1The restoration of Israel. 15Rachel mourning is comforted. 18Ephraim repenting is received into favour. 22The miracle of Christ's birth promised as a means of blessing to Judah. 27God's care for his church. 29Every man shall answer for his own sin only. 31The new covenant with Israel. 35The stability of God's favour to them. 38The extent of the city when it shall be built.
1AT the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the 1God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.
1 As verse 33; Jer. 30:22; 32:38, etc.
2Thus saith the LORD, The people which were 2left of the sword found 3grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause 4him to rest.
2 That is, which were not destroyed as well by other hostile nations, as especially when the Levites, at God’s commandment, slew a great multitude of their brethren with the sword, for the idolatry which they had committed with the golden calf. See Exod. 32:27, 28.
3 Upon Moses’ intercession, Exod. 32:30, 31, etc. Thus (will God say) shall also now those who are left of the sword of the Babylonians find favor by the Messiah, whereof in the sequel.
4 To lead Israel into the land of Canaan.
35The LORD hath appeared of 6old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved 7thee with an 8everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness 9have I drawn thee.
5 Words of weak believers, who object in this manner: It is true indeed that God has been very kind and gracious unto us in former time, but now (they will say) His love begins to grow cold, or to be diminished, or to be changed. Hereunto God makes answer in the following words: Yea, I have, etc.
6 Or, of far times, that is, of old, long ago. Some take these to be the words of the church, speaking of God, and supply the sense with the word saying, thus: The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, etc.
7 Namely, My church, Zion. The word is put in the feminine gender.
8 Hebr. love of eternity. Compare John 13:1.
9 Or, henceforth stretched out or continued lovingkindness towards thee, or, therefore do I carry on, or, continue lovingkindness to you, and will deal with you, as follows. Compare Psalm 36:10; 85:7; Eccl. 2:3.
4Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy 10tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them thata11make merry.
10 That is, make merry after the manner of those times; see Psalm 68 on verse 25; whereby here the joy of the church in the time of the Gospel is represented; so in the sequel.
a Jer. 30:19.
11 See Jer. 30 on verse 19.
5Thou shalt yet plant vinesb upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as 12common things.
b Isa. 65:21.
12 Hebr. profane, that is, freely use and eat the fruits. See Deut. 20 on verse 6.
6For there shall be a 13day, that the 14watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall 15cry, Arisec ye, and 16let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.
13 That is, a time of grace and joy.
14 The shepherds of God’s church, preachers of the Gospel. Hebr. nozerim, by which word some conceive that God had respect to the name of the Nazarenes, which was given to Christians, Acts 24:5. See also Num. 6 on verse 2.
15 Hebr. have cried, or cry, that is, shall cry at that time.
c Isa. 2:2, 3; Micah 4:2.
16 Compare Isa. 2:2, 3; Micah 4:2, with the annotations.
7For thus saith the LORD; 17Sing with gladness for Jacob, and 18shout 19among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, 20save thy people, the 21remnant of Israel.
17 Or, Cry aloud, shout.
18 The Hebrew word is properly used for neighing, snorting of horses, but also of men here and Esther 8:15; Isa. 10:30; 24:14, signifying to utter a clear, loud, joyful voice.
19 Or, among the head of the Gentiles. Because the Jews, being captives under the head of the Gentiles, that is, the Babylonians, yet notwithstanding would be surely delivered and not be kept under the head of the Gentiles. Others, under the head, or under the leading Gentiles, namely, in Babel and everywhere the Jews were captives under the king of Babel (who was the head of the Gentiles) as all of us were in a spiritual manner held captive under Satan, the prince of the world and the prince of darkness. Other, in the front before (that is, in the crossways, the entrances and exits of the ways or streets, as Prov. 1:20, 21) among the Gentiles; that is, openly, publicly, before them to whom the salvation of the Lord shall be revealed.
20 Or, preserve, deliver.
21 Compare Rom. 9:27.
8Behold, I will bring them from the 22northd country, and gather them from the 23coasts of the earth, and with them the 24blind and the lame, the 25woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.
