Jeremiah · Chapter 27

Verse 1. In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim] It is most evident that his prophecy was delivered about the fourth year of ZEDEKIAH, and not Jehoiakim, as in the text. See Jeremiah 28:1. Three of Kennicott’s MSS. (one in the text, a second in the margin, and the third upon a rasure) have Zedekiah; so likewise have the Syriac and the Arabic. Houbigant, Lowth, Blayney, Dahler, and others declare for this reading against that in the present text. And it is clear from the third and twelfth verses, where Zedekiah is expressly mentioned, that this is the true reading.

Verse 1. In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim — Instead of Jehoiakim here, Dr. Waterland, Houbigant, Blaney, and many others, read Zedekiah, because it is difficult, if not impossible, to reconcile the common reading with what follows. Lowth also, in his commentary upon the place, gives it as his opinion, that “the least forced way of solving the difficulty is, to say that Jehoiakim has crept into the text by the negligence of the scribes, (who might have their eyes fixed upon the beginning of the last chapter or section,) instead of Zedekiah. This emendation is confirmed by comparing this verse with the 3d, 12th, and 20th verses of this chapter, and with the beginning of the next. Such little verbal mistakes must be allowed by all impartial readers to have sometimes happened in transcribing the Holy Scriptures, as well as in other books, and may easily be corrected, by comparing the suspected reading with other parts of the sacred text, which admit of no difficulty or uncertainty.”

Verse 1. In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim. In the twelfth verse it is added, “I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah.” These occurrences induce some critics to believe that Jehoiakim has been mis-written for Zedekiah.

THE SUBJUGATION OF NEIGHBOURING KINGS, 1-11.

1. Jehoiakim — A single Codex and the Syriac and Arabic Versions have Zedekiah, and this is manifestly correct. (Compare verses 3, 12, and Jeremiah 28:1.) Probably a mistake in transcription arose from confounding this caption with that of the preceding chapter.

V. 2. Thus saith-God commands the prophet to procure some yokes with bonds to make them more fast; and to put one of them upon his own neck, that therein he might be a type both to his own people, and also the people afterward mentioned, that they should be in bondage to the king of Babylon.

Verse 2. Make thee bonds and yokes] Probably yokes with straps, by which they were attached to the neck. This was a symbolical action, to show that the several kings mentioned below should be brought under the dominion of the Chaldeans.

Verses 2, 3. Make thee bonds and yokes, &c. — The prophets were frequently ordered to foreshow future events by actions as well as by words. Thus Isaiah was commanded to go naked and barefoot, Isaiah 20:3. Ezekiel, in like manner, was ordered to prophesy by signs, Ezekiel 4:1; 12:3; and 24:17-19. In making these yokes, putting them upon his neck, and fastening them on with bands, Jeremiah was intended to be a type both to his own people, and also to the people afterward mentioned, that they should be brought under subjection to the king of Babylon. And send them to the king of Edom, &c. — These nations were near to the Jews, and their princes had their ambassadors resident at Jerusalem. They were also some of those countries which God had declared that he had given into the hand of the king of Babylon: see Jeremiah 25:21, 24. By the hand of the messengers, &c. — The business of these messengers seems to have been, to engage Zedekiah to join in a league with the nations from which they came, against the king of Babylon.

Ver. 2, 3. Make thee bonds and yokes—and send them to the king of Moab, &c. There were at this time in Jerusalem ambassadors from those kings, soliciting Zedekiah to join them in a league against the king of Babylon. On this league the cunning Hananiah seems to have grounded his prediction in the next chapter.

2. Bonds and yokes — The yoke was made of two curved pieces of wood, placed the one over and the other under the neck of the animal, and fastened together with cords. See Psalm 2:3. Put them upon thy neck — In the manner in which they were worn by animals when used to draw a load. The “yoke,” as here employed, was the appropriate symbol of bondage. This command was literally obeyed. See Jeremiah 28:10. Some hold that Jeremiah obeyed these literally as to himself, but not for the different kings mentioned. But this does great violence to the text, which is as explicit for one as the other.

V. 3. Of Edom-These nations were neighbours to the Jews, and their princes had their ambassadors resident in Jerusalem.

Verses 2, 3. Make thee bonds and yokes, &c. — The prophets were frequently ordered to foreshow future events by actions as well as by words. Thus Isaiah was commanded to go naked and barefoot, Isaiah 20:3. Ezekiel, in like manner, was ordered to prophesy by signs, Ezekiel 4:1; 12:3; and 24:17-19. In making these yokes, putting them upon his neck, and fastening them on with bands, Jeremiah was intended to be a type both to his own people, and also to the people afterward mentioned, that they should be brought under subjection to the king of Babylon. And send them to the king of Edom, &c. — These nations were near to the Jews, and their princes had their ambassadors resident at Jerusalem. They were also some of those countries which God had declared that he had given into the hand of the king of Babylon: see Jeremiah 25:21, 24. By the hand of the messengers, &c. — The business of these messengers seems to have been, to engage Zedekiah to join in a league with the nations from which they came, against the king of Babylon.

Ver. 2, 3. Make thee bonds and yokes—and send them to the king of Moab, &c. There were at this time in Jerusalem ambassadors from those kings, soliciting Zedekiah to join them in a league against the king of Babylon. On this league the cunning Hananiah seems to have grounded his prediction in the next chapter.

3. Which come to Jerusalem — Probably for the purpose of forming a coalition against the Chaldean power. Hence the position of Jeremiah was a peculiarly trying one, in that he had to stand against this widespread and popular sentiment.

4. Command them to say unto their masters, etc. — Here is a specimen of a missionary message of the olden time. God causes his prophet to deliver a message in which his universal creatorship, his unity, and his supremacy are most plainly asserted. He brings to view his universal providence, extending not only to his own chosen people but to all the nations. He intimates that even Nebuchadnezzar, the eminent representative heathen king, rules by the appointment of God, and that his own divine resources would be brought to bear to perpetuate his authority. And yet he does not close without the intimation that Babylon, in its turn, shall become subject.

Verse 5. I have made the earth] I am the Creator and Governor of all things, and I dispose of the several kingdoms of the world as seemeth best to me.

THE SUBJUGATION OF NEIGHBOURING KINGS, 1-11.

1. Jehoiakim — A single Codex and the Syriac and Arabic Versions have Zedekiah, and this is manifestly correct. (Compare verses 3, 12, and Jeremiah 28:1.) Probably a mistake in transcription arose from confounding this caption with that of the preceding chapter.

Verse 6. And now have I given] These kingdoms are at my sovereign disposal; and at present, for the punishment of their rulers and people, I shall give them into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.

Verse 6. I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar — “God is the sole lord and proprietor of the world; and, by virtue of his absolute sovereignty and dominion, has a right to give the kingdoms of the earth to whomsoever he pleases, Daniel 4:17, and he exercises this authority by changing times and seasons, by removing kings, and setting up kings, Daniel 2:21. The king of Babylon, my servant — One whom I have made use of as an instrument to execute my purposes in inflicting punishment on many nations: see note on Jeremiah 25:9. And the beasts of the field have I given him — This is a hyperbolical way of speaking, to signify the most ample authority and dominion.

THE SUBJUGATION OF NEIGHBOURING KINGS, 1-11.

1. Jehoiakim — A single Codex and the Syriac and Arabic Versions have Zedekiah, and this is manifestly correct. (Compare verses 3, 12, and Jeremiah 28:1.) Probably a mistake in transcription arose from confounding this caption with that of the preceding chapter.

V. 7. All nations-That is, all these nations. His son-And Evil-Merodach his son, and Belshazzar his grand-child. Until-Until the period of his kingdom shall come, which was after seventy years, according to Jeremiah 29:10.

Verse 7. And all nations shall serve him, (Nebuchadnezzar,) and his son, (Evil-merodach, Jeremiah 52:31,) and his son’s son, (Belshazzar, Daniel 5:11.) All which was literally fulfilled.

