_The word of the Lord came_, &c. Here begins a new discourse, wherein God forbids Jeremiah to marry, principally with a view to show the miseries of parents, and the confused and ruinous state of things in Judea. “Fruitfulness was promised as a blessing under the law, Deuteronomy 28:4, but ceased to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Enter not into the house of mourning_ Or, of _a mourning feast_, according to the reading in the margin, the word מרזח, occurring also Amos 6:7, and being there rendered _a banquet._ The sense seems to be, Do not go to comfort such as mourn for any friends or relations dead; their feastings on thos... [ Continue Reading ]
_Neither shall men tear themselves for them_ According to this translation the phrase alludes to another expression of immoderate grief, which consisted in tearing their flesh with their nails. But according to the marginal reading, the sense is, _Neither shall men break bread for them;_ alluding to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt not also go into the house of feasting_ God not only forbade his prophet to go into houses of mourning, but forbade him also to go into houses where people were wont to eat and drink on joyful occasions, because it would be unseasonable, and would not agree with the afflictive dispensati... [ Continue Reading ]
_There shall ye serve other gods day and night_ The opportunities of frequenting the public worship of the true God shall be taken from you, as a just judgment upon you for your neglect of his service in your own country; and you shall be exposed to the peril of being seduced by the Chaldeans to the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore, behold the days come, saith the Lord_, &c. The particle לכן seems to be very improperly rendered _therefore_ here. It evidently sometimes signifies _notwithstanding_, or _nevertheless;_ see note on Isaiah 30:18, and sometimes, _yet surely_, as Jeremiah 5:2, of this prophecy; which sense... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, I will send_, &c. This may be better rendered, _But now I will send_, &c. Because here the prophet returns to denounce threatenings; _many fishers, and they shall fish them_ “It is common with the sacred writers to represent enemies and oppressors under the metaphors of _fishers_ and _hunte... [ Continue Reading ]
_O Lord, my strength_ To support and comfort me; _my fortress_ To protect and shelter me; _and my refuge in the day of affliction_ To whom I may flee for deliverance and consolation; _the Gentiles, the nations, shall come to thee from the ends of the earth_ The prophet, shocked at the apostacy of Is... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore I will this once_ Or, as בפעם הזאת may be rendered, _at this time_, as the same expression is rendered, 2 Samuel 17:7. _Cause them to know my hand and my might_, &c. “The time alluded to is undoubtedly that when the gospel was to be preached to, and embraced by, the Gentiles; when God pro... [ Continue Reading ]