12 O house H1004 of David, H1732 thus saith H559 the LORD; H3068 Execute H1777 judgment H4941 in the morning, H1242 and deliver H5337 him that is spoiled H1497 out of the hand H3027 of the oppressor, H6231 lest my fury H2534 go out H3318 like fire, H784 and burn H1197 that none can quench H3518 it, because H6440 of the evil H7455 of your doings. H4611
And say, H559 Hear H8085 the word H1697 of the LORD, H3068 O king H4428 of Judah, H3063 that sittest H3427 upon the throne H3678 of David, H1732 thou, and thy servants, H5650 and thy people H5971 that enter H935 in by these gates: H8179 Thus saith H559 the LORD; H3068 Execute H6213 ye judgment H4941 and righteousness, H6666 and deliver H5337 the spoiled H1497 out of the hand H3027 of the oppressor: H6216 and do no wrong, H3238 do no violence H2554 to the stranger, H1616 the fatherless, H3490 nor the widow, H490 neither shed H8210 innocent H5355 blood H1818 in this place. H4725
Open H6605 thy mouth H6310 for the dumb H483 in the cause H1779 of all such as are appointed H1121 to destruction. H2475 Open H6605 thy mouth, H6310 judge H8199 righteously, H6664 and plead H1777 the cause of the poor H6041 and needy. H34
And say H559 to the forest H3293 of the south, H5045 Hear H8085 the word H1697 of the LORD; H3068 Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 Behold, I will kindle H3341 a fire H784 in thee, and it shall devour H398 every green H3892 tree H6086 in thee, and every dry H3002 tree: H6086 the flaming H3852 flame H7957 shall not be quenched, H3518 and all faces H6440 from the south H5045 to the north H6828 shall be burned H6866 therein. And all flesh H1320 shall see H7200 that I the LORD H3068 have kindled H1197 it: it shall not be quenched. H3518
Shalt thou reign, H4427 because thou closest H8474 thyself in cedar? H730 did not thy father H1 eat H398 and drink, H8354 and do H6213 judgment H4941 and justice, H6666 and then it was well H2896 with him? He judged H1777 the cause H1779 of the poor H6041 and needy; H34 then it was well H2896 with him: was not this to know H1847 me? saith H5002 the LORD. H3068 But thine eyes H5869 and thine heart H3820 are not but for thy covetousness, H1215 and for to shed H8210 innocent H5355 blood, H1818 and for oppression, H6233 and for violence, H4835 to do H6213 it.
Thus speaketh H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 saying, H559 Execute H8199 true H571 judgment, H4941 and shew H6213 mercy H2617 and compassions H7356 every man H376 to his brother: H251 And oppress H6231 not the widow, H490 nor the fatherless, H3490 the stranger, H1616 nor the poor; H6041 and let none of you imagine H2803 evil H7451 against H376 his brother H251 in your heart. H3824 But they refused H3985 to hearken, H7181 and pulled away H5414 H5637 the shoulder, H3802 and stopped H3513 their ears, H241 that they should not hear. H8085
And G1161 there was G2258 a widow G5503 in G1722 that G1565 city; G4172 and G2532 she came G2064 unto G4314 him, G846 saying, G3004 Avenge G1556 me G3165 of G575 mine G3450 adversary. G476 And G2532 he would G2309 not G3756 for G1909 a while: G5550 but G1161 afterward G5023 G3326 he said G2036 within G1722 himself, G1438 Though G1499 I fear G5399 not G3756 God, G2316 nor G2532 G3756 regard G1788 man; G444 Yet G1065 because G1223 this G5026 widow G5503 troubleth G3930 G2873 me, G3427 I will avenge G1556 her, G846 lest G3363 by G1519 her continual G5056 coming G2064 she weary G5299 me. G3165
And G2532 if G1437 thy G4675 hand G5495 offend G4624 thee, G4571 cut G609 it G846 off: G609 it is G2076 better G2570 for thee G4671 to enter G1525 into G1519 life G2222 maimed, G2948 than G2228 having G2192 two G1417 hands G5495 to go G565 into G1519 hell, G1067 into G1519 the fire G4442 that never shall be quenched: G762 Where G3699 their G846 worm G4663 dieth G5053 not, G3756 and G2532 the fire G4442 is G4570 not G3756 quenched. G4570 And G2532 if G1437 thy G4675 foot G4228 offend G4624 thee, G4571 cut G609 it G846 off: G609 it is G2076 better G2570 for thee G4671 to enter G1525 halt G5560 into G1519 life, G2222 than G2228 having G2192 two G1417 feet G4228 to be cast G906 