---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Jeremiah 1"
description: "CHAPTER 1   :-. THE GENERAL
TITLE OR INTRODUCTION  :-, probably prefixed by Jeremiah, when he collected his
prophecies and gave them to his countrymen to"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/1"
---

CHAPTER 1

. THE GENERAL
TITLE OR INTRODUCTION
, probably prefixed by Jeremiah, when he collected his
prophecies and gave them to his countrymen to take with them to
Babylon [MICHAELIS].

**1. Anathoth**—a town in
Benjamin, twenty stadia, that is, two or three miles north of
Jerusalem; now Anata (compare , and the context, ). One of the four cities allotted to the Kohathites in
Benjamin ([Joshua 21:18](../../../kjv/joshua/21/18)). Compare
[1 Kings 2:26](../../../kjv/1-kings/2/26); [1 Kings 2:27](../../../kjv/1-kings/2/27);
a stigma was cast thenceforth on the whole sacerdotal family resident
there; this may be alluded to in the words here, "the priests .
. . in Anathoth." God chooses "the weak, base, and despised
things . . . to confound the mighty."

**2, 3. Jehoiakim . . . Josiah . . .
Zedekiah**—Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin are omitted for they reigned
only three months each. The first and last of the kings under whom
each prophet prophesied are often thus specified in the general
title. See on these kings, and Jeremiah's life, my .
**thirteenth . . . of his
reign**— ([Jeremiah 25:3](../../../kjv/jeremiah/25/3)).
**fifth month**— ([Jeremiah 25:3](../../../kjv/jeremiah/25/3)).

**4-10.** *Jeremiah's call to the
prophetical office.*
**unto me**—other
manuscripts read "to him"; but *English Version*
probably represents the true *Hebrew* text; this inscription was
doubtless made by Jeremiah himself.

**5. knew**—approved of thee as My
chosen instrument ([Exodus 33:12](../../../kjv/exodus/33/12);
[Exodus 33:17](../../../kjv/exodus/33/17); compare [Isaiah 49:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/49/1);
[Isaiah 49:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/49/5); [Romans 8:29](../../../kjv/romans/8/29)).
**sanctified**—rather,
"separated." The primary meaning is, "to set apart"
from a common to a special use; hence arose the secondary sense, "to
sanctify," ceremonially and morally. It is not here meant that
Jehovah cleansed Jeremiah from original sin or regenerated him by His
Spirit; but separated him to his peculiar *prophetical office,*
including in its range, not merely the Hebrews, but also the nations
hostile to them ([Jeremiah 25:12-38](../../../kjv/jeremiah/25/12-38);
[Jeremiah 27:1-21](../../../kjv/jeremiah/27/1-21); [Jeremiah 46:1-51](../../../kjv/jeremiah/46/1-51)),
[HENDERSON]. Not the
effect, but the predestination in Jehovah's secret counsel, is meant
by the sanctification here (compare [Luke 1:15](../../../kjv/luke/1/15);
[Luke 1:41](../../../kjv/luke/1/41); [Acts 15:18](../../../kjv/acts/15/18);
[Galatians 1:15](../../../kjv/galatians/1/15); [Ephesians 1:11](../../../kjv/ephesians/1/11)).

**6.** From the long duration of his
office ([Jeremiah 1:2](../../../kjv/jeremiah/1/2); [Jeremiah 1:3](../../../kjv/jeremiah/1/3);
[Jeremiah 40:1](../../../kjv/jeremiah/40/1); [Jeremiah 43:8](../../../kjv/jeremiah/43/8),
c. Jer 43:8, c.), it is supposed that he was at the time of his call
under twenty-five years of age.
**child**—the same word is
translated, "young man" ([Jeremiah 43:8](../../../kjv/jeremiah/43/8)). The reluctance often shown by inspired ministers of God
([Exodus 4:10](../../../kjv/exodus/4/10) [Exodus 6:12](../../../kjv/exodus/6/12);
[Exodus 6:30](../../../kjv/exodus/6/30); [Jonah 1:3](../../../kjv/jonah/1/3))
to accept the call, shows that they did not assume the office under
the impulse of self-deceiving fanaticism, as false prophets often
did.

