Verse 1

words: i.e. prophecies, as in Jeremiah 25:1; Jeremiah 26:1; Jeremiah 27:1; Jeremiah 30:1, &c.

letter = writing.

residue of the elders. Compare Ezekiel 8:1; Ezekiel 14:1; Ezekiel 20:1.

the prophets: i.e. Ezekiel (Jeremiah 1:1); Daniel (Jeremiah 1:6).

Nebuchadnezzar. Same spelling as throughout Jer 28and Jeremiah 29:3 here. Not the same as in Jeremiah 29:21.

Verse 2

Jeconiah: i.e. Jehoiachin.

the queen = the queen-mother, Nehushta, the wife of Jehoiakim. Compare Jeremiah 13:18. See 2 Kings 24:12, 2 Kings 24:15.

eunuchs = chamberlains.

carpenters = artificers, smiths. Compare Jeremiah 24:1.

Verse 3

Shaphan. See note on 2 Kings 22:3.

Zedekiah . . . sent. Compare Jeremiah 51:59.

Verse 7

seek the peace = seek the welfare. Compare Ezra 6:10.

captives. For sixty-three years. From Jehoiachin"s captivity to Cyrus (489-426 = 63).

Verse 10

seventy years. See special note on 2 Chronicles 36:21.

Verse 11

an expected end. Figure of speech Hendiadys. Hebrew "an end and an expectation" = an end, yea, an end which I have caused you to hope for: i.e. a hoped-for end.

Verse 13

ye shall seek Me. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 4:29; Deuteronomy 30:2).

Verse 14

away = back.

captivity. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), for captives.

Verse 16

of = concerning.

Verse 17

I will send . . . the sword, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:25, Leviticus 26:26).

the famine. Some codices, with three early printed editions (one in margin), Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and famine", thus completing the Figure of speech Polysyndeton.

vile figs = worthless figs. See Jeremiah 24:2.

Verse 18

with. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "and with".

removed. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:25, the same word).

Verse 19

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

rising up early, &c. See note on Jeremiah 7:13.

Verse 20

sent. Some codices, with Aramaean, read "caused to be carried captive". Compare Jeremiah 24:5.

Verse 21

Ahab . . . Zedekiah. These were false prophets-whom Nebuchadrezzar treated as stated in Jeremiah 29:22.

Kolaiah . . . curse . . . roasted. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia. Hebrew. Kolayah . . . kelah . . . kalam.

Nebuchadrezzar. Some codices read Nebuchadnezzar.

Verse 22

a curse = a curse formula.

Verse 23

committed villany = vileness: i.e. worshipped idols. See the first occurance Genesis 34:7.

Verse 24

Nehelamite: or, dreamer.

Verse 26

mad. Compare John 2:20; John 10:20, John 10:39. See App-85.

maketh himself a prophet. Compare Matthew 21:11. John 8:53. See App-85.

Verse 31

trust = confide. Hebrew. batah. App-69.

Verse 32

rebellion, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 13:5). App-92.