Jeremiah 23

1 the pastors. “The shepherds,” R.V. The kings just mentioned, and their subordinate officers. With these are contrasted more righteous rulers (4), and especially the King Messiah (5), the “Good Shepherd” (John x. 11, 14).

3. I have driven. Cp. ver. 2, “ye have driven.” The same calamity may be regarded as due to human unfaithfulness or to Divine displeasure.

4. Neither shall they be lacking. “Neither shall any be lacking,” R.V.

5 a righteous Branch. This name of the Messiah is evidently derived from Isa. iv. 2, on which see note. To comfort God’s people under the tyranny of their kings, the debasement of their country, their sufferings from the Babylonians, and the division and dispersion of their tribes, the prophet dwells upon the justice, prosperity, unity, which shall be enjoyed under Messiah’s reign.

and a King shall reign and prosper, “And He shall reign as king, and deal wisely,” R.V.

6. The Lord our Righteousness. Or, “The Eternal [is] our Righteousness”: see R.V. The same title is applied to Jerusalem (xxxiii. 16), and is used here (as in Isa. lxii. 1, etc.) as one leading characteristic of the Divine salvation.

8 the north country. See note on xvi. 15.

9 because of the prophets. Rather, according to the Hebrew, “Concerning the Prophets” (a title to the section: see R.V.). “My heart within me is broken—all my bones shake,” etc. Jeremiah is deeply grieved at the profanity and deceit of the false prophets in Judah, who rival those of Samaria in their sins, and shall share their punishment (9-40).

like a drunken man. That is, overpowered by my emotions.

10 because of swearing. Or, “because of the curse.”

13. And I have seen folly, etc. Rather, “As I saw folly in the prophets of Samaria, etc.; so I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem.”

in Baal. Better, as R.V., “by Baal.”

18. For who hath stood, etc.? That is, Who among these false prophets has been admitted to His confidence, and heard Him declare His purposes? They are mere impostors.

Who hath marked His word? Moffatt has “or grasped a word of his?” The French version is: “qui a aperçu ou entendu sa parole?” (“Who has noticed or understood his word?”).

20 in the latter days. The time “of your visitation” (12). Experience will convince you of the truth of my predictions, and the falsehood of your own.

27 have forgotten. Better, “forgot.”

28. The prophet that hath a dream, etc. This seems to mean, Let the false prophet tell his mere dreams, and let the true prophet faithfully declare God’s word; and it will soon be seen which is straw and which is wheat; for God’s word has a mighty power (29).

the chaff. Rather, “the straw,” as R.V.

30. I am against the prophets, etc. Three species of deception practised by false prophets are here specified: 1. They sometimes borrowed Divine oracles from the true prophets (30); 2. They delivered mere human utterances to the people as of Divine authority (31); 3. They invented dreams, to give currency to their delusions (32).

33. What is the burden of the Lord? This appears to be a scoffing play upon the Hebrew word (which means both “a burden” and “a prophecy”), taunting Jeremiah with announcing only grievous calamities. God will put an end to this profanity, making every such scoffing “word” a “burden” of woe to him who utters it (36). The chief ancient versions, instead of “What burden?” read, “Ye are the burden.”

39. I will utterly forget you, etc. This should read, “I will take you up like a burden and I will cast you off, and the city that I gave unto you and to your fathers, away from My presence.”