Jeremiah 23:7-14

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 23:11

Verse 11 He adds here that it ought not to appear strange that the prophets were silent when they ought to have loudly cried out, because they were guilty themselves: and whence can freedom of speech come except from a good conscience? Hypocrites, who indulge themselves, are indeed often severe against others, and even more than necessary; but no one can dare honestly to cry out against wickedness, but he who is innocent. For he who condemns others seems to make a law for himself, according to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 23:12

Verse 12 Here he declares to false prophets and unfaithful priests that the Lord’s judgment was nigh at hand, because they had deceived the people. But he speaks figuratively when he says, that their way would be to them as lubricities. By way he understands the means which they thought to be of the best kind, as elsewhere, nearly in the same sense, what is deemed delectable, or what conduces to sustain life, is called “the table” of the wicked. (Psalms 69:22.) The meaning then is, that when... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 23:13

Verse 13 These two verses are to be read together; for there is no doubt but that the Prophet here compares the false prophets, who had corrupted God’s worship in the kingdom of Israel, with those in Jerusalem who wished to appear more holy and more perfect. And he thus compares them that he might set forth those who sought to be deemed God’s faithful ministers, as being by far the worst; for he says, that he had found fatuity in the prophets of Samaria, but depravity in the prophets of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 23:14

Verse 14 It follows,They commit adultery, and walk in deception Expositors think that there is a change of number; but what if these words be applied to the people? as though Jeremiah had said, “When any one is an adulterer, when any one walks in deception, that is, when any one is fraudulent, they strengthen, the hands of the wicked.” And, doubtless, this sense seems here to be the most correct. Then Jeremiah shews how they surpassed other prophets in impiety, even because they dissimulated... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 23:1-40

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 23:7-8

This is another of Jeremiah's repetitions (see Jeremiah 16:14 , Jeremiah 16:15 ). Either the Septuagint translator or the copyist of the Hebrew manuscript which he used appears to have thought that the passage might, therefore, be dispensed with. In the Septuagint it is placed at the end of the chapter (being possibly supplied from another Hebrew manuscript), and the form given in this version to the close of verse 6 ( ἰωσεδὲκ ἐν τοῖς προφηταῖς , combining the opening words of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 23:9-40

These verses form a complete prophecy, the title of which Jeremiah himself supplies in the words, "Concerning the (false) prophets" (see below); comp. Jeremiah 46:2 ; Jeremiah 48:1 ; Jeremiah 49:1 , Jeremiah 49:7 , Jeremiah 49:23 , Jeremiah 49:28 . It is true the rendering of the Authorized Version ( Jeremiah 49:9 ), Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets , is not purely arbitrary; it is favored by the exegetical tradition represented by the Hebrew accents.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 23:10

The land is full of adulterers . The false prophets connive at flagrant immoralities, one of which is mentioned as a typical sin. As to the nature of the adultery, see note on Jeremiah 5:7 . Because of swearing ; rather, because of the curse ; the curse, namely, with which God punishes the guilty earth (comp. Zechariah 5:3 ; Daniel 9:11 ; and especially Isaiah 24:6 , where in the original there is a paronomasia very similar to that here). The land mourneth ; a figurative... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 23:11

Both prophet and priest are profane ; i.e. are unholy, disobeying the Divine commands (see on Jeremiah 5:7 ). The same two important classes specified as in Jeremiah 6:13 . Yea, in my house , etc. Evidently some sin specially incongruous with its locality is referred to, either idolatry (comp. Jeremiah 7:30 ) or the totemistic worship of figures of animals ( Ezekiel 8:10 , Ezekiel 8:11 ). Comp. note on Jeremiah 5:7 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 23:12

Their way shall be unto them as slippery ways , etc.; rather, slippery places . The passage has a manifest affinity with Psalms 35:6 (in one of the Jeremiahizing psalms; see on Jeremiah 18:19 , Jeremiah 18:20 ). They shall be driven on ; or, as Ewald, taking over the last word of the preceding clause, they shall be thrust into the darkness . This involves a reminiscence, probable enough, of Isaiah 8:22 b. It is against the accentual tradition, but improves the rhythmical... read more

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