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Text -- Jeremiah 18:4 (NET)

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Context
18:4 Now and then there would be something wrong with the pot he was molding from the clay with his hands. So he would rework the clay into another kind of pot as he saw fit.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Pottery | PROVIDENCE, 2 | POTTER; POTTERY | HANDICRAFT | God | GOOD | Clay | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

JFB: Jer 18:4 - -- Spoiled. "Of clay" is the true reading, which was corrupted into "as clay" (Margin), through the similarity of the two Hebrew letters, and from Jer 18...

Spoiled. "Of clay" is the true reading, which was corrupted into "as clay" (Margin), through the similarity of the two Hebrew letters, and from Jer 18:6, "as the clay."

Clarke: Jer 18:4 - -- The vessel - was marred in the hands of the potter - It did not stand in the working; it got out of shape; or some gravel or small stone having been...

The vessel - was marred in the hands of the potter - It did not stand in the working; it got out of shape; or some gravel or small stone having been incorporated with the mass of clay, made a breach in that part where it was found, so that the potter was obliged to knead up the clay afresh, place it on the wheel, and form it anew; and then it was such a vessel as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Calvin: Jer 18:4 - -- He then relates what had been enjoined him, that he descended into the potter’s house; and then he relates what he saw there — that when the pott...

He then relates what had been enjoined him, that he descended into the potter’s house; and then he relates what he saw there — that when the potter formed a vessel it was marred, and that he then made another vessel from the same clay, and, as it seems, one of a different form; for there is a peculiar emphasis in these words, as it seemed right in his eyes. The application is afterwards added — cannot I, as the potter, change you, O house of Israel? Doubtless, ye are in my hand as the clay in the hand of the potter; that is, I have no less power over you than the potter over his work and his earthen vessels. 192

We now see what this doctrine contains — that men are very foolish when they are proud of their present prosperous condition, and think that they are as it were fixed in a state of safety; for in a single moment God can cast down those whom he has raised up, and also raise up on high those whom he has before brought down to the ground. This is even well known by heathens, for moderation is commended by them, which they describe thus — “That no one ought to be inflated in prosperity, nor succumb in adversity.” But no one is really influenced by this thought, except he who acknowledges that we are ruled by the hand of God: for they who dream that fortune rules in the world set up their own wisdom, their own wealth, and their own strongholds. It must then necessarily be, that they always delude themselves with some vain hope or another. Until then men are brought to know that they are so subject to God’s power that their condition can in a single moment be changed, according to his will, they will never be humble as they ought to be. This doctrine therefore was entitled to special notice, especially when we consider how foolishly the Jews had abused the privilege with which God had favored Abraham and all his posterity; it was therefore an admonition altogether necessary. Besides, if we come to ourselves, we shall find that it requires a great effort to learn to humble ourselves, as Peter reminds us, under the mighty hand of God. (1Pe 5:6.)

With regard to the words we must observe that האבנים eabenim, is a word in the dual number. The Prophet no doubt meant the moulds, des moules; for they who render it “wheel” seem not to understand the subject. 193 The Prophet evidently refers to the moulds, made either of stone, or of wood, or of white clay; and this the number sufficiently proves. He then saw the potter with his moulds, avec ses moules, so that when he had formed one vessel it was marred; then he took the same clay and formed another vessel, and that according to his own will. I have already stated why it was necessary for the Prophet to go down to the potter’s house: he did so that he might afterwards lead the Jews to see their own case in a more vivid manner; for we know what a powerful effect a representation of this kind produces, when a scene like this is set before our eyes. Naked doctrine would have been frigid to slothful and careless men; but when a symbol was added, it had much greater effect. This then was the reason why God ordered the Prophet to see what the potter was doing.

TSK: Jer 18:4 - -- made of clay was marred in : or, made was marred, as clay in, made it again. Heb. returned and made. as. Jer 18:6; Isa 45:9; Rom 9:20-23

made of clay was marred in : or, made was marred, as clay in, made it again. Heb. returned and made. as. Jer 18:6; Isa 45:9; Rom 9:20-23

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Poole: Jer 18:4 - -- That which we read of clay may be read, (as our margin tells us,) as clay ; that is, while it was yet clay it was spoiled in the potter’ s...

That which we read

of clay may be read, (as our margin tells us,) as clay ; that is, while it was yet clay it was spoiled in the potter’ s hand, so as he did not think fit to go on with his design as to the form of the vessel, but made it into another form, such as he liked best.

Haydock: Jer 18:4 - -- Broken. So Providence ordered it. (St. Jerome) --- How should this idea humble man! (Calmet) --- A potter may mould afresh the clay as long as i...

Broken. So Providence ordered it. (St. Jerome) ---

How should this idea humble man! (Calmet) ---

A potter may mould afresh the clay as long as it is soft, but God can change the hardest heart. (Worthington)

Gill: Jer 18:4 - -- And the vessel that he made of clay,.... Which is the matter the vessel is made of: was marred in the hand of the potter; while he was working it; ...

