Jeremiah comforts Baruch,

JEREMIAH, 3; 30.21.). Amasis' civil war with Hophra pioneered the way for Nebuchadnezzar's invasion in the twenty-third year of his reign (Josephus, Antiquities, 10. 11.).

CHAPTER XLV.

XLV, XLVI.

Prophecy as to Egypt. mish, by Nebuchadnezzar, as is foretold here; and lost Pharaohs West of the Euphrates, and between it and all the territory which had been subject to the the Nile. The prediction would mitigate the Jews' Ver. 1-5. JEREMIAH COMFORTS BARUCH. After grief for Josiah, and show his death was not to be the completion of the prophecies and histories apper- unavenged (2 Kings, 24. 7.). He is famed as having taining to the Jewish people and kings, Jeremiah sub- fitted out a fleet of discovery from the Red sea, which joins one referring to an individual, Baruch; even as doubled the Cape of Good Hope, and returned to Egypt there are subjoined to the epistles of Paul addressed by the Mediterranean. 3. Derisive summons to battle. to churches, epistles to individuals, some of which With all your mighty preparation for the invasion of Afterwards follow Nebuchadnezzar, when ye come to the encounter ye were prior in date to the former. the prophecies referring to other nations, closing the shall be "dismayed" (v. 5.). Your mighty threats shall book. [GROTIUS.] The date of the events here told end in nothing. buckler- smaller, and carried by the is eighteen years before the taking of the city; this light-armed cavalry. shield-of larger size, and carried chapter in point of time follows ch. 36. Baruch seems by the heavily-armed infantry. 4. Harness the horses to have been regularly employed by Jeremiah, to com--viz., to the war-chariots, for which Egypt was famed But it is mit his prophecies to writing (ch. 36. 1, 4, 32.). 1. these (Exodus, 14. 7; 15. 4.). get up, ye horsemen-get up into "horses," translates, "Mount the steeds." words his prophecies from the thirteenth year of the chariots. MAURER, because of the parallel Josiah to the fourth of Jehoiakim. 3. Thou didst say. &c.-Jeremiah does not spare his disciple, but unveils rather describing the successive steps in equipping his fault, viz., fear for his life by reason of the suspi- the war-chariots: first harness the horses to them, cions which he incurred in the eyes of his countrymen then let the horsemen mount them. brigandines -(cf. ch. 36. 17,), as if he was a favourer of the Chaldeans cuirasses, or coats of mail. 5. (Note, v. 3.). The lan(ch. 43. 3,), and instigator of Jeremiah: also ingratitude guage of astonishment, that an army so well-equipped they do in speaking of his "grief," &c., whereas he ought to should be driven back in "dismay." The prophet deem himself highly blessed in being employed by sees this in prophetic vision. fled apace-iit., fled a God to record Jeremiah's prophecies. added-rescued flight, i.e., flee precipitately. look not back from the peril of my first writing (ch. 36. 26.). I am not even dare to look back at their pursuers. 6. Let any of the Egyptian warriors think to escape by swiftagain involved in a similar peril. He upbraids God not equivalent to the strongest negation. Let not I fainted-rather, I am as dealing harshly with him. weary. no rest-no quiet resting-place. 4. that which ness or by might. toward the north-i.e., in respect to I have built ... planted I will pluck up-(Isaiah, 5. 5.). Egypt or Judea. In the northward region, by the This whole nation (the Jews) which I founded and Euphrates (see v. 2.). 7. as a flood-(ch. 47. 2; Isaiah, 8. planted with such extraordinary care and favour, I 7, 8; Daniel, 11. 22.). The figure is appropriate in adwill overthrow. 5. seekest thou great things for thyself dressing Egyptians, as the Nile, their great river, So their army, swelling with arrogance, shall -thou art over fastidious and self-seeking. When my yearly overspreads their lands with a turbid, muddy own peculiar people, a "whole" nation (v. 4,), and the flood. temple, are being given to ruin, dost thou expect to overspread the region South of Euphrates; but it, be exempt from all hardship? Baruch had raised his like the Nile, shall retreat as fast as it advanced. 8. expectations too high in this world, and this made his Answer to the question in v. 7. waters... moved like distresses harder to be borne. The frowns of the world the rivers - the rise of the Nile is gentle; but at the would not disquiet us, if we did not so eagerly covet mouth it, unlike most rivers, is much agitated, its smiles. What folly to seek great things for our owing to the sandbanks impeding its course, and so The Egyptians, owing to the selves here, where every thing is little, and nothing it rushes into the sea like a cataract. 9. Ironical excertain! all flesh-the whole Jewish nation and even hortation, as in v. 3. foreign peoples (ch. 25. 26.). but thy life... for a prey -esteem it enough at such a general crisis that thy life shall be granted thee. Be content with this boon of life which I will rescue from imminent death, even as when all things are given up to plunder, if one escape with aught, he has a something saved as his It is striking how Jeremiah, who prey" (ch. 21. 9.). once used such complaining language himself, is enabled now to minister the counsel requisite for Baruch when falling into the same sin (ch. 12. 1-5; 15. 10-18.). This is part of God's design in suffering His servants to be tempted, that their temptations may adapt them for ministering to their fellow-servants when tempted. CHAPTER XLVI.

