PART FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
INTRODUCTION TO LAMENTATIONS
Lamentations is one of those Old Testament writings which has yet to receive its full share of recognition and appreciation by the Christian world. The reason for the neglect of this little book is not difficult to discover. In the popular view Lamentations is a somber and gloomy record of unrelieved grief as Jeremiah weeps over the ruins of Jerusalem. When viewed in this manner there is little about Lamentations that would attract the Bible student. However, the book is much more than a cheerless protest of the inequities of life. It is more than a cloudburst of grief, a river of tears, a sea of sobs as one writer has called it. This five-fold poem is really an affirmation of faith in the justice and goodness of God. The author has tasted the bitter dregs of pain and sorrow, of cruelty and ignominy, of frustration and loneliness and yet he dares to cling to a faith undaunted, a faith which triumphs over circumstances. The book endeavors to explain history and place calamities in proper perspective. When the true purpose of Lamentations is recognized this amazing little book has a great deal to contribute to a Christian understanding of war and natural catastrophes.
I. TITLE AND POSITION
Like several other Old Testament books Lamentations originally took its title from the first Hebrew word of the book. The book is called Ekah which is an exclamation expressing sorrow and sympathy. Ekah in English may be translated alas or how sad it is. The same Hebrew word also introduces the second and fourth Chapter s of the book. Later Jewish teachers referred to the book by another Hebrew title calling it Qinoth or laments. It is still known by this title in the Babylonian Talmud. The scholars who translated the Old Testament into Greek during the intertestamental period entitled the book Threnoi, the Greek word meaning lamentations. At still a later time in the Greek, Syriac and Latin versions of the Old Testament the longer title The Lamentations of Jeremiah was applied.
Though evidence is somewhat scanty it would seem that Lamentations was originally considered by the Jews as an appendix to the Book of Jeremiah. The Jewish historian Josephus at the end of the first Christian century stated that the Hebrew Bible consisted of twenty-two booksfive books of law, thirteen books by prophets and four books of songs and hymns.[433] According to the Jewish method of counting, I and II Samuel were one book as were I and II Kings and I and I Chronicles. The twelve minor prophets were counted as one book and Ezra-Nehemiah were counted as a single book as well. Taking all this into account one would still have a total of twenty-four books instead of the twenty-two mentioned by Josephus. The only method of arriving at the figure twenty-two is to count Jeremiah-Lamentations as one book and Judges-Ruth as one. It is interesting that several of the early Church Fathers also speak of the twenty-two books of the Hebrew Bible.[434]
[433] Josephus, Against Apion 1. 8
[434] E.g., Melito of Sardis (A.D. 180), Origen (A.D. 250), Augustine (A.D. 420), and Jerome (A.D. 405).
At some point subsequent to the time that Josephus wrote (A.D. 90), several books were removed from the prophetic division of the canon and assigned to the third division which was called in the Hebrew the Kethubim (Writings) and in the Greek the Hagiographa (Holy Writings). The Book of Lamentations was at that time removed from its position as an appendix to the Book of Jeremiah and was counted as part of the third division. Lamentations was placed alongside of Ruth, Esther, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. Collectively these five little books became known as the Megilloth, the Five Rolls. Already as early as the writing of 11 Esdras (ca. A.D. 100) this switch in the position of Lamentations seems to have taken place. This is indicated by the fact that the author of II Esdras gave the total of books in the Hebrew Bible as twenty-four meaning that Ruth had been severed from Judges and Lamentations from Jeremiah.
II. BACKGROUND AND OCCASION
The destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. was without doubt the most significant event to transpire in the political and religious history of Israel since the Exodus from Egypt. Scarcely my room for doubt exists that it was this momentous event which, on the human side, precipitated the writing of the Book of Lamentations.
In retaliation against the rebellion of his vassal king Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar had laid siege of Jerusalem for eighteen long months. Lamentations describes in the most vivid manner the terrible suffering to which the Jews were subjected during the siege. When the city finally was captured the Chaldean king ordered it completely demolished. To see their beloved sacred city go up in flames was a shockingeven stupefyingexperience. In spite of the incessant preaching of the prophets who warned of this very thing, the Jews were totally unprepared for it. For over a hundred years since the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem in the days of king Hezekiah the popular notion had been that Jerusalem was inviolable and secure. Events had demonstrated the basic premise of their theology to be false. Added to the tremendous burden of their grief over what had befallen their nation was their feeling of having been utterly rejected by God.
III. THEME AND CONTENT
Lamentations is a sad book. The basic theme of the book is a lament over the terrible woes which have befallen sinful Judah and the destruction of the Holy City and the Temple of God. The book consists of four dirges (chaps. 1.4) and one prayer (chap. 5) which were written in those agonizing days following the capture and destruction of Jerusalem. As one reads the book he can sense the depths of despondency into which the people had fallen. In these proms the poet has attempted to capture the mood of the people. This was not particularly difficult for him to do since he seems to have been personally involved in their suffering. For the most part the poems contain descriptions of the plight of the people, their land and their sacred city. Here and there are confessions of sin, declarations of penitence, and appeals for divine aid.
Outlining the Book of Lamentations is somewhat difficult because the theme does not show significant variation from one chapter to another. The outline used here has been adapted from that of C. Paul Gray.[435]
[435] The Lamentations of Jeremiah, in vol. IV of Beacon Bible Commentary (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 1966).
I. A Widowed City Lamentations 1:1-22
II. A Broken People Lamentations 2:1-22
III. A Suffering Prophet Lamentations 3:1-66
IV. A Ruined Kingdom Lamentations 4:1-22
V. A Penitent Nation Lamentations 5:1-22
IV. FORM AND STRUCTURE
Lamentations is written entirely in poetic form. Hebrew poetry as a rule does not involve rhyme but rather is a poetry of thought. The second and third lines of each verse will repeat the thought of the first line in different words (synonymous parallelism) or develop further the thought of the first line (synthetic parallelism) or negate the thought of the first line (antithetic parallelism). The metrical structure used in the Book of Lamentations is known as the Qinah or lament rhythm. This is the meter most commonly used in the ancient Near East for chanting dirges over the dead or lamenting national calamities. In Qinah rhythm the second line of each verse is one stress shorter than the first line. As a rule in Lamentations the pattern is three stresses in the first line, two in the second, and three in the third line. This meter, practically obscured in English translation, becomes apparent as one reads the Hebrew text aloud.
The four dirges in the Book of Lamentations are in the form of alphabetic acrostics in which the author begins each verse with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Chapter s 1, 2 and 4 have twenty-two verses, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Chapter 3 contains sixty-six verses since three verses are assigned to each Hebrew letter. The following chart will illustrate more completely the structure of the book.
THE STRUCTURE OF LAMENTATIONS
Poem
Verses
Lines in Each Verse
Acrostic Pattern
POEM I
22
Three lines in each verse; verse 7 has four lines.
Each verse begins with a new letter.
POEM II
22
Three lines in each verse; verse 19 has four lines.
Each verse begins with a new letter. The sixteenth and seventeenth letters are reversed.
POEM III
66
One line in each verse.
Each letter repeated at beginning of three successive lines or verses. Sixteenth and Seventeenth letters are reversed.
POEM IV
22
Two lines in each verse.
Each verse begins with a new letter, Sixteenth and Seventeenth letters reversed.
-POEM V
22
Two lines in each verse.
No acrostic pattern.