And the vessel that he made of clay,.... Which is the matter the vessel is made of:

was marred in the hand of the potter; while he was working it; either it fell, as the Septuagint version renders it, out of his hands, or from the beam on which it was laid; or was spoiled by some means or other, so that it was not fit for the purpose he first intended it: or the words should be read, according to some copies, "and the vessel was marred which he made, as clay in the hand of the potter" r; while it was clay; or moist, as Jarchi interprets it; and while it was in his hands, forming and fashioning it:

so he made it again another vessel; put it into another form and shape it would better serve:

as seemed good to the potter to make it; just as he pleased, and as his judgment in his art directed him; he having power over the clay to mould it as he would, and as it best answered so to do.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Jer 18:4 Heb “as it was right in his eyes to do [or work it].” For this idiom see Judg 14:3, 7; 1 Sam 18:20, 26; 2 Sam 17:4.

Geneva Bible: Jer 18:4 And the vessel that he made of ( a ) clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Jer 18:1-23 - --1 Under the type of a potter is shewn God's absolute power in disposing of nations.11 Judgments threatened to Judah for her strange revolt.18 Jeremiah...

MHCC: Jer 18:1-10 - --While Jeremiah looks upon the potter's work, God darts into his mind two great truths. God has authority, and power, to form and fashion kingdoms and ...

Matthew Henry: Jer 18:1-10 - -- The prophet is here sent to the potter's house (he knew where to find it), not to preach a sermon as before to the gates of Jerusalem, but to prep...

Keil-Delitzsch: Jer 18:2-5 - -- The emblem and its interpretation. - Jer 18:2 . "Arise and go down into the potter's house; there will I cause thee to hear my words. Jer 18:3 ...

Constable: Jer 2:1--45:5 - --II. Prophecies about Judah chs. 2--45 The first series of prophetic announcements, reflections, and incidents th...

Constable: Jer 2:1--25:38 - --A. Warnings of judgment on Judah and Jerusalem chs. 2-25 Chapters 2-25 contain warnings and appeals to t...

Constable: Jer 15:10--26:1 - --3. Warnings in view of Judah's hard heart 15:10-25:38 This section of the book contains several ...

Constable: Jer 18:1-12 - --The lesson of the potter's vessel 18:1-12 There are indications in this message that God might yet avert judgment (vv. 7-8, 11), so Jeremiah evidently...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) JEREMIAH, son of Hilkiah, one of the ordinary priests, dwelling in Anathoth of Benjamin (Jer 1:1), not the Hilkiah the high priest who discovered the ...

JFB: Jeremiah (Outline) EXPOSTULATION WITH THE JEWS, REMINDING THEM OF THEIR FORMER DEVOTEDNESS, AND GOD'S CONSEQUENT FAVOR, AND A DENUNCIATION OF GOD'S COMING JUDGMENTS FOR...

TSK: Jeremiah 18 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Jer 18:1, Under the type of a potter is shewn God’s absolute power in disposing of nations; Jer 18:11, Judgments threatened to Judah fo...

Poole: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH THE ARGUMENT IT was the great unhappiness of this prophet to be a physician to, but that could not save, a dying sta...

Poole: Jeremiah 18 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 18 By the parable of a potter God’ s absolute power in disposing of nations is set forth, Jer 18:1-10 . Judah’ s unparalleled rev...

MHCC: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) Jeremiah was a priest, a native of Anathoth, in the tribe of Benjamin. He was called to the prophetic office when very young, about seventy years afte...

MHCC: Jeremiah 18 (Chapter Introduction) (Jer 18:1-10) God's power over his creatures is represented by the potter. (Jer 18:11-17) The Jews exhorted to repentance, and judgments foretold. (...

Matthew Henry: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah The Prophecies of the Old Testament, as the Epistles of the New, are p...

Matthew Henry: Jeremiah 18 (Chapter Introduction) In this chapter we have, I. A general declaration of God's ways in dealing with nations and kingdoms, that he can easily do what he will with them...

Constable: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title of this book derives from its writer, the late seventh an...

Constable: Jeremiah (Outline) Outline I. Introduction ch. 1 A. The introduction of Jeremiah 1:1-3 B. T...

Constable: Jeremiah Jeremiah Bibliography Aharoni, Yohanan, and Michael Avi-Yonah. The Macmillan Bible Atlas. Revised ed. London: C...

Haydock: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) THE PROPHECY OF JEREMIAS. INTRODUCTION. Jeremias was a priest, a native of Anathoth, a priestly city, in the tribe of Benjamin, and was sanct...

Gill: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH The title of the book in the Vulgate Latin version is, "the Prophecy of Jeremiah"; in the Syriac and Arabic versions, "the...

Gill: Jeremiah 18 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 18 This chapter expresses the sovereign power of God ever his creatures, and his usual methods of dealing with them; it th...

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