heat of their climate and abstinence from animal mercenary soldiers. Ethiopians-Hebrew, Cush: Abysfood, were physically weak, and therefore employed sinia and Nubia. Libyans-Phut, Mauritania, West shield-The Libyans of Egypt (cf. Genesis, 10. 6.). (XENOPHON, Cyr., 6. and 7.) borrowed from Egypt the use of the long shield extending to the feet. Lydians-not the Lydians West of Asia Minor (Genesis, 10. 22; Ezekiel, 30. 5,), but the Ludim, an African nation descended from Egypt (Mizraim) (Genesis, 10. 13; Ezekiel, 30. 5; Nahum, 3. 9.). handle and bend the bow-the employment of two verbs expresses the on the centre, and the hands holding the ends of it. manner of bending the bow, viz., the foot being pressed a sacrifice Ver. 1-28. THE PROPHECIES, CHAPTERS XLVI.- 10. vengeance for the slaughter of Josiah 2 Kings, The slaughter of the LII., REFER TO FOREIGN PEOPLES. He begins with 23. 29.). sword shall devour... be... drunk-poetical Egypt, being the country to which he had been re- personification (Deuteronomy, 32. 42.). moved. Chapter 46. contains two prophecies concern- (Isaiah, 34. 6; Ezekiel, 39. 17.). ing it: the discomfiture of Pharaoh-necho at Carche- Egyptians is represented as a sacrifice to satiate His mish, by Nebuchadnezzar, and the long subsequent righteous vengeance. 11. Gilead. . . balm-Note, ch. conquest of Egypt by the same king; also the preserva- 8. 22 ;); viz., for curing the wounds; but no medicine tion of the Jews (v. 27, 28.). 1. General heading of the will avail, so desperate shall be the slaughter. virgin next six chapters of prophecies concerning the Gen--Egypt is so called on account of her effeminate luxury, tiles; the prophecies are arranged according to nations, and as having never yet been brought under foreign not by the dates. 2. Inscription of the first prophecy. yoke. thou shalt not be cured lit., there shall be no -he, when going against Carchemish cure for thee (ch. 30. 13; Ezekiel, 30. 21.). Not that Pharaoh-necho ... stumbled (Cercusium, near the Euphrates), encountered Josiah, the kingdom of Egypt should cease to exist, but it king of Judah (the ally of Assyria), at Megiddo, and should not recover its former strength: the blow slew him there (2 Kings, 23. 29; 2 Chronicles, 35. 20-24;); should be irretrievable. 12. mighty but was four years subsequently overcome at Carche- against... mighty... fallen both together-their very

509

Ishmael murders Gedaliah.

JEREMIAH, XLI, XLIL

Johanan's Request.

was to them that Ishmael went after murdering them to be connected with Gedaliah. 10. the king's Gedaliah (ch. 41. 10.). slay-lit., strike thee in the soul, | daughters-(ch. 43. 6.). Zedekiah's. Ishmael must have i.e., a deadly stroke. Ishmael-being of the royal got additional followers (whom the hope of gain atseed of David (ch. 41. 1.), he envied Gedaliah, the tracted), besides those who originally set out with him, presidency to which he thought himself entitled; there- (v. 1.), so as to have been able to carry off all the fore he leagued himself with the ancient heathen residue of the people. He probably meant to sell them enemy of Judah. believed ... not-generous, but un- as slaves to the Ammonites (ch. 40. 14, Note.). 11. wise unsuspiciousness (Ecclesiastes, 9. 16.). 16. thou Johanan-the friend of Gedaliah who had warned him speakest falsely-a mystery of providence that God of Ishmael's treachery, but in vain (ch. 40. 8, 13.). 12. should permit the righteous, in spite of warning, thus the...waters... in Gibeon-(2 Samuel, 2. 18.). A large to rush into the trap laid for them! Isaiah, 57. 1, reservoir or lake. Gibeon-on the road from Mizpah suggests a solution. to Ammon: one of the sacerdotal cities of Benjamin, four miles North West of Jerusalem, now El-jib. 13. glad-at the prospect of having a deliverer from their captivity. 14. cast about-came round. 16. men of war

CHAPTER XLI.

of having harems and eunuchs, from the surrounding heathen kingdoms. 17. dwelt-for a time, until they were ready for their journey to Egypt (ch. 42.). habitation of Chimham-his caravanserai close by Bethlehem. David, in reward for Barzillai's loyalty, took Chimham his son under his patronage, and made over to him his own patrimony in the land of Bethlehem. It was thence called the habitation of Chimham (GeruthChimham), though it reverted to David's heirs in the year of jubilee. Caravanserais (a compound Persias word, meaning "the house of a company of travellers") differ from our inns, in that there is no host to supply food, but each traveller must carry with him his own 18. afraid-lest the Chaldeans should suspect all the Jews of being implicated in Ishmael's treason, as though the Jews sought to have a prince of the house of David (v. 1.). Their better way towards gaining God's favour would have been to have laid the blame on the real culprit, and to have cleared themselves. A tortuous policy is the parent of fear. Righteousness inspires with boldness (Psalm 63, 5; Proverbs, 28. 1.). CHAPTER XLII.

