The prophecy A. M. cir. 3417. Ol. XLVIII. 2. JEREMIAH. 20 m Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman : Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them. 21 The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red Sea. 22 Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs. A. M. cir. 3404. B. C. cir. 600. Ol. cir. XLV. 1. Tarquinii Prisci, R. Roman., 239 Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad for they have heard evil cir. annum 17. tidings: they are faint-hearted; there is sorrow t on the sea; it cannot be quiet. I Verse 20. The inhabitants of Teman] Taken here for the whole of Idumea. These are a kind of synonyms which prevent monotony, and give variety to the poet's versification. Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out] They shall be like timid sheep; the weakest foe shall overcome them. Verse 21. The earth is moved] The whole state is represented here as a vast building suddenly thrown down, so as to cause the earth to tremble, and the noise to be heard at a great distance. Verse 22. He shall come up and fly as the eagle] Nebuchadnezzar. See chap. xlviii. 40. Verse 23. CONCERNING DAMASCUS.] This is the head or title of another prophecy. Damascus was one of the principal cities of Syria. It was taken by David, 2 Sam. viii. 6, was retaken in the reign of Solomon, 1 Kings xi. 24, &c., and regained its independence. Its kings were often at war with the ten tribes, and once it joined with them for the destruction of Judah. To defend himself against these powerful enemies Ahaz made a league with the king of Assyria, who besieged Damascus, took, and demolished it. From that time we hear nothing of Damascus till we meet with it in this prophecy. It appears to have been rebuilt and restored to some consequence. It made an obstinate resistance to Nebuchadnezzar; but was at last taken and sacked by him. At present it is both a large and populous city, with considerable com merce. u against Damascus. anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail. V 25 How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy! A. M. cir. 3404. B. C. cir. 600. Ol. cir. XLV. I Tarquinii Prisci, R. Roman., cir. annum 17. 30 Flee, get you far off, dwell deep, O ye inhabitants of Hazor, saith the LORD; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath taken coun V W Isa. xiii. 8; chap. iv. 31; vi. 24; xxx. 6; xlviii. 41; ver. 22 Chap. xxxiii. 9; li. 41.- Chap. 1. 30; li. 4. Amos i. 4. y Isa. xxi. 13. -z Judg. vi. 5; Job i. 3.-a Psa. cxx. 5. b Chap. vi. 25; xlvi. 5.- Ver, 8.- d Heb. fit greatly. Hamath is confounded] This is a city of Syria, on the Orontes. The Greeks called it Epiphania. Arpad] Not far from Damascus. Sorrow on the sea] that cannot rest. They are like the troubled sea, Verse 25. How is the city of praise not left] Da mascus is so ruined that she can no more be called a praiseworthy or happy city. Verse 27. The palaces of Ben-hadad.] Damascus was a seat of the Syrian kings, and Ben-hadad was a name common to several of its kings. Verse 28. CoNcerning KedaR, AND CONCERNING THE KINGDOMS OF HAZOR] This is the title of another new prophecy. Kedar was the name of one of the sons of Ishmael: (Gen. xxv. 13) who settled in Arabia, and who gave name to a powerful tribe of Arabs who used to traffic with the Tyrians in cattle. It appears from this prophecy that Nebuchadnezzar got a commission to go against and reduce them to great misery. Verse 29. Their tents and their flocks] This description of property shows that they were Scenite or Nomad Arabs; persons who dwell in tents, and whose principal property was cattle, especially camels, of the whole of which they were plundered by the Chaldeans. Verse 30. Dwell deep] Retire into the depths of the desert. See on ver. 8. Inhabitants of Hazor] I cannot find this place. It was no doubt in Arabia, and a place of considerable importance; but it is now no more. Verse 31. The wealthy nation] goi shèleiv, See Isa. xxii. 6. Strabo, Livy, and others speak of "the peaceable nation"their eminence in archery. Have neither gates nor bars] The Arabs, who had Verse 36. Will I bring the four winds] Nebuchadnothing but their tents; no cities, nor even permanent | nezzar and his armies, gathered out of different provillages. vinces, and attacking this people at all points in the same time. Verse 32. The utmost corners] Even in these utmost inaccessible recesses the sword and pillage shall reach them. "The utmost corners;' insulated coasts; the peninsula of Arabia."-Blayney. Verse 33. Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons]. Shall be turned into a wilderness. A desolation for ever] Never to be repeopled. There shall no man abide there] It may occasionally be visited, but never made a permanent abode. Verse 34. THE WORD AGAINST ELAM] Another new head of prophecy. As this was delivered in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah, it can have no natural nor historical connexion with the other prophecies in this various chapter. Some think that by Elam Persia is always meant; but this is not at all likely. It was a part of the Babylonian empire in the time of Daniel, (chap. viii. 2,) and is most probably what is called Elymais by the Greeks. This, with Susiana, Nebuchadnezzar subdued, and took from Astyages, king of Media. Verse 35. I will break the bow of Elam] They were eminent archers; and had acquired their power and eminence by their dexterity in the use of the bow. There shall be no nation, &c.] They shall be scattered through the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces of which the Babylonish empire is composed. Verse 38. I will set my throne in Elam] This is spoken either of Nebuchadnezzar or Cyrus. It is certain that Cyrus did render himself master of Elymais and Media, which are in the land of Elam. Verse 39. I will bring again the captivity of Elam] As this is to be in the latter days, probably it may mean the spiritual freedom which these people would receive under the Gospel dispensation. Under Cyrus, the Elamites, collected out of all quarters, were united with the Persians their neighbours, and became, with them, masters of the east. See Calmet and Dahler. There are still, however, difficulties on this subject. Who the Elamites were is still a question. That which appears to be nearest the truth is, that the Elamites and Persians were two distinct people, and continued so till blended together under Cyrus. It is in this light that I have considered the subject in the preceding notes. Neighbouring people are frequently confounded in history, and sometimes the name of a people is given to those who have the same character. 383 The prophecy JEREMIAH. CHAPTER L. against Babylon. This and the following chapter contain a prophecy relating to the fall of Babylon, interspersed with several predictions relative to the restoration of Israel and Judah, who were to survive their oppressors, and, on their repentance, to be pardoned and brought to their own land. This chapter opens with a prediction of the complete destruction of all the Babylonish idols, and the utter desolation of Chaldea, through the instrumentality of a great northern nation, 1-3. Israel and Judah shall be reinstated in the land of their forefathers after the total overthrow of the great Babylonish empire, 4, 5. Very oppressive and cruel bondage of the Jewish people during the captivity, 6, 7. The people of God are commanded to remove speedily from Babylon, because an assembly of great nations are coming out of the north to desolate the whole land, 8-10. Babylon, the hammer of the whole earth, the great desolator of nations, shall itself become a desolation on account of its intolerable pride, and because of the iron yoke it has rejoiced to put upon a people whom a mysterious Providence had placed under its domination, 11-34. The judgments which shall fall upon Chaldea, a country addicted to the grossest idolatry, and to every species of superstition, shall be most awful and general, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, 35–40. Character of the people appointed to execute the Divine judgments upon the oppressors of Israel, 41–45. Great sensation among the nations at the very terrible and sudden fall of Babylon, 46., 5 They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten. : Isa. xiii. 17, 18, 20; ver. 39, 40. Hos. i. 11.- -i Ezra iii. 12, 13;. Psa. cxxvi. 5, 6, chap. xxxi. 9; Zech. xii. 10. * Hos. iii. 5. Chap. xxxi. 31, &c.; xxxii. 40. are broken to pieces; even the form of them no longer appears. Verse 3. Out of the north there cometh up a nation] The Medes, who formed the chief part of the army of Cyrus, lay to the north or north-east of Babylon.. Shall make her land desolate] This war, and the consequent taking of the city, began those disasters that brought Babylon in process of time to complete desolation; so that now it is not known where it stood, the whole country being a total solitude. Verse 4. In those days, and in that time] In the times in which Babylon shall be opposed by the Medes and Persians, both Israel and Judah, seeing the com Verse 2. Declare ye among the nations] God's de- mencement of the fulfilling of the prophecies, shall betermination relative to this empire. Set up a standard] are to assemble. gin to seek the Lord with much prayer, and broken and Show the people where they contrite hearts. When the decree of Cyrus comes,. they shall be ready to set off for their own country, Say, Babylon is taken] It is a thing so firmly de- deploring their offences, yet rejoicing in the mercy of termined, that it is as good as already done. Bel] The tutelar deity of Babylon is confounded, because it cannot save its own city. God which has given them this reviving in their bondage, Verse 5. Let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant]. All our former covenants have been broken; let us now make one that shall last for ever. HE shall be the LORD OUR GOD, and We will no more worship idols. This covenant they have kept to the Her idols are confounded] It is a reproach to have present day; whatever their present moral and spiritual acknowledged them. state may be, they are no idolaters, in the gross sense Merodach] Another of their idols, is broken to pieces; it was not able to save itself, much less the whole empire. Her images] Great and small, golden and wooden, of the term. The utter desolation A. M. 3409. Anno CHAP. L. V 6 My people hath been m lost go forth out of the land of the OL XLVI. 2. sheep their shepherds have Chaldeans, and be as the he-goats Tarquinii Prisci, caused them to go astray, they before the flocks. R. Roman., 22. have turned them away on "the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place. 7 All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the Hope of their fathers. of Babylon. A. M. 3409. Ol. XLVI. 2. Anno Tarquinii Prisci, R. Roman., 22. 9 For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken their arrows shall be as of a mighty * expert man; none shall return in vain. 10 And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that 8 Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD. Isa. liii. 6; ver. 17; 1 Pet. ii. 25.- Chap. ii. 20; iii. 6, 23. t Psa. xxii. 4. Isa. xlviii. 20; chap. li. 6, 45; Zech ii. 6, 7: Heb. place to lie down in. Psa. lxxix. 7.- Chap. xl. 2, 3; Rev. xviii. 4.—-v Chap. xv. 14; li. 27; ver. 3. 41.- -w Ver.14, 29. Zech. xi. 5.- See chap. ii. 3; Dan. ix. 16. Psa. xc. 1; xci.1.x Or, destroyer.- - 2 Sam. i. 22. - Rev. xvii. 16. nest; I trust I shall be in earnest about the salvation of my soul; it is very proper I should be so ;" and such The description that is here given of the state of this people, their feelings and their conduct, finely exhibit the state of real penitents, who are fervently seek-like, show an irresolute soul. Such persons are ever ing the salvation of their souls. learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1. In those days, when Jesus Christ is manifested in the flesh; and in that time, when through him is preached the remission of sins, and the people who hear are pricked in their conscience. Let us therefore bind ourselves. We have trifled too long; been indecisive too long; have halted too long between two opinions. We know now that Jehovah is God; let us, therefore, enter into a covenant with him. Let this covenant be a perpetual one : let us not make it for a day, for any particular time, but for ever; and let it never be broken. Let our part be kept inviolable: we ARE and WILL BE thy people; and God's part 2. The children of Israel and the children of Judah together. No distinctions being then felt or attended to; for all feel themselves sinners, who have come short of the glory of God. Even national distinctions and religious differences, which bind men fastest, and hold them longest, are absorbed in the deep and overpower-will never fail, I AM and WILL BE your God. ing concern they feel for their eternal interests. The covenant requires a sacrifice.-Hence na be 3. Going and weeping shall they go.-Religious sor-rith signifies both. Christ crucified is the great coverow does not preclude activity and diligence. While nant sacrifice. By him God becomes united to us, and they are weeping for their sins, they are going on in through him we become united to God. the path of duty, seeking the Lord while he may be found, and calling upon him while he is near. 4. They shall ask the way to Zion.-Real penitents are the most inquisitive of all mortals; but their inquiries are limited to one object, they ask the way to Zion. What shall we do to be saved? How shall we shun the perdition of ungodly men, &c. 5. With their faces thitherward.-They have turned FROM sin, and turned To God. They have left the paths of the destroyer, and their hearts are towards God, and the remembrance of his name. Thus they are profiting by that light which has convinced them of sin, righteousness, and judgment. 6. Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord.Religion is a social principle, and begets a social feeling in the soul. No man who feels his own sore, and the plague of his heart, wishes to venture alone in the way to heaven. He feels he wants counsel, support, comfort, and the company of those who will watch over him in love. Like David, the true penitent is a companion of all those who fear the Lord. These heavenly feelings come from one and the same Spirit, and lead to the same end; hence they say, covenant. 