Verses 7, 8. All nations shall serve him, his son, and his son’s son — His son was Evil-merodach, and his son’s son Belshazzar, in whom his kingdom ended. Then the time of reckoning with his land came, when the tables were turned; and many nations and great kings — Incorporated in the empire of the Medes and Persians, served themselves of him. The nation, &c., that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon — That will not submit to that servitude, represented by the yoke, mentioned verses 2, 3; will I punish with the sword, &c. — With one judgment after another, until they are wasted and ruined. Nebuchadnezzar was very unjust and barbarous in invading the rights and liberties of his neighbours, and forcing them into a subjection to him; yet God had just and holy ends in view in permitting it, namely, to punish those nations for their idolatry and gross immoralities. They that would not serve the God that made and preserved them, were justly made to serve their enemies that sought to ruin them.

7. The very time of his land — The time when it, too, shall be given to the speller. Shall serve themselves of him — That is, shall make him to serve them. Son, and his son’s son — The actual facts do not certainly accord with this form of expression. Nebuchadnezzar was succeeded by his son, and then by his son-in-law, and he by his own son in turn. But the phrase here used is proverbial in form, (see Deuteronomy 6:2,) and only implies the long duration of Nebuchadnezzar’s dynasty.

Verses 7, 8. All nations shall serve him, his son, and his son’s son — His son was Evil-merodach, and his son’s son Belshazzar, in whom his kingdom ended. Then the time of reckoning with his land came, when the tables were turned; and many nations and great kings — Incorporated in the empire of the Medes and Persians, served themselves of him. The nation, &c., that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon — That will not submit to that servitude, represented by the yoke, mentioned verses 2, 3; will I punish with the sword, &c. — With one judgment after another, until they are wasted and ruined. Nebuchadnezzar was very unjust and barbarous in invading the rights and liberties of his neighbours, and forcing them into a subjection to him; yet God had just and holy ends in view in permitting it, namely, to punish those nations for their idolatry and gross immoralities. They that would not serve the God that made and preserved them, were justly made to serve their enemies that sought to ruin them.

THE SUBJUGATION OF NEIGHBOURING KINGS, 1-11.

1. Jehoiakim — A single Codex and the Syriac and Arabic Versions have Zedekiah, and this is manifestly correct. (Compare verses 3, 12, and Jeremiah 28:1.) Probably a mistake in transcription arose from confounding this caption with that of the preceding chapter.

Verse 9. Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets] Who pretend to have a revelation from heaven.

Nor to your diviners] µkymsq kosemeychem, from µsq kasam, to presage or prognosticate. Persons who guessed at futurity by certain signs in the animate or inanimate creation.

Nor to your dreamers] חלמתיכם chalomotheychem, from חלם chalam, to break in pieces; hence חלום chalom, a dream, because it consists of broken fragments. Dream-interpreters, who, from these broken shreds patch up a meaning by their own interpolations.

Nor to your enchanters] µkynn[ oneneychem, from ˆn[ anan, a cloud-cloud-mongers. Diviners by the flight, colour, density, rarity, and shape of clouds.

Nor to your sorcerers] כשפיכם cashshapheychem, from ãvk kashaph, to discover; the discoverers, the finders out of hidden things, stolen goods, &c. Persons also who use incantations, and either by spells or drugs pretend to find out mysteries, or produce supernatural effects. Every nation in the world had persons who pretended to find out hidden things, or foretell future events; and such were gladly encouraged by the ignorant multitude; and many of them were mere apes of the prophets of God. Man knows that he is short-sighted, feels pain at the uncertainty of futurity, and wishes to have his doubts resolved by such persons as the above, to put an end to his uncertainty.

Verses 9-11. Hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners — These nations, it must be observed, had their prophets as well as the Jews, or rather persons that pretended to foretel future events by consulting the stars, by dreams, and various arts of divination; and they, to please their patrons, flattered them with assurances that they should not be brought into subjection and servitude by the king of Babylon. By these means they designed to animate them to a vigorous resistance: and though they had no ground for such an expectation, they hoped hereby to do them service. But Jeremiah here tells them, that it would prove to their destruction; for by resisting they would provoke the conqueror to deal severely with them, to remove them from their land, and to drive them out into a miserable captivity, in which they should be buried in oblivion, and perish. But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke, &c. — That, upon the first summons, or without making any hostile opposition, shall yield themselves subjects to the king of Babylon, shall continue in their own country and possessions, being only made tributaries to that king.

