Jeremiah 32
DOYLYthrough the fire unto Molech:] The words “through the fire” are not in the Hebrew; but in other places which speak of the same thing, the words are expressed at full length; see Deut. xviii. 10; 2 Kings xxiii. 10. Elsewhere the same thing is expressed by “burning their sons and their daughters in the fire, and offering them for burnt offerings:” see chap. vii. 31; xix. 5; Deut. xii. 31. The idolatrous Jews are often upbraided with the practice of this inhuman rite; see Ps. cvi. 37; Isa. lvii. 5. And the phrase of “making children pass through” the fire is certainly taken in this sense, Ezek. xvi. 20, 21; and xxiii. 37; where it is explained by “slaying them,” “sacrificing them,” and “giving them to be devoured.” Some cricketers are of opinion, that the exposition is taken in a milder sense, in other texts, particularly
Ver. 2. — the maker thereof.] Rather, “the doer of it,” that is, of “the word,” or of the thing which God says. Dr. Blayney. 3. — which thou knowest not. Whether this means the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity, or the times of the Messiah, both had been already foretold by Jeremiah as plainly as they are expressed here. Perhaps therefore God speaks not to the Prophet, but to the people, who were backward to know what they
Jeremiah 32:36
- And now therefore thus saith the Lord.] In this and the following verses God gives an answer to the doubt proposed by the Prophet in ver. 25. Or the words may be thus translated, “But now, notwithstanding [all this], thus saith the Lord.” See the note on chap. xvi. 14. W. Louth.
Jeremiah 32:37
37.—and I will cause them to dwell safely:] St. Jerome observes, that this promise, taken in its full extent, was God promiseth a gracious return. Before CHRIST about 590. o Chap. 21. 7. & 30. 22. & 31. 33. p Ezek. 11. 19. days. after them. truth, or, stability.
Jeremiah 32:39
- And I will give them one heart, and one way.] I will give them unity of mind and judgment, as to the things of God: they shall not be, some for superstitious and idolatrous worship, and some for my true worship. Poole.
Jeremiah 32:40
- And I will make an everlasting covenant with them.] The Jewish covenant, with respect to the ceremonial ordinances contained in it, is sometimes called “an everlasting covenant;” see Gen. xvii. 13; Lev. xxiv. 8; Isa. xxiv. 5; because those ordinances were to last till the age of the Messiah, called the “age,” or “the world to come,” Heb. ii. 5; vi. 5. But when this expression is applied to the Gospel covenant, there is a peculiar emphasis in it, implying that it should never be abolished, or give way to any other dispensation. See chap. l. 5; Isa. lv. 3; compared with Ps. lxxxix. 34, 35. W. Lowth.
Jeremiah 32:41
- Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good.] I will take pleasure in doing them good according to my promise, Deut. xxx. 9; whereas before, “the Lord rejoiced over them to destroy them,” Deut. xxviii. 63; which God is never said to do, but when men have filled up the measure of their iniquities. See the notes upon Gen. vi. 6; Deut. i. 34. W. Lowth.
Jeremiah 32:44
- Men shall buy fields for money, &c.] There shall be an ordinary course of bargains and purchases, and all those forms of legal transactions which are usual on such occasions. Bp. Hull. — in the land of Benjamin, &c.] For these divisions of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD. Before CHRIST about 590. ### CHAP. XXXIII.