21 For the pastors H7462 are become brutish, H1197 and have not sought H1875 the LORD: H3068 therefore they shall not prosper, H7919 and all their flocks H4830 shall be scattered. H6327
Son H1121 of man, H120 prophesy H5012 against the shepherds H7462 of Israel, H3478 prophesy, H5012 and say H559 unto them, Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD H3069 unto the shepherds; H7462 Woe H1945 be to the shepherds H7462 of Israel H3478 that do feed H7462 themselves! should not the shepherds H7462 feed H7462 the flocks? H6629 Ye eat H398 the fat, H2459 and ye clothe H3847 you with the wool, H6785 ye kill H2076 them that are fed: H1277 but ye feed H7462 not the flock. H6629 The diseased H2470 have ye not strengthened, H2388 neither have ye healed H7495 that which was sick, H2470 neither have ye bound up H2280 that which was broken, H7665 neither have ye brought again H7725 that which was driven away, H5080 neither have ye sought H1245 that which was lost; H6 but with force H2394 and with cruelty H6531 have ye ruled H7287 them. And they were scattered, H6327 because there is no shepherd: H7462 and they became meat H402 to all the beasts H2416 of the field, H7704 when they were scattered. H6327 My sheep H6629 wandered H7686 through all the mountains, H2022 and upon every high H7311 hill: H1389 yea, my flock H6629 was scattered H6327 upon all the face H6440 of the earth, H776 and none did search H1875 or seek H1245 after them. Therefore, ye shepherds, H7462 hear H8085 the word H1697 of the LORD; H3068 As I live, H2416 saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD, H3069 surely because my flock H6629 became a prey, H957 and my flock H6629 became meat H402 to every beast H2416 of the field, H7704 because there was no shepherd, H7462 neither did my shepherds H7462 search H1875 for my flock, H6629 but the shepherds H7462 fed H7462 themselves, and fed H7462 not my flock; H6629 Therefore, O ye shepherds, H7462 hear H8085 the word H1697 of the LORD; H3068 Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 Behold, I am against the shepherds; H7462 and I will require H1875 my flock H6629 at their hand, H3027 and cause them to cease H7673 from feeding H7462 the flock; H6629 neither shall the shepherds H7462 feed H7462 themselves any more; for I will deliver H5337 my flock H6629 from their mouth, H6310 that they may not be meat H402 for them.
There is a conspiracy H7195 of her prophets H5030 in the midst H8432 thereof, like a roaring H7580 lion H738 ravening H2963 the prey; H2964 they have devoured H398 souls; H5315 they have taken H3947 the treasure H2633 and precious things; H3366 they have made her many H7235 widows H490 in the midst H8432 thereof. Her priests H3548 have violated H2554 my law, H8451 and have profaned H2490 mine holy things: H6944 they have put no difference H914 between the holy H6944 and profane, H2455 neither have they shewed H3045 difference between the unclean H2931 and the clean, H2889 and have hid H5956 their eyes H5869 from my sabbaths, H7676 and I am profaned H2490 among H8432 them. Her princes H8269 in the midst H7130 thereof are like wolves H2061 ravening H2963 the prey, H2964 to shed H8210 blood, H1818 and to destroy H6 souls, H5315 to get H1214 dishonest gain. H1215 And her prophets H5030 have daubed H2902 them with untempered H8602 morter, seeing H2374 vanity, H7723 and divining H7080 lies H3577 unto them, saying, H559 Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD, H3069 when the LORD H3068 hath not spoken. H1696 The people H5971 of the land H776 have used oppression, H6231 H6233 and exercised H1497 robbery, H1498 and have vexed H3238 the poor H6041 and needy: H34 yea, they have oppressed H6231 the stranger H1616 wrongfully. H4941 And I sought H1245 for a man H376 among them, that should make up H1443 the hedge, H1447 and stand H5975 in the gap H6556 before H6440 me for the land, H776 that I should not destroy H7843 it: but I found H4672 none.
