Verse 1
In the beginning of the reign of a Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
(a) Concerning the disposition of these prophecies, they who gathered them into a book, did not altogether observe the order of times, but saw some before, which should be after, and contrary wise which if the reader mark well it will avoid many doubts and make the reading much easier.
Verse 2
Thus saith the LORD to me; Make for thee b bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck,
(b) By such signs the prophets used sometimes to confirm their prophecies which they could not do of themselves but in as much as they had a revelation for the same, (Isaiah 20:2) and therefore the false prophets to get more credit, used also such visible signs but they had no revelation, (1 Kings 22:12).
Verse 6
And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my c servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.
(c) Read (Jeremiah 25:9).
Verse 7
And all nations shall serve him, and his d son, and his son's son, until the very time of his land shall come: and then many nations and great kings shall e bring him into subjection.
(d) Meaning, Evilmerodach and his son Belshazzar.
(e) They will bring him and his kingdom in subjection as in (Jeremiah 25:14).
Verse 16
Also I spoke to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy to you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the LORD'S house shall now shortly be f brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie to you.
(f) Which were taken when Jeconiah was led captive into Babel.
Verse 18
But if they are prophets, and if the word of the LORD is with them, let them now g make intercession to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, and [in] the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.
(g) For it was not only the prophet's office to show the word of God, but also to pray for the sins of the people, (Genesis 20:7) which these could not do because they had no express word: for God had pronounced the contrary.
Verse 22
They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit h them, saith the LORD; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.
(h) That is, for the space of seventy years till I have caused the Medes and Persians to overcome the Chaldeans.