King James Version
Jeremiah 43
13 verses with commentary
Jeremiah Taken to Egypt
And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, even all these words,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>When Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD their God</strong>—The emphatic repetition of <strong>all</strong> (Hebrew <em>kol</em>, כֹּל) appears three times in this verse, stressing completeness: Jeremiah spoke <strong>all</strong> the words to <strong>all</strong> the people, even <strong>all these words</strong>. This underscores both the pro...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. portion--**from a Hebrew root, "to divide." God is the all-sufficient Good of His people (Nu 18:20; Psa 16:5; 73:26; La 3:24).
**not like them--**not like the idols, a vain object of trust (De 32:31).
**former of all things--**the Fashioner (as a potter, Is 64:8) of the universe.
**rod of his inheritance--**The portion marked off as His inheritance by the measuring rod (Eze 48:21). As ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 43
God's unchangeable love for his people. (Is. 43:1-7) Apostates and idolaters addressed. (Is. 43:8-13) The deliverance from Babylon, and the conversion of the Gentiles. (Is. 43:14-21) Admonition to repent of sin. (Is. 43:22-28)
**Verses 1-7** God's favour and good-will to his people speak abundant comfort to all believers. The new creature, wherever it is, is of God's forming. All ...
Read full commentary →Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:
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KJV Study Commentary
Azariah and Johanan refuse God's clear word, accusing Jeremiah of speaking falsely under Baruch's influence. This illustrates the heart's ability to reject truth by impugning the messenger. They asked for God's word (42:2-3), pledged to obey (42:6), but reject it when it contradicts their desires. Unbelief always finds excuses to dismiss God's word.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
XLIII.
(2) **Azariah the son of Hoshaiah.**—The LXX., it will be remembered, gives this name in Jeremiah 42:1, where the Hebrew has Jezaniah. Possibly, however, as suggested above, the two names represent brothers who were both prominent as leaders of the people. Here, we may note, he takes precedence of Johanan, probably as the chief spokesman of the prevailing discontent. The special mention of ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. wares--**thine effects or movable goods (Eze 12:3). Prepare for migrating as captives to Babylon. The address is to Jerusalem, as representative of the whole people.
**inhabitant of the fortress--**rather, "inhabitress of the fortress." Though thou now seemest to inhabit an impregnable fortress, thou shalt have to remove. "The land" is the champaign region opposed to the "fortified" cities...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 43
God's unchangeable love for his people. (Is. 43:1-7) Apostates and idolaters addressed. (Is. 43:8-13) The deliverance from Babylon, and the conversion of the Gentiles. (Is. 43:14-21) Admonition to repent of sin. (Is. 43:22-28)
**Verses 1-7** God's favour and good-will to his people speak abundant comfort to all believers. The new creature, wherever it is, is of God's forming. All ...
Read full commentary →But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us</strong>—Facing unwelcome prophetic word, the leaders resort to conspiracy theory, accusing Baruch of manipulating Jeremiah. <strong>Setteth thee on</strong> (<em>mesit</em>, מֵסִית) means to incite, instigate, or seduce—the same verb used for leading into idolatry (Deuteronomy 13:6). This accusation is doubly ironic: they claim Baruc...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us.**—This was the solution which presented itself to the suspicions of the murmurers. The prophet’s amanuensis had become his leader, and was making use of him as a tool for the furtherance of his own designs, and those designs were to court the favour of the conqueror by delivering the remnant of the people into his hands. The warning of Jer...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18. sling out--**expressing the violence and suddenness of the removal to Babylon. A similar image occurs in Jr 16:13; 1Sa 25:29; Is 22:17, 18.
**at this once--**at this time, now.
**find it so--**find it by experience, that is, feel it (Eze 6:10). Michaelis translates, "I will bind them together (as in a sling) that they may reach the goal" (Babylon). English Version is best: "that they may...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 43
God's unchangeable love for his people. (Is. 43:1-7) Apostates and idolaters addressed. (Is. 43:8-13) The deliverance from Babylon, and the conversion of the Gentiles. (Is. 43:14-21) Admonition to repent of sin. (Is. 43:22-28)
**Verses 1-7** God's favour and good-will to his people speak abundant comfort to all believers. The new creature, wherever it is, is of God's forming. All ...