22 That is, Babel; see Jer. 1:14, where Judah was held captive; typifying the spiritual captivity.
d Jer. 3:18.
23 That is, the other countries, where the ten tribes were in captivity, as Assyria, Media, etc.
24 Compare Isa. 35:5, 6.
25 That is, some of the very weakest ones shall go up from Babel physically, and understand this further spiritually, of such as are laden with sins and are very weak. See Mat. 11:28.
9They shall come with 26weeping, and with 27supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the 28rivers of waters in a 29straight way, wherein they shall not 30stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my 31firstborn.e
26 About their sins. See Mat. 3:6; Acts 2:37, etc.
27 Or, petitions for mercy, namely, unto Me, for pardon.
28 See Mat. 5:6; John 4:14, etc.; 7:37, etc. Likewise Psalm 23:2.
29 Of the saving doctrine of the Gospel.
30 Compare John 8:12; 12:35.
31 See Exod. 4 on verse 22.
e Exod. 4:22.
10¶Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles 32afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather 33him, and keep him, as a 34shepherd doth his flock.
32 Hebr. from far. Compare Prov. 7 on verse 19.
33 Israel.
34 See John 10:11.
11For the LORD 35hath 36redeemed Jacob, and 37ransomed him from the hand of him thatf was 38stronger than he.
35 That is, Christ will assuredly redeem His people, as if it were already done.
36 Or, ransomed.
37 Or, released, rescued.
f Isa. 40:10; 49:24, 25.
38 Namely, from the hand of their enemies, chiefly of the Devil. Compare Isa. 40:10; Mat. 12:29; John 12:31; Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8.
12Therefore they shall come and sing in the 39height of Zion, and shall 40flow together to the 41goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the 42young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a 43wateredg garden; and they shall not sorrow 44any more at all.
39 Namely, in the temple, that is, in the christian church.
40 In great companies, as streams of water. Compare Psalm 34:6; Isa. 2:2; Micah 4:1.
41 Hebr. good. Or, goodness, also verse 14; that is, the mercies and graces of the Lord Christ, which are here (as elsewhere often) represented by physical mercies and favors.
42 Hebr. children of sheep or goats, or of small cattle.
43 Filled with spiritual gifts and comforts of the Holy Spirit.
g Isa. 61:11.
44 Hebr. shall not add or go on anymore or henceforward to be sorrowful, namely, out of disconsolateness for their sins.
13Then shall the 45virgin rejoice in the 46dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
45 That is, the virgins shall, etc.
46 See verse 4.
14And I will satiate the soul of the 47priests with 48fatness, and my people 49shall be satisfied with my 50goodness, saith the LORD.
47 Of the ministers of the church. Compare Isa. 66:21.
48 That is, spiritual gifts; as the priests in the Old Testament were wont to receive the fair, fat flesh of large and small cattle that were offered for sacrifice. Compare the manner of speech with Psalm 36:8, and the annotation.
49 Hebr. shall, in the plural number.
50 As verse 12.
15¶Thus saith the LORD; 51A voiceh was heard in 52Ramah, lamentation, and 53bitter weeping; 54Rahel weeping for 55her children refused to be comforted for her children, 56because they were not.
51 See the most principal accomplishment of this prophecy Mat. 2:16, 17, 18. God wants to say here that the great spiritual joy and gladness for the Messiah shall not be without affliction and sorrow, but that He will turn it again into joy, as follows.
h Mat. 2:17, 18.
52 That is, in the regions between Ramah and Bethlehem, where Rachel died in pains of childbirth, and was buried, Gen. 35:16, 19, 20; 1 Sam. 10:2. Of Ramah see Joshua 18:21, 25; 1 Sam. 1:1, 19; 7:17; 8:14, etc.; 25:1, etc.
53 Hebr. weeping of bitternesses.
54 Who was dead long ago and buried, is here brought in figuratively, as it were weeping, which she would have done, if she had lived in the time of the Babylonian desolation, and of Herod’s murdering the infants. Some understand through Rachel the mothers dwelling thereabout, descended from Rachel. We may also further take Rachel to be as a type of the church.
