Jeremiah 33:14-26

See introd. summary to the section. This portion of the ch. is clearly later than Jeremiah's time. The expression "Levitical priests" (see on Jeremiah 33:18) is not one which he uses elsewhere. Moreover, there is a considerable amount of repetition in the passage (cp. Jeremiah 33:14 with Jeremiah 29:10; Jeremiah 23:5 f., and Jeremiah 33:17 with Jeremiah 35:19, and Jeremiah 33:20-26 with Jeremiah 31:35 f.). Above all, it is lacking in the LXX. It is very improbable that those translators would have designedly omitted such a proclamation of the Messianic hope, of the permanence of David's line, and of the importance of the priestly office. The generally hopeful character of the passage also would have appealed to them. Gi., though deciding against the genuineness of the passage, considers that the phrase "Levitical priests" is so suitable to Jeremiah's time, that here it must be considered as an archaism employed by a later writer. Co. summarily rejects the passage, and substitutes Jeremiah 23:7 f., as being most appropriate here, while at least suspicious in 23. in view of its varying position in MT. and LXX.