Ver. 9. Hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners. This passage is levelled entirely against the false prophets, who practised those detestible arts. We find two words applied to divination. vjn nichaish, he divined. Genesis 44:5, 15. Wot ye not, said Joseph, that such a man as I could certainly divine? But Jeremiah uses the word µsq kesem, which is understood in an ill sense, like that which Balaam practised against the Israelites. Numbers 23:23. And which Moses prohibited. Deuteronomy 18:10. Samuel also says, rebellion is as the sin of divination. Therefore the false prophets are accused of lying divinations. Jeremiah 14:14. Ezekiel 13:6. The dreamers, the enchanters, the sorcerers, or evilworkers, are the same characters using different arts. All the surrounding nations had their prophets, their learned scribes and diviners, enchanters and sorcerers. Many among the Jews got a wretched pittance of bread by divinations. St. Jude notices these with the epithet of “filthy dreamers.”

9. Prophets… diviners… dreamers… enchanters… sorcerers — Five kinds of heathen prophecy are here mentioned, and five kings have also been introduced. (See verse 5.) But this correspondence is, without doubt, purely accidental. The only significance to be attached to the fact that so many terms are here employed is, that they suggest and illustrate the variety of delusive schemes for supplying to the people the lack of inspiration. Error is many; truth is one.

Verses 9-11. Hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners — These nations, it must be observed, had their prophets as well as the Jews, or rather persons that pretended to foretel future events by consulting the stars, by dreams, and various arts of divination; and they, to please their patrons, flattered them with assurances that they should not be brought into subjection and servitude by the king of Babylon. By these means they designed to animate them to a vigorous resistance: and though they had no ground for such an expectation, they hoped hereby to do them service. But Jeremiah here tells them, that it would prove to their destruction; for by resisting they would provoke the conqueror to deal severely with them, to remove them from their land, and to drive them out into a miserable captivity, in which they should be buried in oblivion, and perish. But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke, &c. — That, upon the first summons, or without making any hostile opposition, shall yield themselves subjects to the king of Babylon, shall continue in their own country and possessions, being only made tributaries to that king.

10. To remove you — This, though not the purpose, would be the result of their counsels: thus bringing about the very consequence they proposed to avert.

Verses 9-11. Hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners — These nations, it must be observed, had their prophets as well as the Jews, or rather persons that pretended to foretel future events by consulting the stars, by dreams, and various arts of divination; and they, to please their patrons, flattered them with assurances that they should not be brought into subjection and servitude by the king of Babylon. By these means they designed to animate them to a vigorous resistance: and though they had no ground for such an expectation, they hoped hereby to do them service. But Jeremiah here tells them, that it would prove to their destruction; for by resisting they would provoke the conqueror to deal severely with them, to remove them from their land, and to drive them out into a miserable captivity, in which they should be buried in oblivion, and perish. But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke, &c. — That, upon the first summons, or without making any hostile opposition, shall yield themselves subjects to the king of Babylon, shall continue in their own country and possessions, being only made tributaries to that king.

11. The nations — Literally, the nation.

Verses 12, 13. I spake also to Zedekiah, &c. — What the prophet here says to Zedekiah has a particular weight in it, because he was made king of Judea by Nebuchadnezzar, and had taken an oath to be faithful to him, and never to resist his authority. Why will ye die, thou and thy people? — That is, why wilt thou wilfully ruin, not only thyself, but thy people, by the sword, the famine, and the pestilence? by which judgments the Lord hath declared, that all nations who will not willingly yield to the king of Babylon shall be destroyed.

PREDICTION OF THE SUBJUGATION OF KING ZEDEKIAH, 12-15.

12. To Zedekiah… bring your necks — The plural form shows that Zedekiah is addressed in his representative capacity, and that the people are included.

Verse 13. Why will ye die] If ye resist the king of Babylon, to whom I have given a commission against you, ye shall be destroyed by the sword and by famine; but if ye submit, ye shall escape all these evils.

Verses 12, 13. I spake also to Zedekiah, &c. — What the prophet here says to Zedekiah has a particular weight in it, because he was made king of Judea by Nebuchadnezzar, and had taken an oath to be faithful to him, and never to resist his authority. Why will ye die, thou and thy people? — That is, why wilt thou wilfully ruin, not only thyself, but thy people, by the sword, the famine, and the pestilence? by which judgments the Lord hath declared, that all nations who will not willingly yield to the king of Babylon shall be destroyed.

13. Why will ye die — Namely, by persisting in that course which, as you have been plainly warned, will lead to inevitable destruction. They cannot successfully resist Nebuchadnezzar, for he is armed with Jehovah’s authority. (Verses 6-8.)

PREDICTION OF THE SUBJUGATION OF KING ZEDEKIAH, 12-15.

12. To Zedekiah… bring your necks — The plural form shows that Zedekiah is addressed in his representative capacity, and that the people are included.

15. In my name — Thus making God’s name “a plea for lies.”

Verse 16. The vessels of the Lord’s house] Which had been carried away by Nebuchadnezzar under the reigns of Jehoiakim and Jeconiah, 2 Chronicles 36:7-10.

Shall now shortly be brought again] This is a lie. They shall not be restored till I bring them up, Jeremiah 27:22, which was after the captivity, when they were sent back by Cyrus, the Lord inclining his heart to do it, Ezra 1:7; 7:19.

Verses 16-18. Also I spake to the priests and to all this people — The prophet, being God’s true servant, spared none, but gave faithful warning to all sorts of persons, to take heed of being deceived by the false prophets, who undertook to foretel that the vessels of the temple, carried away in the time of Jehoiakim and his son Jeconiah, (of which we read 2 Chronicles 36:7, 10,) should be brought back again to Jerusalem in a short time: see Jeremiah 28:3. Hearken not unto them — Believe them not, but acquiesce in God’s providence with respect to you, and be content to be subject to the king of Babylon, that so your lives may be given you for a prey. Wherefore should this city be laid waste? — If you do not comply with God’s will in this instance, your city will certainly be destroyed, and why should you pull down such a judgment upon your own heads? But if they be prophets, &c. — If they be true prophets, and have any power with God, instead of foretelling the bringing back of the vessels carried away, let them apply to him in prayer to prevent the carrying away of the vessels that yet remain, whether in the house of the Lord, or in the king’s house, or in Jerusalem, which can be done no other way than by pleading with God to turn away his wrath, and not proceed in inflicting those sore judgments which he is most certainly bringing upon you.

MESSAGE TO THE PRIESTS AND PEOPLE, 16-22.

16. Vessels of the Lord’s house — Made by Solomon (1 Kings 7:48-50) and carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. 2 Kings 24:13. They were valuable, not only because of their intrinsic worth, being made of gold, but especially because of their representative character, being devoted to religions uses, so that for them to fall into the possession of a heathen power, and be carried away to a heathen land, was as when the ark of God was captured by the Philistines. Now shortly — Speedily. From Babylon — Literally, from Babylon-ward.

Verses 16-18. Also I spake to the priests and to all this people — The prophet, being God’s true servant, spared none, but gave faithful warning to all sorts of persons, to take heed of being deceived by the false prophets, who undertook to foretel that the vessels of the temple, carried away in the time of Jehoiakim and his son Jeconiah, (of which we read 2 Chronicles 36:7, 10,) should be brought back again to Jerusalem in a short time: see Jeremiah 28:3. Hearken not unto them — Believe them not, but acquiesce in God’s providence with respect to you, and be content to be subject to the king of Babylon, that so your lives may be given you for a prey. Wherefore should this city be laid waste? — If you do not comply with God’s will in this instance, your city will certainly be destroyed, and why should you pull down such a judgment upon your own heads? But if they be prophets, &c. — If they be true prophets, and have any power with God, instead of foretelling the bringing back of the vessels carried away, let them apply to him in prayer to prevent the carrying away of the vessels that yet remain, whether in the house of the Lord, or in the king’s house, or in Jerusalem, which can be done no other way than by pleading with God to turn away his wrath, and not proceed in inflicting those sore judgments which he is most certainly bringing upon you.

17. Serve the king of Babylon — The extreme severity of this message to Jeremiah, who was charged with its delivery, was its seemingly unpatriotic character. He counselled submission to the enemy. But it was in reality the highest and purest patriotism, and he who delivered it was not only a patriot, but a hero.