Mine heart H3820 within H7130 me is broken H7665 because of the prophets; H5030 all my bones H6106 shake; H7363 I am like a drunken H7910 man, H376 and like a man H1397 whom wine H3196 hath overcome, H5674 because H6440 of the LORD, H3068 and because of the words H1697 of his holiness. H6944 For the land H776 is full H4390 of adulterers; H5003 for because H6440 of swearing H423 the land H776 mourneth; H56 the pleasant places H4999 of the wilderness H4057 are dried up, H3001 and their course H4794 is evil, H7451 and their force H1369 is not right. For both prophet H5030 and priest H3548 are profane; H2610 yea, in my house H1004 have I found H4672 their wickedness, H7451 saith H5002 the LORD. H3068 Wherefore their way H1870 shall be unto them as slippery H2519 ways in the darkness: H653 they shall be driven on, H1760 and fall H5307 therein: for I will bring H935 evil H7451 upon them, even the year H8141 of their visitation, H6486 saith H5002 the LORD. H3068 And I have seen H7200 folly H8604 in the prophets H5030 of Samaria; H8111 they prophesied H5012 in Baal, H1168 and caused my people H5971 Israel H3478 to err. H8582 I have seen H7200 also in the prophets H5030 of Jerusalem H3389 an horrible thing: H8186 they commit adultery, H5003 and walk H1980 in lies: H8267 they strengthen H2388 also the hands H3027 of evildoers, H7489 that none H376 doth return H7725 from his wickedness: H7451 they are all of them unto me as Sodom, H5467 and the inhabitants H3427 thereof as Gomorrah. H6017 Therefore thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts H6635 concerning the prophets; H5030 Behold, I will feed H398 them with wormwood, H3939 and make them drink H8248 the water H4325 of gall: H7219 for from the prophets H5030 of Jerusalem H3389 is profaneness H2613 gone forth H3318 into all the land. H776 Thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 Hearken H8085 not unto the words H1697 of the prophets H5030 that prophesy H5012 unto you: they make you vain: H1891 they speak H1696 a vision H2377 of their own heart, H3820 and not out of the mouth H6310 of the LORD. H3068 They say H559 still H559 unto them that despise H5006 me, The LORD H3068 hath said, H1696 Ye shall have peace; H7965 and they say H559 unto every one that walketh H1980 after the imagination H8307 of his own heart, H3820 No evil H7451 shall come H935 upon you. For who hath stood H5975 in the counsel H5475 of the LORD, H3068 and hath perceived H7200 and heard H8085 his word? H1697 who hath marked H7181 his word, H1697 and heard H8085 it? Behold, a whirlwind H5591 of the LORD H3068 is gone forth H3318 in fury, H2534 even a grievous H2342 whirlwind: H5591 it shall fall grievously H2342 upon the head H7218 of the wicked. H7563 The anger H639 of the LORD H3068 shall not return, H7725 until he have executed, H6213 and till he have performed H6965 the thoughts H4209 of his heart: H3820 in the latter H319 days H3117 ye shall consider H995 it perfectly. H998 I have not sent H7971 these prophets, H5030 yet they ran: H7323 I have not spoken H1696 to them, yet they prophesied. H5012 But if they had stood H5975 in my counsel, H5475 and had caused my people H5971 to hear H8085 my words, H1697 then they should have turned H7725 them from their evil H7451 way, H1870 and from the evil H7455 of their doings. H4611 Am I a God H430 at hand, H7138 saith H5002 the LORD, H3068 and not a God H430 afar off? H7350 Can any H376 hide H5641 himself in secret places H4565 that I shall not see H7200 him? saith H5002 the LORD. H3068 Do not I fill H4392 heaven H8064 and earth? H776 saith H5002 the LORD. H3068 I have heard H8085 what the prophets H5030 said, H559 that prophesy H5012 lies H8267 in my name, H8034 saying, H559 I have dreamed, H2492 I have dreamed. H2492 How long shall this be H3426 in the heart H3820 of the prophets H5030 that prophesy H5012 lies? H8267 yea, they are prophets H5030 of the deceit H8649 of their own heart; H3820 Which think H2803 to cause my people H5971 to forget H7911 my