55 The children of Joseph and Benjamin’s (of her sons) posterity, who were first murdered or carried away to Babel, and after at the time of Christ’s birth, tyrannically butchered by Herod at Bethlehem, and in the regions round about.
56 Hebr. because he is not, that is, none of them is saved or left alive.
16Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy 57work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the 58enemy.
57 Thy suffering and trouble about thy children.
58 Thou shalt again receive enough children, who shall be physically called out of Babel, and spiritually out of the kingdom of darkness, and shall be brought unto thee.
17And there is hope 59in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy 60children shall come again to their own 61border.
59 Or, for thy posterity, that is, thou hast yet at last to expect much good. Hebr. hindmost, last, uttermost. See Psalm 37 on verse 37; Psalm 109 on verse 13; Jer. 29 on verse 11; Amos 4 on verse 2.
60 Compare Isa. 29:23, etc.
61 Canaan and the christian church.
18¶I have 62surely heard Ephraim 63bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was 64chastised, as a bullock 65unaccustomed to the yoke: turni thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.
62 Hebr. hearing heard.
63 Other, comforting.
64 That is, instructed or taught concerning my bounden duty.
65 Hebr. untaught. See Jer. 2 on verse 24. Understand: not accustomed to the yoke, but wanton and unruly.
i Lam. 5:21.
19Surely afterj that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was 66instructed, I smote upon my 67thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even 68confounded, because I did bear the reproach of 69my youth.
j Deut. 30:2.
66 Being enlightened by the Holy Spirit, to know myself and the grace of God.
67 That is, mourned or went sad, as they do who feel much grief and pain. Also Ezek. 21:12.
68 Or, blushed.
69 Which I have brought upon me by my gross and manifold sins, in former times, as by youthful licentiousness, and principally in the wilderness, also in my flourishing state and condition. Of Israel’s youth see Jer. 2:2; Hosea 2:3; 11:1, etc.
2070Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a 71pleasant child? for since I spake 72against him, I do 73earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are 74troubled for him; I will 75surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.
70 Assuredly he is, God will say; though I do chastise him; for, etc.
71 Hebr. a child of pleasures or delights, joys. Compare Isa. 66:12.
72 Other, of him.
73 Hebr. remembering I will remember him.
74 That is, I am inwardly moved for him. See Isa. 63:15.
75 Hebr. having compassion have compassion.
21Set thee up waymarks,k make thee 76high heaps: set thine heart toward the 77highway, even the way which thou wentest: turn again, 78O virgin of Israel, turn again to 79these thy cities.
k guideposts
76 The Hebrew word tamrurim, which above verse 15 is taken from another root signifying bitternesses, seems here to be taken from thamar, that is, a palm tree (to which idolatrous images are compared, Jer. 10:5), which puts up his point or top on high, and so forward to signify sharp spiraling pillars raised up on high, pyramids, high heaps of stones (as some), or palm signs, to know the way. God wants to say, that they remember truly the way which they went to Babel, because they would surely return from there to their own land.
77 Or, raised, trodden way or street.
78 Compare Jer. 14 on verse 17. Also Amos 5:2.
79 From where you are carried captive.
22¶How long wilt thou 80go about, O thou backsliding daughter? 81for the LORD 82hath created a new thing in the earth, 83A woman shall 84compass a man.
80 Or, draw out, draw about, withdraw, turn about; that thou truly turnest not unto me, but runnest everywhere hither and thither away from Me. Compare Cant. 5:6; 7:1, where the Hebrew word is also found.
