Jeremiah 29:25-29

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 29:24-32

We have perused the contents of Jeremiah's letter to the captives in Babylon, who had reason, with a great deal of thanks to God and him, to acknowledge the receipt of it, and lay it up among their treasures. But we cannot wonder if the false prophets they had among them were enraged at it; for it gave them their true character. Now here we are told concerning one of them, I. How he manifested his malice against Jeremiah. This busy fellow is called Shemaiah the Nehelamite, the dreamer (so the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:25

Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying ,.... See Gill on Jeremiah 29:4 ; because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem ; not in the name of the captives, whom he consulted not; nor with Ezekiel the prophet of the Lord, who was of the captivity; but in his own name, taking upon him to direct and order what should be done in Jerusalem. These letters were sent, very probably, by the hands of the king's messengers, when they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:26

The Lord hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest ,.... The same with Seraiah, who might have more names than one, and Jehoiada be one of them, who either was removed, or carried captive; and this Zephaniah, his sagan of deputy, succeeded him. Some think he refers to the famous Jehoiada in the times of Joash, a great reformer; and that this man was another such an one for his zeal, or at least ought to be, which he would have him exert against Jeremiah; but the former seems... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:27

Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth ,.... Not by words only, but by actions; by beating and scourging, by pillory or imprisonment, and so restraining him from prophesying to the people: which maketh himself a prophet unto you ? takes upon him such an office, though not sent of the Lord, as he would insinuate: this shows the haughtiness and insolence of the false prophets in Babylon, to assume such authority to themselves, to dictate to the high priest, as Kimchi... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:28

For therefore he sent unto us in Babylon, saying ,.... That is, Jeremiah the prophet; and this was the reason, because his mouth was not stopped, and he restrained from prophesying; so that Shemaiah lays all the blame on Zephaniah, and his brethren the priests; who, had they done their duty, would have prevented Jeremiah's letter to the captives, as he suggests; the purport of which was, this captivity is long ; so Kimchi, Abarbinel, and Ben Melech, supply it; or, "it is long" ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:29

And Zephaniah the priest read this letter ,.... Of Shemaiah's to him, and the other priests: in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet : whether out of good will, to let him know who were his enemies abroad; or out of ill will, to stir up the people against him; or in pretence of proceeding equitably with him; not taking him up, and punishing him before he brought the accusation and charge against him; and acquainted him who were his accusers, and what evidence there was, and heard what he had... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 29:26

For every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet - Mad, משגע meshugga , in ecstatic rapture; such as appeared in the prophets, whether true or false, when under the influence, the one of God, the other of a demon. See 2 Kings 9:11 ; Hosea 9:7 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 29:25

Verse 25 He afterwards mentioned the priest and all the priests The word priest, in the singular number, meant the high-priest: then the priests were not only those descended from Aaron, but all the Levites. There was the high-priest, and then the descendants of Aaron were the chief, and, as it were, the colleagues of the high priest; but the Levites were an inferior order, though here by the priests he means also the Levites. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 29:26

Verse 26 Here follows the subject of the letter, Jehovah hath made thee a priest, etc. Here the impostor Shemaiah accuses the high-priest of ingratitude, because he had been chosen in the place of another. For it is probable that Jehoiada was still living, but that he had been led away into Chaldea with the other exiles. As then so high a dignity had, beyond hope, and before the time, come to the high-priest, the false prophet reproves him, because he did not rightly acknowledge this favor of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 29:28

Verse 28 The crime ascribed to Jeremiah was, — that he rendered the captives indifferent, so that they cast off every hope of deliverance, and disregarded their own country. But the design of Jeremiah was far different; it was, that the people might not by too much haste anticipate the promises of God, and that he might also extend their hope to the end, prefixed. As there are two causal particles here found, כי על-כן, ki ol-ken, some give this rendering, “For for this cause,” that is, because... read more

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