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Text -- Jeremiah 25:35-38 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
25:35 The leaders will not be able to run away and hide. The shepherds of the flocks will not be able to escape. 25:36 Listen to the cries of anguish of the leaders. Listen to the wails of the shepherds of the flocks. They are wailing because the Lord is about to destroy their lands. 25:37 Their peaceful dwelling places will be laid waste by the fierce anger of the Lord. 25:38 The Lord is like a lion who has left his lair. So their lands will certainly be laid waste by the warfare of the oppressive nation and by the fierce anger of the Lord.”
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: TEXT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT | Sin | Shepherd | Lion | JEREMIAH, BOOK OF | JEREMIAH (2) | Israel | Dove | Captivity | CUT; CUTTING | COVERT | Anger | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , 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)

Wesley: Jer 25:38 - -- The effects of this rising up of God out of his covert is the desolation of the land through the fierceness of the enemy, caused by the fierce anger o...

The effects of this rising up of God out of his covert is the desolation of the land through the fierceness of the enemy, caused by the fierce anger of God.

JFB: Jer 25:35 - -- Literally, "Flight shall fail the shepherds . . . escaping (shall fail) the principal," &c. (Amo 2:14). The leaders will be the first objects for slau...

Literally, "Flight shall fail the shepherds . . . escaping (shall fail) the principal," &c. (Amo 2:14). The leaders will be the first objects for slaughter; escape by flight will be out of their power.

JFB: Jer 25:37 - -- Rather, carrying out the image "pastures" (see on Jer 25:30). The pasturages where, peaceably and without incursion of wild beasts, the flocks have fe...

Rather, carrying out the image "pastures" (see on Jer 25:30). The pasturages where, peaceably and without incursion of wild beasts, the flocks have fed, shall be destroyed; that is, the regions where, heretofore, there was peace and security (alluding to the name Salem, or Jerusalem, "possessing peace").

JFB: Jer 25:38 - -- The temple, where heretofore, like a lion, as its defender, by the mere terror of His voice He warded off the foe; but now He leaves it a prey to the ...

The temple, where heretofore, like a lion, as its defender, by the mere terror of His voice He warded off the foe; but now He leaves it a prey to the Gentiles [CALVIN].

JFB: Jer 25:38 - -- Rather, as the Hebrew, for "oppressor" is an adjective feminine, the word "sword" is understood, which, in Jer 46:16; Jer 50:16, is expressed (indeed,...

Rather, as the Hebrew, for "oppressor" is an adjective feminine, the word "sword" is understood, which, in Jer 46:16; Jer 50:16, is expressed (indeed, some manuscripts and the Septuagint read "sword" instead of "fierceness" here; probably interpolated from Jer 46:16), "the oppressing sword." The Hebrew for "oppressing" means also a "dove": there may be, therefore, a covert allusion to the Chaldean standard bearing a dove on it, in honor of Semiramis, the first queen, said in popular superstition to have been nourished by doves when exposed at birth, and at death to have been transformed into a dove. Her name may come from a root referring to the cooing of a dove. That bird was held sacred to the goddess Venus. Vulgate so translates "the anger of the dove."

JFB: Jer 25:38 - -- If the anger of Nebuchadnezzar cannot be evaded, how much less that of God (compare Jer 25:37)! The prophecies which gave the offense were those give...

If the anger of Nebuchadnezzar cannot be evaded, how much less that of God (compare Jer 25:37)!

The prophecies which gave the offense were those given in detail in the seventh, eighth, and ninth chapters (compare Jer 26:6 here with Jer 7:12, Jer 7:14); and summarily referred to here [MAURER], probably pronounced at one of the great feasts (that of tabernacles, according to USSHER; for the inhabitants of "all the cities of Judah" are represented as present, Jer 26:2). See on Jer 7:1.

Clarke: Jer 25:38 - -- As the lion - Leaving the banks of Jordan when overflowed, and coming with ravening fierceness to the champaign country.

As the lion - Leaving the banks of Jordan when overflowed, and coming with ravening fierceness to the champaign country.

Calvin: Jer 25:35 - -- He explains what we have now observed, for he had bidden the pastors to howl and the choice of the flock to roll or to prostrate themselves in the du...