81 Or, since, likewise: surely.
82 That is, will surely do it; He will work an incredible and wonderful thing. Compare Num. 16:30. Likewise Isa. 43:19.
83 Or, The woman shall, etc.
84 Or, encompass, surround, that is (as some conceive), the church of God, which is as a weak woman, shall conquer her enemies, compared to a strong man (whereunto the Hebrew word has respect), by the power of her Lord Jesus Christ, and by faith, John 16:33; 1 John 5:4. But the ancient fathers understand this of the mother of our Lord, the Virgin Mary (who is also called a woman, Gal. 4:4), who, by the secret operation of the Holy Spirit, without the concurrence of man, has conceived, environed, or encompassed the true mighty Man and Lion of Judah, the Messiah, which indeed may be truly called a creation of a new great wonder, and suites not amiss to that which went before and to that which follows. The Hebrew word signifies not only to environ and besiege in an hostile manner, but also other ways to encompass, surround. See 1 Kings 7:15, 24; Psalm 7:7; 32:10, etc. It may also be understood of the church, consisting of converted Jews and Gentiles, that she would embrace Christ her Bridegroom with much love and affection.
23Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; The LORD bless thee, O 85habitationl of justice, and mountain of holiness.
85 As Jer. 50:7. Understand the church of Jesus Christ.
l Jer. 50:7.
24And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the 86cities thereof together, husbandmen, and they that go forth with 87flocks.
86 That is, all, who belong to the cities of Judah, shall dwell again in their own cities.
87 Which is a sign of rest and peace in the land.
25For I 88have 89satiated the 90weary soul, and I have 91replenished every sorrowful soul.
88 That is, I will, etc., as verse 22.
89 With spiritual comfort and joy. Compare verse 14.
90 That is, the thirsty soul (as thirst is occasioned by labor and weariness. See Psalm 63 on verse 1), namely, which thirst after grace, pardon of sin and righteousness. Compare Mat. 5:6; 11:28, 29.
91 Satisfied with spiritual meat and drink.
2692Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep 93was sweet unto me.
92 Or, for this. These are the words of Jeremiah, which he here inserts to testify his spiritual joy for this glorious prophecy concerning the Messiah, which God revealed to him in his sleep.
93 Or, became.
27¶Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will 94sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of 95man, and with the seed of beast.
94 Indeed somewhat after the captivity of Babel, physically, but especially My church with Jews, which seem here to be understood by people, and with Gentiles, who seem to be understood by beasts. As Mat. 15:26, 27. All born again by the incorruptible seed of the Gospel, 1 Peter 1:23. Compare Ezek. 36:9, 10, 37, 38; Hosea 2:23 with the annotation.
95 Hebr. man and beast.
28And it shall come to pass, that 96like as I have 97watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to 98build, and to plant, saith the LORD.
96 As I have vigilantly executed My threats by punishments, so will I also do on the contrary in performing My gracious promises.
97 Or, have been vigilant. Compare Jer. 1:12; 32:42.
98 As Jer. 24:6.
29In those days they shall say no more, 99Them fathers have eaten a sour 100grape, and the children's teeth are set on 101edge.
99 That is, our ancestors have sinned in the wilderness and afterwards, and we must suffer for it. This was the proverb of the mocking hypocrites and impenitent murmuring Jews, who accused God of injustice in His threats and punishments, and justified themselves. See Ezek. 18:2, 3, etc., with the annotation.
m Ezek. 18:2, etc.
100 And consequently unripe, otherwise called bitter.
101 Or, are grown blunt, dull. Hebr. properly: shall or should become blunt.
30But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.
31¶Behold, the daysn come, saith the LORD, that I will 102make a 103new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
n Heb. 8:8.
102 See Gen. 15 on verses 17 and 18.
103 See Heb. 8:6, 13.
32104Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the 105hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; 106which my covenant they 107brake, although I was an 108husband unto them, saith the LORD:
104 Some understand this of the covenant of the law or of works, written in tables of stone; in regard of the following opposition, and by comparing this place with 2 Cor. 3:3, 6, 7, etc. Others understand the old covenant of grace, so as the same was administered in the Old Testament before the coming of Christ in the flesh under several types and shadows, with much less clarity and more sober gifts of the Holy Spirit, etc.
