THE EXPOSITOR'S BIBLE
EDITED BY THE REV.
W. ROBERTSON NICOLL, M.A., LL.D.
Editor of "The Expositor"
THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH
CHAPTERS XXI.-LII.
BY
W. H. BENNETT, M.A.
London
HODDER AND STOUGHTON
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MDCCCXCV
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THE
BOOK OF JEREMIAH
CHAPTERS XXI.-LII.
BY
W. H. BENNETT, M.A.
PROFESSOR OF OLD TESTAMENT LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE HACKNEY AND NEW COLLEGES
London
HODDER AND STOUGHTON
27, PATERNOSTER ROW
MDCCCXCV
Printed by Hazell, Watson, & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury.
PREFACE
The present work deals primarily with Jeremiah xxi.-lii., thus forming a supplement to the volume of the Expositor's Bible on Jeremiah by the Rev. C. J. Ball, M.A. References to the earlier chapters are only introduced where they are necessary to illustrate and explain the later sections.
I regret that two important works, Prof. Skinner's Ezekiel in this series, and Cornill's Jeremiah in Dr. Haupt's Sacred Books of the Old Testament, were
I have again to acknowledge my indebtedness to the Rev. T. H. Darlow, M.A., for a careful reading and much valuable criticism of my MS.
[Pg vi]
[Pg vii]
INDEX
(The larger figures in black type are the chief references. Passages in i.-xx. are only noticed by way of illustration of later sections)
chap. page i. 7 295 10 295, 308 10-12 340 15 295 18 82 ii. 10, 11 51 27 290 34 272 iii. 14 352 15 324 iv. 19 327 21 302 v. 31 15 vi. 28 275 vii. 4 20 5-9 272 12-14 14 viii. 28 275 ix. 11, x. 22 306 xi. 19 6 xii. 14 323 xiii. 18 90 xiv. 8 308 xv. 1 296 1-4 240 4 202 xvi. 1 6 10 274 13 308 14, 15 320CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE
In the present stage of investigation of Old Testament Chronology, absolute accuracy cannot be claimed for such a table as the following. Hardly any, if any, of these dates are supported by a general consensus of opinion. On the other hand, the range of variation is, for the most part, not more than three or four years, and the table will furnish an approximately accurate idea of sequences and synchronisms. In other respects also the data admit of alternative interpretations, and the course of events is partly a matter of theory—hence the occasional insertion of (?).
CLASSICAL SYNCHRONISMS JUDAH AND JEREMIAH ASSYRIA EGYPT Traditional date of the foundation of Rome, 753 MANASSEH (?) Esarhaddon, 681Assurbanipal, 668 XXVIth Dynasty Psammetichus I., 666 Jeremiah born, probably between 655 and 645
AMON, 640
JOSIAH, 638 Jeremiah's call in the 13th year of Josiah, 626
Scythian inroad into Western Asia Last kings of Assyria, number and names uncertain, 626-607-6 Psammetichus besieges Ashdod for twenty-nine years Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Publication of Deuteronomy, 621 BABYLON.
Nabopolassar, 626 Josiah slain at Megiddo, 608
JEHOAHAZ, 608
(xxii. 10-12, Ch. I.)
Deposed by Necho, who appoints
JEHOIAKIM, 608
(xxii. 13-19, xxxvi. 30, 31, VI.)
Jeremiah predicts ruin of Judah and is tried for blasphemy (xxvi., II.) FALL OF NINEVEH, 607-6 Necho, 612 FOURTH YEAR OF JEHOIAKIM, 605-4 BATTLE OF CARCHEMISH
(xlvi., XVII.) Nebuchadnezzar[1] advances into Syria, is suddenly recalled to Babylon—before subduing Judah (?) Nebuchadnezzar, 604 Baruch writes Jeremiah's prophecies in a roll, which is read successively to the people, the nobles, and Jehoiakim, and destroyed by the king (xxxvi., III.; xlv., V.) Nebuchadnezzar invades Judah (?), the Rechabites take refuge in Jerusalem (?), the Jews rebuked by their example (xxxv., IV.) Jehoiakim submits to Nebuchadnezzar, revolts after three years, is attacked by various "bands," but dies before Nebuchadnezzar arrives
(xxii. 20-30, VII.)