Read full commentary →So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Judah.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD</strong>—The verse's structure emphasizes comprehensive rebellion. Johanan, who had initially seemed faithful (warning Gedaliah of Ishmael's plot, 40:13-16; rescuing captives, 41:11-16), now leads mass apostasy. <strong>All the captains</strong> and <strong>all the people<...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
19. Judea bewails its calamity.
**wound--**the stroke I suffer under.
**I must bear--**not humble submission to God's will (Mi 7:9), but sullen impenitence. Or, rather, it is prophetical of their ultimate acknowledgment of their guilt as the cause of their calamity (La 3:39).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 43
God's unchangeable love for his people. (Is. 43:1-7) Apostates and idolaters addressed. (Is. 43:8-13) The deliverance from Babylon, and the conversion of the Gentiles. (Is. 43:14-21) Admonition to repent of sin. (Is. 43:22-28)
**Verses 1-7** God's favour and good-will to his people speak abundant comfort to all believers. The new creature, wherever it is, is of God's forming. All ...
Read full commentary →But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah</strong>—The verb <strong>took</strong> (<em>laqah</em>, לָקַח) can mean to seize, capture, or carry away, often implying force. While some may have willingly fled to Egypt, the language suggests coercion—the leaders compelled the entire community, including those who might have preferred obedi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**20. tabernacle is spoiled--**metaphor from the tents of nomadic life; as these are taken down in a few moments, so as not to leave a vestige of them, so Judea (Jr 4:20).
**cords--**with which the coverings of the tent are extended.
**curtains--**tent-curtains.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 43
God's unchangeable love for his people. (Is. 43:1-7) Apostates and idolaters addressed. (Is. 43:8-13) The deliverance from Babylon, and the conversion of the Gentiles. (Is. 43:14-21) Admonition to repent of sin. (Is. 43:22-28)
**Verses 1-7** God's favour and good-will to his people speak abundant comfort to all believers. The new creature, wherever it is, is of God's forming. All ...
Read full commentary →Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters</strong>—The comprehensive list emphasizes that the entire community fled: <strong>men</strong> (Hebrew <em>gevarim</em>, גְּבָרִים, strong men/warriors), <strong>women</strong> (<em>nashim</em>, נָשִׁים), <strong>children</strong> (<em>taph</em>, טַף, little ones/infants), and even <strong>the king's daughters</strong> (<em>benot...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**21. pastors--**the rulers, civil and religious. This verse gives the cause of the impending calamity.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 43
God's unchangeable love for his people. (Is. 43:1-7) Apostates and idolaters addressed. (Is. 43:8-13) The deliverance from Babylon, and the conversion of the Gentiles. (Is. 43:14-21) Admonition to repent of sin. (Is. 43:22-28)
**Verses 1-7** God's favour and good-will to his people speak abundant comfort to all believers. The new creature, wherever it is, is of God's forming. All ...
Read full commentary →So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they even to Tahpanhes.
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KJV Study Commentary
Despite God's explicit command not to go to Egypt, 'they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD.' This simple statement captures the tragedy - clear disobedience to clear revelation. They chose perceived safety over covenant obedience. Their fear of man proved greater than their fear of God (Prov 29:25).
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Thus came they** **even to Tahpanhes.**—The town was obviously on the north-eastern frontier of Egypt. In Judith 1:9 it appears between the river of Egypt (the Rhinocolura, which divided Egypt from Palestine) and Ramesse (the Raamses of Exodus 1:11, or Rameses of Numbers 33:3; Numbers 33:5) and all the land of Gesen, or Goshen. In Ezekiel 30:16-18 it is named, in conjunction with No (= Thebe...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**22. bruit--**rumor of invasion. The antithesis is between the voice of God in His prophets to whom they turned a deaf ear, and the cry of the enemy, a new teacher, whom they must hear [Calvin].
