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Jeremiah 1 - Utley - Bible Commentary

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Jeremiah 1

1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:

2 to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.

The Prophet's Call

4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.

12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

13 And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.

14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.

15 For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.

16 And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.

17 Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.

18 For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.

19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.

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Jeremiah 1

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Jer 1:1-3 1The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, 2 to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. 3It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the exile of Jerusalem in the fifth month.

Jer 1:1 “The words” This Hebrew word (BDB 18:2 ) has a wide semantical field and can mean “deeds,” “matters,” “affairs,” or “sayings.”

▣ “Jeremiah” This is a very common Hebrew name, but its etymology is uncertain (see Intro. I., B); of all the prophetic books, this one mentions the author more than any other. The book reveals its author's words, thoughts, feelings, and actions more than any other OT book.

▣ “the son of Hilkiah” This name (BDB 32:4 ) means “YHWH is my portion.” Jeremiah was a Levite, but apparently he was not an active priest because Solomon had exiled his family to Anathoth (cf. 1Ki 2:26-27 ). There are two men in Jeremiah's day by the same name. His father is not the high priest mentioned in 2Ki 22:4 or 2Ch 34:9 . The high priest was apparently of the lineage of Zadok, while Jeremiah's father was from the lineage of Abiathar, both descendants of Eli.

▣ “Anathoth” This name (BDB 77:9 ) comes from the Amorite goddess, Anath, who is the sister or consort of Ba'al. She was the most active warrior goddess (i.e., Anath, Asherah, Astarte, and Astoreth) called the Queen of heaven in the Ras Shamra poetry texts (found in the city of Ugarit, north of Israel. A city by this name, Beth-anath, is mentioned in Jos 15:59 ; Jos 19:38 ; Jdg 1:33 .

▣ “in the land of Benjamin” This was the location of Abiathar's excommunication (cf. 1Ki 2:26-27 ). It is about three miles from Jerusalem, but its exact location is uncertain.

Jer 1:2-3 The repeated phrase “in the days of. . .” is a way to date the prophetic messages. The opening verses serve to introduce the entire book.

1. from whom

2. to whom (cf. Jer 1:7 )

3. when

4. why

Jer 1:2 “the word of the LORD came” The OT prophets repeatedly affirm that their message was from YHWH. This literary formula makes that very clear.

SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/names_deity.html>

Jer 1:2-3 “in the days of Josiah. . .in the days of Jehoiakim” This forms the beginning and ending dates of Jeremiah's ministry, which is about 62:7 B.C. to after 58:6 B.C. See Special Topic: Kings of the Divided Monarchy <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/kings_divided_monarchy.html>.

▣ “Josiah” This means “YHWH supports” (BDB 7:8 ) or “YHWH heals” (BDB 38:2 ). He was a godly king who began reigning in 64:0 B.C. at eight years of age (640-609 B.C.). He started a spiritual reform and the remodeling of the Temple. This was when the “Law of the Lord” was found (621 B.C., cf. 2 Kings 2:2-23 ).

▣ “in the thirteenth year of the reign” This would be five years after the Book of the Law was found in the Temple and when Josiah began his reform. It is unusual that there is no textual connection between Josiah and Jeremiah recorded in the Bible. Even when the Book of the Law was found, it was taken to the prophetess Huldah to interpret (cf. 2Ki 22:14-20 ).

Jer 1:3 “Jehoiakim” This was another son of Josiah (Eliakim, cf. 2Ki 23:34 ) who replaced Jehoahaz (i.e., Shallum, cf. Jer 22:11 ) as the ruler of Judah by Pharaoh Necho (cf. 2Ki 23:31-34 ; 2Ch 36:4 ).

Notice that there are two sons of Josiah who reigned briefly for three months who are not named in this passage.

1. Jehoahaz (Shallum) who was exiled to Egypt by Pharaoh Necho II (cf. 2 Kings 2:3 )

2. Jehoiachin who was exiled to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar II (cf. 2 Kings 2:4 ; 2 Chronicles 3:6 )

▣ “Zedekiah” Zedekiah replaced Jehoiakim on the throne of Judah as a vassal of Nebuchadnezzar II (i.e., 609 B.C., cf. 2Ki 24:17 ; 2Ch 36:10-13 ).

