17 Ah H162 Lord H136 GOD! H3069 behold, thou hast made H6213 the heaven H8064 and the earth H776 by thy great H1419 power H3581 and stretched out H5186 arm, H2220 and there is nothing H1697 too hard H6381 for thee:
Thus H1836 shall ye say H560 unto them, The gods H426 that have not H3809 made H5648 the heavens H8065 and the earth, H778 even they shall perish H7 from the earth, H772 and from under H8460 these H429 heavens. H8065 He hath made H6213 the earth H776 by his power, H3581 he hath established H3559 the world H8398 by his wisdom, H2451 and hath stretched out H5186 the heavens H8064 by his discretion. H8394
And, G2532 Thou, G4771 Lord, G2962 in G2596 the beginning G746 hast laid the foundation G2311 of the earth; G1093 and G2532 the heavens G3772 are G1526 the works G2041 of thine G4675 hands: G5495 They G846 shall perish; G622 but G1161 thou G4771 remainest; G1265 and G2532 they all G3956 shall wax old G3822 as G5613 doth a garment; G2440 And G2532 as G5616 a vesture G4018 shalt thou fold G1667 them G846 up, G1667 and G2532 they shall be changed: G236 but G1161 thou G4771 art G1488 the same, G846 and G2532 thy G4675 years G2094 shall G1587 not G3756 fail. G1587
Lift up H5375 your eyes H5869 on high, H4791 and behold H7200 who hath created H1254 these things, that bringeth out H3318 their host H6635 by number: H4557 he calleth H7121 them all by names H8034 by the greatness H7230 of his might, H202 for that he is strong H533 in power; H3581 not one H376 faileth. H5737 Why sayest H559 thou, O Jacob, H3290 and speakest, H1696 O Israel, H3478 My way H1870 is hid H5641 from the LORD, H3068 and my judgment H4941 is passed over H5674 from my God? H430 Hast thou not known? H3045 hast thou not heard, H8085 that the everlasting H5769 God, H430 the LORD, H3068 the Creator H1254 of the ends H7098 of the earth, H776 fainteth H3286 not, neither is weary? H3021 there is no searching H2714 of his understanding. H8394
Remember H2142 the former things H7223 of old: H5769 for I am God, H410 and there is none else; I am God, H430 and there is none H657 like H3644 me, Declaring H5046 the end H319 from the beginning, H7225 and from ancient times H6924 the things that are not yet done, H6213 saying, H559 My counsel H6098 shall stand, H6965 and I will do H6213 all my pleasure: H2656
Hath G2980 in G1909 these G5130 last G2078 days G2250 spoken G2980 unto us G2254 by G1722 his Son, G5207 whom G3739 he hath appointed G5087 heir G2818 of all things, G3956 by G1223 whom G3739 also G2532 he made G4160 the worlds; G165 Who G3739 being G5607 the brightness G541 of his glory, G1391 and G2532 the express image G5481 of his G846 person, G5287 and G5037 upholding G5342 all things G3956 by the word G4487 of his G846 power, G1411 when he had G4160 G2512 by G1223 himself G1438 purged G4160 G2512 our G2257 sins, G266 sat down G2523 on G1722 the right hand G1188 of the Majesty G3172 on G1722 high; G5308
To him that by wisdom H8394 made H6213 the heavens: H8064 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever. H5769 To him that stretched out H7554 the earth H776 above the waters: H4325 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever. H5769 To him that made H6213 great H1419 lights: H216 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever: H5769 The sun H8121 to rule H4475 by day: H3117 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever: H5769 The moon H3394 and stars H3556 to rule H4475 by night: H3915 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever. H5769
Who G3739 is G2076 the image G1504 of the invisible G517 God, G2316 the firstborn G4416 of every G3956 creature: G2937 For G3754 by G1722 him G846 were G2936 all things G3956 created, G2936 that are in G1722 heaven, G3772 and G2532 that are in G1909 earth, G1093 visible G3707 and G2532 invisible, G517 whether G1535 they be thrones, G2362 or G1535 dominions, G2963 or G1535 principalities, G746 or G1535 powers: G1849 all things G3956 were created G2936 by G1223 him, G846 and G2532 for G1519 him: G846
