1-22. Jeremiah speaks of the restoration first of Israel (Ephraim, Jeremiah 31:2), then of Judah (Jeremiah 31:23.). Those who survive the sufferings of the captivity are promised a safe journey home. The words, 'found grace in the wilderness' (Jeremiah 31:2) are probably an allusion to the journey f... [ Continue Reading ]
In this v. the people are the speakers.... [ Continue Reading ]
TABRETS] tambourines.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL EAT _them_ AS COMMON THINGS] RV 'shall enjoy _the fruit thereof_.'... [ Continue Reading ]
WATCHMEN] posted on heights to announce seasons of prayer and, according to Jewish tradition, the appearance of the new moon as determining the dates of festivals. In the present case they are posted on the hills of Ephraim that members of the northern kingdom may go up to keep the feasts in Jerusal... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BLIND, etc.] None, even the feeblest, shall be left behind. THITHER] RV 'hither' to Palestine.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH WEEPING] tears at once of contrition and joy. EPHRAIM _is_ MY FIRSTBORN] see 1 Chronicles 5:1. God will not forget the house of Joseph, the head of northern Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ISLES] see on Jeremiah 25:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD] to receive from Him the blessings of a fruitful land. FOR WHEAT, etc.] RV 'to the corn, and to the wine.' SORROW] rather, 'droop,' 'fade,' keeping up the image of a garden.... [ Continue Reading ]
BOTH YOUNG MEN] RV 'and the young men' (shall rejoice with the old).... [ Continue Reading ]
The sacrifices shall be so numerous that the priests and their families shall have abundance for their share: see Leviticus 7:31.... [ Continue Reading ]
The mourning which took place at Ramah, whether on account of some unrecorded butchery there on the part of the Chaldean conquerors, or in reference to their general cruelty to the exiles there assembled for deportation to Babylon (see Jeremiah 40:1), is referred to by St. Matthew (Matthew 2:17.) as... [ Continue Reading ]
THY WORK SHALL BE REWARDED] Rachel by the death of her descendants had, as it were, been deprived of the reward for which she had laboured in bearing ajid bringing up children. Now by their restoration she shall at last receive her recompense.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THINE END] RV 'for thy latter end.'... [ Continue Reading ]
EPHRAIM] i.e. the northern kingdom, which for over 100 years had been devastated by the Assyrians, and its people exiled.... [ Continue Reading ]
INSTRUCTED] by punishment. I SMOTE, etc.] in contrition. THE REPROACH OF MY YOUTH] the shame incurred through the sins of his youth.... [ Continue Reading ]
God is represented as addressing Himself even as a father might do, when dwelling upon the ingratitude and rebellion of a son, whom, nevertheless, he cannot but continue to love. PLEASANT] i.e. beloved. BOWELS] the supposed seat of the emotions.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIGH HEAPS] RV 'guide-posts' for the returning exiles.... [ Continue Reading ]
COMPASS] i.e. as protector. In the peaceful future the women will be a sufficient guard against danger from without, while the men perform their daily tasks. 23-26. The Lord now turns from Israel (Ephraim) to Judah and promises her like blessings.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS YET] RV 'yet again.' HABITATION OF JUSTICE] the same expression is used of the Lord in Jeremiah 50:7. MOUNTAIN OF HOLINESS] Jerusalem, or in particular the Temple mount.... [ Continue Reading ]
The words of the prophet at the conclusion of his pleasant vision.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL SOW, etc.] a figure to express prosperity and rapid increase.... [ Continue Reading ]
See on Jeremiah 1:10. 29-34. The new covenant between Jehovah and His people. 29, 30. The proverb here quoted, which was common among the Jews, induced them to throw upon their predecessors the responsibility for their own misdeeds. Accordingly the prophet restates in an amended form the truth whi... [ Continue Reading ]
The sense is not that there shall be no longer any need of instruction in religion, but that for both Jews and Gentiles there shall be directness of access to God. It was left for later times to reveal clearly Christ as the means of this approach.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH DIVIDETH THE SEA WHEN] RV 'which stirreth up the sea, that.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Israel's national existence is as assured as the unchangeableness of the laws imposed by God on the universe, or as its limitless character. 38-40. See on Jeremiah 7:31. Jerusalem in her future extension is to enclose spaces hitherto considered unclean. TOWER OF HANANEEL] at the NE. corner. THE GAT... [ Continue Reading ]