Verse 1

Jeremiah"s Tenth Prophecy (see book comments for Jeremiah).

The word, &c. = That which proved to be the word of Jehovah. Not the usual phrase in the Hebrew.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

the dearth. Hebrew "the restraints" : the holding back of rain, put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the famine caused by it. One of thirteen recorded famines. See Genesis 12:10. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:23, Deuteronomy 28:24). App-92. Before the first siege (497 BC), or before the third siege (480 BC). See App-83.

Verse 2

Judah . . . Jerusalem. Country and city.

gates. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for the people assembling there.

are black = sit in black. Compare Jeremiah 8:21; Jeremiah 13:18. Job 2:8, Job 2:13. Isaiah 3:26; Isaiah 15:3. Psalms 35:14.

Verse 3

to the waters: i.e. to fetch water.

and. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read this "and" in the text.

covered their heads. The symbol of mourning (2 Samuel 15:30; 2 Samuel 19:4. Esther 6:12).

Verse 4

chapt = cleft, cracked, open in slits. From Old Dutch, "koppen", to cut off; "kappen", to cut, or chop (hence Eng. "chops", from Eng. "chapped" and "chip"). Gk. koptein, to cut. Hebrew here, hathath = to be broken.

ashamed. Absence of rain causes today great anxiety (Job 29:23).

Verse 5

Yea= For.

Verse 6

wind.Hebrew. ruach.App-9.

dragons= jackals.

Verse 7

testify: or, answer. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia.

sinned. Hebrew. chata.

Verse 8

the Hope of Israel. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for Jehovah, Who was, or should have been, Israel"s hope. See Jeremiah 17:13; Jeremiah 50:7; and compare Genesis 49:18. 1 Timothy 1:1.

stranger = sojourner.

Verse 9

in the midst. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 29:45. Leviticus 26:11, Leviticus 26:12). App-92.

we are called, &c. = Thy name was called upon us.

Verse 11

Pray not, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:10). Compare Jeremiah 7:16; Jeremiah 11:14.

Verse 12

I will not, &c. See Jeremiah 7:16; Jeremiah 11:14; Ezekiel 8:18. Amos 5:23. Micah 3:4.

offer = offer up.

oblation = a gift offering, or donation. Hebrew. minchah. App-43.

sword . . . famine . . . pestilence. Often thus conjoined (after this). Reference to Pentateuch (Lev 26 and Deu 28). App-92. Compare Jeremiah 21:6, Jeremiah 21:7, Jeremiah 21:9; Jeremiah 24:10, &c. See note on Jeremiah 42:2.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton, to emphasize each particular.

Verse 14

sent . . . commanded . . . spake. Compare Jeremiah 7:22; Jeremiah 23:21.

you. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "them".

Verse 16

wickedness = calamity. Heb, ra"a". App-44. Not the same word as Jeremiah 14:20.

Verse 19

Hast . . . hath . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

Thy soul = Thou Thyself (emphatic). Hebrew. nephesh. App-13. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

we looked. Compare Jeremiah 8:15; Jeremiah 15:1, where it has a stronger refusal.

and. Some codices omit.

trouble = terror.

Verse 20

We acknowledge. These are the prophet"s words.

wickedness = lawlessness. Hebrew. rasha". App-44. Not the same word as in Jeremiah 14:16.

iniquity. Hebrew. "avon. App-44.

Verse 21

do not. Some codices, with three early printed editions, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "neither".

throne of Thy glory. See note on Jeremiah 3:17.

Verse 22

Are there = Exist there. Hebrew. yesh. See notes on Jeremiah 14:22.

vanities = idols.

Gentiles = nations.

He. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis, "He [That givest rain]".

wait upon Thee. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 49:18, the first occurrence in this sense).