Jeremiah 1:6-8 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 1:4-10

Here is, I. Jeremiah's early designation to the work and office of a prophet, which God gives him notice of as a reason for his early application to that business (Jer. 1:4, 5): The word of the Lord came to him, with a satisfying assurance to himself that it was the word of the Lord and not a delusion; and God told him, 1. That he had ordained him a prophet to the nations, or against the nations, the nation of the Jews in the first place, who are now reckoned among the nations because they had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 1:6

Then said I, Ah, Lord God! .... The word אהה , "Ah", or "Ahah", is used in distress and grief, as Kimchi observes; and is expressive of mourning and complaint, as Jarchi notes; and shows that the prophet was troubled and uneasy at his call, and would gladly have been excused on the following account: behold, I cannot speak ; or, "I know not how to speak" F18 לא ידעתי דבר "uescio loqui", V. L. Munster, Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius; "non novi loqui", Pagninus, Montanus. ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 1:7

But the Lord said unto me, say not, I am a child ,.... This excuse will not be admitted: for thou shall go to all that I shall send thee ; either to "every place", as the Targum paraphrases; or "to all persons to whom" he should be sent, as the Septuagint and Arabic versions render the words; or "to all things for which" he should send him, as the Syriac and Vulgate Latin versions. The sense is, that he should go everywhere, and to every person, and on every errand and message he should... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 1:8

Be not afraid of their faces ,.... Their stern looks, their frowning brows, and angry countenances, which would threaten him with destruction and death: for I am with thee, to deliver thee, saith the Lord ; out of their hands, when in the most imminent danger. The Targum paraphrases the words thus, "my Word shall be thine help to deliver thee:' which is true of Christ, the essential Word of God. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 1:6

I cannot speak - Being very young, and wholly inexperienced, I am utterly incapable of conceiving aright, or of clothing these Divine subjects in suitable language. Those who are really called of God to the sacred ministry are such as have been brought to a deep acquaintance with themselves, feel their own ignorance, and know their own weakness. They know also the awful responsibility that attaches to the work; and nothing but the authority of God can induce such to undertake it. They whom... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 1:7

Whatsoever I command thee - It is my words and message, not thine own, that thou shalt deliver. I shall teach thee; therefore thy youth and inexperience can be no hinderance. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 1:8

Be not afraid of their faces - That is, the Jews, whom he knew would persecute him because of the message which he brought. To be fore-warned is to be half armed. He knew what he was to expect from the disobedient and the rebellious, and must now be prepared to meet it. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 1:6

Verse 6 After having spoken of his call, the Prophet adds, that he at first refused his office, and he states this for two reasons; first, that he might clear himself from every suspicion of rashness, for we know how much ambition prevails among men, according to what James intimates, that many wish to be teachers, (James 3:1) and there is hardly one who is not anxious to be listened to. Since, then, most men too readily assume the office of teaching, and many boldly intrude into it, Jeremiah,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 1:7

Verse 7 Now follows the answer given to him, Say not, I am a child; for thou shalt go, etc. God not only predicts here what the Prophet was to do, but declares also what he designed him to do, and what he required from him, as though he had said, “It is thy duty to obey, because I have the right to command: thou must, therefore, go wheresoever I shall send thee, and thou must also proclaim whatsoever I shall command thee.” By these words God reminds him that he was his servant, and that there... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 1:8

Verse 8 We may learn from this verse that Jeremiah, when he observed the heavy and hard conflicts he had to undertake, was greatly disturbed; for he had not courage enough firmly and boldly to assail enemies so many and so violent. He indeed saw, that he had to do with a degenerated people, who had almost all departed from the law of God: and since they had for many years shaken off the yoke, and were petulantly exulting in their freedom, it was difficult to bring them back to obedience, and to... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 1:4-10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 1:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 1:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 1:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 1:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 1:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 1:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 1:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 1:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 1:8

Group of Brands