From the above chart it becomes obvious that the author of Lamentations was not a slave to form. He varied the number of lines in a verse and the number of verses which would be assigned to each Hebrew letter. In three of the poems he reversed the order of two Hebrew letters apparently in order to maintain his sequence of thought.
The author's reasons for utilizing the acrostic pattern in the first four poems is unclear. Some scholars feel that the acrostic served as a mnemonic device to aid the memory as these laments were publicly recited. It may be also that the author used this technique in order to give a sense of continuity and completeness to the expression of grief.[436] When one goes from a to z (or in the Hebrew, from Aleph to Tav) in expressing his grief he seems to have said all that can be said. The acrostic device is also used by other sacred writers.[437]
[436] Kuist, op. cit., p. 141.
[437] Psalms 25; Psalms 34; Psalms 35; Psalms 111; Psalms 112; Psalms 119; Psalms 145; Proverbs 31:10-31.
V. AUTHORSHIP AND DATE
The book of Lamentations does not expressly identify the author and therefore one must avoid being dogmatic on this point. However, there does seem to be rather substantial external and internal evidence that Jeremiah the prophet is to be credited with having written this work. The external evidence is as follows.
1. That Jeremiah the prophet did compose laments on at least one occasion is clearly affirmed by 2 Chronicles 35:25. While this verse does not refer to the Book of Lamentations, it does connect Jeremiah with the lamentation-type of literature. The book of Jeremiah itself indicates that Jeremiah was familiar with the vocabulary and the techniques of writing laments.
2. The earliest written source to ascribe the book to Jeremiah is the Greek version of Lamentations. This translation of Lamentations probably completed around 200 B.C. contains an introductory note which reads: And it came to pass after Israel was carried away captive and Jerusalem was made desolate that Jeremiah sat weeping, and he lamented with this lamentation over Jerusalem, and he said.. The Latin Vulgate version of Lamentations carries essentially the same heading and the Arabic version reproduces this introductory note exactly.
3. The Targum or Aramaic paraphrase of Jonathan which dates to ca. 100 B.C. opens the Book of Lamentations with this line: Jeremiah the prophet and chief priest said.
4. The Talmud, that vast reservoir of Jewish law and tradition, states: Jeremiah wrote his book, Kings and Lamentations.[438]
[438] Baba Bathra 15a.
5. All the ancient Church Fathers regarded Jeremiah as the author of Lamentations.
The internal evidence is equally strong in favor of the Jeremian authorship of Lamentations. Not even the most radical scholars can deny that the character and spirit of Jeremiah is the same as that of the author of Lamentations. Both books are full of sympathy for the people of Zion in their hour of judgment. Both books strongly emphasize the point that the destruction of Jerusalem was a punishment for sin. The author of Lamentations had precisely the same attitude toward false priests and prophets (Lamentations 4:13-16) as did Jeremiah. In addition to these general points of agreement between Jeremiah and Lamentations, a number of similarities of thought and expression have been pointed out. In the parallel columns below a few of the more striking examples are cited. The text is that of the American Standard Version.
JEREMIAH
LAMENTATIONS
For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt: I mourn; dismay has taken hold of me.
The Lord has trodden as in a winepress the virgin daughter of Judah.
Lamentations 1:16; Lamentations 2:11
oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people.
For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water.
And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.
Mine eyes do fail with tears, my heart is troubled.
All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not.
Among her lovers she bath none to comfort her: All her friends have dealt treacherously with her: they are become her enemies.
Behold they to whom it pertained not to drink the cup shall assuredly drink; and art thou he that shall altogether gounpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished.
Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz: The cup shall pass through unto thee also.
For I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one.
He bath bent his bow like an enemy, he bath stood with his right hand as an adversary, and bath slain all that were pleasant to the eye.
Then they took Jeremiah and cast him into the dungeon of Malchijah the king's son. and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire; and Jeremiah sank into the mire.
They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and have cast a stone upon me. Waters flowed over my head; I said, I am cut off.
Behold, as the clay in the Potter's hand, so are ye in my hand, O house of Israel.
The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, How are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter.
Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as the whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles.
Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the heavens: They chased us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.
Modern Old Testament critics deny that Jeremiah penned the poems that make up the Book of Lamentations. They assign this material to various anonymous authors some of whom lived as much as two hundred years after the fall of Jerusalem. Usually the second and fourth poems are said to be the oldest while the third is generally regarded by the critics as the latest. Pfeiffer would date the third poem to as late as the third pre-Christian century. The arguments which have been advanced to deny the traditional view that Jeremiah is the author of the book may be summarized as follows:
1. Lamentations contains a number of words not found in Jeremiah or found there only in a different form. Answer: Does this prove difference of authorship? The vocabulary of an author may change from one work to another depending upon the time, form and subject matter of the new composition.
2. The acrostic pattern employed in Lamentations is foreign to Jeremiah. Answer: While this observation is true, does it really prove anything regarding authorship? The form which a composition assumes is determined by the objective of the author. A versatile writer may utilize several different forms of composition during his career. But it should be noted that in the Book of Jeremiah a predilection for alphabetical manipulation occurs in at least three passages. See comments on Jeremiah 25:26; Jeremiah 51:41; Jeremiah 51:1.
3. The acrostic arrangements of the poems in the book vary; therefore the poems must be by different authors. Answer: Surely no one would demand that a modern poet never vary his form.
4. The author of Lamentations (Lamentations 4:17) expected help from Egypt; Jeremiah did not. Answer: Lamentations 4:17 makes no mention of Egypt. Furthermore the author of Lamentations frequently speaks for the nation and reflects the attitudes which they might have had.
5. The author of Lamentations (Lamentations 3:59-66) pictures the Chaldeans as wicked enemies deserving of divine judgment; Jeremiah considered them as instruments used of God for the chastisement of Judah. Answer: Jeremiah did in fact predict the destruction of Babylon (Jeremiah 50-51). The ideas that the Chaldeans were at the same time an agent of God and an enemy which must ultimately be destroyed are not mutually exclusive. Since the author of Lamentations attributes the Chaldean destruction of Jerusalem to God, he too must have viewed these foreigners as the agents of God.
6. The author of Lamentations was bewildered and perplexed over the destruction of Jerusalem while Jere miah had been expecting and predicting that destruction for years. Answer: One has only to reread the personal prayers of Jeremiah to realize that the prophet had his share of bewilderment. Furthermore it must always be kept in mind that the author of Lamentations speaks for the entire community, not just for himself when he ex presses shock and lack of comprehension over the destruction.
7. The author of Lamentations had a much higher estimate of king Zedekiah than did Jeremiah (Lamentations 4:19-22; Jeremiah 24:8-10). Answer: There is no indication that Jeremiah had anything but respect for Zedekiah in his capacity as the head of the nation. Furthermore Lamentations 4:19-22 reflects the thinking of the people not the prophet who wrote the book.
The arguments against the traditional view that Jeremiah wrote the Book of Lamentations are singularly weak. Certainly the book seems to have been written by one who was an eyewitness of the destruction of Jerusalem. Who better than Jeremiah can be nominated as author of these poems which Gottwald[439] has declared are without peer among the collective laments of the ancient Near East?
[439] Norman Gottwald, Studies in the Book of Lamentations, (Chicago: Allenson, 1954), p. 111.
