1.
The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Jeremiah's Twentieth Prophecy (see book comments for Jeremiah).
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
2.
Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.
the LORD God of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 11:3 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
in a book. For abiding comfort and hope in the coming times of trouble. Written before the deportation. Compare Jeremiah 30:5-11 , Jeremiah 30:12-24 . A dark foreground is shown in Jeremiah 31:37 .
3.
For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.
lo. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
Israel. As well as Judah.
4.
And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.
these are the words. This is the introduction to the two chapters.
5.
For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.
6.
Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
a man = a male. Hebrew. zakar.
man = a strong man. Hebrew. geber . App-14 .
7.
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
that day. The interpretation here is of the day of Babylon's overthrow. The application is of the yet future Great Tribulation of Matthew 24 . This is in contrast with the day of Restoration.
great, &c. = too great to have another like it.
Jacob's. Not Israel's, for it is the natural seed that is here in question, not the spiritual. See notes on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 .
8.
For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
break his yoke. Reminding us of Jeremiah 28:10 , Jeremiah 28:11 .
9.
But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
David their king. This is yet future. Compare Ezekiel, Jeremiah's contemporary (Ezekiel 34:23 , Ezekiel 34:24 ; Ezekiel 37:24 , Ezekiel 37:25 .Isaiah 55:3 .Hosea 3:5; Hosea 3:5 ) for seven years (484-477). See App-77 .
10.
Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.
fear thou not, &c. Taking up Isaiah 41:10 , Isaiah 41:18 ; Isaiah 43:5 ; Isaiah 44:2 .
shall be in rest = be [again] in rest.
11.
For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.
in measure = to the due measure.
unpunished = guiltless. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 20:7 ; Exodus 34:7 . Numbers 14:18 ). App-92 .
12.
For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.
13.
There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.
that thou mayest, &c. = for binding thee up.
14.
All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.
15.
Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.
16.
Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.
all they that devour thee, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 23:22 ).
17.
For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
18.
Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.
upon her own heap. This cannot have a spiritual application; still less interpretation. It is literally Zion. This was written in the book, before the siege, which had already been foretold (chs. 7; 19; Jeremiah 21:10 , Jeremiah 34:2 , Jeremiah 37:10 ).
heap = ruins.
palace = fortress.
after the manner thereof: or, upon its own site.
19.
And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
them: i.e. the restored cities and palaces.
I will multiply . Note the Alternation : | multiply. | not be few. | glorify. | not be despised.
small = small (in number).
20.
Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.
children = sons.
oppress. First used by God Himself (Exodus 3:9 ).
21.
And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.
their nobles. Hebrew his Prince.
their governor. Hebrew his Ruler.
cause him to draw near. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 16:5 ).
who is this . . . ? Compare Isaiah 63:1 (in judgment). Matthew 21:10 (in grace).
engaged = pledged.
22.
And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
23.
Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.
continuing whirlwind = a tempest rolling itself upward: i.e. a roaring tempest.
the wicked = lawless ones (plural) Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .
24.
The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.
the latter days = the end of the days. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 49:1 ). Compare Jeremiah 23:20 . App-92 . consider = understand. Compare Jeremiah 23:20 .