Jeremiah 35:20

14 . The women bewailing Tammuz 14 . gate of the Lord’s house ] i.e. outside the whole temple buildings to the north gate of the outer court; cf. ch. Ezekiel 10:19 , Ezekiel 11:1 . The term “house” embraces all the temple buildings ( Jeremiah 35:4 ). The women may have been seen sitting outside the gate, or they may have been in some of the chambers of the outer gateway. Of course the temple building in Ezekiel’s time did not quite correspond to his ideal sketch in ch. 40 seq., but there were no doubt chambers at that time connected with both gateways ( Jeremiah 35:2 ; Jeremiah 35:4 ; Jeremiah 36:10 ; Jeremiah 36:12 ; Jeremiah 36:20-21 ; cf. Jeremiah 26:10 ; 2 Kings 23:11 ). Tammuz is identical with Adonis. The latter name, Adon , “Lord,” is not a proper name, being applicable to any great god, but when the myth found its way to Greece, the word became a proper name. The name Tammuz is Babylonian Dumu-zi, Dûzi, said to signify “son of life,” and to indicate the eternal youth of the sun-god (cf. Fried. Del. in Baer’s Ezek .; Schrader, KAT . on Ezekiel 8:14 ; Sayce, Hibbert Lect . IV). The story of the death of Tammuz is said to be a solar myth, having reference to the death of the sun-god. The explanations given by Assyrian scholars are not very clear.

Verse 16. - And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord. This is a phrase of warning very common in the mouth of the prophets, when they are about to deliver a rebuke or solemn condemnation (comp. 1 Kings 22:19 ; 2 Chronicles 18:18 ; Isaiah 1:10 ; Isaiah 28:14 ; Jeremiah 7:2 ; Jeremiah 9:20 ; Jeremiah 10:1 ; Jeremiah 19:3 , etc.; Ezekiel 15:35; 34:9; Hosea 4:1 ; Amos 3:1 , etc.). 2 Kings 20:16

5–8 (= 1Es 1:39-42 ; 2 Kings 23:35 to 2 Kings 24:7 ). The Reign of Jehoiakim 5 . in Jerusalem ] The Chronicler omits his mother’s name (cp. 2 Chronicles 36:2 , note) and also the statement that he raised the indemnity imposed by Neco by means of a poll-tax ( 2 Kings 23:35 ). he did that which was evil ] Cp. 2 Kings 23:37 ; Jeremiah 22:13-18 ; Jeremiah 26:20-23 ; Jeremiah 36:1-32 .

Go down —The temple (where Jeremiah had been prophesying) was higher than the king's palace on Mount Zion (Jeremiah 36:10, 12; 2 Chronicles 23:20). Hence the phrase, "Go down." the king of Judah —perhaps including each of the four successive kings, to whom it was consecutively addressed, here brought together in one picture: Shallum, Jeremiah 22:11; Jehoiakim, Jeremiah 22:13-18; Jeconiah, Jeremiah 22:24; Zedekiah, the address to whom (Jeremiah 21:1, 11, 12) suggests notice of the rest. 2. these gates —of the king's palace. 3. Jehoiakim is meant here especially: he, by oppression, levied the tribute imposed on him by Pharaoh-necho, king of Egypt (2 Chronicles 36:3), and taxed his people, and took their labor without pay, to build gorgeous palaces for himself (Jeremiah 22:13-17), and shed innocent blood, for example, that of Urijah the prophet (Jeremiah 26:20-24; 2 Kings 23:35; 24:4). 4. upon the throne of David —literally, "or David on his throne" (see on Jeremiah 13:13). This verse is repeated substantially from Jeremiah 17:25. his servants —so the Keri. But Chetib, singular, "his servant;" that is, distributively, " each with his servants;" Jeremiah 17:25, "their princes." 5. I swear by myself —(Hebrews 6:13, 17). God swears because it seemed to them incredible that the family of David should be cast off. ## this house —the king's, where Jeremiah spake (Jeremiah 22:4). 6.

For —not referring to the words immediately preceding, but to "I will not make mention of Him." The "defaming" or detraction of the enemy on every side (see Psalms 31:13) tempted him to think of prophesying no more. Report … we will report —The words of his adversaries one to the other; give any information against him (true or false) which will give color for accusing him; and "we will report it," namely, to the Sanhedrim, in order to crush him. familiars —literally, "men of my peace"; those who pretended to be on peaceable terms with me (Psalms 41:9). Jeremiah is a type of Messiah, referred to in that Psalm. (See Jeremiah 38:22; Job 19:19; Psalms 55:13, 14; Luke 11:53, 54). watched for my halting —(Psalms 35:15, Margin, "halting"; Psalms 38:17; 71:10, Margin ). G ESENIUS not so well translates, according to Arabic idiom, "those guarding my side" (that is, my most intimate friends always at my side ), in apposition to "familiars," and the subject of "say" (instead of "saying"). The Hebrew means properly "side," then "halting," as the halt bend on one side. enticed —to commit some sin. 11. not prevail —as they hoped to do (Jeremiah 20:10; Jeremiah 15:20). prosper —in their plot. 12. triest the righteous —in latent contrast to the hasty judgments of men (Jeremiah 11:20; 17:10). opened —that is, committed (compare 2 Kings 19:14; Psalms 35:1). 13. delivered … soul —This deliverance took place when Zedekiah succeeded Jeconiah. 14-18.

See the note on 2Kgs 22:20. 2CHRONICLES 35: 25 Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and singing women spoke of Josiah in their lamentations to this day; and they made them an ordinance in Israel: and behold, they are written in the lamentations.2 CHRONICLES Verse 25 Behold, they are written in the lamentations - The Hebrews had poetical compositions for all great and important events, military songs, songs of triumph, epithalamia or marriage odes, funeral elegies, etc. Several of these are preserved in different parts of the historical books of Scripture, and these were generally made by prophets or inspired men. That composed on the tragical end of this good king by Jeremiah is now lost. The Targum says, "Jeremiah bewailed Josiah with a great lamentation; and all the chiefs and matrons sing these lamentations concerning Josiah to the present day, and it was a statute in Israel annually to bewail Josiah. Behold, these are written in the book of Lamentations, which Baruch wrote down from the mouth of Jeremiah. 2CHRONICLES 35: 26 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his good deeds, according to that which is written in the LORD’s law, 2CHRONICLES 35: 27 and his acts, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

8 . The period since the decree of Cyrus a divinely appointed respite of probation. And now for a little space ] R.V. And now for a little moment. ‘For a little moment’, as in Isaiah 26:20 ‘Hide thyself for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast’. Ezra means that as compared with the long periods of Israel’s disobedience ( Ezra 9:7 ), and Israel’s punishment, the interval of eighty years since Zerubbabel’s return was but a short chapter in the people’s history. grace ] The word in the Hebrew is practically always elsewhere in the O.T. rendered ‘supplication’ (e.g. 1 Kings 8:30 ; 1 Kings 8:38 ; 1 Kings 8:52 ; 1 Kings 9:3 ; Psalm 6:9 ; Psalm 55:1 ; Psalm 119:170 ; Jeremiah 36:7 ; Jeremiah 37:20 ; Jeremiah 38:26 ; Jeremiah 42:9 ; Daniel 9:20 ; 2 Chronicles 6:19 ; 2 Chronicles 6:29 ; 2 Chronicles 6:35 ; 2 Chronicles 6:39 ; 2 Chronicles 33:13 ). The only possible exception is Joshua 11:20 ‘That they might utterly destroy them, that they might have no favour ’ (marg. Or, might not sue for favour ).