**north country--**Babylon (Jr 1:15).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 43
God's unchangeable love for his people. (Is. 43:1-7) Apostates and idolaters addressed. (Is. 43:8-13) The deliverance from Babylon, and the conversion of the Gentiles. (Is. 43:14-21) Admonition to repent of sin. (Is. 43:22-28)
**Verses 1-7** God's favour and good-will to his people speak abundant comfort to all believers. The new creature, wherever it is, is of God's forming. All ...
Read full commentary →Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes</strong>—Even in Egypt, in the midst of a rebellious community that had forcibly taken him there, Jeremiah continued to receive divine revelation. The prophetic formula <strong>the word of the LORD came</strong> (<em>vayehi devar-YHWH</em>, וַיְהִי דְבַר־יְהוָה) indicates authentic prophetic reception, identical to the formula used ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
23. Despairing of influencing the people, he turns to God.
**way of man not in himself--**(Pr 16:1; 20:24; Jas 4:13, 14). I know, O Jehovah, that the march of the Babylonian conqueror against me (Jeremiah identifying himself with his people) is not at his own discretion, but is overruled by Thee (Is 10:5-7; compare Jr 10:19).
**that walketh--**when he walketh, that is, sets out in any undertak...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-13** Idolaters are called to appear in defence of their idols. Those who make them, and trust in them, are like unto them. They have the shape and faculties of men; but they have not common sense. But God's people know the power of his grace, the sweetness of his comforts, the kind care of his providence, and the truth of his promise. All servants of God can give such an account of what...
Read full commentary →Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln</strong>—God commands Jeremiah to perform a prophetic sign-act, a form of enacted prophecy common among the prophets (Isaiah 20:2-4; Jeremiah 13:1-11, 19:1-13; Ezekiel 4-5). <strong>Great stones</strong> (<em>avanim gedolot</em>, אֲבָנִים גְּדֹלֹת) were large rocks, probably foundation stones. <strong>Hide them</st...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln.**—Better, *in the mortar on the platform. *There seems something incongruous in the idea of a brickkiln, or a place for baking bricks, at the entrance of a royal palace; nor is it easy to see why Nebuchadrezzar should have chosen it as a place for his throne. It seems better, with Hitzig, Furst, and others, to take ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
24-25. Since I (my nation) must be corrected (justice requiring it because of the deep guilt of the nation), I do not deprecate all chastisement, but pray only for moderation in it (Jr 30:11; Psa 6:1; 38:1); and that the full tide of Thy fury may be poured out on the heathen invaders for their cruelty towards Thy people. Psa 79:6, 7, a psalm to be referred to the time of the captivity, its compose...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-13** Idolaters are called to appear in defence of their idols. Those who make them, and trust in them, are like unto them. They have the shape and faculties of men; but they have not common sense. But God's people know the power of his grace, the sweetness of his comforts, the kind care of his providence, and the truth of his promise. All servants of God can give such an account of what...
Read full commentary →And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.
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KJV Study Commentary
God declares He will bring Nebuchadnezzar to Egypt - the very place the remnant fled to escape him. This fulfills the warning that they would face in Egypt what they feared in Judah (42:16). God calls Nebuchadnezzar 'my servant,' showing even pagan rulers serve His purposes. You cannot flee from God's will; disobedience brings you to what you most feared.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **He shall spread his royal pavilion over them.**—Here, again, the meaning of the Hebrew word is doubtful. The English Version, as before, follows Luther in taking it for the awning or canopy which was stretched over the throne when the king sat in state as judge. Others (*e.g., *Hitzig) find in it the leather covering which was placed over the pavement on which the throne was set, upon which...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
24-25. Since I (my nation) must be corrected (justice requiring it because of the deep guilt of the nation), I do not deprecate all chastisement, but pray only for moderation in it (Jr 30:11; Psa 6:1; 38:1); and that the full tide of Thy fury may be poured out on the heathen invaders for their cruelty towards Thy people. Psa 79:6, 7, a psalm to be referred to the time of the captivity, its compose...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-13** Idolaters are called to appear in defence of their idols. Those who make them, and trust in them, are like unto them. They have the shape and faculties of men; but they have not common sense. But God's people know the power of his grace, the sweetness of his comforts, the kind care of his providence, and the truth of his promise. All servants of God can give such an account of what...