Verses 16-18. Also I spake to the priests and to all this people — The prophet, being God’s true servant, spared none, but gave faithful warning to all sorts of persons, to take heed of being deceived by the false prophets, who undertook to foretel that the vessels of the temple, carried away in the time of Jehoiakim and his son Jeconiah, (of which we read 2 Chronicles 36:7, 10,) should be brought back again to Jerusalem in a short time: see Jeremiah 28:3. Hearken not unto them — Believe them not, but acquiesce in God’s providence with respect to you, and be content to be subject to the king of Babylon, that so your lives may be given you for a prey. Wherefore should this city be laid waste? — If you do not comply with God’s will in this instance, your city will certainly be destroyed, and why should you pull down such a judgment upon your own heads? But if they be prophets, &c. — If they be true prophets, and have any power with God, instead of foretelling the bringing back of the vessels carried away, let them apply to him in prayer to prevent the carrying away of the vessels that yet remain, whether in the house of the Lord, or in the king’s house, or in Jerusalem, which can be done no other way than by pleading with God to turn away his wrath, and not proceed in inflicting those sore judgments which he is most certainly bringing upon you.

18. Vessels… left — Only the more costly vessels, and those most readily accessible, were at first removed. Those remaining were not only in the temple, but sacred utensils were probably kept in other places also.

Verse 19. Concerning the pillars] Two brazen columns placed by Solomon in the pronaos or portico of the temple, eighteen cubits high, and twelve in circumference, 1 Kings 7:16-22; Jeremiah 52:11. The sea] The brazen sea, ten cubits in diameter, and thirty in circumference. It contained water for different washings in the Divine worship, and was supported on twelve brazen oxen. Perhaps these are what are called the bases here. See the parallel places in the margin, and the notes on them.

Verses 19-22. Thus saith the Lord concerning the pillars, &c. — These were all parts of the temple, or vessels used in it: see 1 Kings 7. And all the nobles, &c. — Concerning the persons and things which the king of Babylon carried away, see 2 Kings 24:13-15. Yea, thus saith the Lord — The prophet enlarges the divine threatening, and represents it as extending to all other vessels of value in the houses of the king, the nobles, or more wealthy citizens. They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be — See an historical account of the fulfilment of this prophecy, 2 Kings 25:13-16; and 2 Chronicles 36:18; and that they abode in Babylon till the end of the captivity, appears from Daniel 5:2, where we read of Belshazzar’s sending for them, to drink wine in at his fatal feast; until the day that I visit them — That is, until the expiration of the time of the Jewish captivity, which was seventy years. Then will I restore them to this place — Of the fulfilling of which part of the prophecy we have an account Ezra 1:7-9. So punctually was Jeremiah’s prophecy in this place fulfilled, and so exactly does one part of holy writ agree with another, which are irrefragable proofs of the divine authority of the sacred Scriptures.

19. The pillars — Jachin and Boaz. 1 Kings 7:21. The sea — That is, the brazen sea. 1 Kings 7:23. The bases — The frames or pedestals which supported the basins for washing the sacrificial flesh. 1 Kings 7:27.

Verses 19-22. Thus saith the Lord concerning the pillars, &c. — These were all parts of the temple, or vessels used in it: see 1 Kings 7. And all the nobles, &c. — Concerning the persons and things which the king of Babylon carried away, see 2 Kings 24:13-15. Yea, thus saith the Lord — The prophet enlarges the divine threatening, and represents it as extending to all other vessels of value in the houses of the king, the nobles, or more wealthy citizens. They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be — See an historical account of the fulfilment of this prophecy, 2 Kings 25:13-16; and 2 Chronicles 36:18; and that they abode in Babylon till the end of the captivity, appears from Daniel 5:2, where we read of Belshazzar’s sending for them, to drink wine in at his fatal feast; until the day that I visit them — That is, until the expiration of the time of the Jewish captivity, which was seventy years. Then will I restore them to this place — Of the fulfilling of which part of the prophecy we have an account Ezra 1:7-9. So punctually was Jeremiah’s prophecy in this place fulfilled, and so exactly does one part of holy writ agree with another, which are irrefragable proofs of the divine authority of the sacred Scriptures.

