I have made the earth... — The pronoun is emphatic. For “upon the ground” read on the face of the earth, and for “it seemed meet unto me” it seemed meet to my eyes. The “stretched-out arm” is a phrase specially characteristic of the Book of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 4:34; Deuteronomy 5:15; Deuteronomy 7:19; Deuteronomy 26:8), and may be noted among the many traces of its influence on Jeremiah’s language. The whole preface, which rises to a height of rhythmic loftiness not common in Jeremiah’s writings, asserts the truth that the Creator of the material world is also the ruler over the kingdoms of the earth. For a like utterance of the same thought, see Amos 4:13; Amos 9:6.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising