_The words of Jeremiah_ That is, the sermons or prophecies, the contents of which he received from God, that he might declare them unto the people, and which are comprised in this book under his name. See on Isaiah 2:1. _The son of Hilkiah_ Some have supposed this to have been Hilkiah the high-pries... [ Continue Reading ]
_It came also_ Namely, _the word of the Lord_, as Jeremiah 1:2; _in the days of Jehoiakim_ Called at first by Josiah, _Eliakim, 2 Kings 23:34_. It must be observed, that Jehoahaz, who reigned before him, (2 Kings 28:8,) and Jehoiakim, who succeeded him, are not mentioned here, because each of them r... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the word of the Lord came unto me_ With a satisfying assurance to himself, that it was the word of the Lord, and not a delusion. _Before I formed thee in the belly_ That is, the womb. Having spoken before on the time of his call, he now speaks of the manner of it. _I knew thee_ That is, I had... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said I, Ah, Lord God_, &c. He modestly excuses himself from a consideration of the weight of the work, and the tenderness of his age, as in the next expression. _Behold, I cannot speak; for I am a child_ We cannot infer from this, that Jeremiah was within the years of what is properly called c... [ Continue Reading ]
_But the Lord said unto me_, &c. God refuses to accept of his excuse, and renews his commission to him to execute the prophetic office. Thus God refused to accept the excuse of Moses, made on a like occasion. See Exodus 6:30; and Exodus 7:1. _Thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee_ This is not... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth_ This appeared to the prophet to be done in his vision; whereby he was taught that the divine help should go along with him, that the gift of utterance should be bestowed upon him, and that he should be able to declare the divine commands in a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me_ Probably at the same time, and in the same vision, wherein he was first appointed to his office; _saying, What seest thou_ Here, by symbolical representations, the meaning of which God immediately interpreted, future things were presented to his view. Thi... [ Continue Reading ]
_I see a seething-pot_ Or, _a pot boiling._ The steam of this boiling pot represented God's judgments, which are often compared to a fire, as the afflictions of Israel were to a smoking furnace. Genesis 15:17. _And the face thereof was toward the north_ The steam was represented to the prophet as ra... [ Continue Reading ]
_For lo, I will call_ Or, _I am upon calling_, or, _about to call; all the families of the kingdoms of the north_ By these seem to be meant the different nations who were subject to Nabopolassar and Nebuchadnezzar, and who served in their armies, such as the Medes, Armenians, Chaldeans, inhabitants... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou therefore gird up thy loins_ Prepare to do the work to which I call and appoint thee. For, it being the custom of the eastern people to wear long garments, which they girded about their loins when any business required great activity or expedition; by thus speaking the Lord enjoins his prophet... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I have made thee this day a defenced city_ That is, from this day I will so defend thee that they shall be no more able to hurt thee than they would be if thou wast in a strongly-fortified and impregnable city. _And brazen walls_ Which cannot be broken or battered down with any force. _Against... [ Continue Reading ]