He explains what we have now observed, for he had bidden the pastors to howl and the choice of the flock to roll or to prostrate themselves in the dust; he now gives the reason, even because they could not preserve their lives, no, not by an ignominious flight. It is indeed very miserable, when any one cannot otherwise secure his life than by seeking exile, where he must be poor, and needy, and despised; but even this is denied by the Prophet to the king and his counsellors, as well as to the rich through the whole city and the whole land: Perish, he says, shall flight from them. This mode of speaking is common in Hebrew:

“Flight,” says David, “has perished from me,”
(Psa 142:5;)

that is, I find no way of escape. So here, Perish shall flight; that is, while looking here and there in order to escape from danger, they shall be so shut up on every side, that they shall necessarily fall a prey to their enemies. It follows, —

Calvin: Jer 25:36 - -- He not merely repeats the same thing in other words, but adds also something more grievous, that God would render desolate their pastures. He pursues...

He not merely repeats the same thing in other words, but adds also something more grievous, that God would render desolate their pastures. He pursues the same metaphor; for as he used this comparison in speaking of the king’s counsellors and the priests, so now he does the same; and what he means by pastures is the community, the people, in the city and in the country; 154 as though he had said, that they had hitherto ruled over that land which was rich and fertile, and in which they enjoyed power and dignity, but that now they would be deprived of all these benefits. He afterwards adds, —

Calvin: Jer 25:37 - -- He goes on with the same subject, that the tents, previously tranquil, would perish or be destroyed. And he designedly calls their dwellings peaceabl...

He goes on with the same subject, that the tents, previously tranquil, would perish or be destroyed. And he designedly calls their dwellings peaceable; for the Jews, having found that their enemies had not before disturbed them, still promised to themselves the same good fortune in future.

And the faithful indeed do act thus rightly, and justly conclude from God’s previous benefits that he will be kind to them as he had ever been so; but hypocrites, though they repent not, yet absurdly think that God is bound to them; and though they daily provoke his wrath, they yet securely continue in their confidence of having peace. Since God then had until that time deferred the grievousness of his wrath, the Prophet says, that though their tents had been peaceable, 155 yet they could not be exempted from destruction as soon as the indignation of God’s wrath went forth. It might have been enough to make use of one of these words, either of חרון , cherun, or of אף , aph; but the Prophet used the two, indignation and wrath, 156 in order that he might fill the wicked with more terror; for as they were obstinate in their wickedness, so they were not moved except God doubled his strokes and set forth the extremity of his wrath. It follows, —

Calvin: Jer 25:38 - -- The Prophet in the last verse reminds us, that the Jews in vain trusted in God’s protection, for he would forsake his own Temple as well as the cit...

The Prophet in the last verse reminds us, that the Jews in vain trusted in God’s protection, for he would forsake his own Temple as well as the city. It was as it were a common saying among them,

“He has said, This is my rest for ever.” (Psa 132:14.)

But hypocrites did not consider that he could still stand faithful to his promises, though he did not suffer them to go unpunished. They could not therefore connect these two things together, — that God would be always mindful of his covenant, — and that still he would be the judge of his Church.

This is the reason why the Prophet now says, that God would forsake as a lion his tabernacle Some give this explanation, that he would go forth for a short time, as hungry lions are wont to do; but this is too far-fetched. I therefore have no doubt that God sets forth his power under the character of a lion; for the Jews would have been feared by all their enemies, had not God changed as it were his station. But as they had expelled him by their vices, so that he had no more an habitation among them, hence it was that they became exposed to the plunder of all nations. The import of the passage then is, that as long as God dwelt in the Temple he was like a lion, so that by his roaring alone he kept at a distance all nations and defended the children of Abraham; but that now, though he had not changed his nature, nor was there anything taken away or diminished as to his power, yet the Jews would not be safe, for he would forsake them. 157

And the reason is added, which clearly confirms what has been said, For their land (he refers to the Jews) shall be desolate But whence this desolation to Judea, except that it was deprived of God’s protection? For had God defended it, he could have repelled all enemies by a nod only. But as he had departed, hence it was that they found an easy access, and that the land was thus reduced to a waste.

It is added, on account of the indignation of the oppressor. Some render the last word “dove,” but not correctly. They yet have devised a refined meaning, that God is called a dove because of his kindness and meekness, though his wrath is excited, for he is forced to put on the character of another through the perverseness of men, when he sees that he can do nothing by his benevolence towards them. But this is a far-fetched speculation. The verb ינה , inc, means to oppress, to take by force; and as it is most frequently taken in a bad sense, I prefer to apply it here to enemies rather than to God himself. There are many indeed who explain it of God, but I cannot embrace their view; for Jeremiah joins together two clauses, that God would forsake his Temple, as when a lion departs from his covert, and also that enemies would come and find the place naked and empty; in short, he intimates that they would be exposed to the will and plunder of their enemies, because they would be at that time destitute of God’s aid. And as he had before spoken of the indignation of God’s wrath, so now he ascribes the same to their enemies, and justly so, for they were to execute his judgments; what properly belongs to God is ascribed to them, because they were to be his ministers. 158

TSK: Jer 25:35 - -- the shepherds : etc. Heb. flight shall perish from the shepherds, and escaping from, etc. Jer 32:4, Jer 34:3, Jer 38:18, Jer 38:23; Job 11:20; Isa 2:1...

the shepherds : etc. Heb. flight shall perish from the shepherds, and escaping from, etc. Jer 32:4, Jer 34:3, Jer 38:18, Jer 38:23; Job 11:20; Isa 2:12-22, Isa 24:21-23; Eze 17:15, Eze 17:18; Dan 5:30; Amo 2:14, Amo 9:1; Rev 6:14-17, Rev 19:19-21

nor : Jer 48:44, Jer 52:8-11, Jer 52:24-27; Amo 9:1-3

TSK: Jer 25:36 - -- Jer 25:34, Jer 4:8

TSK: Jer 25:37 - -- Isa 27:10,Isa 27:11, Isa 32:14

TSK: Jer 25:38 - -- hath : Jer 4:7, Jer 5:6, Jer 49:19, Jer 50:44; Psa 76:2; Hos 5:14, Hos 11:10, Hos 13:7, Hos 13:8; Amo 8:8; Zec 2:3 desolate : Heb. a desolation, Jer 2...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Jer 25:34-36 - -- Principal of the flock - i. e., noble ones. Wallow yourselves in the ashes - Rather, roll yourselves on the ground. For ... - Read;...

Principal of the flock - i. e., noble ones.

Wallow yourselves in the ashes - Rather, roll yourselves on the ground.

For ... - Read; "for your days for being slaughtered are accomplished, and I will scatter you"(or, (dash you in pieces).

Fall like a pleasant vessel - The comparison suggests the idea of change from a thing of value into worthless fragments.

Jer 25:36

Hath spoiled - Or, spoileth.

Barnes: Jer 25:37 - -- The peaceable habitations - The pastures of peace, the peaceable fields where the flocks lately dwelt in security. See Jer 25:30 note.

The peaceable habitations - The pastures of peace, the peaceable fields where the flocks lately dwelt in security. See Jer 25:30 note.

Barnes: Jer 25:38 - -- Yahweh has risen up, like a lion that leaves its covert, eager for prey, that He may execute judgment upon the wicked.

Yahweh has risen up, like a lion that leaves its covert, eager for prey, that He may execute judgment upon the wicked.

Poole: Jer 25:35 - -- In ordinary dispensations of judgment, there is some way left to escape, and if there be any way of escape, great men are likeliest to find it; but ...

In ordinary dispensations of judgment, there is some way left to escape, and if there be any way of escape, great men are likeliest to find it; but he telleth them that the greatest men should find no way to flee from or escape this terrible dispensation of God.

Poole: Jer 25:36 - -- That is, there shall be heard a great outcry of the princes and rulers, when they shall see how the Lord hath spoiled the cities in which, and their...

That is, there shall be heard a great outcry of the princes and rulers, when they shall see how the Lord hath spoiled the cities in which, and their people upon which, they have lived, and amongst whom they were wont to feed securely.

Poole: Jer 25:37 - -- That is, the places where these great men were wont to live splendidly, and dwell peaceably and securely, shall be as surely destroyed, through the ...

