Rather, “gave me knowledge of it, and I knew it.” Jeremiah shows Jeremiah 11:18-23, that the general conspiracy of the people against Yahweh and the special plot against himself was revealed to him by God. read more
Like a lamb or an ox - Rather, “like a tame lamb.” Jeremiah had lived at Anathoth as one of the family, never suspecting that, like a tame lamb, the time would come for him to be killed.The tree with the fruit thereof - The words are those of a proverb or dark saying. All the Churches agree in understanding that under the person of Jeremiah these things are said by Christ. read more
Jeremiah 11:18-19. And the Lord hath given me knowledge of it, &c. This relates to the ill designs which the men of Anathoth had contrived against the prophet, which he here saith God had revealed to him. See the following verses. But I was like a lamb or an ox, &c. A proverbial speech, expressing a false security, or insensibility of danger. Dr. Waterland, in agreement with the Vulgate, Bochart, and Houbigant, reads this clause, But I was like a gentle lamb; and Blaney, For I... read more
Jeremiah 11:20 . But, O Lord, thou judgest righteously It is matter of comfort to us, when men deal unjustly with us, that we have a God to go to, who doth and will plead the cause of injured innocence, and appear against the injurious. God’s justice, which is a terror to the wicked, is a comfort to the godly. That triest the reins and the heart That perfectly knowest what is in man, that discernest his most secret thoughts, desires, and designs. Let me see thy vengeance on them That... read more
Jeremiah 11:21. Thus saith the Lord of the men that seek thy life That are combined to kill thee; saying, Prophesy not in the name of the Lord The meaning is, that those men of Anathoth threatened that they would kill him if he did not cease to prophesy such things as he did in the name of the Lord, namely, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, the desolation of Judea, and the carrying away of the people into captivity. For if he had spoken falsely in the name of the Lord, and promised... read more
A plot against Jeremiah (11:18-23)The people of Anathoth, Jeremiah’s home town, had become angry with Jeremiah. They did not like his uncompromising opposition to their false religious practices and his constant predictions of certain judgment. When God warned Jeremiah that they were plotting to kill him, Jeremiah cried to God for help (18-21). God now replies with a promise that he will protect Jeremiah and punish his would-be murderers (22-23). read more
hath given = gave. Jeremiah a type of Messiah. See App-85 . know = knew. read more
like a lamb. See App-85 . saying. Note the Figure of speech. Ellipsis ( App-6 ), as frequently with this verb. See notes on Psa_109::5 ; Psalms 109:6 ; Psalms 144:12 , &c. the tree with the fruit thereof. Hebrew "the dish in his food". Figure of speech Hypallage ( App-6 ), for the food in his dish. from the land of the living. Jeremiah a type of Christ. See Isaiah 53:8 and App-85 . read more
triest the reins and the heart. Compare Jeremiah 11:20 ; Jeremiah 17:10 ; Jeremiah 20:12 . Found elsewhere only in Psalms 7:9 ; Psalms 26:2 . See App-85 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 11:21
Prophesy not , etc. The men of Anathoth tried first of all to effect their object by threatening. In the name of the Lord should be rather, by the name , etc. The phrase is exactly parallel to Psalms 55:1 , "Save me, O God, by thy Name, and judge me by thy strength." The Name of God is equivalent to his revealed presence or personality. Baal's prophets prophesied "by Baal" ( Jeremiah 2:8 ), i . e . by an impulse thought to proceed from Baal; Jehovah's by the consciousness... read more