Jeremiah 26:20-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 26:16-24

Here is, I. The acquitting of Jeremiah from the charge exhibited against him. He had indeed spoken the words as they were laid in the indictment, but they are not looked upon to be seditious or treasonable, ill-intended or of any bad tendency, and therefore the court and country agree to find him not guilty. The priests and prophets, notwithstanding his rational plea for himself, continued to demand judgment against him; but the princes, and all the people, are clear in it that this man is not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 26:20

And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the Lord ,.... These are not the words of the same persons continued; because the following instance is against them; but of some other persons in the sanhedrim, who were on the side of the priests and prophets; who in effect said, why tell you us of an instance in Hezekiah's time, when there is so recent an one in the present reign, of a man that prophesied just as Jeremiah has done, and was put to death, and so ought he? after this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 26:21

And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men ,.... Either his courtiers, or his soldiers, or both: and all the princes, heard his words ; the words of the Prophet Urijah; not with their own ears very probably, but from the report of others: the king sought to put him to death ; as being a messenger of bad tidings, tending to dispirit his subjects, and allay the joy of his own mind upon his advancement to the throne: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 26:22

And Jehoiakim sent men into Egypt ,.... To seek for him; and to require the delivery of him upon being found: namely , Elnathan the son of Achbor ; the father of this man very probably is the same we read of in Josiah's time, 2 Kings 22:12 ; who is called Abdon in 2 Chronicles 34:20 ; and certain men with him, into Egypt ; to assist him in taking him, whose names are not mentioned; Elnathan's is, as being the principal, and to fix an eternal infamy upon him. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 26:23

And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt ,.... Having found him, they seized him, and brought him away, with the leave of the king of Egypt: which, no doubt, was easily obtained: and brought him to Jehoiakim the king, who slew him with the sword ; very probably with his own hand; or however it was done by his order, and in his presence, most likely: and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people ; either where they were buried in heaps promiscuously, as some think; or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 26:20

Urijah - who prophesied - The process against Jeremiah is finished at the nineteenth verse; and the case of Urijah is next brought on, for he was also to be tried for his life; but hearing of it he fled to Egypt. He was however condemned in his absence; and the king sent to Egypt, and brought him thence and slew him, and caused him to have an ignominious burial, Jeremiah 26:21-23 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 26:20

Verse 20 Another example is brought forward, partly different, and partly alike, — different as to the king, the like as to a Prophet. Uriah, mentioned here, faithfully discharged his office; but Jehoiakim could not bear his preaching, and therefore slew him. Some explain the whole in the same manner, as though the elders designed to shew that the wicked can gain nothing by resisting God’s prophets, except that by contending they make themselves more and more guilty. But others think that this... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 26:21

Verse 21 It then follows, And when, Jehoiakim the king, and all his mighty men and the princes, heard his words, etc. This verse seems to favor the opinion of those who conclude that godly men were the speakers; for they spoke dishonorably of the king and his counsellors; the king heard and his mighty men, (powerful men, literally,) and also all the princes; and the king sought to slay him These words, however, may also be ascribed to the ungodly and the wicked, for they wished to terrify the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 26:22

Verse 22 It is afterwards added that the king sent men, even Elnathan, the chief of the legation, with others. (175) There is no doubt but that Jehoiakim sent to the king of Egypt and complained that a turbulent man had fled, and that he asked him to deliver him up as a fugitive. So then he was brought back, not through power, but through a nefarious compact, for he was betrayed by the king of Egypt. It is singular that in one MS. the word מרגלים, searchers, spies, is found instead of מצרים,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 26:23

Verse 23 It is at length added, that they led up Uriah from Egypt, and brought him to King Jehoiakim, who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people, by way of dishonor; for Jeremiah here calls them the graves of the common people, as we in French call shambles des charniers. The rich are honorably and splendidly buried at this day, and every one has his own grave; but when there is a vast number, the bodies are thrown together, for it would be too... read more

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