Jeremiah 29

1 the residue, etc. Some had probably succumbed to the hardships of the journey; others may have died in Babylon.

2 the queen. The queen-mother (2 Kings xxiv. 15): cp. chap. xxiii. 18.

3 by the hand of Elasah, etc. These were ambassadors, sent by the king of Judah to do homage to Nebuchadnezzar. That they also carried Jeremiah’s letter seems to show that this letter had official sanction. Elasah, son of Shaphan, was brother to one of the prophet’s most influential friends (xxvi. 24), and Gemariah was probably the son of Hilkiah the high priest of Josiah’s day.

5. Build ye houses, etc. Expecting soon to return to their own country, the captives seem to have neglected their personal and social duties and interests in Babylonia.

7 seek the peace of the city. Though you are unwilling exiles in a foreign land, discharge the duties of good subjects and citizens. “The city”; not necessarily Babylon, but any city where their lot might be cast. Every Christian ought to be a good citizen.

8 neither hearken to your dreams. Namely, by making inquiries of these prophets as to the meaning of your dreams. The people might be said to “cause” their own dreams, by the excited and restless state of mind from which they sprang, and giving credit to their responses.

10 after seventy years. Not from the date of the letter, but from the time previously assigned (xxv. 11).

11 an expected end. Lit., “a hereafter and an expectation.” The Vulgate has “ut dem vobis finem et patientiam” (“that I may give you an object and patience” to reach it). R.V., “hope in your latter end.” These promises extend far beyond the return of the Jews from Babylon.

18 to be removed to all the kingdoms, etc. Rather, as R.V., “to be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms,” etc. The French version has “et je les abandonnerai pour être errants par tous les royaumes de la terre” (“and I shall abandon them to be wanderers among all the kingdoms of the earth”).

21. Ahab . . . Zedekiah. Nothing more is known of the false prophets here named.

22 roasted in the fire. That the Babylonians were accustomed to inflict this cruel punishment is evident from Dan. iii. 6, 20.

24 to Shemaiah the Nehelamite. Rather, as R.V., “Concerning Shemaiah,” etc.

25 in thy name. “In thine own name,” R.V.

26 in the stead of Jehoiada. This Jehoiada was probably one who had held office between Pashur (see xx. 6) and Zephaniah.

for every man that is mad, etc. That is, such persons as madly take on themselves to be prophets.

in prison, and in the stocks. Rather, as R.V., “in the stocks and in shackles,” or, “the collar.”

31 he caused you to trust in a lie. Shemaiah had evidently succeeded in persuading many of the exiles to anticipate a speedy deliverance, against Jeremiah’s distinct assurances.