Jeremiah 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).