But if they be prophets , etc. The "false prophets," so Jeremiah declares, have neglected one of the principal functions of a prophet, viz. intercessory prayer (comp. on Jeremiah 7:16 ). Seeing that a part of the sacred vessels had been carried to Babylon, ell true prophets ought to intercede with Jehovah that those still left might be spared. The end was that the remaining vessels were carried off on the capture of Jerusalem ( 2 Kings 25:13 ). read more
Prophecy tested by prayer. I. IT IS THE DUTY OF A PROPHET TO PRAY . He should be spiritually what the priest can only be ceremonially, the mediator between man and God. Mediation has two sides. It implies the work of the intercessor as well as that of the prophet—the speaking to God for men as well the speaking to men for God. The former work, however, is in more danger of falling into neglect. It is more spiritual, it requires more humility, it gains less credit from... read more
Prophets tested by prayer. I. BY THIS THEIR DISPOSITION WAS DISCOVERED . Prayer is one of the most vital indications of the presence of spiritual life. It is only by constant devotion and spiritual intercourse with God that any one can be truly acquainted with him or know his will. The taunt of the prophet is to the effect that they are not over addicted to this practice, but prefer to indulge in political trifling and bombast. They had no pleasure in the exercises of true... read more
This and the two following verses are thus given in the Septuagint: "For thus saith the Lord … and the rest of the vessels which the king of Babylon took not, when he carried Jeconiah captive from Jerusalem; they shall come to Babylon, saith the Lord." This shortened form throws a light on the fact of the absence of "now shortly" in Jeremiah 27:16 (see note). The pillars , etc.; i.e. the two bronze pillars called Jachin and Boaz ( 1 Kings 7:21 ). The sea ; i.e. the molten "sea," or... read more
Jeremiah 27:16-18. Also I spake to the priests and to all this people The prophet, being God’s true servant, spared none, but gave faithful warning to all sorts of persons, to take heed of being deceived by the false prophets, who undertook to foretel that the vessels of the temple, carried away in the time of Jehoiakim and his son Jeconiah, (of which we read 2Ch 36:7 ; 2 Chronicles 36:10,) should be brought back again to Jerusalem in a short time: see Jeremiah 28:3. Hearken not unto them ... read more
Jeremiah 27:19-22. Thus saith the Lord concerning the pillars, &c. These were all parts of the temple, or vessels used in it: see 1 Kings 7:0. And all the nobles, &c. Concerning the persons and things which the king of Babylon carried away, see 2 Kings 24:13-15. Yea, thus saith the Lord The prophet enlarges the divine threatening, and represents it as extending to all other vessels of value in the houses of the king, the nobles, or more wealthy citizens. They shall be carried to... read more
Submit to Babylon (27:1-22)Early in the reign of Zedekiah, representatives from various neighbouring countries came to Jerusalem, in the hope of forming an alliance with Zedekiah against Babylon. Jeremiah delivered God’s message to them, illustrating the message by putting an ox’s yoke on his neck. The meaning was that the people were to submit to the yoke, or rule, of Babylon. This was God’s will, and there was no use rebelling against it. Babylon would not be overthrown till God’s time for it... read more
Be = exists; or, he and remain. Hebrew. yesh. Compare Jeremiah 31:6 , Jeremiah 31:16 , Jeremiah 31:17 , and see notes on Proverbs 8:21 ; Proverbs 18:24 . the LORD of hosts = Jehovah Zebaoth. See note on Jer 6:6 . 1 Samuel 1:3 . at. Some codices, with three early printed editions, omit this "at". read more
remain. Probably because they were too heavy and cumbrous. city. So the reading of Ben-Asher; but Ben-Naphtali reads "land". These were the two rival critics of the Hebrew text in the tenth century A.D. who furnished the vowel-points. Ben-Asher's work was done at Tiberias in 827 "from the destruction of Jerusalem", and is now at Aleppo. Of Ben- Naphtali nothing is known beyond official lists which have come down to us. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 27:16-22
The warning to the priests and to the rest of the people. The last four verses of this section appear in a much shortened form in the Septuagint, and it must be admitted that the description is singularly lengthy. It is, therefore, quite conceivable that this is one of the cases in which the Hebrew text has been disfigured by willful interpolation. On the other hand, it is also possible that the description was filled out by an editor, e . g . by Baruch, conscientiously for the benefit... read more