Hearken H8085 unto me, O Jacob H3290 and Israel, H3478 my called; H7121 I am he; I am the first, H7223 I also am the last. H314 Mine hand H3027 also hath laid the foundation H3245 of the earth, H776 and my right hand H3225 hath spanned H2946 the heavens: H8064 when I call H7121 unto them, they stand up H5975 together. H3162
In the beginning H7225 God H430 created H1254 H853 the heaven H8064 and H853 the earth. H776 And the earth H776 was H1961 without form, H8414 and void; H922 and darkness H2822 was upon the face H6440 of the deep. H8415 And the Spirit H7307 of God H430 moved H7363 upon H5921 the face H6440 of the waters. H4325 And God H430 said, H559 Let there be H1961 light: H216 and there was light. H216 And God H430 saw H7200 H853 the light, H216 that H3588 it was good: H2896 and God H430 divided H914 H996 the light H216 from H996 the darkness. H2822 And God H430 called H7121 the light H216 Day, H3117 and the darkness H2822 he called H7121 Night. H3915 And the evening H6153 and the morning H1242 were the first H259 day. H3117 And God H430 said, H559 Let there be a firmament H7549 in the midst H8432 of the waters, H4325 and let it divide H914 the waters H4325 from the waters. H4325 And God H430 made H6213 the firmament, H7549 and divided H914 the waters H4325 which H834 were under H8478 the firmament H7549 from the waters H4325 which H834 were above H5921 the firmament: H7549 and it was so. H3651 And God H430 called H7121 the firmament H7549 Heaven. H8064 And the evening H6153 and the morning H1242 were the second H8145 day. H3117 And God H430 said, H559 Let the waters H4325 under the heaven H8064 be gathered together H6960 unto H413 one H259 place, H4725 and let the dry H3004 land appear: H7200 and it was so. And God H430 called H7121 the dry H3004 land Earth; H776 and the gathering together H4723 of the waters H4325 called H7121 he Seas: H3220 and God H430 saw H7200 that it was good. H2896 And God H430 said, H559 Let the earth H776 bring forth H1876 grass, H1877 the herb H6212 yielding H2232 seed, H2233 and the fruit H6529 tree H6086 yielding H6213 fruit H6529 after his kind, H4327 whose H834 seed H2233 is in itself, upon the earth: H776 and it was so. And the earth H776 brought forth H3318 grass, H1877 and herb H6212 yielding H2232 seed H2233 after his kind, H4327 and the tree H6086 yielding H6213 fruit, H6529 whose seed H2233 was in itself, after his kind: H4327 and God H430 saw H7200 that it was good. H2896 And the evening H6153 and the morning H1242 were the third H7992 day. H3117 And God H430 said, H559 Let there be lights H3974 in the firmament H7549 of the heaven H8064 to divide H914 the day H3117 from the night; H3915 and let them be for signs, H226 and for seasons, H4150 and for days, H3117 and years: H8141 And let them be for lights H3974 in the firmament H7549 of the heaven H8064 to give light H215 upon the earth: H776 and it was so. And God H430 made H6213 two H8147 great H1419 lights; H3974 the greater H1419 light H3974 to rule H4475 the day, H3117 and the lesser H6996 light H3974 to rule H4475 the night: H3915 he made the stars H3556 also. And God H430 set H5414 them in the firmament H7549 of the heaven H8064 to give light H215 upon the earth, H776 And to rule H4910 over the day H3117 and over the night, H3915 and to divide H914 the light H216 from the darkness: H2822 and God H430 saw H7200 that it was good. H2896 And the evening H6153 and the morning H1242 were the fourth H7243 day. H3117 And God H430 said, H559 Let the waters H4325 bring forth abundantly H8317 the moving creature H8318 that hath H5315 life, H2416 and fowl H5775 that may fly H5774 above H5921 the earth H776 in the open H6440 firmament H7549 of heaven. H8064 And God H430 created H1254 great H1419 whales, H8577 and every living H2416 creature H5315 that moveth, H7430 which the waters H4325 brought forth abundantly, H8317 after their kind, H4327 and every winged H3671 fowl H5775 after his kind: H4327 and God H430 saw H7200 that it was