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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 29:24-32

We have perused the contents of Jeremiah's letter to the captives in Babylon, who had reason, with a great deal of thanks to God and him, to acknowledge the receipt of it, and lay it up among their treasures. But we cannot wonder if the false prophets they had among them were enraged at it; for it gave them their true character. Now here we are told concerning one of them, I. How he manifested his malice against Jeremiah. This busy fellow is called Shemaiah the Nehelamite, the dreamer (so the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:24

Thus shalt thou speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite ,.... Or, "the dreamer" F8 הנחלמי "quasi" חולם "somniator somniorum", Kimchi and Ben Melech. ; because he pretended to have dreams from the Lord; or because what he delivered as prophecies were mere dreams; as that the captives should quickly return to their own land; so Kimchi: but Jarchi takes it to be the name of a place, from whence he was so called; perhaps the place of his birth, or habitation formerly; so the Targum,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:25

Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying ,.... See Gill on Jeremiah 29:4 ; because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem ; not in the name of the captives, whom he consulted not; nor with Ezekiel the prophet of the Lord, who was of the captivity; but in his own name, taking upon him to direct and order what should be done in Jerusalem. These letters were sent, very probably, by the hands of the king's messengers, when they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:26

The Lord hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest ,.... The same with Seraiah, who might have more names than one, and Jehoiada be one of them, who either was removed, or carried captive; and this Zephaniah, his sagan of deputy, succeeded him. Some think he refers to the famous Jehoiada in the times of Joash, a great reformer; and that this man was another such an one for his zeal, or at least ought to be, which he would have him exert against Jeremiah; but the former seems... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:27

Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth ,.... Not by words only, but by actions; by beating and scourging, by pillory or imprisonment, and so restraining him from prophesying to the people: which maketh himself a prophet unto you ? takes upon him such an office, though not sent of the Lord, as he would insinuate: this shows the haughtiness and insolence of the false prophets in Babylon, to assume such authority to themselves, to dictate to the high priest, as Kimchi... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:28

For therefore he sent unto us in Babylon, saying ,.... That is, Jeremiah the prophet; and this was the reason, because his mouth was not stopped, and he restrained from prophesying; so that Shemaiah lays all the blame on Zephaniah, and his brethren the priests; who, had they done their duty, would have prevented Jeremiah's letter to the captives, as he suggests; the purport of which was, this captivity is long ; so Kimchi, Abarbinel, and Ben Melech, supply it; or, "it is long" ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:29

And Zephaniah the priest read this letter ,.... Of Shemaiah's to him, and the other priests: in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet : whether out of good will, to let him know who were his enemies abroad; or out of ill will, to stir up the people against him; or in pretence of proceeding equitably with him; not taking him up, and punishing him before he brought the accusation and charge against him; and acquainted him who were his accusers, and what evidence there was, and heard what he had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:30

When came the word of the Lord unto Jeremiah ,.... After he had heard the letter read: saying ; as follows: read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:31

Send to all them of the captivity ,.... Another letter; not to Shemaiah, but to the people, that they might all know that he was a false prophet; and how his lies were resented by the Lord; and what punishment should be inflicted on him and his, on account of them: saying, thus saith the Lord concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite ; the letter, though written by the prophet, must be sent in the name of the Lord, declaring what he would do with the person mentioned, and the reason of it;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:32

Therefore thus saith the Lord ,.... Because he prophesied without being sent of God, and prophesied lies, by which the people were deceived: behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed ; not him only, but his posterity also: thus God sometimes visits the sins of parents on their children, they being, as it were, a part of themselves, and oftentimes partners with them in their iniquities: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people ; either at Babylon, or at... read more

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