John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 29:2

"(after that Jeconiah the king, and the queen-mother, and the eunuchs, [and] the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the craftsmen, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem,)" — Jeremiah 29:2 (ASV)

He mentions the time when the book was sent, even after the calamity that had happened, when King Jeconiah and his mother were driven into exile, and Zedekiah, his successor, was made governor in his place, as we will soon see. It was then during these beginnings of a change that Jeremiah wrote.

All things were then in such a ferment that some feared more than was necessary, and others entertained vain hopes, as is usual in a disordered state of things. It was then after this fresh calamity that Jeremiah wrote, as his words most especially show. He might indeed, as in other instances, have mentioned the year; but since he plainly declares that this happened after the departure of Jeconiah, his purpose is sufficiently evident: he wished in due time to give some relief to their sorrow, for they might have succumbed to it, had God not, in a manner, stretched out his hand to them.

For we know that fresh grief is difficult to bear; and this is why it is called a bitter grief, for it was a grievous novelty when they were violently and suddenly dragged out of their quiet nests. It was then Jeremiah’s object at that time to give them some comfort.

He also saw that those who were left in Judea were greatly disturbed and continually agitating new schemes, for Zedekiah’s kingdom was not yet established, and they despised him and were always looking for their own king.

Since, then, things were thus in disorder at home, and since the miserable exiles especially were at first very grievously afflicted, Jeremiah set before them a seasonable remedy. This then is the reason why he points out the time.

The mother of Jeconiah, we know, was led away with him into captivity; and she is called הגבירה, egebire; for though she was not properly the queen, she yet ruled in connection with her son.

Some render סריסים, sarisim, eunuchs; but I prefer the word “chiefs.” Hence the word שרי, shari, princes, is added, that is, the courtiers who governed the people, not only in Jerusalem but throughout the whole of Judea.

He also adds the artificers and sculptors, for Nebuchadnezzar had chosen the best of them. He had deprived the city of its nobles, so that there might be no one of authority among the Jews to venture any new attempt.

And then he had taken away those who were useful and ingenious, so that he left them no sculptors or artificers.