Jeremiah 12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 12:4

Jeremiah 12:4. How long shall the land mourn? As it doth under thy judgments inflicted upon it; for the wickedness of them that dwell therein Lord, shall they themselves prosper, who ruin all about them? The wickedness of the people is here represented as having brought a great calamity upon the land, under which all living creatures, even the beasts of the earth, and the fowls of heaven, as well as the human race, were now suffering grievously. This calamity was a long drought, or want of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 12:5-6

Jeremiah 12:5-6. If thou hast run with the footmen Here God speaks, and applies a proverbial expression to the prophet’s circumstances, the import of which is, that if men find themselves unable to contend with a less power, it is in vain for them to strive with a greater. This sentence, being applied to the prophet’s case, implies that, if he was so impatient that he could not bear the ill usage of his neighbours at Anathoth, how would he be able to undergo the hardships he must expect to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 12:7

Jeremiah 12:7. I have forsaken my house My temple, where I had placed my name. I have already withdrawn my favourable regard and presence from it, and shall withhold those manifestations of my power and goodness, which I have been wont to make to the people who come thither to worship me, and I will shortly give it up to utter desolation. I have left my heritage The whole body of my people, with respect to my special providence over them and care of them, which have been such that, in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 12:8-9

Jeremiah 12:8-9. My heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest Those that were my lambs and sheep, following me, their chief shepherd, and the guidance of those prophets and pastors whom I set over them, are become like lions in the forest roaring against me, and rending and tearing the prophets whom I send unto them, and who speak to them in my name. It My heritage; crieth out against me They blaspheme my name, oppose my authority, and bid defiance to my justice. Therefore have I... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 12:10-11

Jeremiah 12:10-11. Many pastures have destroyed my vineyard Many eaters, or devourers, as Dr. Waterland translates רעים רבים , by which the Chaldee Paraphrast understands the generals of the Chaldean army, an interpretation which seems to be justified by the two following verses: though some explain it of the rulers of the Jews, who, by their wicked government, and equally wicked example, had ruined their country. God calls Judea his vineyard and pleasant portion, because of the care... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 12:12-13

Jeremiah 12:12-13. The spoilers The Chaldean soldiers, described by the metaphor of a full wind of the high places, Jeremiah 4:11, are come upon all high places Have made themselves masters of all the natural fastnesses and artificial fortresses in the country. The prophet, as usual, speaks of a thing as already done, which was very shortly to be done. For the sword of the Lord shall devour Thus those people are called, whom God excited to invade Judea, as a punishment of the Jews for... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 12:14-15

Jeremiah 12:14-15. Thus saith the Lord, against, or concerning, all mine evil neighbours By these are meant the Moabites, Ammonites, Idumeans, and Philistines; against whom Jeremiah prophesies, chap. 47., 48., 49.; and Ezekiel, chap. 25. These are called evil neighbours, because of the spite and ill-will which they showed toward the Jews on all occasions: that touch the inheritance, &c. Who lie near to, and border upon, Judea: Behold, I will pluck them out, &c. These... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 12:16-17

Jeremiah 12:16-17. If they will diligently learn the ways of my people If they will leave their idolatries, and learn of my people who lived among them to be worshippers of me the true God, and to swear by my name, The Lord liveth That is, pay that homage, which they owe to the Divine Being, to me, the living and true God: as they taught my people to swear by Baal As they drew in my backsliding people to join with them in the service of idols. Then shall they be built in the midst of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 12:1-17

Jeremiah’s complaint; God’s answer (12:1-17)As he thinks back on the treachery of the people of Anathoth, Jeremiah is prompted to complain to God. Innocent people suffer, whereas wicked people live at ease. Why is it, he asks, that God allows the wicked to prosper? God gives them life and food, and they grow fat and prosperous, though their hearts are far from God (12:1-2). Jeremiah, by contrast, remains true to God, yet he suffers. Indeed, the whole land suffers because of the sins of people... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Jeremiah 12:1

Righteous, &c. Figure of speech Synchoresis. App-6 . LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . "Wherefore . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 . deal very treacherously. Figure of speech Polyptoton. Hebrew are traitors of treachery = are utter traitors. read more

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