2 Thus speaketh H559 the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel, H3478 saying, H559 Write H3789 thee all the words H1697 that I have spoken H1696 unto thee in a book. H5612
Now go, H935 write H3789 it before them in a table, H3871 and note H2710 it in a book, H5612 that it may be for the time H3117 to come H314 for H5704 ever H5703 and ever: H5769
Then took H3947 Jeremiah H3414 another H312 roll, H4039 and gave H5414 it to Baruch H1263 the scribe, H5608 the son H1121 of Neriah; H5374 who wrote H3789 therein from the mouth H6310 of Jeremiah H3414 all the words H1697 of the book H5612 which Jehoiakim H3079 king H4428 of Judah H3063 had burned H8313 in the fire: H784 and there were added H3254 besides unto them many H7227 like H1992 words. H1697
Now therefore write H3789 ye this song H7892 for you, and teach H3925 it the children H1121 of Israel: H3478 put H7760 it in their mouths, H6310 that this song H7892 may be a witness H5707 for me against the children H1121 of Israel. H3478
Moses H4872 therefore wrote H3789 this song H7892 the same day, H3117 and taught H3925 it the children H1121 of Israel. H3478 And he gave Joshua H3091 the son H1121 of Nun H5126 a charge, H6680 and said, H559 Be strong H2388 and of a good courage: H553 for thou shalt bring H935 the children H1121 of Israel H3478 into the land H776 which I sware H7650 unto them: and I will be with thee. And it came to pass, when Moses H4872 had made an end H3615 of writing H3789 the words H1697 of this law H8451 in a book, H5612 until they were finished, H8552 That Moses H4872 commanded H6680 the Levites, H3881 which bare H5375 the ark H727 of the covenant H1285 of the LORD, H3068 saying, H559 Take H3947 this book H5612 of the law, H8451 and put H7760 it in the side H6654 of the ark H727 of the covenant H1285 of the LORD H3068 your God, H430 that it may be there for a witness H5707 against thee. For I know H3045 thy rebellion, H4805 and thy stiff H7186 neck: H6203 behold, while I am yet alive H2416 with you this day, H3117 ye have been rebellious H4784 against the LORD; H3068 and how much more after H310 my death? H4194
Moreover the LORD H3068 said H559 unto me, Take H3947 thee a great H1419 roll, H1549 and write H3789 in it with a man's H582 pen H2747 concerning Mahershalalhashbaz. H4122
Take H3947 thee a roll H4039 of a book, H5612 and write H3789 therein all the words H1697 that I have spoken H1696 unto thee against Israel, H3478 and against Judah, H3063 and against all the nations, H1471 from the day H3117 I spake H1696 unto thee, from the days H3117 of Josiah, H2977 even unto this day. H3117 It may be that the house H1004 of Judah H3063 will hear H8085 all the evil H7451 which I purpose H2803 to do H6213 unto them; that they may return H7725 every man H376 from his evil H7451 way; H1870 that I may forgive H5545 their iniquity H5771 and their sin. H2403 Then Jeremiah H3414 called H7121 Baruch H1263 the son H1121 of Neriah: H5374 and Baruch H1263 wrote H3789 from the mouth H6310 of Jeremiah H3414 all the words H1697 of the LORD, H3068 which he had spoken H1696 unto him, upon a roll H4039 of a book. H5612
So Jeremiah H3414 wrote H3789 in a H259 book H5612 all the evil H7451 that should come H935 upon Babylon, H894 even all these words H1697 that are written H3789 against Babylon. H894 And Jeremiah H3414 said H559 to Seraiah, H8304 When thou comest H935 to Babylon, H894 and shalt see, H7200 and shalt read H7121 all these words; H1697 Then shalt thou say, H559 O LORD, H3068 thou hast spoken H1696 against this place, H4725 to cut it off, H3772 that none shall remain H3427 in it, neither man H120 nor beast, H929 but that it shall be desolate H8077 for ever. H5769 And it shall be, when thou hast made an end H3615 of reading H7121 this book, H5612 that thou shalt bind H7194 a stone H68 to it, and cast H7993 it into the midst H8432 of Euphrates: H6578 And thou shalt say, H559 Thus shall Babylon H894 sink, H8257 and shall not rise H6965 from H6440 the evil H7451 that I will bring H935 upon her: and they shall be weary. H3286 Thus far are the words H1697 of Jeremiah. H3414
But thou, O Daniel, H1840 shut up H5640 the words, H1697 and seal H2856 the book, H5612 even to the time H6256 of the end: H7093 many H7227 shall run to and fro, H7751 and knowledge H1847 shall be increased. H7235
And the LORD H3068 answered H6030 me, and said, H559 Write H3789 the vision, H2377 and make it plain H874 upon tables, H3871 that he may run H7323 that readeth H7121 it. For the vision H2377 is yet for an appointed time, H4150 but at the end H7093 it shall speak, H6315 and not lie: H3576 though it tarry, H4102 wait H2442 for it; because it will surely H935 come, H935 it will not tarry. H309
Now G1161 all G3956 these things G5023 happened G4819 unto them G1565 for ensamples: G5179 and G1161 they are written G1125 for G4314 our G2257 admonition, G3559 upon G1519 whom G3739 the ends G5056 of the world G165 are come. G2658
For G1063 the prophecy G4394 came G5342 not G3756 in old time G4218 by the will G2307 of man: G444 but G235 holy G40 men G444 of God G2316 spake G2980 as they were moved G5342 by G5259 the Holy G40 Ghost. G4151
Saying, G3004 I G1473 am G1510 Alpha G1 and G2532 Omega, G5598 the first G4413 and G2532 the last: G2078 and, G2532 What G3739 thou seest, G991 write G1125 in G1519 a book, G975 and G2532 send G3992 it unto the seven G2033 churches G1577 which G3588 are in G1722 Asia; G773 unto G1519 Ephesus, G2181 and G2532 unto G1519 Smyrna, G4667 and G2532 unto G1519 Pergamos, G4010 and G2532 unto G1519 Thyatira, G2363 and G2532 unto G1519 Sardis, G4554 and G2532 unto G1519 Philadelphia, G5359 and G2532 unto G1519 Laodicea. G2993
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Jeremiah 30
Commentary on Jeremiah 30 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 30
Jer 30:1-24. Restoration of the Jews from Babylon after Its Capture, and Raising Up of Messiah.
2. Write … in a book—After the destruction of Jerusalem Jeremiah is not ordered as heretofore to speak, but to write the succeeding prophecy (Jer 30:4, &c.), so as thereby it might be read by his countrymen wheresoever they might be in their dispersion.
3. bring again … captivity of … Israel and Judah—the restoration not merely of the Jews (treated of in this thirtieth chapter), but also of the ten tribes ("Israel"; treated in the thirty-first chapter), together forming the whole nation (Jer 30:18; Jer 32:44; Eze 39:25; Am 9:14, 15). "Israel" is mentioned first because its exile was longer than that of Judah. Some captives of the Israelite ten tribes returned with those of Judah (Lu 2:36; "Aser" is mentioned). But these are only a pledge of the full restoration hereafter (Ro 11:26, "All Israel"). Compare Jer 16:15. This third verse is a brief statement of the subject before the prophecy itself is given.
5. We have heard … trembling—God introduces the Jews speaking that which they will be reduced to at last in spite of their stubbornness. Threat and promise are combined: the former briefly; namely, the misery of the Jews in the Babylonian captivity down to their "trembling" and "fear" arising from the approach of the Medo-Persian army of Cyrus against Babylon; the promise is more fully dwelt on; namely, their "trembling" will issue in a deliverance as speedy as is the transition from a woman's labor pangs to her joy at giving birth to a child (Jer 30:6).
6. Ask—Consult all the authorities, men or books, you can, you will not find an instance. Yet in that coming day men will be seen with their hands pressed on their loins, as women do to repress their pangs. God will drive men through pain to gestures more fitting a woman than a man (Jer 4:31; 6:24). The metaphor is often used to express the previous pain followed by the sudden deliverance of Israel, as in the case of a woman in childbirth (Isa 66:7-9).
paleness—properly the color of herbs blasted and fading: the green paleness of one in jaundice: the sickly paleness of terror.
7. great—marked by great calamities (Joe 2:11, 31; Am 5:18; Zep 1:14).
none like it … but he shall be saved—(Da 12:1). The partial deliverance at Babylon's downfall prefigures the final, complete deliverance of Israel, literal and spiritual, at the downfall of the mystical Babylon (Re 18:1-19:21).
8. his yoke … thy neck—his, that is, Jacob's (Jer 30:7), the yoke imposed on him. The transition to the second person is frequent, God speaking of Jacob or Israel, at the same time addressing him directly. So "him" rightly follows; "foreigners shall no more make him their servant" (Jer 25:14). After the deliverance by Cyrus, Persia, Alexander, Antiochus, and Rome made Judah their servant. The full of deliverance meant must, therefore, be still future.
9. Instead of serving strangers (Jer 30:8), they shall serve the Lord, their rightful King in the theocracy (Eze 21:27).
David, their king—No king of David's seed has held the scepter since the captivity; for Zerubbabel, though of David's line, never claimed the title of "king." The Son of David, Messiah, must therefore be meant; so the Targum (compare Isa 55:3, 4; Eze 34:23, 24; 37:24; Ho 3:5; Ro 11:25-32). He was appointed to the throne of David (Isa 9:7; Lu 1:32). He is here joined with Jehovah as claiming equal allegiance. God is our "King," only when we are subject to Christ; God rules us not immediately, but through His Son (Joh 5:22, 23, 27).
raise up—applied to the judges whom God raised up as deliverers of Israel out of the hand of its oppressors (Jud 2:16; 3:9). So Christ was raised up as the antitypical Deliverer (Ps 2:6; Lu 1:69; Ac 2:30; 13:23).
10. from afar—Be not afraid as if the distance of the places whither ye are to be dispersed precludes the possibility of return.
seed—Though through the many years of captivity intervening, you yourselves may not see the restoration, the promise shall be fulfilled to your seed, primarily at the return from Babylon, fully at the final restoration.
quiet … none … make … afraid—(Jer 23:6; Zec 14:11).