good. H2896 And God H430 blessed H1288 them, saying, H559 Be fruitful, H6509 and multiply, H7235 and fill H4390 the waters H4325 in the seas, H3220 and let fowl H5775 multiply H7235 in the earth. H776 And the evening H6153 and the morning H1242 were the fifth H2549 day. H3117 And God H430 said, H559 Let the earth H776 bring forth H3318 the living H2416 creature H5315 after his kind, H4327 cattle, H929 and creeping thing, H7431 and beast H2416 of the earth H776 after his kind: H4327 and it was so. And God H430 made H6213 the beast H2416 of the earth H776 after his kind, H4327 and cattle H929 after their kind, H4327 and every thing that creepeth H7431 upon the earth H127 after his kind: H4327 and God H430 saw H7200 that it was good. H2896 And God H430 said, H559 Let us make H6213 man H120 in our image, H6754 after our likeness: H1823 and let them have dominion H7287 over the fish H1710 of the sea, H3220 and over the fowl H5775 of the air, H8064 and over the cattle, H929 and over all the earth, H776 and over every creeping thing H7431 that creepeth H7430 upon the earth. H776 So God H430 created H1254 man H120 in his own image, H6754 in the image H6754 of God H430 created H1254 he him; male H2145 and female H5347 created H1254 he them. And God H430 blessed H1288 them, and God H430 said H559 unto them, Be fruitful, H6509 and multiply, H7235 and replenish H4390 the earth, H776 and subdue it: H3533 and have dominion H7287 over the fish H1710 of the sea, H3220 and over the fowl H5775 of the air, H8064 and over every living thing H2416 that moveth H7430 upon the earth. H776 And God H430 said, H559 Behold, H2009 I have given H5414 you every herb H6212 bearing H2232 seed, H2233 which is upon the face H6440 of all the earth, H776 and every tree, H6086 in the which is the fruit H6529 of a tree H6086 yielding H2232 seed; H2233 to you it shall be H1961 for meat. H402 And to every beast H2416 of the earth, H776 and to every fowl H5775 of the air, H8064 and to every thing that creepeth H7430 upon the earth, H776 wherein there is life, H2416 H5315 I have given every green H3418 herb H6212 for meat: H402 and it was so. And God H430 saw H7200 every thing that H834 he had made, H6213 and, behold, it was very H3966 good. H2896 And the evening H6153 and the morning H1242 were the sixth H8345 day. H3117
And G2532 to make G5461 all G3956 men see G5461 what G5101 is the fellowship G2842 of the mystery, G3466 which G3588 from G575 the beginning of the world G165 hath been hid G613 in G1722 God, G2316 who G3588 created G2936 all things G3956 by G1223 Jesus G2424 Christ: G5547 To the intent that G2443 now G3568 unto the principalities G746 and G2532 powers G1849 in G1722 heavenly G2032 places might be known G1107 by G1223 the church G1577 the manifold G4182 wisdom G4678 of God, G2316 According to G2596 the eternal G165 purpose G4286 which G3739 he purposed G4160 in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 our G2257 Lord: G2962
Heaven G3772 is my G3427 throne, G2362 and G1161 earth G1093 is my G3450 footstool: G4228 G5286 what G4169 house G3624 will ye build G3618 me? G3427 saith G3004 the Lord: G2962 or G2228 what G5101 is the place G5117 of my G3450 rest? G2663 Hath G4160 not G3780 my G3450 hand G5495 made G4160 all G3956 these things? G5023
In G1722 the beginning G746 was G2258 the Word, G3056 and G2532 the Word G3056 was G2258 with G4314 God, G2316 and G2532 the Word G3056 was G2258 God. G2316 The same G3778 was G2258 in G1722 the beginning G746 with G4314 God. G2316 All things G3956 were made G1096 by G1223 him; G846 and G2532 without G5565 him G846 was G1096 not G3761 any thing G1520 made G1096 that G3739 was made. G1096
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Jeremiah 32
Commentary on Jeremiah 32 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 32
Jer 32:1-14. Jeremiah, Imprisoned for His Prophecy against Jerusalem, Buys a Patrimonial Property (His Relative Hanameel's), IN Order to Certify to the Jews Their Future Return from Babylon.
