_Now these are the words of the letter_ Hebrew, דברי הספר, _the words of the book_, or _writing_, as both the LXX. and the Vulgate translate it. Although this title announces but one, Blaney gives it as his opinion that this chapter undeniably contains the substance of two writings sent at different... [ Continue Reading ]
_After that Jeconiah and the queen_, &c. By the queen is meant Jeconiah's mother: see 2 Kings 24:12, where an account is given of this captivity. _And the eunuchs_ Or _court-officers_, as Dr. Waterland renders it; _and the princes of Judah and Jerusalem_ Men of authority and influence among the peop... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thus saith the Lord, Build ye houses, and plant gardens_, &c. It appears by the advice which the prophet here gives, that many of the captive Jews neglected to cultivate and plant the places allotted to them about Babylon; because they were not willing to bestow cost and pains for the advantage of... [ Continue Reading ]
_For thus saith the Lord of hosts_ The prophet continues to speak by the authority of God; _Let not your prophets, &c., deceive you_ Suffer not yourselves to be deluded by them. While we have the word of God, by which to try the spirits, it is our own fault if we be deceived; for by it we may be dir... [ Continue Reading ]
_After seventy years be accomplished at Babylon_ Hebrews, לפי מלאת שׁבעים שׁנה, literally, _At the mouth of the accomplishment of seventy years._ “And as the _mouth_ of a river, metaphorically, denotes the extremity of its course, where it discharges its waters into the sea; so, by a farther metapho... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because ye have said_, &c. The LXX. have transposed this verse, and placed it “where,” says Blaney, “it undoubtedly ought to stand,” immediately before Jeremiah 29:21; “this emendation,” says he, “I have adopted, as by it a due order and connection are restored, both in the place from whence the ve... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thus saith the Lord of the king and all the people_, &c. See Jeremiah 24:8; _that dwell in this city_ Namely, the city of Jerusalem, which is the city spoken of. _I will make them like vile figs_ Rather like _sour_ figs, _that cannot be eaten_ The meaning is, I will deal with them as men deal with... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hear all ye of the captivity whom I have sent_, &c. These phrases, _I have sent, I have driven_, &c., should be well observed by us. There is no evil or punishment in cities or nations, but, whoever be the instruments in bringing it on, God is the author of it. _Thus saith the Lord of Ahab and of Z... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thus shalt thou speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite_ Or, _the dreamer_, as the word הנחלמי, is rendered in the margin: see Jeremiah 29:8. The termination, however, rather shows it to be a word expressing Shemaiah's family or country, and we find such a place as _Helam_ mentioned, 2 Samuel 10:16. The p... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall not have a man to dwell among his people_, &c. None of his posterity shall remain to see my people restored to their own land again. See Jeremiah 29:11. _Because he hath taught rebellion_ Or, _prevarication_, as Blaney translates סרה, observing, “It properly signifies _a declining_, or tur... [ Continue Reading ]