VI. PURPOSE AND USE
Why was the Book of Lamentations written? Why was it included in the sacred canon? The book served a useful purpose in at least three different ways. Psychologically, Lamentations served the purpose of giving expression to the agony of a distraught people. Suffering men must give vent to their emotions in some way. Even though their grief was too deep for words the poet felt compelled to make an attempt to express the agony of his people through these sad but beautiful poems. Verbalization of grief and suffering, both physical and spiritual, has therapeutic value. Liturgically the poems of Lamentations served as the means by which the congregation of Israel could express sorrow over their national loss. Theologically the book served the purpose of helping the people of Judah maintain their faith in God in the midst of overwhelming disaster. Lamentations expresses the conviction that God has dealt justly with His people. The author desires that his people recognize the righteousness of God's dealings with them and cast themselves upon the mercy of the Lord.
Lamentations is read in Jewish synagogues on the ninth of the month of Ab (which falls at the end of July or early August), a fast day which commemorates the destruction of the Temple. Roman Catholics read selections from the book during the last three days before Resurrection Sunday. Passages from Lamentations are also used in certain Protestant liturgies.
REVIEW OF CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
1.
The Book of Lamentations is known in Hebrew Bible by the name _ _.
2.
In the Septuagint (Greek Version) this book is called
3.
Lamentations seems to have originally been attached to ______
4.
In the modern Hebrew Bible Lamentations is found in the section called ______
5.
The event which precipitated the writing of Lamentations was ______ which occurred in ______
6.
Three types of Hebrew poetry are _____, and ______,
7.
Only _____ is not written in acrostic pattern.
8.
What is the purpose of the Book of Lamentations?
9.
Why do some critics deny that Jeremiah wrote Lamentations?
10.
Why did the author write four of the poems in Lamentations in the acrostic pattern?
GLOSSARY
This glossary is divided into two parts. In part one all the important persons who are named in the Book of Jeremiah and identified. The second part is devoted to places and peoples mentioned by Jeremiah. All references are to the Book of Jeremiah unless otherwise indicated.
I. PERSONAL NAMES
ABRAHAM
Most famous of the patriarchs and progenitor of the Hebrews. Cited by Jeremiah as one with whom God previously had been faithful in keeping a covenant (Jeremiah 33:26).
AHAB
Immoral and lying prophet in Babylon, Jeremiah predicted Nebuchadnezzar would roast him in the fire (Jeremiah 29:21-23).
AHIKAM
The son of Shaphan the scribe who protected Jeremiah when priests and false prophets wanted his death (Jeremiah 26:24).
AMON
Sun god, and for many centuries the chief god, of the Egyptians. The greatest Egyptian temple was constructed for Amon at No (Thebes). Jeremiah predicted Amon would be discredited by Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Egypt (Jeremiah 46:25).
APIS
The sacred bull, one of the high gods of Egypt. The word is translated valiant men in KJV and strong ones in ASV.
ASHERAH
A Canaanite mother-goddess associated with Baal. The term also applies to the wooden images which represented this goddess (Jeremiah 17:2).
ASA
King of Judah three hundred years before the time of Jeremiah. He was the builder of a cistern into which Ishmael threw the corpses of the men he had slain (Jeremiah 41:9).
AZARIAH
Probably the brother of Jezaniah (Jeremiah 42:1). Acted as spokesman for the remnant of Jews who rejected the word of God given through Jeremiah that they should not flee to Egypt (Jeremiah 43:1).
BAAL
The Hebrew word means master or possessor; the name of the Canaanite fertility deity which the Jews began to worship in Palestine. It was this apostasy toward which Jeremiah aimed much of his prophecy. There are twelve references to Baal in Jeremiah.
BAALIS
King of the Ammonites who plotted the death of Gedaliah, governor of Judah (Jeremiah 40:14).
BARUCH
Friend and scribe to whom Jeremiah dictated his prophecies in 605-604 B.C. (Jeremiah 36:4; Jeremiah 36:32; Jeremiah 45:1). Baruch was placed in charge of the prophet's purchase of a field at Anathoth (Jeremiah 32:13). Considered by some to have been Jeremiah's biographer and editor.
BEL
Bel-Merodach (Marduk), chief god of Babylon (Jeremiah 50:2).
CHEMOSH
National god of the Moabites who would be carried off into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 48:7).
CONIAH
(Jeremiah 22:24; Jeremiah 22:28; Jeremiah 37:1) See JEHOIACHIN.
DAVID
Second king of Israel whose dynasty still ruled in Jerusalem in Jeremiah's day. The terminology throne or David occurs seven times in the book. The Messiah would come from the house of David (Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 30:9; Jeremiah 33:15). Jeremiah emphasizes the externality of the covenant made with David (Jeremiah 33:17; Jeremiah 33:21-22; Jeremiah 33:26).
DELAIAH
One of the princes who urged Jehoiakim not to bum the scroll of Jeremiah's prophecies (Jeremiah 36:12; Jeremiah 36:25).
EBED-MELECH
An Ethiopian eunuch in the court of Zedekiah who rescued Jeremiah from a pit in which he had been left to die (Jeremiah 38:7-13). Because of this act of faith and courage, Jeremiah directed a favorable oracle to him (Jeremiah 39:15-18).
ELASHA
A member of king Zedekiah's embassy to Babylon who carried Jeremiah's letter to the exiled Jews (Jeremiah 29:3).
ELISHAMA
A prince and scribe in the reign of king Jehoiakim in whose office Jeremiah's scroll was placed for safekeeping (Jeremiah 36:12; Jeremiah 36:20-21).
ELNATHAN
A prince sent by king Jehoiakim to Egypt in pursuit of Uriah the prophet (Jeremiah 26:22). Later, one of the princes who urged the king not to bum Jeremiah's scroll (Jeremiah 36:12; Jeremiah 36:25).
EPHAI
Inhabitant of Netophah near Bethlehem whose sons recognized Gedaliah as governor and accepted his protection (Jeremiah 40:8).
ESAU
Ancestor of the Edomites, and hence a name applied to the country of Edom (Jeremiah 49:8; Jeremiah 49:10).
EVIL-MERODACH
Biblical name of Amel-Marduk, son and successor of Nebuchadnezzar who released Jehoiachin from prison in 561 B. C. (52 31).
GEDALIAH (1)
The son of Ahikam who was appointed governor of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar in 587 B. C., Jeremiah was committed to his care (Jeremiah 39:14). After a brief governorship, Gedaliah was murdered by Ishmael (chaps. 40-41).
GEDALIAH (2)
The son of Pashur. One of four princes who received Zedekiah's permission to cast Jeremiah into a cistern to die (Jeremiah 38:1).
GEMARIAH (1)
The son of Hilkiah. A member of king Zedekiah's embassy to Babylon who carried Jeremiah's letter to the Jews exiled there (Jeremiah 29:3).
GEMARIAH (2)
The son of Shaphan who occupied a chamber in the Temple where he and other officials heard Baruch read Jeremiah's prophecies. He joined others in urging king Jehoiakim not to burn the prophet's writings (Jeremiah 36:10; Jeremiah 36:12; Jeremiah 36:25).
HAMUTAL
Wife of king Josiah and mother of kings Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:31) and Zedekiah (Jeremiah 52:1).
HANAMEL
Cousin of Jeremiah who sold him a field in Anathoth (Jeremiah 32:7-12).
HANAN
The man of God whose sons (or disciples) had a chamber in the Temple (Jeremiah 35:4).
HANANIAH
A false prophet from Gibeon who contradicted and insulted Jeremiah on the matter of Babylonian domination. For these sins he died two months later (chapter 28).