**7. to all that**—to all "to
whom" [ROSENMULLER].
Rather, "to all *against* whom"; in a hostile sense
(compare [Jeremiah 1:8](../../../kjv/jeremiah/1/8); [Jeremiah 1:17](../../../kjv/jeremiah/1/17);
[Jeremiah 1:18](../../../kjv/jeremiah/1/18); [Jeremiah 1:19](../../../kjv/jeremiah/1/19))
[MAURER]. Such was the
perversity of the rulers and people of Judea at that time, that
whoever would desire to be a faithful prophet needed to arm himself
with an intrepid mind; Jeremiah was naturally timid and sensitive;
yet the Spirit moulded him to the necessary degree of courage without
taking away his peculiar individuality.

**8.** ([Ezekiel 2:6](../../../kjv/ezekiel/2/6);
[Ezekiel 3:9](../../../kjv/ezekiel/3/9)).
**I am with thee**—
([Exodus 3:12](../../../kjv/exodus/3/12); [Joshua 1:5](../../../kjv/joshua/1/5)).

**9. touched my mouth**—a
symbolical act in supernatural vision, implying that God would give
him *utterance,* notwithstanding *his* inability to speak
([Jeremiah 1:6](../../../kjv/jeremiah/1/6)). So Isaiah's lips were
touched with a living coal ([Isaiah 6:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/6/7);
compare [Ezekiel 2:8](../../../kjv/ezekiel/2/8); [Ezekiel 2:9](../../../kjv/ezekiel/2/9);
[Ezekiel 2:10](../../../kjv/ezekiel/2/10); [Daniel 10:16](../../../kjv/daniel/10/16)).

**10. set thee over**—literally,
"appointed thee to the oversight." He was to have his eye
upon the nations, and to *predict* their destruction, or
restoration, according as their conduct was bad or good. Prophets are
said to *do* that which they *foretell* shall be done; for
their word is God's word; and His word is His instrument whereby He
doeth all things ([Genesis 1:3](../../../kjv/genesis/1/3); [Psalms 33:6](../../../kjv/psalms/33/6);
[Psalms 33:9](../../../kjv/psalms/33/9)). Word and deed are one
thing with Him. What His prophet *saith* is as certain as if it
were *done.* The prophet's own consciousness was absorbed into
that of God; so closely united to God did he feel himself, that
Jehovah's words and deeds are described as his. In [Psalms 33:9](../../../kjv/psalms/33/9), God is said to do what Jeremiah here is represented as
doing (compare [Jeremiah 18:7](../../../kjv/jeremiah/18/7); [1 Kings 19:17](../../../kjv/1-kings/19/17);
[Ezekiel 43:3](../../../kjv/ezekiel/43/3)).
**root out**— ([Ezekiel 43:3](../../../kjv/ezekiel/43/3)).
**pull down**—change of
metaphor to architecture ([Ezekiel 43:3](../../../kjv/ezekiel/43/3)). There is a play on the similar sounds, *linthosh,
linthotz,* in the *Hebrew* for "root out . . . pull
down."
**build . . . plant**—restore
upon their repenting. His predictions were to be chiefly, and in the
first instance, denunciatory; therefore the destruction of the
nations is put first, and with a greater variety of terms than their
restoration.

**11. rod**—shoot, or branch.
**almond tree**—literally,
"the wakeful tree," because it awakes from the sleep of
winter earlier than the other trees, flowering in January, and
bearing fruit in March; symbol of God's *early* execution of His
purpose; [Jeremiah 1:12](../../../kjv/jeremiah/1/12), "*hasten*
My word" (compare [Amos 8:3](../../../kjv/amos/8/3)).

