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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 16:14-21

There is a mixture of mercy and judgment in these verses, and it is hard to know to which to apply some of the passages here?they are so interwoven, and some seem to look as far forward as the times of the gospel. I. God will certainly execute judgment upon them for their idolatries. Let them expect it, for the decree has gone forth. 1. God sees all their sins, though they commit them ever so secretly and palliate them ever so artfully (Jer. 16:17): My eyes are upon all their ways. They have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 16:17

For mine eyes are upon all their ways ,.... Not only which they may take to hide themselves from their enemies, and where they should be directed to find them; but their evil ways in which they walked, and which were the cause of their calamities; these, how secret soever they were, were under the eye of God, whose eyes are in every place, and upon all the ways of men, good and bad; though they might flatter themselves, as wicked men sometimes do, that the Lord sees them not, and does not... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 16:17

Verse 17 The Prophet now shews that the grievous calamity of which he had spoken would be a just reward for the wickedness of the people; for we know that the prophets were endued with the Spirit of God not merely that they might foretell things to come — for that would have been very jejune; but a doctrine was connected with their predictions. Hence the prophets not only foretold what God would do, but at the same time added the causes. There is then now added a doctrine as a seasoning to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 16:16-17

I will send for should rather be , I will send . Fishers and hunters , by a divinely given impulse, shall "fish" and "hunt" the unhappy fugitives from their lurking-places. There may, perhaps, be an allusion to the cruel ancient practice of "sweeping the country with a drag-net" (Herod, 3.149), and then destroying the male population: Samos, e.g. was thus "netted" and depopulated by the Persians. Habakkuk may also refer to this when he says ( Habakkuk 1:15 ), "They catch them in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 16:16-18

Fishers and hunters. I. THE CHASE . The guilty will be sought after for punishment. If they do not seek God in penitence he will seek them in judgment. However far we may flee from obedience we cannot flee from responsibility. Jonah fled "from the presence of the Lord "( Jonah 1:3 ), but he was overtaken by a Divine judgment. If God s present long-suffering makes him appear indifferent, the day will come when his wrath will be swift, searching, and far-reaching. Then none of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 16:16-21

Sin found out. The striking imagery of these verses teaches us that there shall be no hiding-place, whether by sea or land, where God will not find those whom his vengeance pursues. The sinner may be sure that his sin will find him out. I. MEN DOUBT THIS . Reasons are: 1. Long impunity has made them bold. 2. Such findings of them out as have taken place, in defilement of conscience, hardening of the heart, loss of peace with God, etc; they do not care for. They only care... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 16:17

This chastisement arises not from caprice, but is decreed upon full knowledge and examination of their doings. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 16:16-18

Jeremiah 16:16-18. Behold, I will send, &c. This may be better rendered, But now I will send, &c. Because here the prophet returns to denounce threatenings; many fishers, and they shall fish them “It is common with the sacred writers to represent enemies and oppressors under the metaphors of fishers and hunters, because they use all the methods of open force and secret stratagem to make men their prey.” By these two characters the same enemies are probably meant, namely, the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 16:1-21

Symbolic actions (16:1-21)Again God instructs his prophet concerning certain courses of action designed to attract the people’s attention. Jeremiah is to be a living reminder to the Judeans of what will happen to them if they do not repent. Firstly, he is not to marry or have children, as a grim warning to people that those with families will have greater distress when the final slaughter comes (16:1-4). Secondly, he is not to attend any funeral, as a warning that when Judah falls there will be... read more

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