Bible Commentaries

Jeremiah's Fourteenth Prophecy, Jeremiah 21:1-10, and a new division of the book (see book comments for Jeremiah).

Note the reigns: Jer 21: Zedekiah (the last king of Judah). Jer 21: his three predecessors, Shallum (or Jehoahaz), Jehoiakim, and Coniah (or Jechoniah, or Jehoiachin). Jer 25, Jer 26, Jer 27, Jehoiakim. Jer 28, Zedekiah again, and the last days of Jerusalem. This order is logical, which is more important than chronological, for the severity of Jer 21 is shown to be justified by the chapters which follow. Compare Jeremiah 25:3-5, and see App-83.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

sent unto him. Contrast the mission of Hezekiah to Isaiah (2 Kings 19:2. Isaiah 37:2).

Pashur. Not the Pashur of Jeremiah 20:1. This prophecy is nineteen years later; the deportation in the reign of Jehoiachin had taken place, and a worse set of men were the rulers. This Pashur was a priest, if Melchiah is the same Melchiah as in 1 Chronicles 9:12.

Zephaniah, &c. He is mentioned again (Jeremiah 29:25; Jeremiah 37:3; Jeremiah 52:24). The Hebrew accents read "Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah."

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Nebuchadrezzar. First occurrence in Jeremiah.

go up from us: i.e. raise the siege.

Zedekiah. The last king of Judah.

the LORD God of Israel = Jehovah the Elohim of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 11:3, and App-4.

Behold. Figure of speech. Asterismos. App-6.

outstretched hand. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 6:6)

strong = strong (for holding fast).

man. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.

saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah's oracle.

from. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and from", thus forming the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6.

life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

he shall not spare. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:50).

I set before you, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 30:19).

life . . . death. Note the" Introversion in Jeremiah 21:9, "die . . . live".

he that goeth out, &c. Many acted on this promise (Jeremiah 39:9; Jeremiah 52:15).

falleth = shall fall.

he shall live. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "then (or so) shall he live".

be unto him for a prey: i.e. he shall save his life, but it will be dearly bought. Compare Jeremiah 38:2; Jeremiah 39:18; Jeremiah 45:6. The phrase occurs only in Jeremiah.

I have set, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 17:10). Compare Ezekiel 15:7.

evil = calamity. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44.

house of David. Occurs only here in Jeremiah.

in the morning = betimes.

evil. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44.

your. Some codices, with seven early printed editions, read "their".

inhabitant = inhabitress: i.e. Zion.

rock of the plain. Figure of speech Periphrasis, for Zion.

kindle a fire, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:22). App-92.

the forest thereof = her forest. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the timber from Lebanon used in the buildings.

it shall devour. Fulfilled in Jeremiah 52:13.