That is, the places where these great men were wont to live splendidly, and dwell peaceably and securely, shall be as surely destroyed, through the Lord’ s anger, as if it were already done.

Poole: Jer 25:38 - -- God had before compared himself to a lion, Jer 25:30 ; here he declares himself to be about to move like a lion, who when he goeth out to seek his p...

God had before compared himself to a lion, Jer 25:30 ; here he declares himself to be about to move like a lion, who when he goeth out to seek his prey, leaveth his covert: see Jer 50:44 . The effects of this rising up of God out of his covert is the desolation of the land through the fierceness of the enemy, caused from the fierce anger of God now ready to be poured out upon this people.

Haydock: Jer 25:37 - -- Silent. The places where you fed your flocks so delightfully, are laid waste.

Silent. The places where you fed your flocks so delightfully, are laid waste.

Haydock: Jer 25:38 - -- The dove. This is commonly understood of Nabuchodonosor, whose military standard, they say, was a dove. But the Hebrew word Jonah, which is here ...

The dove. This is commonly understood of Nabuchodonosor, whose military standard, they say, was a dove. But the Hebrew word Jonah, which is here rendered a dove, may also signify a waster or oppressor, which name better agrees to that unmerciful prince; or by comparison, as a dove's flight is the swiftest, so would their destruction come upon them. (Challoner) ---

Septuagint, "waste or impassible before the great sword,["] chap iv. 7. (Haydock) ---

While God, like a lion, protected his people, none durst invade them. (Menochius) ---

What is said respecting the Babylonian standards is very dubious, (Grotius; Calmet) as the same expression is applied to the Persians, (chap. l. 16.; Menochius) though it may there also be understood of the Chaldeans. (Haydock) ---

God is like a dove, yet terrible. (Worthington)

Gill: Jer 25:35 - -- And the shepherds shall have no way to flee,.... Or, "and flight shall perish from the shepherds" u; though they may attempt it, they shall not be abl...

And the shepherds shall have no way to flee,.... Or, "and flight shall perish from the shepherds" u; though they may attempt it, they shall not be able to accomplish it; neither the dignity of their persons, the greatness of their power, or the abundance of their riches, would make a way for them; their enemies being so numerous, powerful, and watchful:

nor the principal of the flock to escape; this was particularly verified in Zedekiah and his princes, Jer 39:4. The Targum is,

"and the house of fugitives shall perish from the kings, and deliverance from the mighty of the people.''

Gill: Jer 25:36 - -- And a voice of the cry of the shepherds,.... Or of the kings, as the Targum: and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard; of the ...

And a voice of the cry of the shepherds,.... Or of the kings, as the Targum:

and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard; of the mighty of the people, as the same; what is before called for is here represented as in fact, because of the certainty of it:

for the Lord hath spoiled their pastures: their kingdoms, provinces, cities, and towns; or their people, as the Targum, among whom they lived, and by whom they were supported; still keeping up the metaphor of the shepherd and flock. This the Lord is said to do because he suffered it to be done, yea, ordered it to be done, as a punishment for their sins.

Gill: Jer 25:37 - -- And the peaceable habitations are cut down,.... Or, "their peaceable ones", as the Targum; the palaces and stately dwellings, in which they lived in g...

And the peaceable habitations are cut down,.... Or, "their peaceable ones", as the Targum; the palaces and stately dwellings, in which they lived in great pomp and prosperity, in great peace, plenty, and safety, are destroyed by the enemy, and laid waste, and become desolate; yea, even those that lived peaceably and quietly, and neither were disturbed themselves, nor disturbed others, yet, as is usual in times of war, share the same fate with their neighbours, who have been more troublesome and molesting:

because of the fierce anger of the Lord; or "from before it, from the face of it"; shall be destroyed by it, that being displayed; and using enemies as instruments in the destruction of them. Sin is the cause of God's wrath and fierce anger, and his wrath and anger the cause of the destruction of men and their habitations, Whoever are the instruments.

Gill: Jer 25:38 - -- He hath forsaken his covert as a lion,.... Which some understand of God leaving Jerusalem, or the temple, where he dwelt; who, while he made it his re...