Ver. 1-18. ISHMAEL MURDERS GEDALJAH AND OTHERS, THEN FLEES TO THE AMMONITES. JOHANAN PURSUES HIM, RECOVERS THE CAPTIVES, AND PUR--the men of war," stated in v. 3 to have been slain by POSES TO FLEE TO EGYPT FOR FEAR OF THE CHAL- Ishmael, must refer to the military about Gedaliah's DEANS. 1. seventh month-the second month after the person; "the men of war" here to those not so. eunuchs burning of the city (ch. 52. 12, 13.). and the princes--the kings of Judah had adopted the bad praction not the nominative, And the princes came; for the "princes" are not mentioned either in the next verse or in 2 Kings, 25. 25: but, "Ishmael being of the seed royal and of the princes of the king." [MAURER.] But the ten men were the "princes of the king," thus MAURER'S objection has no weight; so English Version. eat bread together-Ishmael murdered Gedaliah, by whom he was hospitably received, in violation of the sacred right of hospitality (Psalm 41. 9.). 2. slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor-This assigns a reason for their slaying him, as well as showing the magnitude of their crime Daniel, 2. 21; Romans, 13. 1.). slew all the Jews-namely, the attendants and ministers of Gedaliah; or, the military alone, about his person, translate," even (not and, as English Version) the men of war." The main portion of the people with Gedaliah, including Jeremiah, Ishmael carried away captive (v. 10, 16.). 4. no man knew it i.e., outside Mizpah. Before that tidings of the murder had gone abroad. 5. beards shaven, &c.-indicating their deep sorrow at the destruction of the temple and city. cut themselves a heathen custom, forbidden (Leviticus, 19. 27, 28; Deuteronomy, 14. 1.). These men were mostly from Samaria, where the ten tribes, previous to their deportation, had fallen into heathen practices. offerings - unbloody. They do not bring sacrificial victims, but "incense," &c., to testify their piety. house of...Lord-i.e.. the place where the house of the Lord had stood (2 Kings, 25. 9.). The place in which a temple had stood, even when it had been destroyed. was held sacred. [PAPINIAN.] Those "from Shiloh" would naturally seek the house of the Lord, since it was at Shiloh it originally was set up (Joshua, 18. 1.). 6. weeping-pretending to weep as they did, for the ruin of the temple. Come to Gedaliah-as-lit.. Fall (Note, ch. 36. 7; 37. 20.). pray for us-Genesis, if he was one of Gedaliah's retinue. 7. and cast them into...pit-he had not killed them in the pit (cf. v. 9;); these words are therefore rightly supplied in English Version. the pit-the pit or cistern, made by Asa to guard against a want of water, when Baasha was about to besiege the city (v. 9; 1 Kings, 15. 22.). The trench or fosse round the city. [GROTIUS.] Ishmael's motive for the murder seems to have been a suspicion that they were coming to live under Gedaliah. 8. treasures-it was customary to hide grain in cavities underground in troubled times. "We have treasures," which we will give, if our lives be spared. slew... not-(Proverbs, 13. 8.). Ishmael's avarice and needs overcame his cruelty. 9. because of Gedaliah-rather, 'near Gedaliah," viz., those intercepted by Ishmael on their way from Samaria to Jerusalem, and killed at Mizpah, where Gedaliah had lived. So 2 Chronicles, 17. 16, "next" Nehemiah, 3. 2, Margin, lit., as here, "at his hand." "In the reign of Gedaliah." [CALVIN.] However, English Version gives a good sense: Ishmael's reason for killing them was because of his supposing

Ver. 1-22. THE JEWS AND JOHANAN INQUIRE OF GOD, THRough JeremiaH, AS TO GOING TO EGYPT, PROMISING OBEDIENCE TO HIS WILL THEIR SAFETY ON CONDITION OF STAYING IN JUDEA, AND THEIR DESTRUCTION IN THE EVENT OF GOING TO EGYPT, ARE FORETOLD. THEIR HYPOCRISY IN ASKING FOR COUNSEL WHICH THEY MEANT NOT TO FOLLOW, IF CONTRARY TO THEIR OWN DETERMINATION, IS REPROVED. 2. Jeremiah - he probably was one of the number carried off from Mizpah, and dwelt with Johanan (ch. 41. 16.). Hence the expression is, "came near" (v. 1.), not "sent." Let...supplication be accepted

