Jeremiah 29

cree was published against the king’s house, mentioned \er. 7. of this chapter. (See the note on iv. 28.)‘Ver. 13. Behold, I am against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain.’] A description of Jerusalem: the former expression denoting the lower part of the city, which was surrounded with hills: (see Psal. exxv. 2.) the latter describing Mount Zion. (Compare xvii. 3.) Who say, Who shall come down against us?] They confided in the strength of their situation, as the Jebusites, the ancient inhabitants of the place, had formerly done. (See 2 Sam. v. 6, 7.) the accomplishment of his prophecy to the space of too years, (ver. 3.) to gain credit with the people, by such a punctual prediction; so Jeremiah confines the trial of his veracity to a much shorter time: and the event exactly answering, evidently shewed the falsehood of the other’s pretences.: « i Because thou hast taught rebellion against the Lord.’] Thou hast taught the people to disbelieve his word, and to act contrary to his decrees. This chapter contains a message sent by Jeremiah, at the beginning of Zedekiah’s reign, to the captives in Baby- Jon, who were carried laway with Jeconiah, exhorting them to live quietly there, and not hearken to the prophets among them, who deluded them with vain hopes of a speedy return home: against two of which prophecies he denounces God’s judgments; as he did afterward against Shemaiah, who sent a threatening letter against Jeremiah, at the return of those very messengers who carried this letter to Babylon.

Jeremiah 29:1

JL HESE are the words of the letter that Jeremiah sent unto the residue of the elders that were carried away captives. These were probably those that survived of the Sanhcdrin, that were carried away captive in the third year of Jehoiakim’s reign, (Dan. i. 3.) or else who remained of Jeconiah’s captivity; (see 2 Kings xxiv.14.) many of whom might die by the hardships they suffered in their transportation. These being persons of authority, were more likely to influence the rest of the people, and induce them to hearken to the prophet’s advice. And to the prophets.] We do not read of any true prophet that was carried away captive with Jeconiah, beside Ezekiel. So the Septuagint rightly understand the word here of false prophets, who flattered the people with hopes of a speedy restoration. (See xxvi. 7. xxxviii. 19.) So Hananiah is often called the prophet, in the foregoing chapter; and compare ver. 8. of this chapter.

Jeremiah 29:2

After that Jeconiah, the queen, &c. By the queen is meant Jeconiah’s mother. (See 2 Kings xxiv. 12, 14, 15. where an account is given of this captivity; and compare xxii. 2G. xxvii. 10. xxviii. 4. of this prophecy.)’ And the eunuchs,] See xxxiv. 19. Tlie princes ofJudah and Jerusalem.] If these be persons of a distinct rank, we may understand the princes of Judah to be the same with the elders, or Sanhcdrin, ver. 1. (Compare xxvi. 10. 1G, 17. xxxiv. 19.) By the princes of Jerusalem arc meant the rulers of that city, called the lesser Sanhcdrin, consisting of twenty-three..

Jeremiah 29:3

By the hand ofElasah the son of Shaphan. See the note on xxvi. 24. And Gemariah the son of Ililkiah.] A distinct person from Gemariah, mentioned xxxvi. 10. Wliom Zedekiah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar.] To renew his promises of fidelity to him. (See the note on xxvii. 3. 12.)

Jeremiah 29:5

G. Build ye houses, and dwell in them, &c. The prophet gives them this advice to check their hopes of a speedy return from Babylon, with which the false prophets flattered them. (See ver. 8. 28.)

Jeremiah 29:7

And seek the peace of the city, whither I have caused you to be carried away captives: and pray unto the Lord for it. It is the duty of all private persons to submit to. the government that protects them, and to pray for the prosperity of it. (See Ezra vi. 10. 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2.) And if they are persecutors or enemies to the truth, they arc (q leave it to God to execute upon them the judgments he has denounced against tyrants and oppressors: which threat? enings the Jews expected God would execute upon Baby* Ion in due time. (See Psal. exxxvii. 8, 9.)

Jeremiah 29:8

Neither hearken to the dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. Which you encourage your false prophets to pretend to.

Jeremiah 29:10

After seventy years be accomplished at Babylon; I will visit yoxt. These seventy years of the captivity are to be computed from the fourth year of Jehoiakim, which, in the Scripture account, is the first year of Nebuchadncz^ zar’s reign. (See the notes on xxy. 1. 11.) I will visit you.] There were but few in comparison of those captives, that returned in person into their own country. (See Ezra iii. 12.) So this promise was chiefly fulfilled in their posterity;’ and it is common in Scripture to speak of blessings bestowed upon, the children, as if they had been actually made good to their progenitors. (Seexxxii. 5. and compare Exod. vi. 4. Micah vii. 20.)

Jeremiah 29:12

Then shall ye call upon me — and I wilt hearken unto you.* A sure token of God’s favour, (see xxxiii. 3.) as his rejecting men, and casting them off, is expressed by his hiding Ms face from them, and refusing to hear their prayers. (See xiv. 12. Lam. iii. 8. 44.)

Jeremiah 29:13

And ye shall seek me and find me, &c. According to the promises made, Lev., xxvi. 39, 40. Dcut. xxx. l.; Psal. xxxii.6.

Jeremiah 29:14

I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof. The word forest is often metaphorically taken for a city, in the prophetical writings; because its stately buildings, or its principal inhabitants, resemble tall cedars standing in their several ranks. (See xxii. 7. Isa. xxvii. 24. Ezek. xx. 46. Zcch. xi." 1.) And I will gather you from all the nations, and. from all the places whither I have driven you,&c] These words are directly spoken to those that were carried capv tives with Jeconiah, and were fulfilled in their restoration under Cyrus: yet the expressions being so large and general, may be supposed ro relate to that general restoration of the whole nation, which is often foretold in the prophecies of the Old Testament. (See xxiii. 3; 8. xxxii. 37. and the notes there.)

Jeremiah 29:15

Because ye say, The Lord hath raised us tip prophets in Baby Ion. This is meant ofthe false prophets, who. foretold nothing but peace and prosperity. (See ver. 8. 21.) Ver. 1G— 18. Know ye, that thus saith the Lord of the king — and all the people, &c] Se6 xxiv. 8. 10.

Jeremiah 29:17

Iu the seventh month. Two months after he had uttered his false prophecy. (See ver. 1.)

Jeremiah 29:19

Because they have not hearkened to myivords, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets. When at the same time they readily gave ear to the false prophets,, that flattered them with promises of peace and safety. (Sco | xiv. 14. xxvii. 15. xxviii. 2.)

Jeremiah 29:21

And he. shall slay them before your eyes. As persons that disturbed the minds of the Jews, his subjects, and made them unwilling to submit to his government, by giving them hopes of a speedy deliverance from under it. j (See ver. 7, 8.)

Jeremiah 29:22

And of them shall be taken up a curse. See tho note on xxiv. 9*.. \ 4N