Jeremiah 25

This chapter contains a summary of Jeremiah’s commission to prophesy the destruction of Judea, and all the neighbouring countries, which should be reduced under the power of tho kings of Babylon for seventy years: and then an end should be put to that monarchy by Cyrus, who set up the Persian monarchy. This age is called by Sir John Marsham the age of the destruction of cities, by reason of tho devastations made by the Babylonian conquests. (See his Chron. Canon. Sasculum. 18.) Ver.l. JL HE word that came to Jeremiah — in the fourth year ofJehoiakim — that is the first year of Nebuchadnezzar, &c] The first year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, according to the Scripture account, is coincident with the end of the third, and the beginning of the fourth year of Jehoiakim. (Compare Dan. i. 1.) This reckoning anticipates the computation of Ptolemy’s canon by two years, which two years Nebuchadnezzar reigned with his father. According to this account, the Scripture reckons his reign to continue five-and-forty years: (see the notes on lii. 31.) which, according to the common computation, lasted but forty-three. But Daniel, ii. 1. writing in Chaldee, follows the computation in use among the Chaldeans. spoken of, whom God calls his servant, because he ivrought for him, as God speaks concerning him, Ezek. xix. 20. that is, he executed God’s judgments upon Tyre; God making use of his ambition and desire of conquest, and prospering his arms, in order to the punishment of the neighbouring countries for their sins: see a like instance in the king of Assyria, whom God calls the rod of his anger, Isa. x. 5, &c. And in later times, Attila the Hun called himself Flagellum Dei, the scourge of God, ordained by him to punish tfcat corruption of manners which had overrun the Christians in the western part of the Roman empire. And against all these nations round about.’] See ver. 19, &c. Some of these, particularly Egypt, were the Jews’ confederates, upon* whose assistance they relied; and the subduing them made w r ay for the easier conquest of Judea. (See xxx vii. 5.8.). Perpetual desolation.] It is a common observation, that the Hebrew word olam doth not always signify eternity, or perpetuity in a strict sense, but is sometimes taken for such a duration as had a remarkable period to conclude it: so it is said of a servant, that he shall serve his master for ever, Exod. xxi. G. which the Jews expound till the next jubilee. So here the sense of the word is to be restrained to the period of seventy years, mentioned ver. 11. (Sec the note on xxxii. 40.) As it is this day.] This relates to the desolation of Judea and Jerusalem, when all that Jeremy had foretold against them was fulfilled; and therefore must have been added, either by Baruch’s amanuensis, or else by Ezra; or whoever it was that collected Jeremy’s prophecies into one volume, who, it is likely, added the fifty-second chapter. let them know, that the judgments denounced against them are God’s irreversible decree. Vcr. 29. For, lo, I begin to bring evil upon the city that is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished?’] Judgment often begins at the house of God, for the correction of God’s people, and to be a warning to others; but the heaviest strokes of it are reserved for the ungodly. (Compare xlix. 12. 1 Pet. iv. 17, 18. Luke xxiii. 31.) And should ye be utterly unpunished?] Concerning the import of the Hebrew phrase in this place, see the note on xxx. 11.

Jeremiah 25:3

From the thirteenth year of Josiah — nnto this day, that is the three-and-twentieth year. For Jeremiah prophesied nineteen years under Josiah, who reigned thirty-one years, andthiswas the beginning of Jehoiakim’s fourth year.