MESSAGE TO THE PRIESTS AND PEOPLE, 16-22.

16. Vessels of the Lord’s house — Made by Solomon (1 Kings 7:48-50) and carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. 2 Kings 24:13. They were valuable, not only because of their intrinsic worth, being made of gold, but especially because of their representative character, being devoted to religions uses, so that for them to fall into the possession of a heathen power, and be carried away to a heathen land, was as when the ark of God was captured by the Philistines. Now shortly — Speedily. From Babylon — Literally, from Babylon-ward.

Verses 19-22. Thus saith the Lord concerning the pillars, &c. — These were all parts of the temple, or vessels used in it: see 1 Kings 7. And all the nobles, &c. — Concerning the persons and things which the king of Babylon carried away, see 2 Kings 24:13-15. Yea, thus saith the Lord — The prophet enlarges the divine threatening, and represents it as extending to all other vessels of value in the houses of the king, the nobles, or more wealthy citizens. They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be — See an historical account of the fulfilment of this prophecy, 2 Kings 25:13-16; and 2 Chronicles 36:18; and that they abode in Babylon till the end of the captivity, appears from Daniel 5:2, where we read of Belshazzar’s sending for them, to drink wine in at his fatal feast; until the day that I visit them — That is, until the expiration of the time of the Jewish captivity, which was seventy years. Then will I restore them to this place — Of the fulfilling of which part of the prophecy we have an account Ezra 1:7-9. So punctually was Jeremiah’s prophecy in this place fulfilled, and so exactly does one part of holy writ agree with another, which are irrefragable proofs of the divine authority of the sacred Scriptures.

MESSAGE TO THE PRIESTS AND PEOPLE, 16-22.

16. Vessels of the Lord’s house — Made by Solomon (1 Kings 7:48-50) and carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. 2 Kings 24:13. They were valuable, not only because of their intrinsic worth, being made of gold, but especially because of their representative character, being devoted to religions uses, so that for them to fall into the possession of a heathen power, and be carried away to a heathen land, was as when the ark of God was captured by the Philistines. Now shortly — Speedily. From Babylon — Literally, from Babylon-ward.

Verse 22. They shall be carried to Babylon] Far from those already taken being brought back, those which now remain shall be carried thither, unless ye submit to the Chaldeans. They did not submit, and the prophecy was literally fulfilled; see Jeremiah 52:17-23; 2 Kings 25:13, and the other places in the margin.

JEREMIAH

Verses 19-22. Thus saith the Lord concerning the pillars, &c. — These were all parts of the temple, or vessels used in it: see 1 Kings 7. And all the nobles, &c. — Concerning the persons and things which the king of Babylon carried away, see 2 Kings 24:13-15. Yea, thus saith the Lord — The prophet enlarges the divine threatening, and represents it as extending to all other vessels of value in the houses of the king, the nobles, or more wealthy citizens. They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be — See an historical account of the fulfilment of this prophecy, 2 Kings 25:13-16; and 2 Chronicles 36:18; and that they abode in Babylon till the end of the captivity, appears from Daniel 5:2, where we read of Belshazzar’s sending for them, to drink wine in at his fatal feast; until the day that I visit them — That is, until the expiration of the time of the Jewish captivity, which was seventy years. Then will I restore them to this place — Of the fulfilling of which part of the prophecy we have an account Ezra 1:7-9. So punctually was Jeremiah’s prophecy in this place fulfilled, and so exactly does one part of holy writ agree with another, which are irrefragable proofs of the divine authority of the sacred Scriptures.

MESSAGE TO THE PRIESTS AND PEOPLE, 16-22.

16. Vessels of the Lord’s house — Made by Solomon (1 Kings 7:48-50) and carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. 2 Kings 24:13. They were valuable, not only because of their intrinsic worth, being made of gold, but especially because of their representative character, being devoted to religions uses, so that for them to fall into the possession of a heathen power, and be carried away to a heathen land, was as when the ark of God was captured by the Philistines. Now shortly — Speedily. From Babylon — Literally, from Babylon-ward.