2.
47 See Gen. 10 on verse 22; Jer. 49:34, etc.
r Jer. 49:34.
26And all the kings of the north, far and near, 48one with another, and all the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth: and the king of 49Sheshach shall drink after them.
48 Hebr. the man at¸ by or with his brother, that is, the one as well as the other, or, who, one to the other, are situated to each other.
49 Hebr. Scheschach, that is, Babel, or, some other of the most important cities of the kingdom of Babylon, as may be gathered from Jer. 51:41. The origin of the name is uncertain.
27Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; 50Drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, 51and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.
50 Namely, out of that cup of indignation, of which verse 15.
51 Or, and rise not again.
28And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall 52certainly drink.
52 Hebr. drinking drink.
29For, lo, I begin 53to bring evil on the 54citys which is called 55by my name, and should ye be 56utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will 57call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.
53 Or, to vex. Hebr. properly: to do evil.
54 Namely, Jerusalem, called the city of God.
s 1 Peter 4:17.
55 Hebr. upon which my name is called or proclaimed. Compare Jer. 7 on verse 10.
56 Hebr. being guiltless or being held guiltless, be held guiltless? That is, remain utterly unpunished? Compare Jer. 30:11; 46:28; 49:12, and see 1 Kings 2 on verse 9.
57 That is, I ordain by My Divine government that it shall come, as by a special command. Also Ezek. 38:21. Compare also Isa. 13:3; 46:11; 48:15; Ezek. 36:29; Amos 5:8; 9:6; Hag. 1:11. Hence it is also called the sword of the Lord, as having a command from Him, Jer. 47:6, 7. See further 2 Kings 8 on verse 1.
30Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall 58roart from on high, and 59utter his voice from his holy 60habitation; he shall 61mightily roar 62upon his habitation; he shall give a 63shout, as they 64that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.
58 As a lion; it is spoken figuratively, to express the fearful consequences of God’s anger. See Joel 3:16; Amos 1:2.
t Joel 3:16; Amos 1:2.
59 Or, raise. Hebr. give.
60 That is, the habitation of His holiness, that is, heaven.
61 Hebr. roaring roar.
62 Or, against his pleasant habitation, that is, the temple; as Psalm 79:7.
63 Or, cry of joy. Hebr. hedad, almost agreeing with hed, that is, an echo, Ezek. 7:7.
64 Or, he shall cause to cry out, or cause to cry to one another that tread the grapes or that tread the presses, who in the time of the vintage, while they are at their labor, cry one to another or sing to one another by turns, to rejoice and encourage one another in their work (see Isa. 16:9, 10). Likewise, God implies, He will cause the Babylonians and others to cheer and encourage one another to fall upon as with a common shout and alarm of war, and to destroy both lands and people, without even sparing Jerusalem or the temple. Compare Jer. 48:32; 51:14. Some take it thus: he shall answer himself with a joyful cry; as if the Lord would say, that He has no need that anyone would prompt, or put Him on to this judgment, He is forward and prone enough thereto of Himself, His own zeal puts Him on upon it.
3165A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a 66controversy with the nations, he will 67plead with all 68flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.
65 Or, There shall come a cracking, a great or terrible noise, etc.
66 Or, lawsuit, contention.
67 Or, enter into judgment, dispute, plead.
68 That is, people. See Gen. 6 on verse 12.
32Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, 69evil shall go forth 70from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts 71of the earth.
69 Evil of punishment, that is, mishap, misery. See Gen. 19 on verse 19.
70 That is, from one nation to another.
71 Other, of the land. Likewise in the next verse.
33And the slain of the 72LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented,u neither 73gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.
72 That is, those, who by the just judgment and Providence of God perished.
u Jer. 16:4.
73 Or, taken up. Hebr. properly: gathered. See Psalm 26 on verse 9.
34¶Howl,v ye 74shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves 75in the ashes, ye 76principal of the flock: for the 77days of your 78slaughterw and of your 79dispersionsx are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a 80pleasant vessel.
v Jer. 4:8; 6:26.
74 Rulers in church and state.
75 This is here inserted from Jer. 6:26.
76 Thus God calls the most excellent and mighty ones among the people; also verses 35 and 36. See of the Hebrew word Psalm 8 on verse 1.
77 Which are ordained unto you by God. See Psalm 37 on verse 13.
78 Namely you, or the one the other.
w Isa. 65:12; Jer. 12:3.
79 Understand the days of your dispersions (that is, that ye shall be scattered) or your dispersions are at hand.
x Jer. 9:16; 13:14, 24; 18:17.
80 Hebr. vessel of desire, or of delight, of wishing, that is, fair, pleasant, precious, desirable. (See 2 Chron. 32 on verse 27.) The sense is, that all their beauty and glory shall perish, as (for example) a fair and precious crystal, or something else, which, being made of very brittle matter, falls in pieces, and is no more good for anything, neither can it be joined together again or repaired.
35And the shepherds shall 81have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.
81 Or, shall be lost into, etc., that is, there shall be no fleeing for the rulers, nor escaping for the great ones of the people. Compare Psalm 142:4; Amos 2:14, 15, 16, etc.
36A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture.
37And the peaceable 82habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
82 Or, folds, shepherds tents or huts, pleasant habitations (because the Hebrew word is so taken) of peace, that is, where they aforetime went and fed peaceably, and dwelt in all safety and prosperity, and thought to continue to dwell.
3883He hath forsaken his 84covert, as the lion: 85for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the 86oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.
83 Namely, the LORD, of Whom is spoken in the end of the previous verse.
84 Or, den. This may be understood thus, that God, as a lion, went forth out of his den as it were for to prey, to destroy lands and people in great wrath, and as it were to rent in pieces and devour them; or, that He had now forsaken the place of His residence, Zion and the temple (from where He as a young lion was wont to frighten the enemies and to tear them in pieces), and in that respect it will now be easy for the enemy to conquer and subdue the land of the Jews, etc.
85 Or, surely.
86 Or, destroyer, which may be applied to God, and likewise to the Babylonians. Hebr. oppressing, namely, sword, as Jer. 46:16; 50:16. Or, land, or, city, as Zeph. 3:1. Some translate thus: because of the heat of the dove, because the Hebrew word signifies also as such (see Psalm 74 on verse 8); as if God would say: He, who before was as loving and friendly as a dove, is now become as a young devouring lion, and that for the great sins of the people. Some understand by the dove the Assyrians, of whom some do write that they bare in their ensigns the picture of a dove. Then by the Assyrians must be understood the Babylonians, as bearing rule at that time over the Assyrians. Compare Ezra 6:22.