105 To lead them by My power, and in a most friendly and loving way, as walking together hand in hand.
106 Or, because they disannulled or broke my covenant.
107 See Jer. 11:7, 8.
108 Or, was their husband or Lord over them, had carried myself as their husband or Lord, having the right and authority of an husband over them, and dealing well with them, as an husband does with his wife. Compare Jer. 3:14; Hosea 2:7, 8. Other, and should I have continued to be their husband or Lord? As if the Lord said: By no means, but I have despised them, as some understand that the apostle has expounded this in Heb. 8:9.
33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I 109will put my law in their 110inward parts, and write it in their 111hearts; and will be their 112God,o and they shall be my people.
109 Hebr. I have given, that is, I will certainly do it; as the sequel declares.
110 That is, heart, as is declared in the sequel. Compare Jer. 32:40 with the annotation.
111 Compare Jer. 32:39, 40; Ezek. 36:25, 26, 27; 2 Cor. 3:3.
112 As verse 1.
o verse 1; Jer. 24:7; 30:22.
34And they shall teach 113no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for theyp shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: forq I will forgive their iniquity, and I will 114remember their sin no more.
113 By this God will not take away the holy ministry of the churches and the bounden duty of mutual instruction and exhortation out of the New Testament, whereof He Himself is the Author and Institutor, but He will signify thereby that the clarity of the Holy Gospel and the working of the Holy Spirit shall be such that there shall be no need of any great difficulty or compulsion to force believers to their duty, inasmuch as they shall be taught of the Holy Spirit, and shall be moved and fervently inclined thereto by Him. Compare this manner of speech with John 16:26, 27; 1 John 2:27, and see Isa. 11:9; John 6:45; 1 Cor. 1:5, 7; 2:10, etc.; 1 John 2:20.
p Isa. 54:13; John 6:45.
q Jer. 33:8; Micah 7:18; Acts 10:43.
114 See Psalm 79:8; Ezek. 18:22; Micah 7:18, with the annotations.
35¶Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun forr a light by day, and the 115ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, whichs divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of 116hosts is his name:
r Gen. 1:16.
115 Or, set bounds, that is, their ordained course.
s Isa. 51:15.
116 See 1 Kings 18 on verse 15.
36If those 117ordinances 118depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the 119seed of Israel also shall 120cease from being a nation before me 121for ever.
117 Mentioned in the previous verse.
118 That is, cease from their course, before Me.
119 That is, the church.
120 That is, as the aforesaid things shall continue and remain, so shall there be always a church on earth, which shall be My people. Compare Psalm 72:5, 17; 89:36, 37; 102:28.
121 Compare Mat. 28:20.
37Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel 122for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
122 That is, for their sins, since they shall be forgiven and forgotten for the Messiah’s sake, verse 34. The Lord implies that He will not by any means cast them away for their sins.
38¶Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of 123Hananeel unto the 124gate of the corner.
123 See Neh. 3:1, and compare Zech. 2:1, 2, 3, 4; 14:10, etc.
124 See 2 Kings 14 on verse 13.
39And 125the measuring line shall yet go forth over against 126it upon the hill 127Gareb, and shall compass about to 128Goath.
125 Other, the measuring line thereof, namely, of the city.
126 The corner gate.
127 That is, of the scabby, so called (according to the opinion of some), because the scabby and other unclean persons were appointed to dwell there outside the city, by the place of execution; so that the city would be built much wider and greater than it was before.
128 Some perceive this to be an high mountain in the outermost part of the city of David, toward the west and the south.
40And the whole valley of the 129dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of 130Kidron, unto the corner of the 131horse gate toward the east, shall be 132holy unto the LORD; it shall 133not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.
129 Hereby may be understood the valley of Hinnom, where the children were burnt to ashes (see Jer. 7:31); or, a place for the dead bodies of malefactors; likewise, the fields that were outside the dung gate. The sense is, that the church of God would be even in those places where previously all kinds of pagan abominations and pollutions were committed.
130 See 2 Sam. 15 on verse 23.
131 See Neh. 3:28.
132 That is, very holy.
133 From this it appears that this prophecy does not refer to the earthy Jerusalem (which was destroyed by the Romans) that would be built again, but to the spiritual Jerusalem, namely, the church of God. Compare Ezek. 48:35.