20. 7; Isaiah, 37. 4; James, 5. 16.). thy God-(v. 6.). The Jews use this form to express their belief in the pe culiar relation in which Jeremiah stood to God as His accredited prophet. Jeremiah in his reply reminds them, that God is their God, as well as his ("your God"), as being the covenant people (v. 4.). They in turn acknowledge this in v. 6, "the Lord our God." few of many-as had been foretold (Leviticus, 26, 22). 3. They consulted God, like many, not so much to know what was right, as wishing Him to authorise "what they had already determined on, whether agreeable to His will or not. So Ahab in consulting Micaiah (1 Kings, 22. 13.). Cf. Jeremiah's answer (v. 4) with Micaiah's (1 Kings, 22. 14.). 4. I have heard-i.e., I sccede to your request. your God-being His by adoption, ye are not your own, and are bound to whatever He wills (Exodus, 19. 5, 6; 1 Corinthians, 6, 19, 20.). answer you-i.e., through me. keep nothing back-(1 Samuel, 3. 18; Acts, 20. 20.). 5. Lord be a true... witness(Genesis, 31. 60; Psalm 80. 37; Revelation, 1. 5; 3. 14; 19. 11.). 6, evil-not moral evil, which God cannot com

Nebuchadnezzar foretold.

mand (James, 1. 13,), but what may be disagreeable | TYPE THE CONQUEST OF EGYPT BY NEBUCHAD and hard to us. Piety obeys God, without question- NEZZAR, AND THE FATE OF THE FUGITIVES. 2. Azaing, at all costs. See the instance defective in this, riah-the author of the project of going into Egypt. A that it obeyed only so far as was agreeable to itself (1 very different man from the Azariah in Babylon Samuel, 15. 3, 9, 13-15, 20-23.). 7. ten days-Jeremiah (Daniel, 1. 7; 3. 12-18.). proud-pride is the parent of disdid not speak of himself, but waited God's time and obedience and contempt of God. 3. Baruch - he revelation, showing the reality of his inspiration. Man being the younger spake out the revelations which he left to himself would have given an immediate re-received from Jeremiah more vehemently. From sponse to the people who were impatient of delay. this cause, and from their knowing that he was in The delay was designed to test the sincerity of their favour with the Chaldeans, arose their suspicion of professed willingness to obey, and that they should him. Their perverse fickleness was astonishing. In have full time to deliberate (Deuteronomy, 8. 2.). ch. 42. they acknowledged the trustworthiness of JereTrue obedience bows to God's time, as well as His miah, of which they had for so long so many proofs: way and will. 10. If ye...abide-viz., under the Baby- yet here they accuse him of a lie. The mind of the lonian authority, to which God hath appointed that unregenerate man is full of deceits. 5. remnant.. all should be subject (Daniel, 2. 37, 38.). To resist was returned from all nations-(ch. 40. 11, 12.). 6. the king's to resist God. build... plant-metaphor for, I will daughters-Zedekiah's (ch. 41. 10.). 7. Tahpanhes-(ch. firmly establish you (ch. 24. 6.). I repent... of the evil-2. 16, Note.). Daphne on the Tanitic branch ofthe Nile, (ch. 18. 8; Deuteronomy, 32. 36.). I am satisfied with near Pelusium. They naturally came to it first, being the punishment I have inflicted on you, if only you on the frontier of Egypt, towards Palestine. 9. stones add not a new offence. [GROTIUS.] God is said to-to be laid as the foundation beneath Nebuchadnez"repent," when he alters His outward ways of dealing. zar's throne (v. 10.). clay-mortar. brick-kiln-bricks 12. show mercies-rather, I will excite (in him) feelings in that hot country are generally dried in the sun, not of mercy towards you. [CALVIN.] cause you to return burned. The palace of Pharaoh was being built or re-permit you to return to the peaceable enjoyment of paired at this time: hence arose the mortar and brickthe possessions from which you are wishing to with- kiln at the entry. Of the same materials as Pharaoh's draw through fear of the Chaldeans. By departing in house was built of, the substructure of Nebuchaddisobedience they should incur the very evils they nezzar's throne should be constructed. By a visible wished thereby to escape; and by staying they should symbol implying, that the throne of the latter shall gain the blessings which they feared to lose by doing be raised on the downfall of the former. Egypt at that So. 13. if ye say, &c.-avowed rebellion against God, time contended with Babylon for the empire of the who had often (Deuteronomy, 17. 