▣ “the exile of Jerusalem in the fifth month” There were four deportations by Nebuchadnezzar II of the population of Judah to Babylon (i.e., 605, 597, 586, 582 B.C.). By far the most destructive was in 58:6 B.C., when Jerusalem itself fell and the Temple was completely destroyed (cf. 2 Kings 2:5 ; 2Ch 36:9-21 ; Jeremiah 3:9 , 52).



NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Jer 1:4-10 4Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,

5”Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

And before you were born I consecrated you;

I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

6Then I said, “Alas, Lord GOD!

Behold, I do not know how to speak,

Because I am a youth.”

7But the LORD said to me,

“Do not say, 'I am a youth,'

Because everywhere I send you, you shall go,

And all that I command you, you shall speak.

8”Do not be afraid of them,

For I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

9Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.

10See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms,

To pluck up and to break down, To destroy and to overthrow,

To build and to plant.”

Jer 1:4 Jer 1:4 through 1:0 are the divine call of Jeremiah to prophetic ministry.

SPECIAL TOPIC: OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/old_testament_prophecy.html>

Jer 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” This speaks of God's sovereign power over the lives of His human creation (cf. Jer 43:7 ; Jer 44:2 ; Jer 44:24 ; Jer 49:5 ). The term “formed” (Qal IMPERFECT, BDB 42:7 , KB 42:8 ) is the exact term used in Gen 2:7-8 . God has a plan and a purpose for every human person (cf. Psa 139:13-16 ; Isa 43:7 ; Isa 49:5 ; Gal 1:15 ).

God had a plan and purpose for this person even before he was born. I wonder how many “prophets” and servants of God America has killed in the name of expediency and the individual freedom of their selfish parents. Personal convenience and expedience give a social license to choices that depreciate human worth and dignity!

For a good brief discussion of the Bible texts on the unborn see Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, 2nd ed., pp. 570-572.

▣ God selects four VERBS to describe His personal activity in Jeremiah's life.

1. I formed - Qal IMPERFECT, BDB 42:7 , KB 428:2 . I knew - Qal PERFECT, BDB 39:3 , KB 39:0 (see Special Topic below)

3. I consecrated - Hiphil PERFECT, BDB 87:2 , KB 1073:4 . I appointed - Qal PERFECT, BDB 67:8 , KB 73:3 SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW (USING MOSTLY DEUTERONOMY AS A PARADIGM) <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/know.html>

▣ “to the nations” Jeremiah was not just called to Judah, but was to proclaim God's sovereignty over all nations (cf. Jer 1:10 a; Jer 25:15-29 , Jeremiah 4:6-51 ). This is the theological implication of monotheism. See special topics below.

SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/monotheism.html>

SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH's ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/YHWHs_plan.html>

Jer 1:6 “Alas” In this first chapter there are several INTERJECTIONS.

1. “alas” - אהה, BDB 1:3 , KB 1:8 , cf. Jdg 11:35 ; 2Ki 3:10 ; 2Ki 6:5 ; 2Ki 6:15 ; Joe 1:15 ; Jer 1:6 ; Jer 4:10 ; Jer 14:13 ; Jer 32:17 . It is translated “ah” in Jeremiah and denotes alarm.

2. “behold” - הנה, BDB 24:3 , KB 25:2 , cf. Jer 1:6 ; Jer 1:9 ; Jer 1:18 ; Jer 49:2 ; Isa 6:7 . This is a way to call attention to a statement.

3. “behold” - הן, BDB 24:3 , Jer 1:15 ; Jer 31:8 . The UBS Handbook calls it “an emphatic transitional marker” (p. 38).

4. “see” - in Jer 1:10 (Qal IMPERATIVE), also functions as an INTERJECTION

▣ “Lord GOD” The Hebrew titles are “Adonai” and “YHWH.” Since both of these terms are translated “Lord” in English, most English translations use the title “Lord God” (cf. Jer 4:10 ; Jer 32:17 ; Jos 7:7 ; Jdg 6:22 ). See Special Topic: NAMES FOR DEITY <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/names_deity.html>.

▣ “I do not know how to speak” This was the same excuse that Moses used in Exo 4:10 , however, the term used here means “to speak publicly.” Moses was claiming to be a stutterer (BDB 54:6 ), but Jeremiah was claiming not to be a public speaker (BDB 18:0 ).

▣ “because I am a youth” His exact age is uncertain, because in Exo 33:11 Joshua is called a youth and he was 4:5 years old. Young people in Hebrew culture did not have the status that they do in modern American culture. Jeremiah was afraid that because of his age and because he was unmarried he would not have a strong social or religious platform from which to speak to Judeans.