HEZEKIAH
Good king of Judah (715-686 B.C.) who heeded the prophet Micah's warnings and instituted reforms (Jeremiah 26:18).
HOPHRA
Pharaoh of Egypt who Jeremiah predicted would be killed by his enemies (Jer. 44:39; Jeremiah 44:30). The succeeding Pharaoh had him strangled in 560 B.C.
IRIJAH
Jeremiah 37:13: A captain of the guard who arrested Jeremiah as he attempted to go to Benjamin during the lull in the siege of Jerusalem. He falsely charged him with desertion to the enemy (Jeremiah 37:13).
ISHMAEL
Member of the royal family who murdered Gedaliah, governor of Judah, and escaped with eight men to the king of Ammon, taking several hostages with him (Chapter s 40-41).
ISAAC
Ancestor of the Jews (Jeremiah 33:26).
JAAZANIAH
A Rechabite whose obedience to his ancestor, who had lived two hundred years before, was contrasted with Israel's disobedience to God (chapter 35).
JACOB
Ancestor of the Jews (Jeremiah 33:26). Fifteen times in Jeremiah Jacob becomes a designation for the descendants of Jacob i.e., the Israelites.
JECONIAH
The son of Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 24:1). See JEHOIACHIN.
JEHOAHAZ
The throne name of Shallum, the son and successor of Josiah. After a reign of three months, he was deposed by Pharaoh Necho and deported to Egypt where he died (Jeremiah 22:11).
JEHOIACHIN
Throne name of Coniah or Jeconiah (Jeremiah 22:24; Jeremiah 22:28; Jeremiah 37:1). He reigned for three months after the death of his father Jehoiakim, before he was carried off to Babylon with his family and 10,000 Jews in 597 B.C. (Jeremiah 24:1). After thirty-seven years of captivity, he was released by Nebuchadnezzar's son Evil-Mero-dach (Jeremiah 52:31).
JEHOIADA
A chief priest in Jerusalem during the early part of Jeremiah's ministry who was displaced by Zephaniah (Jeremiah 29:26).
JEHOIAKIM
The son of Josiah who was placed on the throne of Judah by Pharaoh Necho to replace his brother Jehoahaz. During his eleven year reign (609-598 B.C.) the reforms of Josiah were forgotten and replaced by personal luxury, extortion, and idolatry. After Nebuchadnezzar defeated Egypt in 605 B.C., he became a Babylonian vassal. He destroyed the first edition of the Book of Jeremiah (chapter 36). Jeremiah predicted he would die in disgrace (Jeremiah 22:13-23).
JEHUCAL
A prince of Judah who conveyed Zedekiah's request that Jeremiah pray for him. Later one of the group that had Jeremiah thrown into a pit to die (Jeremiah 37:3; Jeremiah 38:1-6). The name is also spelled JUCAL.
JEHUDI (1)
The son of Nethaniah who was sent by the princes to summon Baruch to read Jeremiah's scroll (Jeremiah 36:14).
JEHUDI (2)
Possibly the same person mentioned above. He was dispatched by king Jehoiakim to fetch Jeremiah's scroll and then was ordered to read it in the presence of the king (Jeremiah 36:21)
JERAHMEEL
The officer sent by king Jehoiakim to arrest Baruch and Jeremiah. He was probably of royal blood (Jeremiah 36:26).
JEREMIAH
He was born in Anathoth into a priestly family, and consecrated before his birth to be a prophet. He prophesied under kings Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, and even after the fall of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. His message was of God's judgment on an apostate people and a new covenant for the future.
JEZANIAH
A commander of Judean forces who paid respects to Gedaliah the governor of Judah. After Gedaliah's death he joined others in leading the remnant of Jews to Egypt. He appears to have been the brother of Azariah. (Jeremiah 40:8; Jeremiah 44:2).
JOHANAN
A commander of forces who respected Gedaliah as governor of Judah and warned him of impending assassination. After Gedaliah was slain he led forces against the murderer, Ishmael. Johanan then joined others in leading the remnant of Jews into Egypt against Jeremiah's advice (Chapter s 40-43).
JONADAB
The ancestor of the Rechabites who required his clan never to build houses, farm, nor drink wine (Jeremiah 35:6-19).
JONATHAN (1)
The scribe whose house served as prison for Jeremiah (Jeremiah 37:15).
JONATHAN (2)
The son of Kareah and the brother of Johanan. He is listed among those who submitted to Gedaliah's government and protection (Jeremiah 40:8).
JOSIAH
King of Judah when Jeremiah began his ministry. Initiated reforms early in his reign which reached a climax after a law book was discovered during his eighteenth year. This led to widespread external cleansing of the land from idolatry. He was killed in battle against Pharaoh Necho in 609 B.C. and was succeeded by his son Jehoahaz (Lamentations 1:2; Lamentations 3:6).
JUCAL MAASEIAH
See JEHUCAL. A doorkeeper of one of the three gates to the Temple (Jeremiah 35:4).
MAGOR MISSABIB
This ominous name meaning terror around was given to the priest Pashur by Jeremiah after the prophet had been released from the stocks (Jeremiah 20:3). See Pashur (l).
MANASSEH
His reign was the longest (695-642 B.C.) and most wicked of any king of Judah. He defiled the Temple and promoted Baal worship. But after a captivity in Babylon he repented and tried to undo the evil he had done. However, Jeremiah said that the judgment was inevitable because of the sins of Manasseh (Jeremiah 15:4).
MERODACH
Biblical name of Marduk, chief god of Babylon (Jeremiah 50:2).
MICAH
The prophet from the town of Moresheth-gath who lived a hundred years before Jeremiah. His negative prophecy against Jerusalem was cited as part of Jeremiah's defense when he was on trial for his life (Jeremiah 26:18).
MICAIAH
The man who heard Baruch reading from Jeremiah's scroll and who reported to the council of princes the contents of that scroll (Jeremiah 36:11-13).
MOLECH
The national deity of the Ammonites who was worshiped by means of child sacrifice (Jeremiah 32:35). Jeremiah sternly condemned this practice (Jeremiah 7:29-34). The name is also spelled Milcom or Malcom.
MOSES
Referred to by Jeremiah as one of the greatest intercessors in the history of the nation (Jeremiah 15:1).
NEBO-SARSECHIM
One of the Babylonian officers of the provisional government in Jerusalem. Rab-saris was the title of his office (Jeremiah 39:3).
NEBUCHADNEZZAR
(Nebuchadnezzar): Ruler of the Babylonian empire from 605 B.C. to 562 B.C. He destroyed Jerusalem in 587 B.C. and four times carried Jewish people captive to Babylon. He is called My servant in Jeremiah's prophecies because God used him as an instrument of punishment for the apostate Jews.
NEBUZARADAN
The captain of Nebuchadnezzar's bodyguard who was in charge of the final destruction of Jerusalem. He freed Jeremiah and treated him kindly (Jeremiah 39:9-13; Jeremiah 52:12-30).
NECHO
The Egyptian Pharaoh defeated by Nebuchadnezzar in the battle of Carchemish in 605 B.C. (Jeremiah 46:2). Four years earlier Necho had slain Josiah at the pass of Megiddo.
NERGAL-SHAREZER
An official of the provisional government of Jerusalem after the destruction of 587 B.C. Rab-mag is the title of his high office. Possibly he was the same Nergal-sharezer who succeeded Nebuchadnezzar's son on the throne of Babylon in 560 B.C. (Jeremiah 39:3).
PASHUR (1)
The son of Immer. A chief officer in the temple who had Jeremiah scourged and imprisoned. Later Jeremiah prophesied that Pashur would die in captivity because he prophesied falsely, and changed his name to Magormissabib (Jeremiah 20:1-6).
PASHUR (2)
The son of Malchiah who was sent by king Zedekiah to Jeremiah to seek a word from God when Nebuchadnezzar's forces began their attack on Judah (Jeremiah 21:1). Later he joined other princes in seeking Jeremiah's death (Jeremiah 38:1-3).
QUEEN OF HEAVEN
Probably to be identified with the goddess Astarte or Ashtoreth. She was worshiped by the Jews both in Judah (Jeremiah 7:18) and in Egypt (Jeremiah 44:17-19; Jeremiah 44:25).
RACHEL
Wife of the patriarch Jacob who was regarded as the mother of Israel. She is represented as weeping over those who are going into captivity (Jeremiah 31:15).
SAMGARNEBO
A name found in KJV of Jeremiah 39:3. Most modern scholars divide this word, attaching samgar to the preceding name and nebo to the following name.
SAMUEL
Referred to as one of the greatest intercessors in the history of Israel (Jeremiah 15:1).
SAR-SECHIM
A name found in the KJV of Jeremiah 39:3. See Nebosarsechim.
SERAIAH (1)
The chief priest at the time of Jerusalem's capture, killed by Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah (Jeremiah 52:24).
SERAIAH (2)
The son of Azriel who was ordered by king Jehoiakim to arrest Jeremiah and Baruch (Jeremiah 36:23).
SERAIAH (3)
The son of Neriah who was chief chamberlain for Zedekiah's trip to meet Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah gave him a scroll to read aloud in Babylon and then sink in the Euphrates (Jeremiah 51:59).
SERAIAH (4)
The son of Tanhumeth who is listed among those who came to Gedaliah recognizing him as governor and accepting his protection (Jeremiah 40:8).
SHALLUM SHAPHAN
The son of Josiah (Jeremiah 22:11). See JEHOAHAZ. The scribe who read the book of the law to Josiah (2 Kings 22:8-14). Also father of Ahikam, Gemariah, Jaazaniah, and grandfather of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 26:24; Jeremiah 36:10; Jeremiah 40:5). His family befriended Jeremiah on several occasions.
SHEMAIAH
A false prophet in Babylon who promised captive Jews that their exile would be short. Jeremiah prophesied he would die before the return and leave no posterity (Jeremiah 29:24-32).
SIHON
An Amorite king who had conquered Moab sometime before the Israelites emerged from their wilderness wanderings. Jeremiah alludes to this conquest in his oracle against Moab (Jeremiah 48:45).
SOLOMON
Third king of Israel in whose reign the Temple was built. Nebuchadnezzar carried off the bronze which Solomon had used in constructing various parts of the Temple furnishings (Jeremiah 52:20),
URIAH
Prophet who prophesied against Judah as did Jeremiah, and who was executed by king Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 26:20-24). He was from the village of Kireath-jearim.
ZEDEKIAH (1)
The son of Josiah who ruled as last king of Judah (597-587 B.C.). Because of his rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem. Zedekiah was taken captive, blinded and deported to Babylon. During the last days before the fall of Jerusalem, Zedekiah had several interviews with Jeremiah (Jeremiah 21:1-14; Jeremiah 34:2-7; Jeremiah 37:3-10; Jeremiah 37:16-21; Jeremiah 38:14-28).
ZEDEKIAH (2)
The son of Maaseiah. Jeremiah threatened that Nebuchadnezzar would roast this immoral and lying prophet in a fire (Jeremiah 29:21-23).
ZEDEKIAH (3)
The son of Hananiah. A prince in the reign of king Jehoiakim who was present at Baruch's reading of Jeremiah's scroll in the chamber of Elisha the scribe (Jeremiah 36:12).
ZEPHANIAH
The second priest, under the high priest Seraiah, who was sent by king Zedekiah to inquire of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 21:1; Jeremiah 37:3). This priest, who seems to have been somewhat favorably inclined toward Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:25; Jeremiah 29:29), was killed by Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah (Jeremiah 52:24).
II. PLACE NAMES
ABARIM
The mountain range SE of the Dead Sea in which Mt. Nebo was one of the prominent peaks, People in this region would lament when the Babylonians attacked (Jeremiah 22:20).
AI
A city of Ammon (location unknown) which was to be laid waste by Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 49:3).
AMMON
A country NE of Moab and E of the tribe of Reuben, between the Arnon and Jabbock rivers. See map page 144a. The children of Ammon are among those God will judge by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 9:26; Jeremiah 25:21) but in the Messianic Age they would be converted to true faith (Jeremiah 49:6).
ANATHOTH
A village three miles NE of Jerusalem. The home town of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:1; Jeremiah 29:27). The doom of certain men of Anathoth is announced because they plotted against Jeremiah (Jeremiah 11:21; Jeremiah 11:23). During the siege of Jerusalem, Jeremiah purchased a field in Anathoth as a sign that lands would again be bought and sold (Jeremiah 32:7-9).
ARABAH
The valley of the Jordan river toward which king Zedekiah fled when Jerusalem was under attack (Jeremiah 39:4).
ARABIA
A general name for the region between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. The kings of Arabia will be forced to drink the cup of God's wrath (Jeremiah 25:24).
ARAM, ARAMEANS
The region N of Canaan of which Damascus was a leading city. Nebuchadnezzar sent Arameans (Syrians) to harass the Judean countryside until he could arrive with the army to destroy Jerusalem (Jeremiah 35:11).
ARARAT
A district in Armenia, between the Araxes river and lakes Van and Urumia. One of the areas from which God would summon peoples to attack, Babylon (Jeremiah 51:27).
ARNON
The deep river gorge which was the southern boundary of Reuben but which in Jeremiah's day was within the territory of Moab. It is possible there was a Moabite town of this name (Jeremiah 48:20).
AROER
A Moabite city just N of the Arnon river whose inhabitants will interrogate the fugitives from the N as they flee from the destroyer (Jeremiah 48:19).
ARPAD
A fortified city about 95 miles N of Hamath in Aram (Syria) which is said to melt in fear at the reported advances of Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 49:23).
ASHDOD
One of the five chief Philistine cities. See map page 144a. In Jeremiah's day only a remnant survived in this town and the prophet predicts that they must further drink the cup of God's wrath (Jeremiah 25:20).
ASHKELON
Philistine city (Jeremiah 25:20) which Jeremiah predicted would be attacked by the enemy from the north. For location, see map page 144a.
ASHKENAZ
A tribe located in the neighborhood of Armenia, along with the kingdom of Ararat and Minni. They are summoned to attack Babylon (61:27).
ASSYRIA
A narrow country in the upper Tigris valley which ruled the world from about 745-605 B.C. In the days of Ahaz, Judah turned to Assyria for aid (Jeremiah 2:18), but was bitterly disappointed (Jeremiah 2:36). Assyria devoured Judah for a number of years (Jeremiah 50:17) but was finally punished by God (Jeremiah 50:18).
AZEKAH
A village of Judah ten miles SW of Jerusalem. One of the last outposts to fall to Nebuchadnezzar before he attacked Jerusalem (Jeremiah 34:7).
BABYLON
The great world power of the sixth century before Christ and the capital of that empire. See map page vi. The Judean captives were taken to Babylon (Jeremiah 20:4). Jeremiah also predicts the eventual fall of this empire (Chapter s 50-51). There are 168 direct references to Babylon in Jeremiah.