Jeremiah 25:4

And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets. There were several prophets contemporary with Jeremiah, two of which are mentioned in Scripture; the prophet Zephaniah, and Urijah the son of Shemaiah, concerning whom see xxvi. 20. From the time of Samuel, when God’s answers by Urihi began to cease, there were appointed schools or seminaries for training men up, and fitting them for the prophetical office. (See 1 Sam. x. 5. xix. 20. compared with Acts iii. 24.) And God usually made choice of such persons of this education to exercise this function, as appears by the words of Amos, (vii. 14.) I was no prophet, neither was I aprophefs son, and consequently not qualified for that office by my education: but I was ahcrdman, and the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. From the time of the schools of the prophets being thus settled, there was a succession of prophets continued till the captivity; and then the office began by degrees to fail, which is the reason of that complaint, That the prophets see no visions; which wc find mentioned Lam. ii. 9. Ezek. vii. 2G. Psal. lxxiv. 9. Rising early and sending them.] See the note on vii. 13. Ver. G. And go not after other gods.] Though tho Jews were guilty of many other sins, yet their crying sin was idolatry, as being a plain renouncing God’s authority, who had by so many miracles of mercy set them apart to himself and his own service.

Jeremiah 25:9

Behold, Iwillsendand take all thefamilics of the north. See the note on i. 15. And. Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon my servant.] Kings and princes are the great instruments of Providenoc with respect to human affairs. Some of them God raises up to bo executioners of his judgments upon sinful people; such was he of whom God saith, (Hos. xiii. 11.) I gave thee a king in mine anger. Such was Nebuchadnezzar here

Jeremiah 25:10

Moreover,! will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, &cj See the notes on vii. 34. xvi. 9. The sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.] There shall be no marks of trade for the carrying on the common necessaries of life; such as is the grinding of bread-corn: there will be no use of candl ewhere the inhabitants are dispersed and destroyed, nor will there be occasion for such illuminations as arc usual upon festival solemnities, in the time of general desolation, (ver. 11.) Compare Rev. xviii. 22, 23. where we may observe, that St. John exactly follows the Hebrew text, whereas the LXX. in this, place, instead of the sound of the millstones, read ban^v fivpov, the smell of ointment. From which, and several other places of the New Testament, it appears that the apostles and evangelists did not implicitly follow the Greek translation, but only when they thought it agreeable to the original text. (See St. Jerome’s preface to the 15th book of his Commentaries upon Isaiah, and his commentary upon Jer. xxxi. 31. and Zcch. xii. 10.)

Jeremiah 25:11

And these nations shall serve the king of Babyl&n. That is, Nebuchadnezzar and his successors. The word king iselsewhere used collectively, for a succession of kings in the same family or kingdom. (Sec the note on Isa. xxiii. 13.) » Seventy years.] This computation of seventy years’ captivity, is to be reckoned from the first year of Nebuchadnezzar, which is coincident with the third ending, and the fourth beginning of Jchoiakim; (see ver. 1.) when the king of Babylon made his first attempt upon Judea. (See Dan. i. 1. 3.) From which time to the first year of Cyrus’s reign over the Assyrian monarchy is just seventy years. Whereas the prophet Zechary, who reckons the seventy.years’ captivity completed in the second year of Darius, (see Zcch. i. 12.) commences his computation from the besieging the city; and when he prolongs his computation to the fourth year of Darius, (vii. 1. 5.) he dates it from the destruction of the city and temple.

Jeremiah 25:12

And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, &c. God often punishes the persons, whom he makes instruments of his vengeance upon others, for those very things which they did by his appointment", because their intent was purely to carry on their own ambitious and cruel, purposes, and not at all to fulfil God’s, will, or advance his glory. So that the evil they did was altogether their own, and the good that was produced out of it was to be ascribed to God. See a remarkable passage to this purpose, relating to Sennacherib,- Isa. x. 5. 16- And will make it perpetual desolations.] See the note on

Jeremiah 25:13

Even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all nations. Particularly in the fiftieth and fifty-first chapters. The book here mentioned, is that collection of prophecies against the countries round about Judea, which in the Greek copies follows immediately after this verse; but in the Hebrew copies are placed by themselves at the latter end of the book, from the forty-sixth chapter to the end of the fifty-first. This verse seems to justify the order in which the Sepluagint have placed these prophecies.

Jeremiah 25:14

For many nations and great Icings shall serve themselves of them also. He means those kings and nations who were Cyrus’s confederates. (See 1. 9. 41. li. 27.) -

Jeremiah 25:15

Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations to ivhom I send thee to drink it. God’s judgments are metaphorically represented by a cup of intoxicating liquors; because they fill men with astonishment, and, bereave them of their common judgment and discretion. See the note on Isa. li. 17. and compare Psal. Ixxv. 8. Jer. xlviii. 26. xlix. 12. li. 31. Habak. ii. 16. Rev. xiv. 10. xvi. 19. In both which places, St. John plainly alludes to this place, and expresses the sense of the original more fully and exactly than the Septuagint do. (See the note upon ver. 10.) Ver. 1G. And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, &,c] That astonishment, and those unsettled counsels and resolutions, which are here the effects of God’s judgments, are elsewhere compared to drunkenness. (See li. 57. Lam. iv. 21. Isa. xix. 14. Nahum iii. 11. Habak. ii, 16.)

Jeremiah 25:17

Then I took the cup at the Lord’s hand, and made all the nations to drink, &c. The words, in pursuance of the same metaphor, import the prophet’s obeying God’s command, and denouncing his judgments upon all the several nations hereafter mentioned. (Compare ver. 28.) The prophets arc said to do that which they declare it is God’s purpose to do. (See the note on i. 10.) If we explain the words more strictly to the letter, we may suppose the cup of God’s wrath represented to the prophet in a vision, (as mystical Babylon was represented to St. John, with a golden cup in her hand, Rev. xvii. 4.) which he was commanded to hand round to the nations here specified.

Jeremiah 25:18

To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities ofJudah, and the kings thereof, &c. The Jews are mentioned first, be-* cause Jeremiah, as well as the rest of the prophets, was in the first place sent to them; (sec ver. 3, 4.) and they were to have the greatest share in the judgments denounced. (See Dan. ix. 12. Amos iii. 2.) 4M2

Jeremiah 25:19

Pharaoh king of Egypt. See chap. xlvi.

Jeremiah 25:20

And all the mingled people. The wordis£re&in the Hebrew, which occurs again in the twenty-fourth verse. Some understand it of the Arabians, the name of that people being written Ereb, as well as Arab; (see 1 Kings x. 15.) but Arabia being mentioned (ver. 24.) as distinct from these people, that sense of the word doth not seem probable. So I rather take the word in the sense our’ translators understood it, for a mixture of several nations, who dwelt either upon the coasts of the Mediterranean, or of the Red Sea. And all the kings of the land ofUz.] There are three persons called by the name of Uz in Scripture, who gave this appellation lo three several countries, as Bochart observes in his Phaleg. lib. ii. cap. 8. First, the son of Aram, (Gen. x. 23.) whom he supposes to have settled in Syria, near Damascus. Second, the son of Nahor, (Gen. xxi. 21.) who Settled in Arabia Descrta; from whom Job descended. Third, the son of Esau, (Gen. xxxvi. 28.) from whom Idumea was so called, which is here meant; and mentioned again by our prophet, and its destruction foretold, Lam. iv. 21. The kings mentioned here and in the following verses, were petty princes of several clans or colonies. The title of king is given in Scripture to any ruler or governor. (Seo 1. 41. Ii. 28. Deut. xxxiii.5. Judg. xvii. G. Dan. vii. 17.) And the kings of the land of the Philistines, &c] The Philistines had five lords over their several divisions (seo Josh. xiii. 3. 1 Sam. vi. 6. and the foregoing note): each division having their particular prince or governor; (see Numb. xxxi. 8.) a custom still observed in the more rude and barbarous parts of the world. Azzah.] A noted city of the Philistines, commonly rendered Gaza, according to the Greek pronunciation, which usually expresses the Hebrew letter ain by a gamma. And the remnant of Ashdod.] Ashdod, or Azotus, was first besieged and taken by Tartan, according to the prophecy of Isaiah, xx. 1. afterward by Psammitichus, according lo Herodotus, (lib. ii. cap. 157.) who so far ruined it, and impaired its ancient greatness, that it is here called tlie remnant, or poor remains, of Ashdod. (Compare xlvii. 4.)

