Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 43
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 43
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 43
"And it came to pass that, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of Jehovah their God, wherewith Jehovah their God had sent him to them, even all these words, then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: Jehovah our God hath not sent thee to say, Ye shall not go into Egypt to sojourn there; but Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they may put us to death, and carry us away captive to Babylon." — Jeremiah 43:1-3 (ASV)
These captains belonged to the party who had all along resisted Jeremiah’s counsel and had led Zedekiah astray. Now, however, that events had proved that the prophet’s counsel had been wise and true, they cannot, out of shame, find fault with him, but they affirm that he is under the influence of Baruch, a traitor who has sold himself to the Chaldeans, and seeks only the people's harm.
These captains belonged to the party who had all along resisted Jeremiah’s counsel and had led Zedekiah astray. Now, however, that events had proved that the prophet’s counsel had been wise and true, they cannot, out of shame, find fault with him, but they affirm that he is under the influence of Baruch, a traitor who has sold himself to the Chaldeans, and seeks only the people's harm.
"So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of Jehovah, to dwell in the land of Judah." — Jeremiah 43:4 (ASV)
All the people— Many, nevertheless, would be unwilling agents, compelled to do what their unscrupulous leaders forced upon the community.
"But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all the nations whither they had been driven, to sojourn in the land of Judah;" — Jeremiah 43:5 (ASV)
All the remnant of Judah that were returned - In this way, the utter depopulation of the land was completed. Thus was fulfilled the predictions of (Jeremiah 24:8–10), and the sole hope of the nation now centered in the exiles at Babylon (Jeremiah 24:5–7).
"and they came into the land of Egypt; for they obeyed not the voice of Jehovah: and they came unto Tahpanhes." — Jeremiah 43:7 (ASV)
Tahpanhes - See the Jeremiah 2:16 note.
"Then came the word of Jehovah unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying," — Jeremiah 43:8 (ASV)
On arriving at the frontiers of Egypt, the captains would be compelled to halt in order to obtain the king’s permission to enter his country. Jeremiah therefore takes the opportunity to predict, first, the downfall of Egypt; and secondly, that of the false gods.
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