The present prophecy Jer. 19–20 is to be taken in close connection with the preceding. Jeremiah chooses a vessel baked in the fire, and therefore incapable of being re-shaped (compare Jeremiah 18:1, note; Jeremiah 18:6, note). It is the symbol of the obdurate, of those who have taken their final for... [ Continue Reading ]
GET (I. E., PURCHASE) A POTTER’S EARTHEN BOTTLE - The “bottle” was a flask with a long neck, and took its name from the noise made by liquids in running out. THE ANCIENTS - These “elders” were the regularly constituted representatives of the people (see Jeremiah 29:1; Numbers 11:16), and the organiz... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VALLEY ... - See Jeremiah 7:31 note. THE EAST GATE - Others render “the pottery gate.” Two gates led into the valley of Hinnom, the Fountain-gate at the southeast corner, and the Dung-gate on the southwest side of Zion; some think that “the east gate” was neither of these, but a small or poster... [ Continue Reading ]
KINGS - Plural because the message Jeremiah 19:3, related not especially to the reigning king, but to the whole royal house.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE ESTRANGED THIS PLACE - They have not recognized the sanctity of this place, but have treated it as a strange place, by worshipping in it strange gods. INNOCENTS - i. e., guiltless persons.... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE VOID - The verb used here is that from which “bottle” Jeremiah 19:1 is derived, and as it represents the sound made by the water running out, it would be better translated, “pour out.” Jeremiah perhaps carried the bottle to Tophet full of water, the symbol in the East of life Isaiah 35:6; Isaia... [ Continue Reading ]
MADE WHOLE AGAIN - literally, “healed.” In this lies the distinction between this symbol and that of Jeremiah 18:4. The plastic clay can be shaped and re-shaped until the potter forms with it the vessel he had predetermined: the broken bottle is of no further use, but its fragments are cast away for... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE OF ALL - literally, “with reference to all,” limiting the denunciation to those houses whose roofs had been defiled with altars. UPON WHOSE ROOFS THEY HAVE BURNED INCENSE - See 2 Kings 23:12, note.... [ Continue Reading ]
Since it was this repetition of the prophecy in the temple which so greatly irritated Pashur, these two verses ought to be joined to the next chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]