BASHAN
A region E of Jordan extending from Gilead on the S to Mt. Hermon on the N. Bashan is bidden to weep because of the approach of Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 22:20). Following exile Israel would again possess this region (Jeremiah 50:19).
BENJAMIN
The territory just N of Jerusalem. Jeremiah lived in this region (Jeremiah 1:1) and purchased a field here from a relative (Jeremiah 32:8). He was arrested trying to go to the land of Benjamin during the lull in the siege of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 37:12). He addresses the children of Benjamin in one oracle (Jeremiah 6:1) and alludes to the land of Benjamin in two others (Jeremiah 17:26; Jeremiah 33:13).
BETH-DIBLATHAIM
A city of Moab the location of which is uncertain (Jeremiah 48:22).
BETHEL
Twelve miles N of Jerusalem. A seat of one of the golden calves. In the day of judgment the inhabitants of Moab will be ashamed of their god Chemosh just as Israel was ashamed of the illegitimate worship at Bethel when that nation was being judged (Jeremiah 48:13).
BETH-GAMUL
A city of Moab about ten miles W of Dibon (Jeremiah 48:23).
BETH-HAKKEREM
Spelled Beth-haccerem in KJV. Thought to be a hill east of Bethlehem. Jeremiah urged the Judean fugitives to set up a signpost there to guide others in their flight to the wilderness (Jeremiah 6:1).
BETHLEHEM
Near this famous town six miles S of Jerusalem the remnant camped on their flight to Egypt after the assassination of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:17).
BETH-MEON
A Moabite city the location of which is uncertain (Jeremiah 48:23).
BETH-SHEMESH
The name literally means the house of the sun. An Egyptian city called On by the Egyptians and Heliopolis by the Greeks. Located about ten miles NE of modern Cairo and a few miles S of ancient Tahpanhes. Jeremiah predicts that the obelisks of the sun temple there would be broken down (Jeremiah 43:13).
BOZRAH (1)
Chief city of northern Edom over which Nebuchadnezzar would spread his wings (Jeremiah 49:22) making the place a desolation (Jeremiah 44:13).
BOZRAH (2)
A city in the plains of Moab which was destined to fall to Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 44:24).
BUZ
A tribe in northern Arabia descended from Nahor, Abraham's brother, which must drink the cup of God's wrath (Jeremiah 25:23).
CARMEL
The prominent mountain on the W coast of Canaan which stands as a wall between the maritime plain of Sharon on the S and the more inland plain of Esdraelon on the W. Carmel is used by Jeremiah as a symbol of that which is beautiful (Jeremiah 2:7) and lofty (Jeremiah 46:18). In the restoration Carmel will again be possessed by Israel (Jeremiah 50:19).
CHALDEA, CHALDEANS
In Jeremiah's day Chaldea was synonymous with Babylonia. Forty-six references are made to this land and people in Jeremiah.
CUSH
The Hebrew name for Ethiopia. Ebed-melech the Ethiopian once rescued Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38:7-13). The prophet referred to Ethiopians in a sermon illustration (Jeremiah 13:23). Some of Pharaoh's mercenary troops came from Cush (Jeremiah 46:9).
CYPRUS
See KITTIM
DAMASCUS
Capitol of the kingdom of Aram (Syria) the destruction of which Jeremiah predicts (Jeremiah 49:23-24; Jeremiah 49:27). See map pages vi and 144a.
DAN
The northern-most city of Canaan. Indications of the invasion from the north would first come from Dan (Jeremiah 4:15, Jeremiah 8:16).
DEDAN
One of the Arab tribes which must drink of the divine cup of wrath (Jeremiah 25:23). The Dedanites inhabited the region S of Edom. Jeremiah urges them to withdraw further into the desert so that they might not have to experience the fate of Edom (Jeremiah 49:8).
DIBON
A Moabite city located about four miles N of the Arnon river. The important King's Highway passed through this place. Dibon will experience disgrace in the day of Moab's judgment (Jeremiah 48:18; Jeremiah 48:22).
EDOM
A mountainous region between Moab and the Red Sea. See Map page 144a. In addition to several allusions to the impending destruction of Edom, Jeremiah composed a lengthy oracle against this land (Jeremiah 49:7-22). The prophet directed the Edomite ambassador to take a symbolic yoke to his king (Jeremiah 27:3). Many Jews fled to Edom when the Chaldeans attacked Judah in 588-87 B.C. (Jeremiah 40:11).
EGLATH-SHELISHIAM
A Moabite city the location of which is unknown (Jeremiah 48:34). The name means a heifer of three years old and is so translated in KJV.
EGYPT
The great power on the NW corner of the continent of Africa. See maps vi and 696a. There are fifty-three references to Egypt in Jeremiah. Several passages refer to the Exodus from Egypt (Jeremiah 11:7; Jeremiah 16:14; Jeremiah 23:7; etc.). After the assassination of Gedaliah the Judean fugitives fled to Egypt (Chapter s 41-44). Jeremiah predicts the defeat of Egypt at Carchemish (Jeremiah 46:1-6) as well as an invasion of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 46:13).
EKRON
One of the chief Philistine cities. See map page 144a. Ekron will have to drink the cup of divine wrath (Jeremiah 25:20).
EJer
For location see map page vi. In addition to the brief allusion to the destruction of Elam in Jeremiah 25:25, Jeremiah wrote an oracle against this land (Jeremiah 49:34-39). Nebuchadnezzar campaigned against Elam in 596 B.C.
ELEALEH
A Moabite city located about a mile N of Heshbon (Jeremiah 48:34).
EPHRAIM
In Jeremiah. Ephraim is the name of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The prophet alludes to the captivity of Ephraim (Jeremiah 7:15) and the restoration of Ephraim (Jeremiah 31:9; Jeremiah 31:18; Jeremiah 31:20).
ETHIOPIA, ETHIOPIANS
See CUSH.
EUPHRATES
The most prominent river of the Near East which flows from the mountains of Armenia to the Persian Gulf. See, map page vi. Often called in the Bible the river or simple River (Jeremiah 2:18). Jeremiah buried and subsequently retrieved a linen girdle from the banks of the river (chapter 13). The battle of Carchemish on the Euphrates is alluded to both historically (Jeremiah 46:2) and prophetically (Jeremiah 46:6; Jeremiah 46:10). A scroll containing an oracle against Babylon was ordered sunk by Jeremiah in the Euphrates (57:63).
GAREB
A hill near Jerusalem listed as marking the boundaries of the new Jerusalem (Jeremiah 31:39).
GAZA
A Philistine city. See map page 144a. Jeremiah mentions an otherwise unrecorded Egyptian attack on Gaza (Jeremiah 47:1) and also predicts that this city will suffer at the hands of the enemy from the north (Jeremiah 47:5).
GERUT-CHIMHAM
Inn of Chimham in KJV. A rest area for travelers near Bethlehem. The remnant camped here as they flew to Egypt following the assassination of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:17).
GIBEON
A city of Judah six miles NW of Jerusalem. The home of the false prophet Hananiah (Jeremiah 28:1). At Gibeon Johanan caught up with Ishmael and effected the rescue of the captives which the latter had taken from Mizpah (Jeremiah 41:12; Jeremiah 41:16).
GILEAD
A mountainous region E of Jordan famous for its trees (Jeremiah 22:6) and the medicines produced by those trees (Jeremiah 8:22, Jeremiah 46:11). Jeremiah predicts that Jews will return from captivity to occupy the mountains of Gilead (Jeremiah 50:19).
