Jeremiah 17:15-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 17:12-18

Here, as often before, we have the prophet retired for private meditation, and alone with God. Those ministers that would have comfort in their work must be much so. In his converse here with God and his own heart he takes the liberty which devout souls sometimes use in their soliloquies, to pass from one thing to another, without tying themselves too strictly to the laws of method and coherence. I. He acknowledges the great favour of God to his people in setting up a revealed religion among... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 17:15

Behold, they say unto me ,.... Or, "they are saying unto me" F25 הנה המה אמרים אלי "ecce illi sunt dicentes ad me", Schmidt. , continually; these were their daily flouts and jeers: Where is the word of the Lord ? that thou hast so often talked of? thou hast for a long time threatened us with a siege, and famine, pestilence, and the sword, and captivity, but none of these come to pass; where is the accomplishment of them? thou hast pretended to have the word of the Lord... read more

John Gill

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

As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee ,.... Though he had met with so much ill usage, and was hated by the people for bringing such messages to them, and was jeered and scoffed at because his prophecies were not accomplished; yet he had not been hasty, and solicitous, and importunate with the Lord to dismiss him from his service; but was willing to continue in his office as a pastor or prophet, and to follow the Lord fully, and faithfully perform the work he had... read more

John Gill

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

Be not a terror unto me ,.... By deserting him, and leaving him in the hands of his enemies; or by denying him supports under their reproaches and persecution; or by withdrawing his gracious presence from him, than which nothing is more terrible to a good man; or by withholding the comfortable influences of his Spirit; or by suffering terrors to be injected into him from any quarter; and more is meant than is expressed; namely, that God would be a comforter of him, and bear him up under all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 17:18

Let them be confounded that persecute me ,.... With words with reproaches, with scoffs and jeers, saying, "where is the word of the Lord?" Jeremiah 17:14 ; let such be ashamed that scoffingly put such a question, by seeing the accomplishment of it: but let not me be confounded ; who have delivered it out as the word of the Lord, that should be surely fulfilled; let not me be brought to shame by the failure of it and be reckoned as a false prophet: let them be dismayed ; terrified... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:15

Where is the word of the Lord? - Where is the accomplishment of his threatenings? Thou hast said that the city and the temple should both be destroyed. No such events have yet taken place. But they did take place, and every tittle of the menace was strictly fulfilled. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:16

I have not hastened from being a pastor - Dr. Blayney translates thus: "But I have not been in haste to outrun thy guidance." I was obliged to utter thy prediction; but I have not hastened the evil day. For the credit of my prophecy I have not desired the calamity to come speedily; I have rather pleaded for respite. I have followed thy steps, and proclaimed thy truth. I did not desire to be a prophet; but thou hast commanded, and I obeyed. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:17

Be not a terror unto me - Do not command me to predict miseries, and abandon me to them and to my enemies. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:18

Let them be confounded - They shall be confounded. These words are to be understood as simple predictions, rather than prayers. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:15

Verse 15 Here Jeremiah complains of the obstinate contempt of the people; he found them not only uncourteous but even petulant towards God, so that they hesitated not to discredit all prophecies, to despise the promises, and boldly to reject all threatenings. The Prophet had often threatened them; and when God delayed the time, they made a wrong use of his forbearance, as it is commonly the case with the reprobate. Nor did they deem it enough even to add sins to sins, but they openly and... read more

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