God regularly uses young people. Here is just a sample.

1. the spies of Jericho, Jos 6:23 2. Samuel

3. David and Jonathan

4. Daniel and his three friends

5. Josiah

6. Joe 2:28 It is not the age but the heart that is crucial!

Jer 1:7 Notice how YHWH answered Jeremiah's reluctance.

1. do not say, “I am a youth” (Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense)

2. everywhere I send you, you shall go

3. all that I command you, you shall speak

▣ “because everywhere I send you, you will go” God never sends anyone out alone. His greatest provision is His personal presence (cf. Jer 1:8 b,19). He goes along to help (i.e., Mat 28:20 ) and to equip for the task assigned (i.e., Eph 4:12 ).

Jer 1:8 “Do not be afraid of them” This is a Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense. Jeremiah had a hard word to speak to his own people (i.e., exile is coming). They would attack Jeremiah both verbally and physically, but YHWH says “Fear not!” This was a frequent message to YHWH's servants.

1. Abraham, Gen 15:1 2. Isaac, Gen 26:24 3. Moses, Num 21:34 ; Deu 3:2 ; Deu 3:22 4. Joshua, Jos 1:5-9 ; Jos 8:1 ; Jos 10:8 5. Gideon, Jdg 6:8-10 6. Solomon, 1Ch 28:20 7. Isaiah, Isa 8:12-15 8. national Israel, Isa 41:10 ; Isa 41:13-14 ; Isa 43:1 ; Isa 43:5 ; Isa 44:2 ; Isa 54:4 9. Daniel, Dan 10:12 ; Dan 10:19 10. Mary, Luk 1:30 11. Simon, Luk 5:16 12. Paul, Act 27:24 13. John, Rev 1:17 Jer 1:9 “the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth” Jeremiah becomes YHWH's mouthpiece (cf. Jer 15:19 ; Deu 18:18 ). Apparently Jeremiah had a vision of God similar to Isaiah's (cf. Isa 6:6-7 ). The vision is not elaborated in Jeremiah's call as it is in Isaiah's call (cf. Isaiah 6) or Ezekiel's call (cf. Ezekiel 1).

This is a very anthropomorphic phrase. God is described in human terms.

SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD DESCRIBED AS A HUMAN (anthropomorphic language) <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/god_described_as_human.html>

SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND (ILLUSTRATED FROM EZEKIEL) <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/hand.html>

▣ “Behold I put my words in your mouth” It must be remembered that this was not Jeremiah's message or thoughts, but God's (cf. Jer 1:2 ; Deu 18:18 ).

Jer 1:10 There is a series of six INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTS.

1. to pluck up - Qal, BDB 68:4 , KB 73:7 , cf. Jer 31:28 2. to break down - Qal, BDB 68:3 , KB 73:6 , cf. Jer 31:28 3. to destroy - Hiphil, BDB 1, KB 2, cf. Jer 31:28 4. to overthrow - Qal, BDB 24:8 , KB 256:5 . to build - Qal, BDB 12:4 , KB 13:9 , cf. Jer 24:6 ; Jer 31:4 ; Jer 31:28 ; Jer 33:7 ; Jer 42:10 6. to plant - Qal, BDB 64:2 , KB 69:4 , cf. Jer 24:6 ; Jer 31:28 ; Jer 32:41 ; Jer 42:10 The first four speak of judgment, but the last two of renewal and restoration (cf. Jer 18:7-10 ; Jer 31:40 ). It is interesting that Jeremiah repeats this phrasing in Jer 31:28 , where he switches to an emphasis on restoration and deliverance. This phrase then becomes a literary marker for the two opposite prophecies Jeremiah is to speak to “the nations,” because YHWH is the true “King” of all nations (cf. 1Sa 8:4-9 ).



NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Jer 1:11-12 11The word of the LORD came to me saying, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” And I said, “I see a rod of an almond tree.” 12Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.”

Jer 1:11 “What do you see” There are two visions (Jer 1:11-12 and Jer 1:13-19 ). The time element is uncertain, but they are placed close to Jeremiah's call.