1. tenth year—The siege of Jerusalem had already begun, in the tenth month of the ninth year of Zedekiah (Jer 39:1; 2Ki 25:1).
2. in … court of … prison—that is, in the open space occupied by the guard, from which he was not allowed to depart, but where any of his friends might visit him (Jer 32:12; Jer 38:13, 28). Marvellous obstinacy, that at the time when they were experiencing the truth of Jeremiah's words in the pressure of the siege, they should still keep the prophet in confinement [Calvin]. The circumstances narrated (Jer 32:3-5) occurred at the beginning of the siege, when Jeremiah foretold the capture of the city (Jer 32:1; Jer 34:1-7; 39:1). He was at that time put into free custody in the court of the prison. At the raising of the siege by Pharaoh-hophra, Jeremiah was on the point of repairing to Benjamin, when he was cast into "the dungeon," but obtained leave to be removed again to the court of the prison (Jer 37:12-21). When there he urged the Jews, on the second advance of the Chaldeans to the siege, to save themselves by submission to Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 38:2, 3); in consequence of this the king, at the instigation of the princes, had him cast into a miry dungeon (Jer 38:4-6); again he was removed to the prison court at the intercession of a courtier (Jer 32:7-13), where he remained till the capture of the city (Jer 32:28), when he was liberated (Jer 39:11, &c.; Jer 40:1, &c.).
4. his eyes shall behold his eyes—that is, only before reaching Babylon, which he was not to see. Jer 39:6, 7 harmonizes this prophecy (Jer 32:4) with the seemingly opposite prophecy, Eze 12:13, "He shall not see."
5. visit him—in a good sense (Jer 27:22); referring to the honor paid Zedekiah at his death and burial (Jer 34:4, 5). Perhaps, too, before his death he was treated by Nebuchadnezzar with some favor.
though ye fight … shall not prosper—(Jer 21:4).
6. Jeremiah said—resuming the thread of Jer 32:1, which was interrupted by the parenthesis (Jer 32:2-5).
7. son of Shallum thine uncle—therefore, Jeremiah's first cousin.
field … in Anathoth—a sacerdotal city: and so having one thousand cubits of suburban fields outside the wall attached to it (Nu 35:4, 5). The prohibition to sell these suburban fields (Le 25:34) applied merely to their alienating them from Levites to another tribe; so that this chapter does not contravene that prohibition. Besides, what is here meant is only the purchase of the use of the field till the year of jubilee. On the failure of the owner, the next of kin had the right of redeeming it (Le 25:25, &c.; Ru 4:3-6).
8. Then I knew—Not that Jeremiah previously doubted the reality of the divine communication, but, the effect following it, and the prophet's experimentally knowing it, confirmed his faith and was the seal to the vision. The Roman historian, Florus (2.6), records a similar instance: During the days that Rome was being besieged by Hannibal, the very ground on which he was encamped was put up for sale at Rome, and found a purchaser; implying the calm confidence of the ultimate issue entertained by the Roman people.
