--- title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible" author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown" languages: [en] shelf: "Commentaries" section: 392 of 927 url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/392/ cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 392. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/392/" --- # Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible *Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown* The Victorian standard commentary, critical and practical, from Genesis to Revelation. ## 392. Jeremiah · 16 of 56 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/392/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/392/#p-N [¶0] 11. cry unto me--contrasted with "cry unto the gods," ([Jr 11:12]). [¶1] not hearken--([Psa 18:41]; [Pr 1:28]; [Is 1:15]; [Mi 3:4]). [¶2] 12. cry unto the gods ... not save--([De 32:37], ). Compare this verse and beginning of [Jr 11:13]; [Jr 2:28]. [¶3] in the time of their trouble--that is, calamity ([Jr 2:27]). [¶4] 13. shameful thing--Hebrew, "shame," namely, the idol, not merely shameful, but the essence of all that is shameful ([Jr 3:24]; [Ho 9:10]), which will bring shame and confusion on yourselves [Calvin]. [¶5] 14. There is a climax of guilt which admits of no further intercessory prayer ([Ex 32:10], in the Chaldee version, "leave off praying"; [Jr 7:16]; [1Sa 16:1]; ; [1Jo 5:16]). Our mind should be at one with God in all that He is doing, even in the rejection of the reprobate. [¶6] for their trouble--on account of their trouble. Other manuscripts read, "in the time of their trouble;" a gloss from [Jr 11:12]. [¶7] 15. my beloved--My elect people, Judea; this aggravates their ingratitude ([Jr 12:7]). [¶8] lewdness with many--([Eze 16:25]). Rather, "that great (or, manifold) enormity"; literally, "the enormity, the manifold"; namely, their idolatry, which made their worship of God in the temple a mockery (compare [Jr 7:10]; [Eze 23:39]) [Henderson]. [¶9] holy flesh--([Hag 2:12-14]; [Tit 1:15]), namely, the sacrifices, which, through the guilt of the Jews, were no longer holy, that is, acceptable to God. The sacrifices on which they relied will, therefore, no longer protect them. Judah is represented as a priest's wife, who, by adultery, has forfeited her share in the flesh of the sacrifices, and yet boasts of her prerogative at the very same time [Horsley]. [¶10] when thou doest evil--literally, "when thy evil" (is at hand). Piscator translates, "When thy calamity is at hand (according to God's threats), thou gloriest" (against God, instead of humbling thyself). English Version is best (compare [Pr 2:14]). [¶11] 16. called thy name--made thee. [¶12] olive--([Psa 52:8]; [Ro 11:17]). The "olive" is chosen to represent the adoption of Judah by the free grace of God, as its oil is the image of richness (compare [Psa 23:5]; ). [¶13] with ... noise of ... tumult--or, "at the noise," &c., namely, at the tumult of the invading army ([Is 13:4]) [Maurer]. Or, rather, "with the sound of a mighty voice," namely, that of God, that is, the thunder; thus there is no confusion of metaphors. The tree stricken with lightning has "fire kindled upon it, and the branches are broken," at one and the same time [Houbigant]. [¶14] 17. that planted thee--([Jr 2:21]; [Is 5:2]). [¶15] against themselves--The sinner's sin is to his own hurt (see on [Jr 7:19]). [¶16] 18-19. Jeremiah here digresses to notice the attempt on his life plotted by his townsmen of Anathoth. He had no suspicion of it, until Jehovah revealed it to him ([Jr 12:6]). [¶17] the Lord ... thou--The change of person from the third to the second accords with the excited feelings of the prophet. [¶18] then--when I was in peril of my life. [¶19] their doings--those of the men of Anathoth. His thus alluding to them, before he has mentioned their name, is due to his excitement. [¶20] 20. triest ... heart--([Re 2:23]). [¶21] revealed--committed my cause. Jeremiah's wish for vengeance was not personal but ministerial, and accorded with God's purpose revealed to him against the enemies alike of God and of His servant ([Psa 37:34]; ; ; ). [¶22] 21. Prophesy not--([Is 30:10]; [Am 2:12]; [Mi 2:6]). If Jeremiah had not uttered his denunciatory predictions, they would not have plotted against him. None were more bitter than his own fellow townsmen. Compare the conduct of the Nazarites towards Jesus of Nazareth ([Lu 4:24-29]). [¶23] 22. The retribution of their intended murder shall be in kind; just as in Messiah's case ([Psa 69:8-28]). [¶24] 23. ([Jr 23:12]). [¶25] the year of ... visitation--The Septuagint translates, "in the year of their," &c., that is, at the time when I shall visit them in wrath. Jerome supports English Version. "Year" often means a determined time. ### Chapter 12 ### Jr 12:1-17. Continuation of the Subject at the Close of the Eleventh Chapter [¶28] He ventures to expostulate with Jehovah as to the prosperity of the wicked, who had plotted against his life ([Jr 12:1-4]); in reply he is told that he will have worse to endure, and that from his own relatives ([Jr 12:5], ). The heaviest judgments, however, would be inflicted on the faithless people ([Jr 12:7-13]); and then on the nations co-operating with the Chaldeans against Judah, with, however, a promise of mercy on repentance ([Jr 12:14-17]). [¶29] 1. ([Psa 51:4]). [¶30] let me talk, &c.--only let me reason the case with Thee: inquire of Thee the causes why such wicked men as these plotters against my life prosper (compare [Job 12:6]; ; [Psa 37:1], ; ; Mal 3:15). It is right, when hard thoughts of God's providence suggest themselves, to fortify our minds by justifying God beforehand (as did Jeremiah), even before we hear the reasons of His dealings. [¶31] 2. grow--literally, "go on," "progress." Thou givest them sure dwellings and increasing prosperity. [¶32] near in ... mouth ... far from ... reins--([Is 29:13]; [Mt 15:8]). Hypocrites. [¶33] 3. knowest me--([Psa 139:1]). [¶34] tried ... heart--([Jr 11:20]). [¶35] toward thee--rather, "with Thee," that is, entirely devoted to Thee; contrasted with the hypocrites ([Jr 12:2]), "near in ... mouth, and far from ... reins." This being so, how is it that I fare so ill, they so well? [¶36] pull ... out--containing the metaphor, from a "rooted tree" ([Jr 12:2]). [¶37] prepare--literally, "separate," or "set apart as devoted." [¶38] day of slaughter--([Jas 5:5]). [¶39] 4. land mourn--personification ([Jr 14:2]; ). [¶40] for the wickedness--([Psa 107:34]). [¶41] beasts--([Ho 4:3]). [¶42] He shall not see our last end--Jehovah knows not what is about to happen to us ([Jr 5:12]) [Rosenmuller]. So the Septuagint. ([Psa 10:11]; [Eze 8:12]; ). Rather, "The prophet (Jeremiah, to whom the whole context refers) shall not see our last end." We need not trouble ourselves about his boding predictions. We shall not be destroyed as he says ([Jr 5:12], ). [¶43] 5. Jehovah's reply to Jeremiah's complaint. [¶44] horses--that is, horsemen: the argument a fortiori. A proverbial phrase. The injuries done thee by the men of Anathoth ("the footmen") are small compared with those which the men of Jerusalem ("the horsemen") are about to inflict on thee. If the former weary thee out, how wilt thou contend with the king, the court, and the priests at Jerusalem?