name H8034 by their dreams H2472 which they tell H5608 every man H376 to his neighbour, H7453 as their fathers H1 have forgotten H7911 my name H8034 for Baal. H1168 The prophet H5030 that hath a dream, H2472 let him tell H5608 a dream; H2472 and he that hath my word, H1697 let him speak H1696 my word H1697 faithfully. H571 What is the chaff H8401 to the wheat? H1250 saith H5002 the LORD. H3068 Is not my word H1697 like H3541 as a fire? H784 saith H5002 the LORD; H3068 and like a hammer H6360 that breaketh H6327 the rock H5553 in pieces? H6327 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, H5030 saith H5002 the LORD, H3068 that steal H1589 my words H1697 every one H376 from his neighbour. H7453 Behold, I am against the prophets, H5030 saith H5002 the LORD, H3068 that use H3947 their tongues, H3956 and say, H5001 He saith. H5002 Behold, I am against them that prophesy H5012 false H8267 dreams, H2472 saith H5002 the LORD, H3068 and do tell H5608 them, and cause my people H5971 to err H8582 by their lies, H8267 and by their lightness; H6350 yet I sent H7971 them not, nor commanded H6680 them: therefore they shall not profit H3276 this people H5971 at all, H3276 saith H5002 the LORD. H3068
Woe H1945 be unto the pastors H7462 that destroy H6 and scatter H6327 the sheep H6629 of my pasture! H4830 saith H5002 the LORD. H3068 Therefore thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel H3478 against the pastors H7462 that feed H7462 my people; H5971 Ye have scattered H6327 my flock, H6629 and driven them away, H5080 and have not visited H6485 them: behold, I will visit H6485 upon you the evil H7455 of your doings, H4611 saith H5002 the LORD. H3068
His watchmen H6822 are blind: H5787 they are all ignorant, H3045 they are all dumb H483 dogs, H3611 they cannot H3201 bark; H5024 sleeping, H1957 lying down, H7901 loving H157 to slumber. H5123 Yea, they are greedy H5794 H5315 dogs H3611 which can H3045 never have H3045 enough, H7654 and they are shepherds H7462 that cannot understand: H995 they all look H6437 to their own way, H1870 every one H376 for his gain, H1215 from his quarter. H7097 Come H857 ye, say they, I will fetch H3947 wine, H3196 and we will fill H5433 ourselves with strong drink; H7941 and to morrow H4279 shall be as this day, H3117 and much H3966 more H3499 abundant. H1419
But G1161 he that is G5607 an hireling, G3411 and G2532 not G3756 the shepherd, G4166 whose G3739 own G2398 the sheep G4263 are G1526 not, G3756 seeth G2334 the wolf G3074 coming, G2064 and G2532 leaveth G863 the sheep, G4263 and G2532 fleeth: G5343 and G2532 the wolf G3074 catcheth G726 them, G846 and G2532 scattereth G4650 the sheep. G4263 G1161 The hireling G3411 fleeth, G5343 because G3754 he is G2076 an hireling, G3411 and G2532 careth G3199 not G3756 for G4012 the sheep. G4263
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Jeremiah 10
Commentary on Jeremiah 10 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 10
Jer 10:1-25. Contrast between the Idols and Jehovah. The Prophet's Lamentation and Prayer.
1. Israel—the Jews, the surviving representatives of the nation.
2. Eichorn thinks the reference here to be to some celestial portent which had appeared at that time, causing the Jews' dismay. Probably the reference is general, namely, to the Chaldeans, famed as astrologers, through contact with whom the Jews were likely to fall into the same superstition.
way—the precepts or ordinances (Le 18:3; Ac 9:2).
signs of heaven—The Gentiles did not acknowledge a Great First Cause: many thought events depended on the power of the stars, which some, as Plato, thought to be endued with spirit and reason. All heavenly phenomena, eclipses, comets, &c., are included.
one cutteth a tree, &c.—rather, "It (that which they busy themselves about: a sample of their 'customs') is a tree cut out of the forest" [Maurer].
4. fasten … move not—that is, that it may stand upright without risk of falling, which the god (!) would do, if left to itself (Isa 41:7).