into G1519 hell, G1067 into G1519 the fire G4442 that never shall be quenched: G762 Where G3699 their G846 worm G4663 dieth G5053 not, G3756 and G2532 the fire G4442 is G4570 not G3756 quenched. G4570 And G2532 if G1437 thine G4675 eye G3788 offend G4624 thee, G4571 pluck G1544 it G846 out: G1544 it is G2076 better G2570 for thee G4671 to enter G1525 into G1519 the kingdom G932 of God G2316 with one eye, G3442 than G2228 having G2192 two G1417 eyes G3788 to be cast G906 into G1519 hell G1067 fire: G4442 Where G3699 their G846 worm G4663 dieth G5053 not, G3756 and G2532 the fire G4442 is G4570 not G3756 quenched. G4570
Woe H1945 to them that go down H3381 to Egypt H4714 for help; H5833 and stay H8172 on horses, H5483 and trust H982 in chariots, H7393 because they are many; H7227 and in horsemen, H6571 because they are very H3966 strong; H6105 but they look H8159 not unto the Holy One H6918 of Israel, H3478 neither seek H1875 the LORD! H3068 Yet he also is wise, H2450 and will bring H935 evil, H7451 and will not call back H5493 his words: H1697 but will arise H6965 against the house H1004 of the evildoers, H7489 and against the help H5833 of them that work H6466 iniquity. H205
[[A Psalm for Solomon.]] H8010 Give H5414 the king H4428 thy judgments, H4941 O God, H430 and thy righteousness H6666 unto the king's H4428 son. H1121 He shall judge H1777 thy people H5971 with righteousness, H6664 and thy poor H6041 with judgment. H4941 The mountains H2022 shall bring H5375 peace H7965 to the people, H5971 and the little hills, H1389 by righteousness. H6666 He shall judge H8199 the poor H6041 of the people, H5971 he shall save H3467 the children H1121 of the needy, H34 and shall break in pieces H1792 the oppressor. H6231
For he shall deliver H5337 the needy H34 when he crieth; H7768 the poor H6041 also, and him that hath no helper. H5826 He shall spare H2347 the poor H1800 and needy, H34 and shall save H3467 the souls H5315 of the needy. H34 He shall redeem H1350 their soul H5315 from deceit H8496 and violence: H2555 and precious H3365 shall their blood H1818 be in his sight. H5869
How long will ye judge H8199 unjustly, H5766 and accept H5375 the persons H6440 of the wicked? H7563 Selah. H5542 Defend H8199 the poor H1800 and fatherless: H3490 do justice H6663 to the afflicted H6041 and needy. H7326 Deliver H6403 the poor H1800 and needy: H34 rid H5337 them out of the hand H3027 of the wicked. H7563
If thou forbear H2820 to deliver H5337 them that are drawn H3947 unto death, H4194 and those that are ready H4131 to be slain; H2027 If thou sayest, H559 Behold, we knew H3045 it not; doth not he that pondereth H8505 the heart H3826 consider H995 it? and he that keepeth H5341 thy soul, H5315 doth not he know H3045 it? and shall not he render H7725 to every man H120 according to his works? H6467
Woe H337 to thee, O land, H776 when thy king H4428 is a child, H5288 and thy princes H8269 eat H398 in the morning! H1242 Blessed H835 art thou, O land, H776 when thy king H4428 is the son H1121 of nobles, H2715 and thy princes H8269 eat H398 in due season, H6256 for strength, H1369 and not for drunkenness! H8358
Take H935 counsel, H6098 execute H6213 judgment; H6415 make H7896 thy shadow H6738 as the night H3915 in the midst H8432 of the noonday; H6672 hide H5641 the outcasts; H5080 bewray H1540 not him that wandereth. H5074 Let mine outcasts H5080 dwell H1481 with thee, Moab; H4124 be H1933 thou a covert H5643 to them from the face H6440 of the spoiler: H7703 for the extortioner H4160 is at an end, H656 the spoiler H7701 ceaseth, H3615 the oppressors H7429 are consumed H8552 out of the land. H776 And in mercy H2617 shall the throne H3678 be established: H3559 and he shall sit H3427 upon it in truth H571 in the tabernacle H168 of David, H1732 judging, H8199 and seeking H1875 judgment, H4941 and hasting H4106 righteousness. H6664
He hath cut off H1438 in his fierce H2750 anger H639 all the horn H7161 of Israel: H3478 he hath drawn H7725 back H268 his right hand H3225 from before H6440 the enemy, H341 and he burned H1197 against Jacob H3290 like a flaming H3852 fire, H784 which devoureth H398 round about. H5439 He hath bent H1869 his bow H7198 like an enemy: H341 he stood H5324 with his right hand H3225 as an adversary, H6862 and slew H2026 all that were pleasant H4261 to the eye H5869 in the tabernacle H168 of the daughter H1323 of Zion: H6726 he poured out H8210 his fury H2534 like fire. H784
Son H1121 of man, H120 the house H1004 of Israel H3478 is to me become dross: H5509 all they are brass, H5178 and tin, H913 and iron, H1270 and lead, H5777 in the midst H8432 of the furnace; H3564 they are even the dross H5509 of silver. H3701 Therefore thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 Because ye are all become dross, H5509 behold, therefore I will gather H6908 you into the midst H8432 of Jerusalem. H3389 As they gather H6910 silver, H3701 and brass, H5178 and iron, H1270 and lead, H5777 and tin, H913 into the midst H8432 of the furnace, H3564 to blow H5301 the fire H784 upon it, to melt H5413 it; so will I gather H6908 you in mine anger H639 and in my fury, H2534 and I will leave H3240 you there, and melt H5413 you. Yea, I will gather H3664 you, and blow H5301 upon you in the fire H784 of my wrath, H5678 and ye shall be melted H5413 in the midst H8432 thereof. As silver H3701 is melted H2046 in the midst H8432 of the furnace, H3564 so shall ye be melted H5413 in the midst H8432 thereof; and ye shall know H3045 that I the LORD H3068 have poured out H8210 my fury H2534 upon you.
That it might cause fury H2534 to come up H5927 to take H5358 vengeance; H5359 I have set H5414 her blood H1818 upon the top H6706 of a rock, H5553 that it should not be covered. H3680 Therefore thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 Woe H188 to the bloody H1818 city! H5892 I will even make the pile H4071 for fire great. H1431 Heap H7235 on wood, H6086 kindle H1814 the fire, H784 consume H8552 the flesh, H1320 and spice H7543 it well, H4841 and let the bones H6106 be burned. H2787 Then set H5975 it empty H7386 upon the coals H1513 thereof, that the brass H5178 of it may be hot, H3179 and may burn, H2787 and that the filthiness H2932 of it may be molten H5413 in it, H8432 that the scum H2457 of it may be consumed. H8552 She hath wearied H3811 herself with lies, H8383 and her great H7227 scum H2457 went not forth H3318 out of her: her scum H2457 shall be in the fire. H784 In thy filthiness H2932 is lewdness: H2154 because I have purged H2891 thee, and thou wast not purged, H2891 thou shalt not be purged H2891 from thy filthiness H2932 any more, till I have caused my fury H2534 to rest H5117 upon thee. I the LORD H3068 have spoken H1696 it: it shall come to pass, H935 and I will do H6213 it; I will not go back, H6544 neither will I spare, H2347 neither will I repent; H5162 according to thy ways, H1870 and according to thy doings, H5949 shall they judge H8199 thee, saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD. H3069
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Jeremiah 21
Commentary on Jeremiah 21 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 21
Jer 21:1-44. Zedekiah Consults Jeremiah What Is to Be the Event of the War: God's Answer.
Written probably when, after having repulsed the Egyptians who brought succors to the Jews (Jer 37:5-8; 2Ki 24:7), the Chaldees were a second time advancing against Jerusalem, but were not yet closely besieging it (Jer 21:4, 13) [Rosenmuller]. This chapter probably ought to be placed between the thirty-seventh and thirty-eight chapters; since what the "princes," in Jer 38:2, represent Jeremiah as having said, is exactly what we find in Jer 21:9. Moreover, the same persons as here (Jer 21:1) are mentioned in Jer 37:3; 38:1, namely, Pashur and Zephaniah. What is here more fully related is there simply referred to in the historical narrative. Compare Jer 52:24; 2Ki 25:18 [Maurer].
1. Zedekiah—a prince having some reverence for sacred things, for which reason he sends an honorable embassy to Jeremiah; but not having moral courage to obey his better impulses.
Pashur—son of Melchiah, of the fifth order of priests, distinct from Pashur, son of Immer (Jer 20:1), of the sixteenth order (1Ch 24:9, 14).