**12. hasten**—rather, "I
will *be wakeful* as to My word," c. alluding to , "the wakeful tree" [MAURER].

**13.** Another vision, signifying
what is the "word" about to be "performed," and
by what instrumentality.
**seething**—literally,
"blown under"; so *boiling* by reason of the flame
under it kept brisk by blowing. An Oriental symbol of a raging war.
**toward**—rather, "*from*
the north." Literally, "from the face of the region
situated towards the north" (compare [Jeremiah 1:14](../../../kjv/jeremiah/1/14);
[Jeremiah 1:15](../../../kjv/jeremiah/1/15)) [MAURER].
The pot in the north rested on one side, its mouth being about to
pour forth its contents southwards, namely, on Judea. Babylon, though
east of Judea, was regarded by the Hebrews as north, because they
appropriated the term "east" to Arabia-Deserta, stretching
from Palestine to the Euphrates; or rather [BOCHART],
the reference here is not to the site, but to the *route* of the
Babylonians; not being able to cross the desert, they must enter the
Holy Land by the northern frontier, through Riblah in Hamath ([Jeremiah 39:5](../../../kjv/jeremiah/39/5);
[Jeremiah 52:9](../../../kjv/jeremiah/52/9)).

**14. break forth**—"shall
disclose itself."
**Out of the north**—
([Jeremiah 4:6](../../../kjv/jeremiah/4/6); [Jeremiah 6:1](../../../kjv/jeremiah/6/1);
[Jeremiah 6:22](../../../kjv/jeremiah/6/22); [Jeremiah 10:22](../../../kjv/jeremiah/10/22);
[Jeremiah 25:9](../../../kjv/jeremiah/25/9); [Ezekiel 26:7](../../../kjv/ezekiel/26/7)).
The Chaldeans did not cast off the yoke of Assyria till several years
after, under Nabopolassar, 625 B.C.;
but long previously they had so increased as to threaten Assyria,
which was now grown weak, and other neighboring peoples.

**15. families**—the tribes or
clans composing the various kingdoms of Babylon; the specification of
these aggravates the picture of calamity ().
**throne at . . . gates**—the
usual place of administering *justice.* The conquering princes
will set up their tribunal there ([Jeremiah 39:3](../../../kjv/jeremiah/39/3);
[Jeremiah 39:5](../../../kjv/jeremiah/39/5); [Jeremiah 52:9](../../../kjv/jeremiah/52/9)).
Or the reference is to the military pavilion ([Jeremiah 52:9](../../../kjv/jeremiah/52/9)) [MAURER].

**16. utter**—pronounce. *The
judicial sentences, pronounced* against the Jews by the invading
princes, would be virtually the "judgments of God" ().
**works**—idols.

**17. gird . . . loins**—resolutely
prepare for thy appointed task. Metaphor from the flowing robes worn
in the East, which have to be *girt up* with a girdle, so as not
to incommode one, when undertaking any active work ([Job 38:3](../../../kjv/job/38/3);
[Luke 12:35](../../../kjv/luke/12/35); [1 Peter 1:13](../../../kjv/1-peter/1/13)).
**dismayed . . . confound**—the
same *Hebrew* word; literally, "to break." Be not
*dismayed* at their faces (before them), lest I make thee
*dismayed* before their faces (before them), that is, "lest
I should permit thee to be overcome by them" (compare [1 Peter 1:13](../../../kjv/1-peter/1/13)).

**18. defenced city,** c.—that is,
I will give thee strength which no power of thine enemies shall
overcome ([Jeremiah 6:27](../../../kjv/jeremiah/6/27) [Jeremiah 15:20](../../../kjv/jeremiah/15/20);
[Isaiah 50:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/50/7); [Isaiah 54:17](../../../kjv/isaiah/54/17);
[Luke 21:15](../../../kjv/luke/21/15); [Acts 6:10](../../../kjv/acts/6/10)).
**walls**—*plural,* to
express the *abundant* strength to be given him. DE
ROSSI'S'S manuscripts read
*singular,* "wall."
**people of the land**—the
general masses, as distinguished from the princes and priests.

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