5. upright—or, "They are of turned work, resembling a palm tree" [Maurer]. The point of comparison between the idol and the palm is in the pillar-like uprightness of the latter, it having no branches except at the top.
speak not—(Ps 115:5).
cannot go—that is, walk (Ps 115:7; Isa 46:1, 7).
neither … do good—(Isa 41:23).
6. none—literally, "no particle of nothing": nothing whatever; the strongest possible denial (Ex 15:11; Ps 86:8, 10).
7. (Re 15:4).
to thee doth it appertain—to Thee it properly belongs, namely, that Thou shouldest be "feared" (taken out of the previous "fear Thee") (compare Eze 21:27). He alone is the becoming object of worship. To worship any other is unseemly and an infringement of His inalienable prerogative.
none—nothing whatever (see on Jer 10:6; Ps 89:6).
8. altogether—rather, "all alike" [Maurer]. Even the so-called "wise" men (Jer 10:7) of the Gentiles are on a level with the brutes and "foolish," namely, because they connive at the popular idolatry (compare Ro 1:21-28). Therefore, in Daniel and Revelation, the world power is represented under a bestial form. Man divests himself of his true humanity, and sinks to the level of the brute, when he severs his connection with God (Ps 115:8; Jon 2:8).
stock is a doctrine of vanities—The stock (put for the worship of all idols whatever, made out of a stock) speaks for itself that the whole theory of idolatry is vanity (Isa 44:9-11). Castalio translates, "the very wood itself confuting the vanity" (of the idol).
9. Everything connected with idols is the result of human effort.
Silver spread—(See on Isa 30:22; Isa 40:19).
Tarshish—Tartessus, in Spain, famed for precious metals.
Uphaz—(Da 10:5). As the Septuagint in the Syrian Hexapla in the Margin, Theodotus, the Syrian and Chaldee versions have "Ophir," Gesenius thinks "Uphaz" a colloquial corruption (one letter only being changed) for "Ophir." Ophir, in Ge 10:29, is mentioned among Arabian countries. Perhaps Malacca is the country meant, the natives of which still call their gold mines Ophirs. Heeren thinks Ophir the general name for the rich countries of the south, on the Arabian, African, and Indian coasts; just as our term, East Indies.
cunning—skilful.
10. true God—literally, "God Jehovah is truth"; not merely true, that is, veracious, but truth in the reality of His essence, as opposed to the "vanity" or emptiness which all idols are (Jer 10:3, 8, 15; 2Ch 15:3; Ps 31:5; 1Jo 5:20).
living God—(Joh 5:26; 1Ti 6:17). He hath life in Himself which no creature has. All else "live in Him" (Ac 17:28). In contrast to dead idols.
everlasting—(Ps 10:16). In contrast to the temporary existence of all other objects of worship.
11. This verse is in Chaldee, Jeremiah supplying his countrymen with a formula of reply to Chaldee idolaters in the tongue most intelligible to the latter. There may be also derision intended in imitating their barbarous dialect. Rosenmuller objects to this view, that not merely the words put in the mouths of the Israelites, but Jeremiah's own introductory words, "Thus shall ye say to them," are in Chaldee, and thinks it to be a marginal gloss. But it is found in all the oldest versions. It was an old Greek saying: "Whoever thinks himself a god besides the one God, let him make another world" (Ps 96:5).
shall perish—(Isa 2:18; Zec 13:2).
these heavens—the speaker pointing to them with his fingers.
12. Continuation of Jer 10:10, after the interruption of the thread of the discourse in Jer 10:11 (Ps 136:5, 6).
13. Literally, "At the voice of His giving forth," that is, when He thunders. (Job 38:34; Ps 29:3-5).
waters—(Ge 1:7)—above the firmament; heavy rains accompany thunder.
vapours … ascend—(Ps 135:7).
treasures—His stores.
14. in his knowledge—"is rendered brutish by his skill," namely, in idol-making (Jer 10:8, 9). Thus the parallel, "confounded by the graven image," corresponds (so Jer 51:17). Others not so well translate, "without knowledge," namely, of God (see Isa 42:17; 45:16; Ho 4:6).