Jeremiah 25:21

Edom and Moab. See chap, xlvii. — xlix.

Jeremiah 25:22

And the kings of the isles which are beyond the sea. Or rather, the region by the sea-side, as the words are translated in the margin of our Bibles. For so the word beneber signifies, as halh been observed in the notes upon Isa. ix. 1. The phrase denotes the people living upon the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The word island in the Hebrew signifies any region or country. (Seo the note on Isa. xx. G.)

Jeremiah 25:23

Dedan, Tema, and Buz. These were Arabians, who descended from Abraham and his brother Nahor; (see Gen. xxii. 21. xxv. 3. 15.) whose destruction is foretold, Jer. xlix. 8. 28. And all that are in the utmost corners.] See the notes on ix. 26.

Jeremiah 25:24

And all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the desert. A mixture of people in that part of Arabia, properly called the Desert, consisting of the Nabatheans, Amalekites, Midianites,and other nations, called in Scripture by the general uamo of the children of the east. (See Judg. vi. 3. vii. 12. viii. 10.) So Diodor. Sic. lib. de Arabia Nabataed, avri) kutcu fiera^it IZvplag Trig Alytnrrov noWdig Si koL TravToScnroig ISviat SutXnrTat. That part of Arabia is divided among several nations. The learned Dr. Pocock is of opinion, that the word Arabia is derived from the Hebrew Arab, signifying mixture: because the country was inhabited by a medley of several nations. (Sec his notes upon Spccim. Histor. Arab. p. 33.)

Jeremiah 25:25

And all tJie kings ofZimri. A people of Arabia, descendod from Zimrain, Abraham’s son by Keturab, (Gen. xxv. 2.) And all the kings ofElam, and all the kings of the Medes.] See the note on xlix. 34. The Medes and Persians were commonly confederates, and partakers of the same good or ill fortune. Ver. 2G. And all the kings of the north, far and near.’] The kings of Syria, and the neighbouring parts. - (See xlix. 27.) [All the kingdoms of the world vjhich are upon the face of the earth.] This may only denote the kingdoms within the extent of the Babylonish empire; which called itself empress of the world. SoOIkovhIvt), in the New Testament, is put for the Roman empires. See Luke ii. 1.] And the king of Sheshak shall drink after them.] By Sheshak is meant Babylon, as appears by comparing li. 41. Some think Sac was the name of an idol worshipped there, from whence the Hebrew name Misael was changed by the Chaldeans into Meshak. This idol gave the name of Sacchcea to a public festival celebrated at Babylon, and mentioned by Athenaeus, lib. xiv. cap. 10. St. Jerome mentions upon the place a sort of cipher commonly used, which consisted in putting the last letter of the alphabet first, and so writing on; by which inverted order of the Hebrew letters Sheshack is equivalent to Babel. The prophets sometimes express the places they prophesy against by dark circumlocutions: so Babylon is called the desert of the sea, Isa. xxi.l. Jerusalem, the valley of vision, Isa. xxi. 1. the Roman empire is expressed by that which withholdeth, 2Thess. ii.6. And some commentators suppose the names mentioned Micah i. 10, &c. to be names of noted places in Judea, disguised and altered from their true sound. Mr. Basuage, in his History of the Jews, b. iii. chap. 25. thinks that Sheshack, the victorious king of Egypt (the same who is called Sesostris by Herodotus), was afterward worshipped as a god over all the eastern countries which he subdued; and that Babylon is here represented by the name of this idol that was worshipped there. But it is not at all probable, that the Chaldeans should call their city or country by the name of a foreign conqueror, whose yoke they had long -ago shook off.

Jeremiah 25:27

Drink ye, and be drunken, &c. See ver. 10. The imperative is here put for the future. (See the like figure, Isa. ii. 9. vi. 9. xxiii. 16.)

