1.
The word that Jeremiah the prophet spake unto Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,
The Fortieth Prophecy of Jeremiah (see book comments for Jeremiah).
Baruch. He was the grandson of Maaseiah, governor of Jerusalem in Josiah's reign (2 Chronicles 34:8 ), and brother of Seraiah, chief chamberlain (Jeremiah 51:59 ).
written these words, &c. See Jeremiah 36 . the fourth year, &c. See App-86 .
2.
Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto thee, O Baruch;
the LORD, the God of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 11:3 .
3.
Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.
4.
Thus shalt thou say unto him, The LORD saith thus; Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land.
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
built . . . break down . . . planted . . . pluck up. See note on Jeremiah 1:10 .
5.
And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.
And seekest, &c. = Wouldst thou seek to secure great things for thyself?
evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .
saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah's oracle.
life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
for a prey. Compare Jeremiah 39:18 .