15. errors—deceptions; from a Hebrew root, "to stutter"; then meaning "to mock."
their visitation they—When God shall punish the idol-worshippers (namely, by Cyrus), the idols themselves shall be destroyed [Rosenmuller] (Jer 10:11).
16. portion—from a Hebrew root, "to divide." God is the all-sufficient Good of His people (Nu 18:20; Ps 16:5; 73:26; La 3:24).
not like them—not like the idols, a vain object of trust (De 32:31).
former of all things—the Fashioner (as a potter, Isa 64:8) of the universe.
rod of his inheritance—The portion marked off as His inheritance by the measuring rod (Eze 48:21). As He is their portion, so are they His portion (De 32:9). A reciprocal tie (compare Jer 51:19; Ps 74:2, Margin). Others make "rod" refer to the tribal rod or scepter.
17. wares—thine effects or movable goods (Eze 12:3). Prepare for migrating as captives to Babylon. The address is to Jerusalem, as representative of the whole people.
inhabitant of the fortress—rather, "inhabitress of the fortress." Though thou now seemest to inhabit an impregnable fortress, thou shalt have to remove. "The land" is the champaign region opposed to the "fortified" cities. The "fortress" being taken, the whole "land" will share the disaster. Henderson translates, "Gather up thy packages from the ground." Rosenmuller, for "fortress," translates, "siege," that is, the besieged city. The various articles, in this view, are supposed to be lying about in confusion on the ground during the siege.
18. sling out—expressing the violence and suddenness of the removal to Babylon. A similar image occurs in Jer 16:13; 1Sa 25:29; Isa 22:17, 18.
at this once—at this time, now.
find it so—find it by experience, that is, feel it (Eze 6:10). Michaelis translates, "I will bind them together (as in a sling) that they may reach the goal" (Babylon). English Version is best: "that they may find it so as I have said" (Nu 23:19; Eze 6:10).
19. Judea bewails its calamity.
wound—the stroke I suffer under.
I must bear—not humble submission to God's will (Mic 7:9), but sullen impenitence. Or, rather, it is prophetical of their ultimate acknowledgment of their guilt as the cause of their calamity (La 3:39).
20. tabernacle is spoiled—metaphor from the tents of nomadic life; as these are taken down in a few moments, so as not to leave a vestige of them, so Judea (Jer 4:20).
cords—with which the coverings of the tent are extended.
curtains—tent-curtains.
21. pastors—the rulers, civil and religious. This verse gives the cause of the impending calamity.
22. bruit—rumor of invasion. The antithesis is between the voice of God in His prophets to whom they turned a deaf ear, and the cry of the enemy, a new teacher, whom they must hear [Calvin].
north country—Babylon (Jer 1:15).
23. Despairing of influencing the people, he turns to God.
way of man not in himself—(Pr 16:1; 20:24; Jas 4:13, 14). I know, O Jehovah, that the march of the Babylonian conqueror against me (Jeremiah identifying himself with his people) is not at his own discretion, but is overruled by Thee (Isa 10:5-7; compare Jer 10:19).
that walketh—when he walketh, that is, sets out in any undertaking.
direct … steps—to give a prosperous issue to (Ps 73:23).
24, 25. Since I (my nation) must be corrected (justice requiring it because of the deep guilt of the nation), I do not deprecate all chastisement, but pray only for moderation in it (Jer 30:11; Ps 6:1; 38:1); and that the full tide of Thy fury may be poured out on the heathen invaders for their cruelty towards Thy people. Ps 79:6, 7, a psalm to be referred to the time of the captivity, its composer probably repeated this from Jeremiah. The imperative, "Pour out," is used instead of the future, expressing vividly the certainty of the prediction, and that the word of God itself effects its own declarations. Accordingly, the Jews were restored after correction; the Babylonians were utterly extinguished.
know thee … call … on thy name—Knowledge of God is the beginning of piety; calling on Him the fruit.
heathen … Jacob—He reminds God of the distinction He has made between His people whom Jacob represents, and the heathen aliens. Correct us as Thy adopted sons, the seed of Jacob; destroy them as outcasts (Zec 1:14, 15, 21).