Bible Commentaries

1-9. When the gloom is deepest, deliverance shall come.

2. In a book] Thus his words would bring abiding comfort in the approaching time of exile.

3. Bring] RV 'turn.'

4. Concerning Israel.. Judah] Both divisions of the kingdom of David are the subject of Jeremiah 31 : see above.

5. Of fear, and not of peace] RM 'There is fear and no peace,' and the present circumstances are evil. There is nothing but fear and terror in the hearts and on the faces of men.

7. That day] the day of Babylon's overthrow.

8. Serve themselves of him] see on Jeremiah 25:14.

9. David their king] the ideal Mng who, as coming of David's line, here receives his name. So in Ezekiel 34:23. Ezekiel 37:24. For David, meaning the line of kings of his house, see 1 Kings 12:16.

10-17. God will remember Israel in her affliction.

11. In measure, etc.] RV ' with judgment, and will in no wise leave thee.'

12-15. These vv. describe the present condition from which the nation shall be delivered.

13. Thy cause, that thou.. medicines] rather, join 'that thou,' etc., with what follows. 'For the closing up of thy wound there is no healing, no plaister.'

14. Thy lovers] the nations that sought to ally themselves with thee: see Jeremiah 27:3

18-24. Jerusalem shall be restored to favour.

18. Bring] see on Jeremiah 30:3. Tents] a name for dwellings generally, which was retained from nomadic times: cp. Jeremiah 4:20. Remain] RM 'be inhabited.' After the manner thereof] occupied by a Mag, and kept up suitably as aforetime.

21. Nobles] RV 'prince,' a reference to the ideal king. Of themselves] no longer foreigners. Engaged his heart] RV 'hath had boldness.' The new Mng will have close access to Jehovah. He will do His will, and rule in righteousness. And is not this to know the Lord? (Jeremiah 22:16).

23, 24. These vv. are nearly identical with Jeremiah 23:19.

24. Consider] RV 'understand.'

Jeremiah's Seventeenth Prophecy (Reign of Zedekiah During the Siege). Israel's Hope

Hitherto the general character of Jeremiah's prophecies has been gloomy. The whole tone of this section, on the other hand, is one of hopefulness, which is the more remarkable inasmuch as it was delivered at a time when the prophet was subject to imprisonment, and famine and pestilence held possession of the city, and the prospects of the nation were at their lowest. It was under such circumstances then that it was announced through Jeremiah that the chosen people should not perish, that through them the Gentile nations should be led to a knowledge of the true God, that the Righteous Branch should yet arise from the house of David, and Zion 'shall be called, The Lord our righteousness': see on Jeremiah 33:16.