He hath forsaken his covert as a lion,.... Which some understand of God leaving Jerusalem, or the temple, where he dwelt; who, while he made it his residence, protected it; but when he forsook it, it became exposed to the enemy. Kimchi says it may be understood of the destruction of the first temple by Nebuchadnezzar; but he thinks it is most correct to interpret it of the destruction of the second temple; that is, by the Romans, when it was left desolate by Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. But it may be understood of Nebuchadnezzar leaving Babylon, his den, and ranging about like a lion for his prey; see Jer 4:7. So the Targum,

"and a king has removed from his tower or fortress;''

and the land is desolate; the land of Judea, or whatsoever country he comes into with his army; that, or Egypt, or any other:

because of the fierceness of the oppressor; the tyrant Nebuchadnezzar; or "oppressing sword" w, as some supply it, it being feminine; and so the Targum,

"from before the sword of the enemy.''

Some render it, "because of the fierceness of the dove"; so the Vulgate Latin; and understand it of the Babylonians or Chaldeans; who, as the Romans had an eagle, they had the dove on their standards or ensigns; which they received from the Assyrians, when they succeeded them in their monarchy; and those from Semiramis their first queen, who had it, it is said, on her standard x; and was retained in honour of her, and in memory of her being nourished by a dove, and turned into one after her death, as commonly believed y; and who had her name, as is affirmed z, from the word צמירא, "semira", signifying, in the Chaldee language, the song or cooing of the dove; but fierceness ill agrees with the dove, which is a meek and harmless creature;

and because of his fierce anger; either of God, or of the king of Babylon his instrument, in destroying nations; not Judea only, but many others.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Jer 25:35 Judging from Gen 14:10 and Judg 8:12 (among many others), it was not uncommon for the leaders to try to save their own necks at the expense of their s...

NET Notes: Jer 25:36 Jer 25:36-38 shifts to the future as though the action were already accomplished or going on. It is the sound that Jeremiah hears in his “prophe...

NET Notes: Jer 25:37 Heb “because of the burning anger of the Lord.”

NET Notes: Jer 25:38 The connection between “war” (Heb “the sword”) and the wrath or anger of the Lord has already been made in vv. 16, 27 and the ...

Geneva Bible: Jer 25:35 And the ( b ) shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the chief of the flock to escape. ( b ) It will not help them to seek to flee.

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Jer 25:1-38 - --1 Jeremiah, reproving the Jews' disobedience to the prophets,8 foretells the seventy years' captivity;12 and after that, the destruction of Babylon.15...

MHCC: Jer 25:30-38 - --The Lord has just ground of controversy with every nation and every person; and he will execute judgment on all the wicked. Who can avoid trembling wh...

Matthew Henry: Jer 25:30-38 - -- We have, in these verses, a further description of those terrible desolations which the king of Babylon with his armies should make in all the count...

Keil-Delitzsch: Jer 25:30-38 - -- "But do thou prophesy to them all these words, and say unto them: Jahveh will roar from on high, and from His holy habitation let His voice resound...

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 24:1--25:38 - --A collection of burdens on many nations chs. 24-25 The four message that follow concern ...

Constable: Jer 25:30-38 - --Universal judgment to come 25:30-38 25:30 Jeremiah was also to announce that God would prepare to judge all the inhabitants of the earth (v. 29). As a...

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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 25 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Jer 25:1, Jeremiah, reproving the Jews’ disobedience to the prophets, Jer 25:8, foretells the seventy years’ captivity; Jer 25:12, an...

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 25 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 25 Their disobedience to the prophets reproved, Jer 25:1-7 . The seventy years of captivity foretold, Jer 25:8-11 ; and after that the dest...

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 25 (Chapter Introduction) (Jer 25:1-7) The Jews rebuked for not obeying calls to repentance. (Jer 25:8-14) Their captivity during seventy years is expressly foretold. (Jer 25...

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 25 (Chapter Introduction) The prophecy of this chapter bears date some time before those prophecies in the chapters next foregoing, for they are not placed in the exact orde...

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 25 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 25 This chapter contains a prophecy of the destruction of Judea by the king of Babylon; and also of Babylon itself, after ...

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