Continues revolt, but surrenders to Nebuchadnezzar on hisarrival; is deposed and carried to Babylon with many of his subjects. Nebuchadnezzar appoints ZEDEKIAH, 596 Psammetichus II., 596 Jeremiah attempts to keep Zedekiah loyal to Nebuchadnezzar, and contends with priests and prophets who support Egyptian party (xxiii., xxiv., VIII.) Ezekial Solon's legislation, 594 Proposed confederation against Nebuchadnezzar denounced by Jeremiah, but supported by Hananiah; proposal abandoned; Hananiah dies (xxvii., xxviii., IX.), 593-2 Controversy by letter with hostile prophets at Babylon (xxix., X.) Judah revolts, encouraged by Hophra. Jerusalem is beseiged by Chaldeans. There bing no prospect of relief by Egypt, Jeremiah regains his influence and pledges the people by covenant to release their slaves. On the news of Hophra's advance, the Chaldeans raise the siege; the Egyptian party again become supreme and annul the covenant (xxi. 1-10, xxxiv., xxxvii. 1-10, XI.) Jeremiah attempts to leave the city, is arrested and imprisoned Hophra retreats into Egypt and the Chaldeans renew the siege (xxxvii. 11-21, xxxviii., xxxix. 15-18, XII.) While imprisoned Jeremiah buys his kinsman's inheritance (xxxii., XXX.) DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM, 586 Siege of Tyre Jeremiah remains for a month a prisoner amongst the other captives. Nebuzaradan arrives; arranges for deportation of bulk of population; appoints Gedaliah governor of residue; releases Jeremiah, who elects to join Gedaliah at Mizpah. Gedaliah murdered. Jeremioah carried off, but rescued by Johanan (xxxix.-xli., lii., XIII.) Johanan, in spite of Jeremiah's protest, goes down to Egypt and takes Jeremiah with him (xlii., xliii., XIV.) Jews in Egypt hold festival in honour of Queen of Heaven. Ineffectual protest of Jeremiah (xliv., XV.) Amasis, 570 Nebuchadnezzar invades Egypt, (?) 568 Evil-Merodach, 561 Pistratus, 560-527 Release of Jehoiachin CYRUS CONQUERS BABYLON AND GIVES THE JEWS PERMISSION TO RETURN, 538
CONTENTS
page PREFACE v INDEX OF CHAPTERS vii CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE ix BOOK I PERSONAL UTTERANCES AND NARRATIVES CHAPTER I INTRODUCTORY: JEHOAHAZ. xxii. 10-12 3CHAPTER II A TRIAL FOR HERESY. xxvi.: cf. vii.-x. 10"Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him: but weep sore for him that goeth away: for he shall return no more."—xxii, 10
CHAPTER III THE ROLL. xxxvi. 28"When Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that Jehovah had commanded him to speak unto all the people, the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold on him, saying, Thou shalt surely die."—xxvi. 8
"Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee."—xxxvi. 2
CHAPTER V BARUCH. xlv. 54"Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before Me for ever."—xxxv. 19
CHAPTER VI THE JUDGMENT ON JEHOIAKIM. xxii. 13-19, xxxvi. 30, 31 63"Thy life will I give unto thee for a prey."—xlv. 5
CHAPTER V BARUCH. xlv. 54"Jehoiakim ... slew him (Uriah) with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people."—xxvi. 23
"Therefore thus saith Jehovah concerning Jehoiakim, ... He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem."—xxii. 18, 19
Jehoiakim ... did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, according to all that his fathers had done.—2 Kings xxiii. 36, 37
CHAPTER VII JEHOIACHIN. xxii. 20-30 80"Thy life will I give unto thee for a prey."—xlv. 5
CHAPTER VIII BAD SHEPHERDS AND FALSE PROPHETS. xxiii.; xxiv. 96"A despised broken vessel."—xxii. 28
"A young lion. And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion and he learned to catch the prey, he devoured men."—Ezek. xix. 5, 6
"Jehoiachin ... did evil in the sight of Jehovah, according to all that his father had done."—2 Kings xxiv. 8, 9
CHAPTER IX HANANIAH. xxvii., xxviii. 115"Woe unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!"—xxii. 1
"Of what avail is straw instead of grain?... Is not My word like fire, ... like a hammer that shattereth the rocks?"—xxiii. 28, 29
CHAPTER X CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE EXILES. xxix. 131"Hear now, Hananiah; Jehovah hath not sent thee, but thou makest this people to trust in a lie."—xxviii. 15
CHAPTER XI A BROKEN COVENANT. xxi. 1-10, xxxiv.; xxxvii. 1-10 141"Jehovah make thee like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire."—xxix. 22