Read full commentary →And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for captivity to captivity; and such as are for the sword to the sword.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt</strong> (וּבָא וְהִכָּה אֶת־אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם)—'he' refers to Nebuchadnezzar (v. 10), whose Judean campaign would extend to Egypt. The verb <em>nakah</em> (נָכָה, smite) is warfare terminology, predicting Babylon's 568/7 BC Egyptian campaign (fulfilled per Babylonian chronicles and Egyptian records of Pharaoh Amasis's troubles). What the ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Such as are for death to death.**—Again we note the re-appearance of a characteristic formula (Jeremiah 11:2).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-13** Idolaters are called to appear in defence of their idols. Those who make them, and trust in them, are like unto them. They have the shape and faculties of men; but they have not common sense. But God's people know the power of his grace, the sweetness of his comforts, the kind care of his providence, and the truth of his promise. All servants of God can give such an account of what...
Read full commentary →And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt</strong> (וְהִצַּתִּי אֵשׁ בְּבָתֵּי אֱלֹהֵי מִצְרָיִם)—God takes credit for Babylon's action ('I will kindle'), asserting sovereignty over pagan empire's military campaigns. Egyptian temples, centers of political and economic power, will burn. <strong>He shall burn them, and carry them away captives</strong>—Nebuchadnezzar become...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **I will kindle a fire.**—The change of person is full of significance. Jehovah Himself kindles the fire which is to destroy the temples of the gods of Egypt, and the Chaldæan king is but His instrument.
**As a shepherd putteth on his garment.**—The words may point simply to the easiness of the conquest. To take possession of the whole country will be as quick and light a matter as when the s...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-13** Idolaters are called to appear in defence of their idols. Those who make them, and trust in them, are like unto them. They have the shape and faculties of men; but they have not common sense. But God's people know the power of his grace, the sweetness of his comforts, the kind care of his providence, and the truth of his promise. All servants of God can give such an account of what...
Read full commentary →He shall break also the images of Bethshemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire. images: Heb. statues, or, standing images Bethshemesh: or, The house of the sun
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He shall break also the images of Beth-shemesh, that is in the land of Egypt</strong> (וְשִׁבַּר אֶת־מַצְּבוֹת בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם)—<em>Beth-shemesh</em> (House of the Sun, בֵּית־שֶׁמֶשׁ) is Heliopolis (Greek, 'City of the Sun'), center of Ra worship, Egypt's chief solar deity. The <em>matzevot</em> (מַצְּבוֹת, pillars/obelisks) were massive stone monuments, including f...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **He shall break also the images of Bethshe-mesh.**—This name, which means “Home of the Sun” (so the Vulgate renders it here by *domus solis*)*, *was naturally not an uncommon one where sun-worship had prevailed, and we find it accordingly in Judah (Joshua 15:10; 1Samuel 6:9; 1Samuel 6:12), in Issachar (Joshua 19:22), and in Naphtali (Joshua 19:38; Judges 1:33). Here the context shows that it...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 11 Jr 11:1-23. Epitome of the Covenant Found in the Temple in Josiah's Reign. Judah's Revolt from It, and God's Consequent Wrath.
**2. this covenant--**alluding to the book of the law (De 31:26) found in the temple by Hilkiah the high priest, five years after Jeremiah's call to the prophetic office (2Ki 22:8-23:25).
**Hear ye--**Others besides Jeremiah were to promulgate God's will to t...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-13** Idolaters are called to appear in defence of their idols. Those who make them, and trust in them, are like unto them. They have the shape and faculties of men; but they have not common sense. But God's people know the power of his grace, the sweetness of his comforts, the kind care of his providence, and the truth of his promise. All servants of God can give such an account of what...
Read full commentary →