Jeremiah 1

Jeremiah's pedigree, and the time of his prophesying, God calleth him to the prophetical office,and confirmeth him by a token, agaist his execuses, reaveleth him the visions of an almond- rod, and a seething pot, giveth him a strict commission against those of Juda, with a promise of his assistance.

1. The words (Oth. The acts) of Jeremia, (Hebr. Jirmejabu) the son of hilkia: (Hebr.Chilkijabu) of the Priests, (He is not called an High Priest as the other Hilkia was, that found the book of the law,2 Kings 22:8 and dwelt at Jerusalem) that were at Ananoth, [See 1 Kings 2. on verf. 26 1 Chron.6.60. And below chap.32.8.] in the land of Benjamin:

2. To whom the word of the LORD came in the dayes of Tofia, the son of Amon, king of Juda. [See 2 Kings 21:26. and 22.1, &c.] in the thirteenth yeer of his reign. [Properly of his reigning]

3. It came also(to him) [To wit,the word of the Lord came to Jeremia as appeareth verif. 2.] In the dayes of Jojakim,son of Josia, king of Juda. See 2 Kings 23:34. 2 Chron.36.4.] untill the aleventh year of Zedekia,the son of Josia, [see 1 Chron.3.15,16.] King of Juda was ended: [hence maybe gathered that Jeremia prophesied above 40 years in Juda, and after that yet some time in Egypt. See chapters 43 and 44] Until Jerusalem [That is the inhabitants of Jerusalem] was carried away captive, in the fifth month. [see 2 kings 25.8.]

4. Then the word of the LORD came unto me,saying:

5. Before I found in thee in (mother's) belly, [Of the inserting of this word, see Judges.13.on vers.5. And job 3. on vers.10.] I knew thee, [See Exod 33. on v 12.] and before thou comest fort out of womb, I sanctified thee: compare Gal.1.15] and Exodus 29:44] I appointed thee [Hebr properly gave] (to be) a Prophet unto the nations.

6. Then said I Ah LORD, behold, I cannot speak; [Or know not (how) to speak. See Exod chap 3. and 4 and chapt 6.12,30) for lam young.[Or child,youth, youngmen, and consequently very unfit for this business, and without any esteem. Of the Hebrew word, see Genesis 22 on verse 5.It is so used of children and young men, opposed to the ancient,Joshua 7:16, and 13.18and 3.5 and 20.4]

7. But the Lord said unto me,Say not,Iam young: for everywhere where l shall send thee, thou shalt go, and all that l shall command thee, thou shalt speak.

8. Be not afraid of their face [To wit, of the faceof them, to whom l send thee. Compare Ezekiel 3:9] for lam with thee[Compre Gen21 on verse 22,Deuteronomy 31:6,8,Jos3.5] to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

9. And the Lord put forth His hand, and toutched my mouth:[Compare Isai 6 and on verse 7. This was a Divine token unto the Prophet,to comfirm and strengthen him in his calling.[Compare Ezech 2 verse 8] and the LORD said unto me,Behold. L give my words in thy mouth [see deut.13 on verse 18. So below chapt5.14]

10. “ Behold l do set thee this day over the nations, and over the kingdoms, to pluck up, and to break down, and to spoil and to destroy:(also) to build and to plant”[The meaning is,to tell them in my name, and to set lively before their eyes, that l will do it; and l will surely accomplish and retify thy words,(which thou shalt thus speak unto them) for the punidshment of the obsinate,and for the comfort of the penitent. [Compare furthur, Ezech3 on verse 18 and 43. on verse 3.]

11. Morover,the word of the LORD came unto me ; saying,What seest thou, Jeremia?”and l said,l see an almond- rod [Or stick, twig]

12. And the LORD said unto me,Thou hast well seen;[Hebr. Done well or made good to see or by seeing, seeing. Compare deut 5 on verse 28, P salms 33on verse3] For l will be quick about my word, to perform it[As the almond tree buddeth and beareth fruit early, quickly and speedily upon the Jews.There is a word in Hebrew ; which we cannot so well imitate in our language, as if it should be said, l will be quick almond tree like, or as the almond-tree hath its name from thence, because it is nimble and quick to bear fruits betimes so will l.[compare vision with Amos 8:2]

13. And the word of the LPORD came unto me the second time,saying, what seest thou ? And l said, l see a seething pot[Hebr,a pot blown up, blown on. Understand by this pot, the city of n Jerusalem,and the land of Judah(as Ezech11.3,7 and 24,etc) wherein God would as it were seethe and boil, the Jews in his wrath, by the fire of the Babylonians, whlo country lay Northward off from Canaan] whose fore path is towards the north[Hebr.face from or, towards the face of the North.Meaning this seething pot and burning, signified the mischief that should come from Chaldea and Syria]

14. And the LORD said unto me,From the North shall this evil[or punishment]open itself,upon all the inhabitants of the land.[see below chap4.6]

15. For lo, l shall call the families of the kingdoms of the North[ That is, l will by my divine providence ordain, that they shall come, as by special command.[compare below chap25.9 and ther on verse 29. see likewise chap5.15 and 6.22 and 10.22( the families of the Kingdom of the North) Hebr. Toward the North,northward] saith the LORD; and they shall come and set everyone i his throne(before) the door of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Juda. [see bslow chap 52.4,5]

16. And l will utter my judgement agaist them,[Heb. With them] touching[Or,for,because of] all their wickedness: [that is, I will set before them my doom or sentence, concerning the punishnents, which thereby their wickedness have deserved. Compare below chap 4.12 and39.5 and 48.21 and 49.12 and52.9.] (in) that they have forsaken me,and(have) burnt insence unto other Gods, and (have) bowed themselves (down) before the works of their (own) hands. [meaning the idolatrous images]ismayed at their face,lest i slay thee [Or bruise thee to shivers, break thee in pieces,or smite thee, that is, that is kill thee. It is the same hebrew word that is used in the former words in the signification of being astonied, dismayed, affrightened. See the like elegancy in the various use of a word, below chap 12.14

17. Thou then gird up thy loins,That is,Prepare thyself,to execute thy office and calling,nimbly,readily, and boldly. Compare Exod.12. On vers 2.] and dget thee up, and speak unto them all that I shalll command thee:be not d.] before their face.

18. For, behold I make thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and copper walls [Hebr. A City of defence, also, a pillar of iron, walls of copper, That is an un conquerable Fort, which is expounded in the next verse. Compare below chap.15.19,20.21.] against the whole land, aginst the kings of Juda, against the Princes thereof, against the Priests thereof, and against the people of the land.

19. And they shall fight against thee, bet not prevail against thee: for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to help thee out.