GOATH
A place on the E of Jerusalem near the hill Gareb. One of the boundary marks of the new Jerusalem (Jeremiah 31:39).
GOMORRAH HAMATH
See SODOM. A city and region in upper Syria in the valley of the Orontes river. The city is said to melt in fear at the news of the Chaldean advance (Jeremiah 49:23). The town of Riblah in the region of Hamath was the military headquarters of Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 39:5; Jeremiah 52:9; Jeremiah 52:27).
HAZOR
An Arabian city, region, or tribe smitted by Nebuchadnezzar. (Jeremiah 49:28; Jeremiah 49:30; Jeremiah 49:33).
HESHBON
Formerly a Levitical city belonging to the tribe of Reuben. Heshbon was the major city N of the Arnon river in Jeremiah's day (Jeremiah 49:3). The city is mentioned four times in the Moab oracle (Jeremiah 48:2; Jeremiah 48:34; Jeremiah 48:45) as being the spot from which the destroyer of Moab would launch his attack.
HINNOM, VALLEY OF
A valley on the W side of Jerusalem where child sacrifice was practiced in worship of the god Molech (Jeremiah 7:31; Jeremiah 32:35). Jeremiah changed its name to Valley of Slaughter (Jeremiah 7:32; Jeremiah 19:6) because of the corpses which would fall there. Overlooking this valley Jeremiah once preached and performed a symbolic act (Jeremiah 19:2).
HOLON
A Moabite city the location of which is unknown (Jeremiah 48:21).
HORONAIM
A Moabite village just S of the Arnon river which Jeremiah predicts will be sacked and destroyed by the enemy (Jeremiah 48:3; Jeremiah 48:5; Jeremiah 48:34).
ISRAEL
There are 105 references to Israel in Jeremiah and three references in Lamentations. Israel sometimes refers to the entire theocratic nation which the Lord brought out of Egypt. In other passages Israel is the Northern Kingdom which ceased to exist in 722 B.C. Frequently in the book, God is called the God of Israel.
JAHZAH
A Moabite city about eight miles SE of Heshbon (Jeremiah 48:21; Jeremiah 48:34). Also spelled Jahazah.
JAZER
An Ammonite city fifteen miles N of Heshbon. The bitter lament of this city is mentioned by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 48:32).
JERUSALEM
The capital of Judah and site of the Temple. The city is mentioned 108 times in Jeremiah and seven times in Lamentations. The main thrust in these books is on the destruction of Jerusalem, although Jeremiah does mention the restoration of the city (Jeremiah 31:38-40).
JORDAN
The major river of Canaan flowing from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. In three passages Jeremiah speaks of the Pride (KJV swelling) of the Jordan which refers to the thick jungle-like vegetation which grows along the river (Jeremiah 12:5; Jeremiah 49:19; Jeremiah 50:44). Jeremiah 50:44).
JUDAH
See map page 144a. There are 176 references to Judah in Jeremiah and five in Lamentations. The tiny nation in S. Canaan to which Jeremiah preached.
KEDAR
Sometimes used of Arabia in general (Jeremiah 2:10) and sometimes of a particular tribe living in Arabia (Jeremiah 49:28). The tribe of Kedar was to be attacked by Nebuchadnezzar.
KERIOTH
A Moabite city eleven miles SE of Dibon which Jeremiah predicts will be taken by Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 48:24; Jeremiah 48:41).
KIDRON
A brook running through the valley between Jerusalem and the Mt. of Olives. Mentioned by Jeremiah as one of the boundaries of the restored city of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 31:40).
KIR-HERES
The chief fortress of southern Moab the fall of which indicates the completion of Moab's destruction. Jeremiah wept over the fall of this city (Jeremiah 48:31; Jeremiah 48:36). Also spelled Kirhareseth.
KIRIATHAIM
A Moabite city about eight miles NW of Dibon (Jeremiah 48:1; Jeremiah 48:23).
KIRJATH-JEARIM
A village eight miles W of Jerusalem. The home of the faithful prophet Uriah (Jeremiah 26:20).
KITTIM
The isles of the Mediterranean and perhaps the coastlands of Italy and Greece. Jeremiah challenged his audience to see if they could discover in Kittim an example of unfaithfulness which would parallel the apostasy of Judah (Jeremiah 2:10).
LACHLISH
A Judean city about twenty-eight miles SW of Jerusalem. One of the last outposts to fall to Nebuchadnezzar before he began the siege of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 34:7).
LEBANON
The mountain range which, commencing near Tyre, runs NE through Syria, nearly parallel to the seacoast, sometimes as high as 9000 feet above sea level. Jeremiah mentions the snows of Lebanon as an illustration of constancy (Jeremiah 18:14). The palace of the king of Judah is called Lebanon (Jeremiah 22:6) as is the city of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 22:23). Lebanon is the first region to suffer from the Babylonian invasion (Jeremiah 22:20).
LEB-KAMAI
A cryptic designation for Babylon which when decoded spells Chaldeans in Hebrew. Lebkamai literally means the heart of those who rise up against me. (Jeremiah 51:1).
LIBYANS
See PUT.
LUHITH
A village of Moab between Ar and Zoar at the S extremity of the Dead Sea (Jeremiah 48:5).
MADMEN
A village in Moab nine miles N of Kir-hareseth whose destruction was foretold by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 48:2).
MEDIA, MEDES
For location of Media see map page vi. The kings of Media are named among those who must drink the cup of God's wrath (Jeremiah 25:25). Jeremiah predicted it would be the Medes that would attack and destroy Babylon (Jeremiah 51:11; Jeremiah 51:28).
MEMPHIS
Moph or Noph in Hebrew. A city in central Egypt on the W of the Nile and a royal residence in days of Jeremiah. Called Noph in KJV. A major city (Jeremiah 2:16; Jeremiah 46:14) where the Jewish remnant settled (Jeremiah 44:1). Jeremiah predicted the city would be waste and desolate (Jeremiah 46:19). See map page 696a.
MEPHAATH
An uncertain location in Moab (Jeremiah 48:21).
MERATHAIM
A symbolic name for Babylon meaning double rebellion (Jeremiah 50:21).
MIGDOL
A fortress on the NE border of Egypt where some of the Jewish remnant settled (Jeremiah 44:1; Jeremiah 46:14).
MINNI
A district near Ararat in the region later known as Armenia from which God would summon troops to attack Babylon (Jeremiah 51:27).
MISGAB
The name means high fortress and this spot seems to have been located in the vicinity of Nebo (Jeremiah 48:1).
MIZPAH
A city of Judah about nine miles NE of Jerusalem where Gedaliah set up the seat of government after the destruction of Jerusalem (Chapter s 40-41).
MOAB
Generally in Old Testament times Moab occupied the region E of the Dead Sea between the Brook Zered in the S and the Arnon River in the N. In Jeremiah's day the Moabites seem to have expanded beyond the Arnon. Jeremiah makes a point of the fact that the Moabites practice circumcision (Jeremiah 9:26). Moab must drink the cup of wrath (Jeremiah 25:21) and submit to the yoke of Babylon (Jeremiah 27:3). Jews fled to Moab in the war of 587 B.C. (Jeremiah 40:11). In a lengthy oracle Jeremiah predicts the overthrow of Moab (chapter 48).
NEBO
A Moabite city about five miles SW of Heshbon (Jeremiah 48:1; Jeremiah 48:22).
