XLIII. (2) AZARIAH THE SON OF HOSHAIAH. — The LXX., it will be remembered, gives this name in Jeremiah 42:1, where the Hebrew has Jezaniah. Possibly, however, as suggested above, the two names represent brothers who were both prominent as leaders of the people. Here, we may note, he takes precedence... [ Continue Reading ]
BARUCH THE SON OF NERIAH SETTETH THEE ON AGAINST US. — This was the solution which presented itself to the suspicions of the murmurers. The prophet’s amanuensis had become his leader, and was making use of him as a tool for the furtherance of his own designs, and those designs were to court the favo... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS CAME THEY EVEN TO TAHPANHES. — The town was obviously on the north-eastern frontier of Egypt. In Jdt. 1:9 it appears between the river of Egypt (the Rhinocolura, which divided Egypt from Palestine) and Ramesse (the Raamses of Exodus 1:11, or Rameses of Numbers 33:3; Numbers 33:5) and all the la... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE GREAT STONES IN THINE HAND, AND HIDE THEM IN THE CLAY IN THE BRICKKILN. — Better, _in the mortar on the platform._ There seems something incongruous in the idea of a brickkiln, or a place for baking bricks, at the entrance of a royal palace; nor is it easy to see why Nebuchadrezzar should have... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL SPREAD HIS ROYAL PAVILION OVER THEM. — Here, again, the meaning of the Hebrew word is doubtful. The English Version, as before, follows Luther in taking it for the awning or canopy which was stretched over the throne when the king sat in state as judge. Others (_e.g.,_ Hitzig) find in it th... [ Continue Reading ]
SUCH AS ARE FOR DEATH TO DEATH. — Again we note the re-appearance of a characteristic formula (Jeremiah 11:2).... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL KINDLE A FIRE. — The change of person is full of significance. Jehovah Himself kindles the fire which is to destroy the temples of the gods of Egypt, and the Chaldæan king is but His instrument. AS A SHEPHERD PUTTETH ON HIS GARMENT. — The words may point simply to the easiness of the conques... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL BREAK ALSO THE IMAGES OF BETHSHE-MESH. — This name, which means “Home of the Sun” (so the Vulgate renders it here by _domus solis_)_,_ was naturally not an uncommon one where sun-worship had prevailed, and we find it accordingly in Judah (Joshua 15:10; 1 Samuel 6:9; 1 Samuel 6:12), in Issac... [ Continue Reading ]