Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 18

Verse 1

Jeremiah's Twelfth Prophecy (see book comments for Jeremiah).

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 2

the potter's house. Note the lesson, set to Jeremiah there: that Jehovah never mends what man has marred. He always substitutes something new. The interpretation belongs to "THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL", and, that being "marred", the new "nation" is to be substituted. See Matthew 21:43 . Compare Romans 11:7 . Ezekiel 36:25-28 . The application belongs to:

(1) THE COVENANT (Deuteronomy 6:25 ), but it was marred (Jeremiah 31:32 ): for the New Covenant, see Hebrews 8:7-13 .

(2) ORDINANCES, marred (Isaiah 1:11-14 ); new (Hebrews 10:6-9 . Colossians 2:14 , Colossians 2:17 . Galatians 1:4 , Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:8-11 ).

(3) PRIESTHOOD (Hebrews 7:11-28 ).

(4) KING (2 Samuel 7:12-16 ). Compare Psalms 72:0 .Isaiah 9:6 ; Isaiah 11:1-9 ; Isaiah 32:1-8 . Luke 1:31-33 .

(5) MAN, marred (Genesis 3:0 , Romans 8:7 . Rom 17:9 . Psalms 14:2 ; 2 John 1:3; 2 John 1:32 John 1:3 :6 ); new (2 Corinthians 5:17 , 2 Corinthians 5:18 ).

(6) THE BODY, marred (Genesis 3:0 , Hebrews 9:27 ); the new ( 1Co 15:35 , 1 Corinthians 15:44 , 1 Corinthians 15:46 , 1 Corinthians 15:47 ).

(7) THE HEAVEN AND EARTH, marred (Genesis 3:0 , 2 Peter 3:7 ); the new (2 Peter 3:13 ). Psalms 85:10 , Psalms 85:13 .Isaiah 65:17 , &c.

(8) THE CHURCH, marred (2 Timothy 1:15 (compare Acts 19:10 ; Acts 20:29 ); Jeremiah 2:18 ; Jeremiah 3:8 ; Jeremiah 4:3 , Jeremiah 4:4 ); new (Ephesians 2:20-22 ; Ephesians 4:4 ).

wrought = was working.

Verse 6

Jeremiah's Thirteenth Prophecy (see book comments for Jeremiah).

house of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 2:4 .

saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah's oracle,

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.

Verse 7

to pluck up = to declare that it should be plucked up. Hebrew idiom. Compare Jeremiah 1:10 .

pull down. Some codices, with two early printed editions and Syriac, read "tear away". Compare Jeremiah 1:10 .

Verse 8

evil = calamity. Hebrew. ra'a', App-44 .

I will repent. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Verse 9

to build, &c. = to declare that it should be built and planted.

Verse 11

men . Hebrew ish.

I frame = I work (as the potter in Jeremiah 18:3 )

Verse 12

imagination = stubbornness.

Verse 13

heathen = nations.

Verse 14

Will a man leave . . . ? Note the Figure of speech Erotesis and the Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6) , and render:

"Will [a man] leave the snow [water] of Lebanon for the rock of the field?

Or, shall the cold flowing waters [be forsaken] for strange waters?

snow: i.e. snow [water], used for mixing with wine; or for washing, as in Job 9:30 .

which cometh. Omit, and supply the word "leave" in the second clause from the first clause.

Verse 15

forgotten. Showing that the emphasis is on the leaving and forsaking of Jeremiah 18:14 .

vanity. Used of idols. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject).

Verse 16

hissing. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), for the contempt felt.

Verse 17

as. Some codices, with five early printed editions, read "with", instead of "as".

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

in the day. See App-18 .

Verse 18

the law, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 10:11 ). App-92 .

with the tongue = with hard words. "Tongue" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the hard words spoken by it.

Verse 20

Shall . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. my soul = me (emphatic). Hebrew. nephesh. App-18 .

Verse 21

children = sons.

Verse 22

troop = marauders.

Verse 23

their counsel. See App-85 .

forgive not. See App-86 .

iniquity. Hebrew. 'avon. App-44 .

sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .