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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 43:8-13

We have here, as also in the next chapter, Jeremiah prophesying in Egypt. Jeremiah was now in Tahpanhes, for there his lords and masters were; he was there among idolatrous Egyptians and treacherous Israelites; but there, 1. He received the word of the Lord; it came to him. God can find his people, with the visits of his grace, wherever they are; and, when his ministers are bound, yet the word of the Lord is not bound. The spirit of prophecy was not confined to the land of Israel. When... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 43:13

He shall break also the images of Bethshemesh, that is in the land of Egypt ,.... Or, "of Heliopolis", as the Septuagint; the "city of the sun"; and so "Bethshemesh" here signifies the "house of the sun"; either it designs the temple of the sun, or the city where it was worshipped; as Heliopolis was famous for the worship of the sun, and for a magnificent temple in it, built for that purpose, and where abundance of persons resorted on that account, as Herodotus F12 Euterpe, sive l. 2.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 43:13

He shall break also the images of Beth-shemesh - שמש בית beith shemesh is, literally, the house or temple of the sun; which was worshipped here, and whose images are said to have been of solid gold. These Nebuchadnezzar was to break and carry away; and the houses of the gods - all the temples of Egypt, he was to burn with fire. Beth-shemesh is the same as Heliopolis. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 43:13

Verse 13 WE stated yesterday why Jeremiah spoke especially of the temples of the gods, even that the Jews might understand that nothing would escape destruction: for even the cruel-est enemies have usually withheld their hands from the temples of gods. If sanctity and religion would not preserve the temples, what then would become of private houses? He intimates, in short, that such would be the ruin of Egypt, that no part would escape. But as Heliopolis was then in the greatest repute, he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 43:1-13

Hearts set to do evil. Such were the hearts of these Jews. They show concerning such— I. THAT AFFLICTION WALL NOT ALTER THEM . It is not always true that affliction will make the heart better. It serves this blessed end with some—cf. "Before I was afflicted I went," etc.—but not with all. Did not in this case, but though "often reproved," they only "hardened their neck." II. PRAYERS AND PROFESSION OF RELIGION DO NOT CONTROL THEM . They can go together.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 43:8-13

Prophetic stones. Jeremiah planting stones at the entrance of Pharaoh's palace was prophesying by act. The stones were mute prophecies interpreted by the verbal prophecies which in turn they were to confirm in the future. These prophetic stones have their lessons for us. I. DIVINE PURPOSES ARE FIRM AND PERMANENT . They are like the great stones. Words are but air waves; to the incredulous the strongest words may be mere sound and fury, signifying nothing; they melt as they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 43:8-13

The stones of Tahpanhes. Great uncertainty as to the fulfilment of this prophetic parable. Are we bound to assume that it was actually carried out? It is possible, according to some critics (but see Exposition on Jeremiah 46:13 ), that the accomplishment of the prediction, as of many others, was only contingent. It is very vivid and definite, but that is quite consistent with the intermediate occurrence of circumstances in the spiritual state of the Jewish sojourners that enabled God to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 43:8-13

Building on the sand. The Jews trusted in the strength of Pharaoh. They had done this before, but to no purpose. The prophets of God always protested against such trust (cf. Isaiah 31:1-9 .). Here, in spite of all warning, they are resolving upon such reliance again. But they were building on sand. The destruction came; the very destruction they thought, by their acting as they had done, they had certainly escaped. Thus do and shall be done by all who are like them. Such are— I. They... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 43:8-13

The visitation upon Egypt. Here again is one of the symbolic acts which the prophets were commanded at times to perform. So the hiding of the girdle by Euphrates ( Jeremiah 13:1-27 ), the commanded celibacy of the prophet ( Jeremiah 16:1-21 .), the dashing of the potter s bottle to pieces ( Jeremiah 19:1-15 .). But while these symbolic acts are described in terms which make them perfectly clear, the hiding of the great stones mentioned here needs more full explanation than we can... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 43:13

The images of Beth-shemesh ; rather, the pillars of Beth-shemesh ; i.e. the obelisks of the temple of Ra, the sun god, from Which Heliopolis derived its sacred name "Pe-Ra" "the abode of Ra." It was the custom to place obelisks in pairs at the entrance of their temples. Only one of those of Heliopolis is still standing, though that, indeed, is the oldest in Egypt, for it was "set up at least four thousand years ago". That is in the land of Egypt. To distinguish it from the Beth-shemesh... read more

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