9. seventeen shekels of silver—As the shekel was only 2s. 4d.., the whole would be under £2, a rather small sum, even taking into account the fact of the Chaldean occupation of the land, and the uncertainty of the time when it might come to Jeremiah or his heirs. Perhaps the "seven shekels," which in the Hebrew (see Margin) are distinguished from the "ten pieces of silver," were shekels of gold [Maurer].
10. subscribed—I wrote in the deed, "book of purchase" (Jer 32:12).
weighed—coined money was not in early use; hence money was "weighed" (Ge 23:16).
11. evidence … sealed … open—Two deeds were drawn up in a contract of sale; the one, the original copy, witnessed and sealed with the public seal; the other not so, but open, and therefore less authoritative, being but a copy. Gataker thinks that the purchaser sealed the one with his own seal; the other he showed to witnesses that they might write their names on the back of it and know the contents; and that some details, for example, the conditions and time of redemption were in the sealed copy, which the parties might not choose to be known to the witnesses, and which were therefore not in the open copy. The sealed copy, when opened after the seventy years' captivity, would greatly confirm the faith of those living at that time. The "law and custom" refer, probably, not merely to the sealing up of the conditions and details of purchase, but also to the law of redemption, according to which, at the return to Judea, the deed would show that Jeremiah had bought the field by his right as next of kin (Le 25:13-16), [Ludovicus De Dieu].
12. Baruch—Jeremiah's amanuensis and agent (Jer 36:4, &c.).
before all—In sales everything clandestine was avoided; publicity was required. So here, in the court of prison, where Jeremiah was confined, there were soldiers and others, who had free access to him, present (Jer 38:1).
14. in an earthen vessel—that the documents might not be injured by the moisture of the surrounding earth; at the same time, being buried, they could not be stolen, but would remain as a pledge of the Jews' deliverance until God's time should come.
15. (Compare Jer 32:24, 25, 37, 43, 44).
16. Jeremiah, not comprehending how God's threat of destroying Judah could be reconciled with God's commanding him to purchase land in it as if in a free country, has recourse to his grand remedy against perplexities, prayer.
17. hast made … heaven—Jeremiah extols God's creative power, as a ground of humility on his part as man: It is not my part to call Thee, the mighty God, to account for Thy ways (compare Jer 12:1).
too hard—In Jer 32:27 God's reply exactly accords with Jeremiah's prayer (Ge 18:14; Zec 8:6; Lu 1:37).
18. (Ex 34:7; Isa 65:6). This is taken from the decalogue (Ex 20:5, 6). This is a second consideration to check hasty judgments as to God's ways: Thou art the gracious and righteous Judge of the world.
19. counsel … work—devising … executing (Isa 28:29).
eyes … open upon all—(Job 34:21; Pr 5:21).
to give … according to … ways—(Jer 17:10).
20. even unto this day—Thou hast given "signs" of Thy power from the day when Thou didst deliver Israel out of Egypt by mighty miracles, down to the present time [Maurer]. Calvin explains it, "memorable even unto this day."
among other men—not in Israel only, but among foreign peoples also. Compare for "other" understood, Ps 73:5.
made thee a name—(Ex 9:16; 1Ch 17:21; Isa 63:12).
as at this day—a name of power, such as Thou hast at this day.
21. (Ps 136:11, 12).
22. given … didst swear—God gave it by a gratuitous covenant, not for their deserts.
a land flowing with milk and honey—(See on Nu 14:8).
23. all … thou commandedst … all this evil—Their punishment was thus exactly commensurate with their sin. It was not fortuitous.
24. mounts—mounds of earth raised as breastworks by the besieging army, behind which they employed their engines, and which they gradually pushed forward to the walls of the city.
behold, thou seest it—connected with Jer 32:25. Thou seest all this with Thine own eyes, and yet (what seems inconsistent with it) Thou commandest me to buy a field.
25. for the city, &c.—rather, "though," &c.