NEGEV
A barren steppe S of the valley of Beer-sheba. Sometimes the word is simply rendered south. Jeremiah predicts the siege of the cities of this region (Jeremiah 13:19) and ultimate restoration of them following the captivity (Jeremiah 32:44; Jeremiah 33:13). See also Jeremiah 17:26.
NILE
The mighty river whose annual flooding brought prosperity to the land of Egypt. Jeremiah compared the advance of the Egyptian army to the swelling of the Nile (Jeremiah 46:7-8).
NIMRIM, WATER OF
A small brook in Moab which flows into the southern end of the Dead Sea (Jeremiah 48:34).
NO
The Biblical name of Thebes located in southern or Upper Egypt. Also called No-Amon. The greatest collection of monuments and ruins in all the world is to be found there. Jeremiah predicted God's wrath would be poured out on Amon the god of No. (Jeremiah 46:25).
NOPH
See MEMPHIS.
PATHROS
The entire region of Upper (southern) Egypt where some of the Jewish remnant settled (Jeremiah 44:1; Jeremiah 44:15).
PEKOD
A symbolic name for Babylon meaning punishment (Jeremiah 50:21).
PHILISTIA, PHILISTINE
The coastal region about forty miles long W of Judah. See map page 144a. Jeremiah names the kings of the Philistine among those who will be forced to drink the cup of God's wrath (Jeremiah 25:20). A brief oracle against the Philistine is found in chapter 47.
PUT
The Hebrew name for the Libyan region W of Egypt. The Libyans were mercenaries in the army of Pharaoh (Jeremiah 46:9).
RABBAH
Also spelled Rabbath. See map page 144a. The major city of Ammon which today is called Ammon and is the capital of Jordan. This city fell, as predicted by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 49:2-3), to Nebuchadnezzar in 582-81 B.C.
RAMAH
A city of Benjamin about five miles N of Jerusalem. Rachel's weeping over her sons was heard as far as Ramah (Jeremiah 31:15). Jeremiah was taken in chains by the Babylonians to Ramah (Jeremiah 40:1).
RED SEA
For location see map page vi. The sound of the cry of Edom is heard as far as the Red Sea, southern border of that land (Jeremiah 49:21).
RIBLAH
A city of Aram (Syria) on the Orontes river. The headquarters of Nebuchadnezzar on his 587 B.C. campaign against the Jews. Here Zedekiah was brought after his capture (Jeremiah 39:5-6; Jeremiah 52:9 and here the leaders of Judah were executed (Jeremiah 52:10; Jeremiah 52:26-27).
SAMARIA
Capital of the Northern Kingdom which was destroyed by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. Some pilgrims from the vicinity of Samaria were massacred by Ishmael as they made their way to Jerusalem to offer sacrifice (Jeremiah 41:5). Jeremiah also points out a contrast between the prophets of Samaria and those of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 23:13).
SHEBA
A region in SW Arabia about 1500 miles S of Jerusalem from which the Jews secured the ingredients for incense and anointing oil (Jeremiah 6:20).
SHEPHELAH
The rolling hills which separates the mountains of Judah from the coastal plains. This region of Judah is mentioned three times by the prophet (Jeremiah 17:26; Jeremiah 32:44; Jeremiah 33:13). Translated lowland in KJV.
SHESHACH
A cryptic name for Babylon used in Jeremiah 25:26 and Jeremiah 51:41.
SHILOH
A city of Ephraim N of Bethel where the tabernacle was located during the period of the Judges. Jeremiah used the destruction of Shiloh as an illustration of what God would do to Jerusalem (Jeremiah 7:12; Jeremiah 7:14; Jeremiah 26:6; Jeremiah 26:9). Some pilgrims who lived in the vicinity of the ruins of Shiloh were massacred by Ishmael (Jeremiah 41:5).
SIBHAM
A village about three miles SW of Heshbon famous for its vineyards (Jeremiah 48:32).
SIDON
A Phoenician city about twenty-seven miles N of Tyre. Sidon must drink the cup of God's wrath (Jeremiah 25:22) and submit to the yoke of Babylon (Jeremiah 27:3). In the day of national judgment Sidon will be without foreign help (Jeremiah 47:4).
SODOM
One of four citiesGomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim being the otherslocated on the S shores of the Dead Sea which was destroyed in the days of Abraham. Jeremiah used the infamous wickedness of these cities as a basis of comparison for the wickedness of Judah (Jeremiah 23:14) and the permanent overthrow of these cities to illustrate the permanent desolation of Edom (Jeremiah 49:18) and Babylon (Jeremiah 50:40).
SYRIA, SYRIANS
See ARAM.
TABOR
An isolated mountain in the midst of the plains of Jezreel. Used by Jeremiah as a symbol of loftiness (Jeremiah 46:18).
TAHPANHES
A city in Egypt on the Nile near Pelusium, on the S extremity of Palestine. Called by the classical writers Daphne. A royal residence was located here in Jeremiah's day (Jeremiah 43:9) and hence the city can symbolically stand for the entire land of Egypt (Jeremiah 2:16). Jeremiah preached to those of the remnant who settled in the city (Jeremiah 43:7-9; Jeremiah 44:1; Jeremiah 46:14).
TARSHISH
Generally thought to be located on the SW coast of Spain. A source of silver used to manufacture idols (Jeremiah 10:9).
TEKOA
A village six miles SE of Bethlehem. Jeremiah urges that a trumpet be blown in Tekoa to assemble the refugees on their flight to the wilderness (Jeremiah 6:1).
TEMA
An Arab tribe living S of Edom named among those that must partake of We cup of wrath (Jeremiah 25:23).
TEMAN
A region in or at the NE of Edom. The Temanites were famous for their wisdom (Jeremiah 49:7),. but this wisdom will not avert the impending destruction of Edom (Jeremiah 49:20).
TOPHETH
The word is used eight times in Jeremiah. Topheth is thought to be the pit in which human victims were burned in the valley of Hinnom (Jeremiah 7:31). Topheth would be defiled by the slaughter which will befall Judah and corpses would be buried there (Jeremiah 7:32; Jeremiah 19:6; Jeremiah 19:11). The entire city of Jerusalem also be defiled like Topheth (Jeremiah 19:12-14).
TYRE
The most prominent city of Phoenicia. See map page 144a. Tyre must drink the cup of divine wrath (Jeremiah 25:22) and submit to the yoke of Babylon (Jeremiah 27:3). In the day of judgment all helpers of Tyre would be cut off (Jeremiah 47:4).
UPHAZ
A distant land from which the idolaters of Judah secured gold to be used in the manufacture of idols (Jeremiah 10:9). The location is uncertain but is thought to be E of Canaan. Some identify Uphaz with Ophir.
UZ
A region in close proximity to Edom (Lamentations 4:21) whose kings must drink the cup of divine wrath (Jeremiah 25:20).
ZIDON
See SIDON.
ZIMRI
A people whose location is unknown. They are mentioned among those who must drink the cup of divine wrath (Jeremiah 25:25).
ZION
In Jeremiah, Zion is synonymous with Jerusalem. In prophetic passages, Zion becomes a designation for the church of Christ. (Jeremiah 31:6; Jeremiah 31:12). The term is used seventeen times in Jeremiah and sixteen times in Lamentations.
ZOAR
The city at the SE corner of the Dead Sea into which Lot and his daughters fled. In the days of Jeremiah Zoar was the southernmost city of Moab (Jeremiah 48:34).