16,), as now, for- East. 10. my servant - God often makes one wicked bidden their going to Egypt, lest they should be en- man or nation a scourge to another (Ezekiel, 29. 18. tangled in its idolatry. 14. where we shall see no war- 19, 20.). royal pavilion the rich tapestry (lit., ornahere they betray their impiety in not believing God's ment) which hung round the throne from above. 11. promise (v. 10, 11,), as if He were a liar (1 John, 5. 10.). such as are for death to death-i.e., the deadly plague. 15. wholly set your faces-firmly resolve (Luke, 9. 51) Some he shall cause to die by the plague arising from in spite of all warnings (ch. 44. 12.). 16. sword, which insufficient or bad food; others, by the sword; others ye feared, shall overtake you-The very evils we think he shall lead captive, according as God shall order it to escape by sin, we bring on ourselves thereby. What (ch. 15. 2, Note.). 12. houses of ... gods-he shall not our hearts are most set on often prove fatal to us. spare even the temple, such will be his fury. A reThose who think to escape troubles by changing their proof to the Jews, that they betook themselves to place will find them wherever they go (Ezekiel, 11. 8.). Egypt, a land whose own safety depended on helpless The "sword" here is that of Nebuchadnezzar, who idols. burn... carry... captives burn the Egyptian fulfilled the prediction in his expedition to Africa (ac-idols of wood, carry to Babylon those of gold and other cording to MEGASTHENES, a heathen writer), 300 B.C. metals. array himself with the land, &c. - Isaiah, 49. 17. all the men-excepting the "small number" men- 18, has the same metaphor. as a shepherd, &c. - he tioned (ch. 44. 14, 28,), viz., those who were forced into shall become master of Egypt as speedily and easily Egypt against their will, as Jeremiah, Baruch, &c., and as a shepherd, about to pass on with his flock to those who took Jeremiah's advice and fled from Egypt another place, puts on his garment. 13. images before the arrival of the Chaldeans. 18. As mine anger, statues or obelisks. Beth-shemesh-i.e., the house of &c.-As ye have already, to your sorrow, found me the sun, in Hebrew: called by the Greeks Heliopolis; by true to my word, so shall ye again (ch. 7. 20; 18. 16.), the Egyptians, On (Genesis, 41. 45); East of the Nile, shall see this place no more-ye shall not return to Judea, and a few miles North of Memphis. Ephraim Syrus as those shall who have been removed to Babylon. says, the statues rose to the height of sixty cubits; the 19. I have admonished - lit., testified, i.e., solemnly base was ten cubits. Above there was a mitre of 1000 admonished, having yourselves as my witnesses; so pounds weight. Hieroglyphics are traced around the that if ye perish, ye yourselves will have to confess only obelisk remaining in the present day, sixty or that it was through your own fault, not through seventy feet high. On the fifth year after the overignorance, ye perished. 20. dissembled in your hearts- throw of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar, leaving the rather, "ye have used deceit against your (own) souls." siege of Tyre, undertook his expedition to Egypt It is not God, but yourselves, whom ye deceive, to your (JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, 10, 9, 7.). The Egyptians, acown ruin by your dissimulation (Galatians, 6. 7.). cording to the Arabs, have a tradition that their land [CALVIN.] But the words following accord best with was devastated by Nebuchadnezzar in consequence of English Version, ye have dissembled in your hearts (v. their king having received the Jews under his protec3. Note) towards me, when ye sent me to consult God tion, and that it lay desolate forty years. But see for you. 21. declared it-viz., the divine will. I... but Note, Ezekiel, 29. 2, 13. shall he buru-here the act is ye-antithesis. I have done my part; but ye do not attributed to Nebuchadnezzar the instrument, which yours. It is no fault of mine that ye act not rightly. in v. 12 is attributed to God. If even the temples be 22. sojourn for a time, until they could return to their not spared, much less private houses. country. They expected, therefore, to be restored in spite of God's prediction to the contrary.

CHAPTER XLIII.

CHAPTER XLIV.

--

Ver. 1-30. JEREMIAH REproves the Jews For THEIR IDOLATRY IN EGYPT, AND DENOUNCES GOD'S Ver. 1-13. THE JEWS CARRY JEREMIAH AND JUDGMENTS ON THEM AND EGYFT ALIKE. 1. Migdol BARUCH INTO EGYPT, JEREMIAH FORETELLS BY A-meaning a tower. A city East of Egypt, towards