27. Jehovah retorts Jeremiah's own words: I am indeed, as thou sayest (Jer 32:17), the God and Creator of "all flesh," and "nothing is too hard for Me"; thine own words ought to have taught thee that, though Judea and Jerusalem are given up to the Chaldeans now for the sins of the Jews, yet it will not be hard to Me, when I please, to restore the state so that houses and lands therein shall be possessed in safety (Jer 32:36-44).
29. burn … houses upon whose roofs … incense unto Baal—retribution in kind. They burnt incense to Baal, on the houses, so the houses shall be burnt (Jer 19:13). The god of fire was the object of their worship; so fire shall be the instrument of their punishment.
to provoke me—indicating the design, not merely the event. They seemed to court God's "anger," and purposely to "provoke" Him.
30. have … done—literally, "have been doing"; implying continuous action.
only … evil … only provoked me—They have been doing nothing else but evil; their sole aim seems to have been to provoke Me.
their youth—the time when they were in the wilderness, having just before come into national existence.
31. provocation of mine anger—literally, "for mine anger." Calvin, therefore, connects these words with those at the end of the verse, "this city has been to me an object for mine anger (namely, by reason of the provocations mentioned, Jer 32:30, &c.), that I should remove it," &c. Thus, there will not be the repetition of the sentiment, Jer 32:30, as in English Version; the Hebrew also favors this rendering. However, Jeremiah delights in repetitions. In English Version the words, "that I should remove it," &c., stand independently, as the result of what precedes. The time is ripe for taking vengeance on them (2Ki 23:27).
from the day that they built it—Solomon completed the building of the city; and it was he who, first of the Jewish kings, turned to idolatry. It was originally built by the idolatrous Canaanites.
32. priests … prophets—(Ne 9:32, 34). Hence, learn, though ministers of God apostatize, we must remain faithful.
33. (Jer 2:27; 7:13).
34. (Jer 7:30, 31; Eze 8:5-17).
35. cause … pass through … fire—By way of purification, they passed through with bare feet (Le 18:21).
Molech—meaning "king"; the same as Milcom (1Ki 11:33).
I commanded … not—This cuts off from the superstitious the plea of a good intention. All "will-worship" exposes to God's wrath (Col 2:18, 23).
36. And now therefore—rather, "But now, nevertheless." Notwithstanding that their guilt deserves lasting vengeance, God, for the elect's sake and for His covenant's sake, will, contrary to all that might have been expected, restore them.
ye say, It shall be delivered into … king of Babylon—The reprobate pass from the extreme of self-confidence to that of despair of God's fulfilling His promise of restoring them.
37. (See on Jer 16:15). The "all" countries implies a future restoration of Israel more universal than that from Babylon.
38. (Jer 30:22; 24:7).
39. one heart—all seeking the Lord with one accord, in contrast to their state when only scattered individuals sought Him (Eze 11:19, 20; Zep 3:9).
for … good of them—(Ps 34:12-15).
40. (Jer 31:31, 33; Isa 55:3).
not depart from me—never yet fully realized as to the Israelites.
I will not turn away from them … good—(Isa 30:21). Jehovah compares Himself to a sedulous preceptor following his pupils everywhere to direct their words, gestures.
put my fear in … hearts … not depart from me—Both the conversion and perseverance of the saints are the work of God alone, by the operation of the Holy Spirit.
41. rejoice over them—(De 30:9; Isa 62:5; 65:19; Zep 3:17).
plant … assuredly—rather, "in stability," that is, permanently, for ever (Jer 24:6; Am 9:15).
42. (Jer 31:28). The restoration from Babylon was only a slight foretaste of the grace to be expected by Israel at last through Christ.
43. (Jer 32:15).
whereof ye say, It is desolate—(Jer 33:10).
44. Referring to the forms of contract (Jer 32:10-12):
Benjamin—specified as Anathoth; Jeremiah's place of residence where the field lay (Jer 32:8), was in it.