Jeremiah 33:1-26

Jeremiah 33. Promises of Restoration. There may be a Jeremianic nucleus in the first half of the chapter, but Jeremiah 33:14, being imitative, and omitted by LXX, is probably late. Yahweh the Restorer promises to reveal great and secret things (Isaiah 48:6). In spite of the present state of the city, which is surrounded by besiegers, Yahweh will restore it to health (Jeremiah 33:6, new flesh, Jeremiah 8:22), establish its prosperity (truth means firmness; cf. Jeremiah 14:13), renew its former estate (Jeremiah 33:7, as at the first, Isaiah 1:26; 1 Kings 13:6), cleansing away its sin (Jeremiah 31:34; cf. Ezekiel 36:25), so that men shall be awed at its glory (Jeremiah 33:1). The present desolation shall be replaced (contrast Jeremiah 7:34) by a joyful and thankful population, enjoying pastoral peace (Jeremiah 33:10). Yahweh will perform His promise (Jeremiah 29:10) to both sections of the nation by raising a Davidic Shoot; the royal (2 Samuel 7:16) and priestly (Deuteronomy 18:5) succession shall be guaranteed with a certainty like that of natural phenomena (Jeremiah 31:35 f.), and in an abundance like that of the stars and the sand (Genesis 22:17, but there of the whole nation). The taunt that Yahweh has rejected Israel and Judah (the two families, Jeremiah 33:24) shall be disproved (Jeremiah 33:14).

Jeremiah 33:2. that doeth it: i.e. restoration; in Isaiah 22:11, on the other hand, the phrase denotes the Destroyer.

Jeremiah 33:3. difficult: i.e. unattainable; cf. mg.

Jeremiah 33:4. mounts: see on Jeremiah 32:24.

Jeremiah 33:5 is corrupt; a slight emendation gives the Chaldeans are coming to fight and fill, etc.

Jeremiah 33:10 presupposes the exile.

Jeremiah 33:11. For the refrain, see Psalms 106:1, etc.; for the offering, Jeremiah 17:26.

Jeremiah 33:13. The latter half refers to the counting of sheep; for the districts named, see Jeremiah 32:44.

Jeremiah 33:15. Branch: see on Jeremiah 23:5 f., here repeated, though the city instead of the king now receives the title; cf. Ezekiel 48:35.

Jeremiah 33:18. For the sacrifices named see on Jeremiah 17:26; for the priestly title, Deuteronomy 18:1.

Jeremiah 33:24 is difficult; as it stands, this people means the heathen, but we should probably emend slightly (cf. Duhm and Cornill), and read (after off), and spurns His people. before Him, making this people then refer to disconsolate Jews.