Jeremiah 25:28

And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand, Sec. If they either do not believe thy threat- -. enings, or else disregard them, as thinking themselves sufficiently provided against any hostile invasion, you shall,

Jeremiah 25:30

The Lord shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation. God speaks by his judgments; and those, when they are very terrible, may be fitly compared to the roaring of a lion, which strikes a consternation into those that hear it. (Compare Amos i. 2. iii. 8. Joel ii. 11. iii. 16.) He sliall mightily roar upon his habitation.] He shall pronounce and execute a terrible judgment upon his temple, the place on earth which he hath chose for his residence. (See 1 Kings viii. 29.) Upon which account, the same expressions are indifferently applied to heaven and the temple, as in this verse; and heaven itself is called God’s temple or sanctuary. (See xvii. 12. Psal. xi. 4. cl. 1.) Some translate the latter part of this sentence to the same sense with the former: from his habitation, the preposition nal being sometimes the same with menal, from. (See Psal. Ixxxi. 5. Dan. ii. 1. vi. 18.) He shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes.] He sliall utter his voice before his army, as Joel expresses it, ii. 11. that is, like a leader or general, he shall encourage them to give the onset upon their enemies, which is usually performed with a shout, as great as that which the treaders of grapes use at the time of the vintage. (See xlviii. 33. Isa. xvi. 9.)

Jeremiah 25:31

A noise [of God’s voice or judgment. shall come unto the ends of the earth: for the Lord hath a con* troversy with the nations.] God enters into judgment with men for their impieties, as being so many injuries to his honour, and for which he demands satisfaction by his judgments. (Compare Hos. iv. 1. Micah vi. 2.) He will plead with all flesh.] He will plead with them with fire and sword, as Isaiah expresses it, lxvi. 16. Vcr, 32. And a great whirlwind shall be raised tip from the ends of the earth.] God’s vengeance is often compared to a whirlwind. (See the note on xxiii. 19.) This the text says shall come from a far-distant country, as Chaldca was esteemed. (See v. 15.)

Jeremiah 25:33

And the slain of the Lord sliall be at that day from one end of the earth, even to the other end of the earth. See the note on ver. 26. Or the words may be rendered, from one end of the land to the other end of the land, meaning Judca, the following words chiefly regarding that country. They shall not be lamented.] Sec the note on xvi. 6. Neither gathered, nor buried.] See the notQ on viii. 2.

Jeremiah 25:34

Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock. The imperative is put for the future. (See ver. 27.) Shepherds arc here the same with princes or generals. (See the note on ii. 8. vi. 3.) In pursuance of. the same metaphor, by the principal of the flock, are meant the great and rich men of each nation, which is here prophesied against. Of them it is foretold, that they shall wallow themselves in the ashes,. as a token of their great mourning and lamenting over their misfortunes. (See vi. 26.) For the days of your slaughter and of your dispersion are accomplished.] The time is come when you shall be either slaughtered or dispersed, and carried captive into foreign countries. And ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.] Ye shall be utterly destroyed as a crystal glass, when it is dashed against the ground.

Jeremiah 25:36

For the Lord hath spoiled their pasture. See the notes on’vi. 2, 3. Vcr. 37. And the peaceable habitations are cut down.] Or, destroyed: in the Hebrew it is, Neoth Shalem, alluding to Salem, the same with Jerusalem.’ *

Jeremiah 25:38

He hath forsaken his covert as a lion, &c. As a lion forsakes his covert to go in quest of his prey, so God hath forsaken Jerusalem his habitation, from whence he used formerly to utter his voice like a lion, and exert his power for the defence of his people; (see Isa.xxxi.4.) but now he hath made both city and country the object of his anger and judgments. [Because of the fierceness of the oppressor.] The word jonah, rendered oppressor, signifies likewise a dove: so some understand the word as denoting the Assyrians or Chaldeans, who succeeded in that monarchy, who had that bird for a symbol of their nation given to them by Semiramis. (Compare xlvi. 16. see Selden, de Diis Syris, lib. ii. cap. 3.) Though it must be granted, the word is used where it cannot be" understood of the Chaldeans. See- 1.16. Zcph. iii. 1.]