Jeremiah prophesies here against the Philistines, who were enemies to the Israelites, and had contrived against them many cruel and unjust things. There is then no doubt, but that God intended to testify, by this prophecy, his love towards the Israelites, for he undertook their cause, and avenged th... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet, no doubt, wished to remind the Jews that it would only be a prelude when Gaza was plundered, and that a far more grievous punishment was impending over that ungodly nation, which had done so many wrongs to God’s people. For if Gaza had suffered only that loss, the Jews might have compla... [ Continue Reading ]
He continues the same subject; for he says, that so grievous would be the calamity, that fathers would not have a care for their children, which is a proof of extreme sorrow; for men even in adversity do not divest themselves of their natural feelings. When a father has children, he would willingly... [ Continue Reading ]
Jeremiah shews now more clearly, and without a figure, his meaning, even that destruction would come on the Philistines when their time was completed. And he mentions _Tyre _and _Sidon, _neighboring cities, and. formerly under their own jurisdiction. But Tyre in the time of Isaiah had its own king;... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet returns again to what is figurative, that he might more fully illustrate his prophecy, and more powerfully move the Jews. Now by _baldness _he points out a sign of mourning; for they were wont even to tear their faces with their nails, and to pluck off their hair. He then says that _bald... [ Continue Reading ]
Here Jeremiah turns to address the sword of God; and it is a happy apostrophe. It is very striking and forcible, when the Prophet at one time addresses the land of the Philistines, and at another, the sword of God; and he had no other object but to confirm his prophecy, of which otherwise, the Jews... [ Continue Reading ]
Some take _it_, ה, _he_, as meaning the land itself; but as it immediately follows, _against Ashkelon _and _against the seashore_, it is better to explain it as above. By the _sea-shore _some understand Joppa; but it is probable that the Prophet includes the whole coast, and that he thus still speak... [ Continue Reading ]