Compare Translations for Jeremiah 27:5

Commentaries For Jeremiah 27

  • Chapter 27

    The neighbouring nations to be subdued. (1-11) Zedekiah is warned to yield. (12-18) The vessels of the temple to be carried to Babylon, but afterwards to be restored. (19-22)




  • CHAPTER 27


    1. Jehoiakim--The prophecy that follows was according to this reading given in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, fifteen years before it was published in the reign of Zedekiah to whom it refers; it was thus long deposited in the prophet's bosom, in order that by it he might be supported under trials in his prophetic career in the interim [CALVIN]. But "Zedekiah" may be the true reading. So the Syriac and Arabic Versions. Jeremiah 27:3 Jeremiah 27:12 , Jeremiah 28:1 , confirm this; also, one of KENNICOTT'S manuscripts. The English Version reading may have originated from Jeremiah 26:1 . "Son of Josiah" applies to Zedekiah as truly as to "Jehoiakim" or "Eliakim." The fourth year may, in a general sense here, as in Jeremiah 28:1 , be called "the beginning of his reign," as it lasted eleven years ( 2 Kings 24:18 ). It was not long after the fourth year of his reign that he rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar ( Jeremiah 51:59 , 52:3 , 2 Kings 24:20 ), in violation of an oath before God ( 2 Chronicles 36:13 ).

    2. bonds--by which the yoke is made fast to the neck ( Jeremiah 5:5 ).
    yokes--literally, the carved piece of wood attached at both ends to the two yokes on the necks of a pair of oxen, so as to connect them. Here the yoke itself. The plural is used, as he was to wear one himself, and give the others to the ambassadors; ( Jeremiah 27:3 , Jeremiah 28:10 Jeremiah 28:12 ) proves that the symbolical act was in this instance (though not in others, Jeremiah 25:15 ) actually done (compare Isaiah 20:2 , &c. Ezekiel 12:3 Ezekiel 12:11 Ezekiel 12:18 ).


    given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me--( Psalms 115:15 Psalms 115:16 , Daniel 4:17 Daniel 4:25 Daniel 4:32 ). Not for his merits, but of My own sole good pleasure [ESTIUS].

    6. beasts of the field--not merely the horses to carry his Chaldean soldiers, and oxen to draw his provisions [GROTIUS]; not merely the deserts, mountains, and woods, the haunts of wild beasts, implying his unlimited extent of empire [ESTIUS]; but the beasts themselves by a mysterious instinct of nature. A reproof to men that they did not recognize God's will, which the very beasts acknowledged (compare Isaiah 1:3 ). As the beasts are to submit to Christ, the Restorer of the dominion over nature, lost by the first Adam (compare Genesis 1:28 , Genesis 2:19 Genesis 2:20 , Psalms 8:6-8 ), so they were appointed to submit to Nebuchadnezzar, the representative of the world power and prefigurer of Antichrist; this universal power was suffered to be held by him to show the unfitness of any to wield it "until He come whose right it is" ( Ezekiel 21:27 ).

    time of his land--that is, of its subjugation or its being "visited" in wrath ( Jeremiah 27:22 , Jeremiah 25:12 , 29:10 , 50:27 , Daniel 5:26 ).
    serve themselves of him--make him their servant ( Jeremiah 25:14 , Isaiah 13:22 ). So "his day" for the destined day of his calamity ( Job 18:20 ).


    enchanters--augurs [CALVIN], from a root, the "eyes," that is, lookers at the stars and other means of taking omens of futurity; or another root, a "fixed time," observers of times: forbidden in the law ( Leviticus 19:26 , Deuteronomy 18:10 Deuteronomy 18:11 Deuteronomy 18:14 ).




    13. Why . . . die--by running on your own ruin in resisting Nebuchadnezzar after this warning ( Ezekiel 18:31 ).

    14. lie--( Jeremiah 14:14 ).

    15. in my name--The devil often makes God's name the plea for lies ( Matthew 4:6 , Matthew 7:22 Matthew 7:23 , Jeremiah 27:15-20 , the test whereby to know false prophets).

    16. The "vessels" had been carried away to Babylon in the reign of Jeconiah ( 2 Kings 24:13 ); also previously in that of Jehoiakim ( 2 Chronicles 36:5-7 ).

    18. at Jerusalem--that is, in other houses containing such vessels, besides the house of God and the king's palace. Nebuzara-dan, captain of the guard under Nebuchadnezzar, carried all away ( 2 Kings 25:13-17 , 2 Chronicles 36:18 ). The more costly vessels had been previously removed in the reigns of Jehoiakim and Jeconiah.

    19. ( Jeremiah 52:17 Jeremiah 52:20 Jeremiah 52:21 ).

    22. until . . . I visit them--in wrath by Cyrus ( Jeremiah 32:5 ). In seventy years from the first carrying away of captives in Jehoiachin's reign ( Jeremiah 29:10 , 2 Chronicles 36:21 ).
    restore them--by the hand of Cyrus ( Ezra 1:7 ). By Artaxerxes ( Ezra 7:19 ).