Charles Ellicott Commentary Jeremiah 26
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Jeremiah 26
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Jeremiah 26
"In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, came this word from Jehovah, saying," — Jeremiah 26:1 (ASV)
In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim.— The section which follows is among the earlier fragments of the book, some three years before that of the preceding chapter. It will be noted that there is no mention of the Chaldeans, and that Jehoiakim is on friendly terms with Egypt (Jeremiah 26:22). This points to the very earliest period of his reign.
The chapter that follows, though referred to the same period in the present Hebrew text, really belongs to the reign of Zedekiah (see Note on Jeremiah 27:1). The common element that led the compiler of the book to bring the narratives together is the conflict of Jeremiah with the false prophets.
"Thus saith Jehovah: Stand in the court of Jehovah`s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in Jehovah`s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word." — Jeremiah 26:2 (ASV)
Stand in the court of the Lord’s house. —The occasion was probably one of the Feasts and drew worshippers from all parts of the kingdom. As in Jeremiah 7:1, the prophet had to stand in the crowded court of the Temple and utter his warning.
Some critics have supposed, indeed, that in Jeremiah 7–11 we have the full text of the discourse, while here there is only an epitome of the discourse itself and a narrative of the circumstances connected with it.
The command, diminish not a word, reminds us of Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 12:32; and Revelation 22:19. There was something in the message that the prophet felt himself called to deliver from which he would naturally have shrunk.
"It may be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way; that I may repent me of the evil which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings." — Jeremiah 26:3 (ASV)
If so be they will hearken ... —The threat that follows in Jeremiah 26:6 is a very terrible one, but it is uttered in order that it may not be realised. So in the same spirit St. Paul warns men of his power to inflict a supernatural punishment, yet prays that he may have no occasion to use it (2 Corinthians 13:3–10).
"And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith Jehovah: If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you, to hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send unto you, even rising up early and sending them, but ye have not hearkened;" — Jeremiah 26:4-5 (ASV)
To walk in my law, which I have set before you. —The words present more vividly than in the parallels of Jeremiah 7:25; Jeremiah 25:4 the relation of the Law as the groundwork of the teaching of the Prophets, their office being that of preachers and expounders, making people feel that the commandment was exceeding broad. The Law and the Prophets are already coupled together, as in Matthew 5:17; Matthew 22:40, as making up God’s revelation of His will to Israel.
"then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth." — Jeremiah 26:6 (ASV)
I will make this house like Shiloh. —See Notes on Jeremiah 7:14. The surprise and anger with which the announcement was received indicate that it was now heard for the first time, and so far confirms the view that we have here a summary of the discourse given at full length, and probably edited, so to speak, with many additions, in Jeremiah 7–10.
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