_And it came to pass_, &c. Jeremiah here inserts a history of some things which related to, or had a connection with, his prophecies; (as we find Isaiah did with regard to his;) and, accordingly, we are here informed how they came to be written, namely, by the express order of God, that they might s... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take thee a roll of a book_ Compare Isaiah 8:1; Ezekiel 2:9; Zechariah 5:1. The ancient manner of writing was upon long scrolls of parchment, which they afterward rolled upon sticks. On these words it is remarked by Harmer, (vol. 4. chap. 7, obs. 122,) “Many things were rolled up, much in the shape... [ Continue Reading ]
_It may be that the house of Judah will hear_, &c. That is, will hearken, and lay to heart, _all the evil, &c., that they may return_, &c. Blaney translates the verse, “Peradventure the house of Judah may hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them, so as to return every one from his evil way,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Jeremiah called Baruch_ Baruch was the most faithful disciple of this prophet: he served him as long as he lived in the capacity of his secretary, and never left him till his death. _And Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words_, &c. We need not ask how Jeremiah could remember all... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up_ It is not said, that “he was shut up in prison” at this time: but barely that _he was shut up_, or _confined_, as עצור signifies, that is, under some such confinement, or restraint, as precluded his going to the house of the Lord. _Therefore go thou... [ Continue Reading ]
_It may be they will present their supplications_ Hebrew, תפל תחנתם לפני יהוה, _peradventure they may prostrate themselves in supplication before Jehovah;_ or, more literally, _their supplication may fall before Jehovah_, which, undoubtedly, says Blaney, “respects the humble posture of the supplican... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the fifth year, &c., they proclaimed a fast_ “It was customary among the Jews to proclaim anniversary fasts upon certain days, in memory of some great calamities which had befallen them at that time. Of this kind were the fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months, mentioned Zechariah... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Michaiah, the son of Shaphan, had heard_, &c. Shaphan's family were all great men at court: see note on Jeremiah 26:24; _he went down into the king's house_, &c. It is uncertain whether this Michaiah went to make this relation to the princes, who sat in the secretary's chamber, as a piece of n... [ Continue Reading ]
_When they heard all the words_ It is hardly to be imagined that all these counsellors would sit still till they had heard all the prophecies read which Jeremiah had uttered for the last twenty-two years; but _all_ signifies many, or, the substance of all his prophecies. _They were afraid both one a... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they went in to the king into the court_ “They were before, it is said, Jeremiah 36:12, in the king's house, that is, in the exterior precincts of the palace, where were apartments and offices fitted up for the principal officers of state, and for the attendants of the court. But, from what is... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now the king sat in the winter-house_ The princes and great men had distinct houses, or apartments, fitted for the several seasons of the year, Amos 3:15. _In the ninth month_ Which answers to the latter end of our November and part of December. _And there was a fire on the hearth burning before hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Jehudi had read three or four leaves_ Hebrew, דלתות, _rolls_, or _scrolls_, for their books, as we have observed, consisted of several pieces of parchment rolled upon each other. Dr. Waterland renders the word _columns_, and Blaney, _sections_, observing that to render it _leaves_, “seems rath... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet they were not afraid_ No, not those princes that trembled at the word when they heard it the first time, Jeremiah 36:16. The fear with which they were then seized quickly wore off, or else they durst not discover it in the king's presence, who showed no concern himself. _Nor rent their garments... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nevertheless, Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah had made intercession_, &c. These three princes appear to have had a greater dread of God upon their hearts than the rest, for, so far as they durst, they interposed and besought the king not to burn the roll; but he would not hearken to their advice; s... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah_, &c. Jeremiah now receives orders to write in another roll the same words that were written in that which Jehoiakim had burned. Observe well, reader, though the attempts of hell against the word of God are very daring, yet not one tittle of it shall fall... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall have none to sit on the throne of David_ That is, none that shall be king any considerable time; Jeconiah, his son, was set up, but kept his throne only three months, and left none to succeed him in a direct line. _And his dead body shall be cast out_ See note on Jeremiah 22:19. _And I wil... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then took Jeremiah another roll_ Here we are shown, that wicked men gain nothing by opposing themselves to the revealed will of God, how ungrateful soever it may be to them, but the addition of guilt to their souls, and the increase of divine wrath; God's counsels shall stand, and what he speaks sh... [ Continue Reading ]