God's judgments on the Jews

the Red sea (Exodus, 14. 2; Numoers, 33. 7.) Noph- which might justly be regarded unfavourably by our Memphis, now Cairo (ch. 2. 16.). Pathros Upper husbands: our sacred rites have been open, and with Egypt (Isaiah, 11. 11.). 2. evil... upon Jerusalem-If I their privity. They wish to show how unreasonable it spared not my own sacred city, much less shall ye be is that Jeremiah should oppose himself alone to the safe in Egypt, which I loathe. 3. they went-implying act of all, not merely women, but men also. The guilty. perverse assiduity: they went out of their way to like these women, desire to shield themselves under burn incense (one species of idolatry put for all kinds), the complicity of others. Instead of helping one &c. 4. 2 Chronicles, 36. 15.). 7. now after so many another towards heaven, husband and wife often ripen warnings. commit. . . this... evil against your souls one another for hell. 21. The incense... did not the -(ch. 7. 19; Numbers, 16. 38; Proverbs, 8. 36.). It is Lord remember-Jeremiah owns that they did as they not God whom you injure, but yourselves. 8. in... said, but in retort asks, did not God repay their own Egypt-where they polluted themselves to ingratiate evil doing? Their very land in its present desolation themselves with the Egyptians. ye be gone-not com- attests this (v. 22,), as was foretold (ch. 25. 11, 18, 38.). pelled by fear, but of your own accord, when I forbade 23. law-the moral precepts. statutes-the ceremonial. you, and when it was free to you to stay in Judea. testimonies-the judicial (Daniel, 9, 11, 12.). 25. Ye... that ye might cut yourselves off-they, as it were, pur- have both spoken with... mouths, and fulfilled with.. posely courted their own ruun. 9. Have you forgotten hand-ironical praise. They had pleaded their obligahow the wickednesses of your fathers were the source tion to fulfil their vows, in excuse for their idolatry. of the greatest calamities to you? their wives the He answers, no one can accuse you of unsteadiness as Jewish queens were great promoters of idolatry (1 to your idolatrous vows; but stedfastness towards Kings, 11. 1-8; 15. 13; 16. 31.). the land of Judah-they God ought to have prevented you from making, or, defilled the land which was holy unto God. 10. They when made, from keeping such vows, ye will surely ...you-the third person puts them to a distance from accomplish... vows-Jeremiah hereby gives them up God on account of their alienating themselves from to their own fatal obstinacy. 26. 1 have sworn-1, too. Him. The second person implies that God formerly have made a tow which i will fulfil. Since ye will not had directly addressed them. humbled - lit., contrite hear me speaking and warning, hear me swearing. (Psalm 51. 17.). neither... feared (Proverbs, 28. 14.) by my great name-i.e., by myself (Genesis, 22. 16), the 11. cut off all Judah-i.e, all the idolaters; v. 28 shows greatest by whom God can swear (Hebrews, 6, 13, 14. that some returned to Judea (cf, ch. 42. 17.). 14. none my name shall no more be named-The Jews, heretofore, ... shall escape... that they should return, &c. The amidst all their idolatry, had retained the form of ap Jews had gone to Egypt with the idea that a return peal to the name of God and the law, the distinctive to Judea, which they thought hopeless to their brethren glory of their nation; God will allow this no more in Babylon, would be an easy matter to themselves in (Ezekiel, 20. 39): there shall be none left there to proEgypt: the exact reverse should happen in the case of fane His name thus any more. 27, watch over...far each respectively. The Jews whom God sent to Baby-evil (ch. 1. 10; Ezekiel, 7. 6.). The God, whose prolon were there weaned from idolatry, and were re-vidence is ever solicitously watching over His people stored; those who went to Egypt by their perverse will for good, shall solicitously, as it were, watch for their were hardened in idolatry, and perished there. have a hurt. Contrast ch. 31. 28; 32. 41. 28. small numberdesire-lit., lift up their soul, i.e., their hopes (cf. ch. 22. (Notes, v. 14, 28; and ch. 42. 17; Isaiah, 27. 13:); cf. "all27, Margin; Deuteronomy, 24. 15.). none shall return consumed" (v. 27.). A band easily counted, whereas but such as shall escape-viz., the "small number" (r. they were expecting to return triumphantly in large 28.), who were brought by force into Egypt, as Jere- numbers. shall know-most of them experimentally miah and Baruch, and those who, in accordance with and to their cost. whose words... mine, or theirs-Jeremiah's advice, should flee from Egypt before the Hebrew,that from me and them. Jehovah's words are arrival of the Chaldeans (Note, ch. 42. 17.). CALVIN His threats of destruction to the Jews; theirs, the less probably refers the words to the return of the assertion that they expected all goods from their gods exiles in Babylon, which the Jews in Egypt regarded (v. 17.). &c. "Mine:" by which I predict ruin to them as hopeless. 15. their wives-the idolatry began with "Theirs:" by which they give themselves free scope them (1 Kings, 11. 4; 1 Timothy. 2. 14.). Their hus- in iniquity. shall stand-Psalm 33. 11.). 29. this... bands' connivance implicated them in the guilt. 16. sign unto you- the calamity of Pharaoh-hophra (Note. we will not-(ch. 6. 16.). 17. whatsoever... goeth. v. 30) shall be a sign to you that as he shall fall before out of our... mouth-whatever vow we have uttered his enemy, so you shall subsequently fall before Nebu to our gods (r. 25; Deuteronomy, 23. 23; Judges, 11. 36.). chadnezzar (Matthew, 24. 8). [GROTIUS.] CALVIY The source of all superstitions is that men oppose their makes the "sign" to be simultaneous with the event own will and fancies to God's commands. queen of signified, not antecedent to it, as in Exodus, 3. 12 The heaven-(Note, ch. 7. 18.). Ashtaroth or Astarte. we Jews believed Egypt impregnable, so shut in it was by ...fathers... kings, &c.-The evil was restricted to no natural barriers. The Jews being "punished in thu one class: all from the highest to the lowest shared the place" will be a sign that their view is false, and guilt. then had we plenty-fools attribute their seeming God's threat true. He calls it "a sign unto you," be prosperity to God's connivance at their sin: but see cause God's prediction is equivalent to the event, so Proverbs, 1. 32; Ecclesiastes, 8. 11-13. In fact God had that they may even now take it as a sign. When ful often chastised them for their idolatry (see Judges, 2. filled it would cease to be a sign to them: for they 14.), but it is the curse of impiety not to perceive the would be dead. 30. Hophrain Herodotus called hand of God in calamities. victuals-Men cast away Apries. He succeeded Psammis, the successor of the bread of the soul for the bread that perisheth Pharaoh-necho, who was beaten by Nebuchadnezzar (Deuteronomy, 8. 3; John, 6. 27.). So Esau (Hebrews, at Carchemish, on the Eupharates. Amasis rebelled 12 16.. 18. They impute their calamities to their against, and overcame him, in the city Sais. them service of God, but these are often marks of His that seek his life-HERODOTUS, in curious accordance favour, not of wrath, to do His people good at their with this, records that Amasis, after treating Hophra latter end (Deuteronomy, 8. 16.). 19. Make... cakes well at first, was instigated, by persons who thought to worship her- MAURER translates, "to form her they could not be safe unless he were put to death, to image." Crescent-shaped cakes were offered to the strangle him. "His enemies" refer to Amasis, &c. moon. Vulgate supports English Version, without her the words are accurately chosen, so as not to refer to men-The women mentioned, v. 15, "a great multitude." Nebuchadnezzar, who is not mentioned till the end of here speak: we have not engaged in secret night-orgies the verse, and in connection with Zedekiah (Ezekiel, 2

