Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 26

Verse 1

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

In the beginning: i.e. before the siege, in the third year of Jehoiakim. See note on Jeremiah 27:1 .

The first edition of the Prophets (Naples, 1485-6), the first edition of the entire Hebrew Bible (Soncino 1488), and the second edition (Naples, 1491-3), introduce the word hazi = half, here, to indicate that the second half of Jeremiah commences here.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 2

in the court. This was Jeremiah's most public utterance. Compare Jeremiah 7:2 .

cities. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), for their inhabitants.

diminish not a word. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 4:2 ; Deuteronomy 12:32 ). App-92 . The importance of this is seen from the note on Jeremiah 26:18 .

Verse 3

every man. Hebrew. 'ish.

evil. Hebrew. ra'a'.

repent Me. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 4

If ye will not hearken. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:14 .Deuteronomy 28:15; Deuteronomy 28:15 ). App-92 .

My law. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 20:0 ).

Verse 5

both = even. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, omit this "even".

rising up early, &c. See note on Jeremiah 7:13 .

Verse 6

Shiloh. See note on Jeremiah 7:12 .

a curse. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for the subject of cursing. Compare Jeremiah 29:22 .

Verse 8

unto. One school of Massorites ( App-30 ) reads "concerning".

Thou shalt surely die. This was in accordance with Deuteronomy 18:20 , as they would not believe that Jehovah could send such a message. A reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 2:17 ). App-92 . Jeremiah's danger was very real. Compare Jeremiah 26:20-24 .

Verse 9

all. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), for most of the People.

Verse 10

new gate. The Targum takes this to be the east gate.

house. Some codices, with Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate, read this word "house" in the text.

Verse 11

This man is worthy to die = Death's judgment is for this man: "judgment" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Cause), for the effect of it: viz. the sentence of death (idiomatically rendered in Authorized Version.) Compare John 3:19 , where krisis is put for the act or process of judging. See App-85 .

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

as = according as.

Verse 13

obey = listen to.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 15

innocent blood. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 19:10 , Deuteronomy 19:13 ). App-92 . Compare Matthew 27:4 , Matthew 27:25 .Luke 23:13-15 . See App-85 .

Verse 16

Then said the princes, &c. In favour of Jeremiah. Note the Structure, p. 1053.

This man, &c. See App-85 .

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 17

certain = men. Plural of 'enosh. App-14 . Some better acquainted with affairs than others.

Verse 18

Micah. The prophet whose book is called after his name. Contemporary with Hosea and Amos in Israel, and with Isaiah in Judah. See App-77 .

the LORD of hosts. See note on Jeremiah 6:6 . 1 Samuel 1:3 .

Zion shall be plowed, &c. See note on Micah 3:12 . A prophecy which was wholly fulfilled as to the Jewish Zion (south of Moriah), but not as to the traditional Zion, south-west of Jerusalem. See App-68 .

Verse 19

the LORD. Hebrew 'eth Jehovah = Jehovah Himself.

besought the LORD = appeased the face of Jehovah. Figures of speech Pleonasm and Anthropopatheia.

repented Him. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 . Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:14 ). App-92 .

souls. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 20

And = But. Said in reply to the friends of Jeremiah by his adversaries. See the Structure above.

Urijah. This incident is not recorded in the historical books, but it illustrates Jeremiah 26:5 .

Kirjath-jearim. Now 'Khan 'Erma, or Kuriet el 'Enab, four miles west of the hill overlooking Beth-shemesh, and about twelve miles from Jerusalem.

Verse 21

the king sought, &c. One of eleven rulers offended with God's messengers. See note on Exodus 10:28 .

Verse 22

Elnathan. See Jeremiah 26:22 ; Jeremiah 36:12 , Jeremiah 36:25 .

Verse 23

slew him with the sword. Compare Hebrews 11:37 .

common People. Hebrew sons of the people.

Verse 24

Ahikam. The father of Gedaliah, who, when appointed governor by Nebuchadnezzar, stood as the friend of Jeremiah. For a son of Ahikam also befriending Jeremiah, See Jeremiah 40:6 .

Shaphan. See note on 2 Kings 22:3 . See Jeremiah 36:10 for another son; Jeremiah 29:3 for another son. Also befriending Jeremiah.