7. Let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual It is said, that to be undecided, is to be decided. They who are not determined to go to heaven, will never reach it. If the heart be not laid under obligation, it will do nothing. "I hope I am in ear Verse 6. My people hath been lost sheep] He pities them; for their pastors, kings, and prophets have caused them to err. They have gone from mountain to hill] In all high places they have practised idolatry. Verse 7. Their adversaries said, We offend not] God has abandoned them; we are only fulfilling his designs in plaguing them. Verse 8. Remove out of the midst of Babylon] The sentence of destruction is gone out against it; prepare for your flight, that ye be not overwhelmed in its ruin. Be as the he-goats before the flocks.] Who always run to the head of the flock, giving the example for others to follow. This may be addressed to the elders and persons of authority among the people. Verse 9. An assembly of great nations] The army of Cyrus was composed of Medes, Persians, Armenians, Caducians, Sacæ, &c. Though all these did not come from the north; yet they were arranged under the Medes, who did come from the north, in reference to Babylon. Their arrows] They are such expert archers, that they shall never miss their mark. Verse 10. Chaldea shall be a spoil] She has been a spoiler, and she shall be spoiled. They had destroyed Judea, God's heritage; and now God shall cause her to be destroyed. The fall of Babylon. A. M. 3409. Ol. XLVI. 2. с A. M. 3409, Tarquinii Prisci, 11 a Because ye were glad, be- | shall turn every one to his peocause ye rejoiced, O ye destroy-ple, and they shall flee every one Tarquinii Prisci, ers of mine heritage, because ye to his own land. R. Roman., 22. are grown fat as the heifer at 17 Israel is a scattered sheep; grass, and bellow as bulls; a the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones. 12 Your mother shall be sore confounded; she that bare you shall be ashamed: behold, the hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert. 14. Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows for she hath sinned against the LORð. 15 Shout against her round about: she hath i given her hand: her foundations are fallen, * her walls are thrown down for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; m as she hath done, do unto her. 16 Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the " sickle in the time of harvest for fear of the oppressing sword they Chap. xxv. 12. a Isa. xlvii. 6.b Heb. big, or corpulent. Or, neigh as steeds.Ver. 9; chap. li. 2. xxix. 24; 2 Chron. xxx. 8; li. 58. Chap. li. 6, 11.xviii. 6. Or, scythe. C Hos. x. 11. Chap. xlix. 17. Chap. xlix. 35; ver. 29.- 1 Chron. Lam. v. 6; Ezek. xvii. 18. Ch. m Psa. cxxxvii. 8; ver. 29; Rev. o Isa. xiii. 14; chap. li. 9.- -P Ver. 6. Chap. ii. 15. r2 Kings xvii. 6.- s2 Kings xxiv. 10, 14.- Isa. lxv. 10; chap. xxxiii. 12; Ezek. xxxiv. 13, 14.- Chap. xxxi, 34. Isa. i. 9.- - Or, of the rebels. -x Ezek. xxiii. 23. Or, visitation. See 2 Sam. xvi. 11; 2 Kings xviii. 25; 2 Chron. xxxvi. 23; Isa. x. 6; xliv. 28; xlviii. 14; chap. xxxiv. 22. .W Verse 11. As the heifer at grass] Ye were wanton the land, and carried the princes and people into capin the desolations ye brought upon Judea. Verse 12. Your mother] Speaking to the Chaldeans: BABYLON, the metropolis, or mother city, shall be a wilderness, a dry land, a desert, neither fit for man nor beast. Verse 15. Shout against her round about] Encompass her with lines and with troops; let none go in with relief, none come out to escape from her ruin. Verse 16. Cut off the sower] Destroy the gardens and the fields, that there may be neither fruits nor tillage. Verse 17. Israel] All the descendants of Jacob have been harassed and spoiled, first by the Assyrians, and afterwards by the Chaldeans. They acted towards them as a lion to a sheep which he has caught; first he devours all the flesh, next he breaks all the bones to extract the marrow. Verse 18. As I have punished the king of Assyria.] The Assyrians were overthrown by the Medes and the Chaldeans. The king is here taken for all their kings, generals, &c., Tiglath-pileser, Shalmaneser, Sennacherib, Esar-haddon, &c. To them succeeded the Chaldean or Babylonish kings. Nebuchadnezzar came against Judea several times; and at last took the city and burnt it, profaned and demolished the temple, wasted 386 tivity. Verse 19. I will bring Israel again] This seems to refer wholly to the ten tribes; for Carmel, Bashan, Mount Ephraim, and Gilead, were in their territories. Verse 20. In those days and in that time] This phrase appears to take in the whole of an epoch, from its commencement to its end. See ver. 4. I will pardon them] So as to deliver them from their captivity, and exact no more punishment from them whom I reserve; namely, the remnant left in the Babylonish captivity. Verse 21. Go up against the land of Merathaim― and against the inhabitants of Pekod] No such places as these are to be found any where else; and it is not likely that places are at all meant. The ancient Versions agree in rendering the first as an appellative, and the last as a verb, except the Chaldee, which has Pekod as a proper name. Dr. Blayney translates:"Against the land of bitternesses, go up: Upon it, and upon its inhabitants, visit, O sword!" Dr. Dahler renders thus:"March against the country doubly rebellious, And against its inhabitants worthy of punishment." The latter of these two versions I take to be the most ( 25* . ) |