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Jeremiah comforts Baruch.

JEREMIAH, XLV, XLVI.

3; 30. 21.). Amasis' civil war with Hophra pioneered the way for Nebuchadnezzar's invasion in the twenty-third year of his reign (Josephus, Antiquities, 10. 11.).

CHAPTER XLV.

Prophecy as to Egypt.

mish, by Nebuchadnezzar, as is foretold here; and lost all the territory which had been subject to the Pharaohs West of the Euphrates, and between it and the Nile. The prediction would mitigate the Jews' grief for Josiah, and show his death was not to be unavenged (2 Kings, 24. 7.). He is famed as having

Ver. 1-5. JEREMIAH COMFORTS BARUCH. After the completion of the prophecies and histories appertaining to the Jewish people and kings, Jeremiah sub-fitted out a fleet of discovery from the Red sea, which joins one referring to an individual, Baruch; even as doubled the Cape of Good Hope, and returned to Egypt there are subjoined to the epistles of Paul addressed by the Mediterranean. 3. Derisive summons to battle. to churches, epistles to individuals, some of which With all your mighty preparation for the invasion of were prior in date to the former. Afterwards follow Nebuchadnezzar, when ye come to the encounter ye the prophecies referring to other nations, closing the shall be "dismayed" (v. 5.). Your mighty threats shall book. [GROTIUS.] The date of the events here told end in nothing. buckler- smaller, and carried by the is eighteen years before the taking of the city; this light-armed cavalry. shield-of larger size, and carried chapter in point of time follows ch. 36. Baruch seems by the heavily-armed infantry. 4. Harness the horses to have been regularly employed by Jeremiah, to com-viz., to the war-chariots, for which Egypt was famed mit his prophecies to writing (ch. 36. 1, 4, 32.). 1. these (Exodus, 14. 7; 15. 4.). get up, ye horsemen-get up into words his prophecies from the thirteenth year of the chariots. MAURER, because of the parallel Josiah to the fourth of Jehoiakim. 3. Thou didst say, "horses," translates, "Mount the steeds." But it is &c.-Jeremiah does not spare his disciple, but unveils rather describing the successive steps in equipping his fault, viz., fear for his life by reason of the suspi- the war-chariots: first harness the horses to them, cions which he incurred in the eyes of his countrymen then let the horsemen mount them. brigandines (cf. ch. 36. 17.), as if he was a favourer of the Chaldeans cuirasses, or coats of mail. 5. (Note, v. 3.). The lan(ch. 43. 3,), and instigator of Jeremiah: also ingratitude guage of astonishment, that an army so well-equipped in speaking of his "grief," &c., whereas he ought to should be driven back in "dismay." The prophet deem himself highly blessed in being employed by sees this in prophetic vision. fled apace-lit., fed a God to record Jeremiah's prophecies. added-rescued flight, i.e., flee precipitately. look not back - they do from the peril of my first writing (ch. 36. 26.). I am not even dare to look back at their pursuers. 6. Let again involved in a similar peril. He upbraids God not equivalent to the strongest negation. Let not as dealing harshly with him. I fainted-rather, I am any of the Egyptian warriors think to escape by swiftweary. no rest-no quiet resting-place. 4. that which ness or by might. toward the north-i.e., in respect to I have built... planted I will pluck up-(Isaiah, 5. 5.). Egypt or Judea. In the northward region, by the This whole nation (the Jews) which I founded and Euphrates see v. 2.). 7. as a flood-(ch. 47. 2; Isaiah, 8. planted with such extraordinary care and favour, I 7, 8; Daniel, 11. 22.). The figure is appropriate in adwill overthrow. 5. seekest thou great things for thyself dressing Egyptians, as the Nile, their great river, -thou art over fastidious and self-seeking. When my yearly overspreads their lands with a turbid, muddy own peculiar people, a "whole" nation (v. 4.), and the flood. So their army, swelling with arrogance, shall temple, are being given to ruin, dost thou expect to overspread the region South of Euphrates; but it, be exempt from all hardship? Baruch had raised his like the Nile, shall retreat as fast as it advanced. 