CHAPTER XII JEREMIAH'S IMPRISONMENT. xxxvii. 11-21, xxxviii., xxxix. 15-18 155"All the princes and people ... changed their minds and reduced to bondage again all the slaves whom they had set free."—xxxiv. 10, 11
CHAPTER XIII GEDALIAH. xxxix.-xli., lii. 172"Jeremiah abode in the court of the guard until the day that Jerusalem was taken."—xxxviii. 28
CHAPTER XIV THE DESCENT INTO EGYPT. xlii., xliii. 187"Then arose Ishmael ben Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote with the sword and slew Gedaliah ben Ahikam ben Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon had made king over the land."—xli. 2
CHAPTER XV THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN. xliv. 197"They came into the land of Egypt, for they obeyed not the voice of Jehovah."—xliii. 7
"Since we left off burning incense and offering libations to the Queen of Heaven, we have been in want of everything, and have been consumed by the sword and the famine."—xliv. 18
CHAPTER XVII EGYPT. xliii. 8-13, xliv. 30, xlvi. 220"Jehovah hath a controversy with the nations."—xxv. 31
CHAPTER XVIII THE PHILISTINES. xlvii. 230"I will visit Amon of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods and their kings; even Pharaoh, and all them that trust in him."—xlvi. 25
CHAPTER XIX MOAB. xlviii. 234"O sword of Jehovah, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard; rest, and be still."—xlvii. 6
CHAPTER XX AMMON. xlix. 1-6 242"Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against Jehovah."—xlviii. 42
"Chemosh said to me, Go, take Nebo against Israel ... and I took it ... and I took from it the vessels of Jehovah, and offered them before Chemosh."—Moabite Stone.
"Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days."—xlviii. 47
CHAPTER XXI EDOM. xlix. 7-22 243"Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why then doth Moloch possess Gad, and his people dwell in the cities thereof?"—xlix. 1
CHAPTER XXII DAMASCUS. xlix. 23-27 248"Bozrah shall become an astonishment, a reproach, a waste, and a curse."—xlix. 13
CHAPTER XXIII KEDAR AND HAZOR. xlix. 28-33 251"I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall devour the palaces of Benhadad."—xlix. 27
CHAPTER XXIV ELAM. xlix. 34-39 255"Concerning Kedar, and the kingdoms of Hazor which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon smote."—xlix. 28
CHAPTER XXV BABYLON. l., li. 258"I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might."—xlix. 35
BOOK III JEREMIAH'S TEACHING CONCERNING ISRAEL AND JUDAH CHAPTER XXVI INTRODUCTORY 267"Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces."—l. 2
CHAPTER XXVII SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS CORRUPTION 270"I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people."—xxxi. 1
CHAPTER XXVIII PERSISTENT APOSTASY 283"Very bad figs, ... too bad to be eaten."—xxiv. 2, 8, xxix. 17
CHAPTER XXIX RUIN. xxii. 1-9, xxvi. 14 295"They have forsaken the covenant of Jehovah their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them."—xxii. 9
"Every one that walketh in the stubbornness of his heart."—xxiii. 17
CHAPTER XXX RESTORATION—I. THE SYMBOL. xxxii. 308"The sword, the pestilence, and the famine."—xxi, 9 and passim.
"Terror on every side."—vi. 25, xx. 10, xlvi. 5, xlix. 29; also as proper name, MAGOR-MISSABIB, xx. 3
CHAPTER XXXI RESTORATION—II. THE NEW ISRAEL. xxiii. 3-8, xxiv. 6, 7, xxx., xxxi., xxxiii. 319"And I bought the field of Hanameel."—xxxii. 9
CHAPTER XXXII RESTORATION—III. REUNION. xxxi. 329"In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name whereby she shall be called, Jehovah our Righteousness."—xxxiii. 16
CHAPTER XXXIII RESTORATION—IV. THE NEW COVENANT. xxxi. 31-38: cf. Hebrews viii. 346"I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast."—xxxi. 27
CHAPTER XXXIV RESTORATION—V. REVIEW. xxx.-xxxiii. 357 EPILOGUE CHAPTER XXXV JEREMIAH AND CHRIST 367"I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah."—xxxi. 31
"Jehovah thy God will raise up unto thee a prophet from amongst thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him shall ye hearken."—Deut. xviii. 15
"Jesus ... asked His disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of Man is? And they said, Some say John the Baptist; some, Elijah: and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."—Matt. xvi. 13, 14