▣ “I see a rod of an almond tree” The term “almond,” shaqed (BDB 105:2 ), is related to the VERB “watching” in Jer 1:12 , shoqed (BDB 105:2 ). In this culture the almond tree was called “the watching tree.” Apparently this vision was a way to emphasize the surety of God's word through Jeremiah (i.e., “watching over” and “to perform it”).



NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Jer 1:13-19 13The word of the LORD came to me a second time saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a boiling pot, facing away from the north.” 14Then the LORD said to me, “Out of the north the evil will break forth on all the inhabitants of the land. 15For, behold, I am calling all the families of the kingdoms of the north,” declares the LORD; “and they will come and they will set each one his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all its walls round about and against all the cities of Judah. 16I will pronounce My judgments on them concerning all their wickedness, whereby they have forsaken Me and have offered sacrifices to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands. 17Now, gird up your loins and arise, and speak to them all which I command you. Do not be dismayed before them, or I will dismay you before them. 18Now behold, I have made you today as a fortified city and as a pillar of iron and as walls of bronze against the whole land, to the kings of Judah, to its princes, to its priests and to the people of the land. 19They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

Jer 1:13 “a boiling pot, facing away from the north” Because of Jer 1:14 it is obvious that this is referring to an invasion from the north. The term “north” became a proverb for “evil” and “invasion” (cf. Jer 4:6 ; Jer 6:1 ; Jer 6:22 ; Jer 10:22 ; Jer 25:9 ) because it was the only land route into Palestine from Mesopotamia because of the desert east of Palestine. The boiling pot pours south (i.e., the advancing Babylonian army).

There are three words in close proximity that may be sound plays.

1. נפוח - boiling pot

2. ופניו - facing away from

3. צפונה - the north

These kinds of sound plays are a characteristic of Hebrew poetry (see Appendix One)

Jer 1:15 This verse is describing the armies of Neo-Babylon, made up of many conscripts and mercenaries. They will come and lay siege to the walled cities of Palestine.

Jer 1:16 Judah's fall came not because of the weakness of YHWH, their God, but their idolatry.

1. they have forsaken Me - Qal PERFECT, BDB 73:6 I, KB 806:2 . they have offered (lit. “burned incense”) to other gods - Piel IMPERFECT, BDB 88:2 , KB 1094:3 . they have worshiped the work of their own hands - Hishtaphel IMPERFECT, BDB 100:5 , KB 29:5 Jer 1:17 “gird up your loins” This is a Hebrew idiom for “get ready for action” (cf. 1Ki 18:46 ; 2Ki 4:29 ; 2Ki 9:1 ; Eph 6:14 ; 1Pe 1:13 ), which would be similar to our “roll up your sleeves.”

Girding up his loins meant to pull one's robe through the legs in front and tuck it into the sash, thereby forming tight-fitting shorts, ready for action. This is not the only preparatory action the prophet is told to do.

1. arise - Qal PERFECT, BDB 87:7 , KB 1086:2 . speak - Piel PERFECT, BDB 18:0 , KB 210:3 . do not be dismayed - Qal IMPERFECT negated (BDB 36:9 , KB 36:5 ) used in a JUSSIVE sense

▣ “and speak to them all which I command you” This shows the purpose of the visions for Jeremiah in Jer 1:11-16 . It was a divine revelatory communication.

▣ “Do not be dismayed before them, or I will dismay you before them” God's service is a double-edged sword, privilege brings responsibility.

Jer 1:18 “I have made you today” God's provision and protection are emphasized to the prophet.

1. as a fortified city

2. as a pillar of iron

3. as walls of bronze

We must not let the reception of our message affect its proclamation, once we know it is from God! Jeremiah was going to speak to the powerful and elite of his day.

1. to the kings of Judah

2. to its princes

3. to its priests

4. to the people of the land (wealthy land owners)

Jer 1:19 “They will fight against you” Judah will reject God's message. God's people have always rejected His message.

▣ “I am. . .the LORD” These are both from the same Hebrew VERB, “to be” (BDB 21:7 , cf. Exo 3:12-14 ). Their basic thrust is that God is the ever-living, only-living God. See Special Topic: Names for Deity <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/names_deity.html>. That great God is with Jeremiah (cf. Jer 1:8 ).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. How long did Jeremiah preach?

2. What does Jer 1:5 have to say to the abortion issue of our day?

3. Why did Jeremiah try to excuse himself from God's will?

4. Explain the two visions and their purposes in Jer 1:11-16 .




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Rights in the Authorized (King James) Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Published by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.
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