8. expectations too high in this world, and this made his Answer to the question in v. 7. waters... moved like distresses harder to be borne. The frowns of the world the rivers the rise of the Nile is gentle; but at the would not disquiet us, if we did not so eagerly covet mouth it, unlike most rivers, is much agitated, its smiles. What folly to seek great things for our owing to the sandbanks impeding its course, and so selves here, where every thing is little, and nothing it rushes into the sea like a cataract. 9. Ironical excertain! all flesh-the whole Jewish nation and even hortation, as in v. 3. The Egyptians, owing to the foreign peoples (ch. 25. 26.). but thy life... for a prey heat of their climate and abstinence from animal -esteem it enough at such a general crisis that thy food, were physically weak, and therefore employed life shall be granted thee. Be content with this boon mercenary soldiers. Ethiopians-Hebrew, Cush: Abysof life which I will rescue from imminent death, even sinia and Nubia. Libyans-Phut, Mauritania, West as when all things are given up to plunder, if one of Egypt (cf. Genesis, 10. 6.). shield The Libyans escape with aught, he has a something saved as his borrowed from Egypt the use of the long shield ex"prey" (ch. 21. 9.). It is striking how Jeremiah, who tending to the feet. (XENOPHON, Cyr., 6. and 7.) once used such complaining language himself, is en- Lydians-not the Lydians West of Asia Minor (Genesis, abled now to minister the counsel requisite for Baruch 10. 22; Ezekiel, 30. 5.), but the Ludim, an African when falling into the same sin (ch. 12. 1-5; 15. 10-18.). nation descended from Egypt (Mizraim) (Genesis, 10. This is part of God's design in suffering His servants 13; Ezekiel, 30. 5; Nahum, 3. 9.). handle and bend the to be tempted, that their temptations may adapt them bow-the employment of two verbs expresses the for ministering to their fellow-servants when tempted. manner of bending the bow, viz, the foot being pressed CHAPTER XLVI. on the centre, and the hands holding the ends of it. Ver. 1-28. THE PROPHECIES, CHAPTERS XLVI. 10. vengeance for the slaughter of Josiah 2 Kings, LII., REFER TO FOREIGN PEOPLES, He begins with 23. 29.). sword shall devour... be... drunk-poetical Egypt, being the country to which he had been re- personification (Deuteronomy, 32. 42.). a sacrifice moved. Chapter 46. contains two prophecies concern- (Isaiah, 34, 6; Ezekiel, 39. 17.). The slaughter of the ing it: the discomfiture of Pharaoh-necho at Carche- Egyptians is represented as a sacrifice to satiate His mish, by Nebuchadnezzar, and the long subsequent righteous vengeance. 11. Gilead. . . balm-Note, ch. conquest of Egypt by the same king; also the preserva- 8. 22); viz., for curing the wounds; but no medicine tion of the Jews (v. 27, 28.). 1. General heading of the will avail, so desperate shall be the slaughter. virgin next six chapters of prophecies concerning the Gen--Egypt is so called on account of her effeminate luxury, tiles; the prophecies are arranged according to nations, not by the dates. 2. Inscription of the first prophecy. Pharaoh-necho he, when going against Carchemish (Cercusium, near the Euphrates), encountered Josiah, king of Judah (the ally of Assyria), at Megiddo, and slew him there (2 Kings, 23. 29; 2 Chronicles, 35. 20-24;); but was four years subsequently overcome at Carche

and as having never yet been brought under foreign yoke. thou shalt not be cured lit., there shall be no cure for thee ich. 30. 13; Ezekiel, 30. 21.). Not that the kingdom of Egypt should cease to exist, but it should not recover its former strength: the blow should be irretrievable. 12. mighty stumbled against... mighty ... fallen both together-their very