It was immediately after the battle of Carchemish (605 b.c.) between Egypt and Babylon, and probably before Nebuchadnezzar and his victorious army appeared in Palestine, that Jeremiah delivered this prophecy Jeremiah 25, orally perhaps at first to the people, but soon afterward committed to writing;... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FOURTH YEAR - See Daniel 1:1 note. This invasion of Judaea, in which Daniel was carried captive to Babylon, was according to the date of the years the fourth, but according to the actual time the third, year of the Jewish king. Nebuchadnezzar was not yet fully king, but associated with his fathe... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THREE AND TWENTIETH YEAR - i. e., nineteen under Josiah, and four under Jehoiakim. This prophecy divides itself into three parts, (1) the judgment of Judah Jeremiah 25:3, and Babylon’s doom Jeremiah 25:12; (2) the wine-cup of fury Jeremiah 25:15; (3) the judgment of the world Jeremiah 25:30.... [ Continue Reading ]
TURN YE - i. e., Repent ye; the great summons of God to mankind at all times (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; compare Matthew 3:2).... [ Continue Reading ]
The term families is probably used here to signify the widespread empire of Nebuchadnezzar. MY SERVANT - This title, so remarkable in the Old Testament as the especial epithet, first of Moses, and then of the Messiah, is thrice given to Nebuchadnezzar, and marks the greatness of the commission entr... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE FROM THEM ... THE SOUND OF THE MILLSTONES, AND THE LIGHT OF THE CANDLE - (or, lamp). To denote the entire cessation of domestic life. The one was the sign of the preparation of the daily meal, the other of the assembling of the family after the labors of the day were over.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEVENTY YEARS - The duration of the Babylonian empire was really a little short of this period. But the 70 years are usually calculated down to the time when the Jews were permitted to return to their country (compare Jeremiah 29:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
PERPETUAL DESOLATIONS - The ruins of Babylon form its only lasting memorial.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Septuagint places a full stop after “book,” and take the rest as a title “what Jeremiah prophesied against the nations,” which series there immediately follows. In the Masoretic Text, this series is deferred to the end Jer. 46–49, and with Jer. 50–51, forms one entire series. Other reasons make... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL SERVE THEMSELVES OF THEM ALSO - i. e., shall impose forced labor upon the Chaldaeans, and reduce them also to servitude.... [ Continue Reading ]
SAITH - Or, hath said. This prophecy - placed by the Septuagint after those against the nations - forms an impressive statement of the manner in which the new kingdom of Babylon was to execute Yahweh’s wrath upon the nations far and near.... [ Continue Reading ]
BE MOVED - Rather, stagger.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN TOOK I THE CUP - Not actually offering the wine-cup - Holy Scripture has suffered much from this materialistic way of explaining it: but publicly proclaiming this prophecy in Jerusalem, as the central spot of God’s dealings with men, and leaving it to find its way to the neighboring states.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS IT IS THIS DAY - Words omitted by the Septuagint, and probably added by Jeremiah after the murder of Gedaliah had completed the ruin of the land.... [ Continue Reading ]
The arrangement is remarkable. Jeremiah begins with the south, Egypt; next Uz on the southeast, and Philistia on the southwest; next, Edom, Moab, and Ammon on the east, and Tyre, and Sidon, and the isles of the Mediterranean on the west; next, in the Far East, various Arabian nations, then northward... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MINGLED PEOPLE - Either auxiliaries; or, rather, a constituent portion of the people of Egypt, who were not of pure blood. AZZAH - i. e., Gaza. THE REMNANT OF ASHDOD - A sentence which none but a contemporary writer could have used. Psammetichus, after a siege of 29 years, had captured and des... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ISLES - Rightly explained in the margin; it probably refers here to Cyprus.... [ Continue Reading ]
DEDAN - See the Isaiah 21:13 note. BUZ - See Job 32:2 note. ALL THAT ARE ... - See the marginal reference note.... [ Continue Reading ]
ARABIA - That part which bordered on Palestine, and was inhabited mainly by Ishmaelites. THE MINGLED PEOPLE - Compare the Jeremiah 25:20 note. In Arabia there seem to have been many tribes of Cushite origin, who by intermarriage with other tribes had become of mixed blood.... [ Continue Reading ]
ZIMRI - Probably a district between Arabia and Persia. “Elam” is put in Scripture for the whole of Persia.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD ... - In accordance with the usage of Holy Scripture this universality is limited. It is moral and not geographical. SHESHACH - Jerome says that this is the name Babel written in cypher, the letters being transposed. Another example occurs in Jeremiah 51:1, where the w... [ Continue Reading ]
The metaphors denote the helplessness to which the nations are reduced by drinking the wine-cup of fury Jeremiah 25:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
Yahweh has risen like a lion from His covert, and at His roaring the whole world is filled with terror and confusion. UPON HIS HABITATION - Against His pasture; i. e., Judaea. Yahweh comes forth as the lion to destroy the sheep which lie terrified within the circle of the tents. A SHOUT - The vint... [ Continue Reading ]
A NOISE - The trampling of an army in motion. Compare Amos 2:2. A CONTROVERSY - i. e., a suit at law. WILL PLEAD - Or, will hold judgment. As judge He delivers the wicked to the sword.... [ Continue Reading ]
A GREAT WHIRLWIND - Or, storm. THE COASTS OF THE EARTH - See Jeremiah 6:22 note. The thunderstorm seen first on the edge of the horizon overspreads the heaven, and travels from nation to nation in its destructive course.... [ Continue Reading ]
LAMENTED - See the marginal reference and Jeremiah 8:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
PRINCIPAL OF THE FLOCK - i. e., noble ones. WALLOW YOURSELVES IN THE ASHES - Rather, roll yourselves on the ground. FOR ... - Read; “for your days for being slaughtered are accomplished, and I will scatter you” (or, (dash you in pieces). FALL LIKE A PLEASANT VESSEL - The comparison suggests the i... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEACEABLE HABITATIONS - The pastures of peace, the peaceable fields where the flocks lately dwelt in security. See Jeremiah 25:30 note.... [ Continue Reading ]
Yahweh has risen up, like a lion that leaves its covert, eager for prey, that He may execute judgment upon the wicked.... [ Continue Reading ]