Zephaniah—of the twenty-fourth order. They are designated, not by their father, but by their family (1Ch 24:18).
2. Nebuchadrezzar—the more usual way of spelling the name in Jeremiah than Nebuchadnezzar. From Persiac roots, meaning either "Nebo, the chief of the gods," or, "Nebo, the god of fire." He was son of Nabopolassar, who committed the command of the army against Egypt, at Carchemish, and against Judea, to the crown prince.
according to all his wondrous works—Zedekiah hopes for God's special interposition, such as was vouchsafed to Hezekiah against Sennacherib (2Ki 19:35, 36).
he—Nebuchadnezzar.
go up from us—rise up from the siege which he sat down to lay (Jer 37:5, 11, Margin; Nu 16:24, 27; 1Ki 15:19, Margin).
4. God of Israel—Those "wondrous works" (Jer 21:2) do not belong to you; God is faithful; it is you who forfeit the privileges of the covenant by unfaithfulness. "God will always remain the God of Israel, though He destroy thee and thy people" [Calvin].
turn back the weapons—I will turn them to a very different use from what you intend them. With them you now fight against the Chaldees "without the walls" (the Jewish defenders being as yet able to sally forth more freely, and defend the fountains outside the walls in the valley under Mount Zion; see Jer 21:13; Jer 19:6, 7); but soon ye shall be driven back within the city [Maurer], and "in the midst" of it, I will cause all your arms to be gathered in one place ("I will assemble them," namely, your arms) by the Chaldean conquerors [Grotius], who shall slay you with those very arms [Menochius].
5. The Jews shall have not merely the Chaldees, but Jehovah Himself in wrath at their provocations, fighting against them. Every word enhances the formidable character of God's opposition, "I myself … outstretched hand … strong arm (no longer as in Ex 6:6, and in the case of Sennacherib, in your behalf, but) in anger … fury … great wrath."
7. the people, and such—rather, explanatory, "the people," namely, "such as are left."
seek their life—content with nothing short of their death; not content with plundering and enslaving them.
smite with … sword—This was the fate of Zedekiah's sons and many of the Jewish nobles. Zedekiah himself, though not put to a violent death, died of grief. Compare as to the accurate fulfilment, Jer 34:4; Eze 12:13; 2Ki 25:6, 7.
8. "Life," if ye surrender; "death," if ye persist in opposing the Chaldees (compare De 30:19). The individuality of Jeremiah's mission from God is shown in that he urges to unconditional surrender; whereas all former prophets had urged the people to oppose their invaders (Isa 7:16; 37:33, 35).
9. (Jer 38:2, 17, 18).
falleth to—deserts to.
life … a prey—proverbial, to make one's escape with life, like a valuable spoil or prey that one carries off; the narrowness of the escape, and the joy felt at it, are included in the idea (Jer 39:18).
10. set … face against—determined to punish (See on Le 17:10).
12. house of David—the royal family and all in office about the king. He calls them so, because it was the greater disgrace that they had so degenerated from the piety of their forefather, David; and to repress their glorying in their descent from him, as if they were therefore inviolable; but God will not spare them as apostates.
in the morning—alluding to the time of dispensing justice (Job 24:17; Ps 101:8); but the sense is mainly proverbial, for "with promptness" (Ps 90:14; 143:8). Maurer translates, "every morning."
lest my fury … like fire—Already it was kindled, and the decree of God gone forth against the city (Jer 21:4, 5), but the king and his house may yet be preserved by repentance and reformation. God urges to righteousness, not as if they can thereby escape punishment wholly, but as the condition of a mitigation of it.
13. inhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain—Jerusalem personified; situated for the most part on hills, with valleys at the bottom of them, as the valley of Hinnom, &c.; and beyond the valleys and mountains again, a position most fortified by nature, whence the inhabitants fancied themselves beyond the reach of enemies; but since God is "against" them, their position will avail nothing for them. The "valley" between Mount Zion and Moriah is called Tyropœon. Robinson takes, "rock of the plain" as Mount Zion, on which is a level tract of some extent. It is appropriately here referred to, being the site of the royal residence of the "house of David," addressed (Jer 21:12).
14. fruit of your doings—(Pr 1:31; Isa 3:10, 11).
forest thereof—namely of your city, taken from Jer 21:13. "Forest" refers to the dense mass of houses built of cedar, &c., brought from Lebanon (Jer 22:7; 52:13; 2Ki 25:9).