11. though … full end of all nations … yet … not … of thee—(Am 9:8). The punishment of reprobates is final and fatal; that of God's people temporary and corrective. Babylon was utterly destroyed: Israel after chastisement was delivered.
in measure—literally, "with judgment," that is, moderation, not in the full rigor of justice (Jer 10:24; 46:28; Ps 6:1; Isa 27:8).
not … altogether unpunished—(Ex 34:7).
12. The desperate circumstances of the Jews are here represented as an incurable wound. Their sin is so grievous that their hope of the punishment (their exile) soon coming to an end is vain (Jer 8:22; 15:18; 2Ch 36:16).
13. none to plead—a new image from a court of justice.
bound up—namely, with the bandages applied to tie up a wound.
no healing medicines—literally, "medicines of healing," or else applications, (literally, "ascensions") of medicaments.
14. lovers—the peoples formerly allied to thee, Assyria and Egypt (compare La 1:2).
seek thee not—have cast away all concern for thee in thy distress.
wound of an enemy—a wound such as an enemy would inflict. God condescends to employ language adapted to human conceptions. He is incapable of "enmity" or "cruelty"; it was their grievous sin which righteously demanded a grievous punishment, as though He were an "enemy" (Jer 5:6; Job 13:24; 30:21).
15. Why criest thou—as if God's severity was excessive. Thou hast no reason to complain, for thine affliction is just. Thy cry is too late, for the time of repentance and mercy is past [Calvin].
16. Therefore—connected with Jer 30:13, because "There is none to plead thy cause … therefore" I will plead thy cause, and heal thy wound, by overwhelming thy foes. This fifteenth verse is inserted to amplify what was said at the close of Jer 30:14. When the false ways of peace, suggested by the so-called prophets, had only ended in the people's irremediable ruin, the true prophet comes forward to announce the grace of God as bestowing repentance and healing.
devour thee … be devoured … spoil … be a spoil … prey upon … give for a prey—retribution in kind (see on Jer 2:3; Ex 23:22; Isa 33:1).
17. (Jer 8:22; 33:6).
Outcast—as a wife put away by her husband (Isa 62:4, contrasted with Jer 30:12).
Zion—alluding to its Hebrew meaning, "dryness"; "sought after" by none, as would be the case with an arid region (Isa 62:12). The extremity of the people, so far from being an obstacle to, will be the chosen opportunity of, God's grace.
18. bring again … captivity—(Jer 33:7, 11).
tents—used to intimate that their present dwellings in Chaldea were but temporary as tents.
have mercy on dwelling-places—(Ps 102:13).
own heap—on the same hill, that is, site, a hill being the usual site chosen for a city (compare Jos 11:13, Margin). This better answers the parallel clause, "after the manner thereof" (that is, in the same becoming ways as formerly), than the rendering, "its own heap of ruins," as in Jer 49:2.
palace—the king's, on Mount Zion.
remain—rather, "shall be inhabited" (see on Jer 17:6, Jer 17:25). This confirms English Version, "palace," not as others translate, "the temple" (see 1Ki 16:18; 2Ki 15:25).
19. thanksgiving—The Hebrew word includes confession as well as praise; for, in the case of God, the highest praises we can bestow are only confessing what God really is [Bengel], (Jer 17:26; 31:12, 13; 33:11; Isa 35:10; 51:11).
multiply them—(Zec 10:8).
20. as aforetime—as flourishing as in the time of David.
21. their nobles—rather, "their Glorious One," or "Leader" (compare Ac 3:15; Heb 2:10), answering to "their Governor" in the parallel clause.
of themselves—of their own nation, a Jew, not a foreigner; applicable to Zerubbabel, or J. Hyrcanus (hereditary high priest and governor), only as types of Christ (Ge 49:10; Mic 5:2; Ro 9:5), the antitypical "David" (Jer 30:9).
cause him to draw near—as the great Priest (Ex 19:22; Le 21:17), through whom believers also have access to God (Heb 10:19-22). His priestly and kingly characters are similarly combined (Ps 110:4; Zec 6:13).
who … engaged … heart to approach—literally, "pledged his heart," that is, his life; a thing unique; Messiah alone has made His life responsible as the surety (Heb 7:22; 9:11-15), in order to gain access not only for Himself, but for us to God. Heart is here used for life, to express the courage which it needed to undertake such a tremendous suretyship. The question implies admiration at one being found competent by His twofold nature, as God and man, for the task. Compare the interrogation (Isa 63:1-3).
22. ye shall be my people, &c.—The covenant shall be renewed between God and His people through Messiah's mediation (Jer 30:21; 31:1, 33; 32:38; Eze 11:20; 36:28).
23, 24. (Jer 23:19). Vengeance upon God's foes always accompanies manifestations of His grace to His people.
continuing—literally, "sojourning," abiding constantly; appropriately here in the case of Babylon, which was to be permanently destroyed, substituted for "whirling itself about" ("grievous" in English Version) (see on Jer 23:19,20), where the temporary downfall of Judea is spoken of.