Jeremiah 23:13

23:13 The Lord says, ¹  “I saw the prophets of Samaria ² 

doing something that was disgusting. ³ 

They prophesied in the name of the god Baal

and led my people Israel astray. ⁴ 

Jeremiah 31:5

31:5 Once again you will plant vineyards

on the hills of Samaria. ⁵ 

Those who plant them

will once again enjoy their fruit. ⁶ 

Jeremiah 41:5

41:5 eighty men arrived from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria. ⁷  They had shaved off their beards, torn their clothes, and cut themselves to show they were mourning. ⁸  They were carrying grain offerings and incense to present at the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. ⁹ 

¹ tn The words “The Lord says” are not in the text, but it is clear from the content that he is the speaker. These words are supplied in the translation for clarity.

² map For location see Map2-B1; Map4-D3; Map5-E2; Map6-A4; Map7-C1.

³ tn According to BDB 1074 s.v. תִּפְלָּה this word means “unseemly, unsavory.” The related adjective is used in Job 6:6 of the tastelessness of something that is unseasoned.

⁴ tn Heb “by Baal.”

⁵ map For location see Map2-B1; Map4-D3; Map5-E2; Map6-A4; Map7-C1.

⁶ sn The terms used here refer to the enjoyment of a period of peace and stability and the reversal of the curse (contrast, e.g., Deut 28:30). The Hebrew word translated “enjoy its fruit” is a technical one that refers to the owner of a vineyard getting to enjoy its fruit in the fifth year after it was planted, the crops of the first three years lying fallow, and that of the fourth being given to the Lord (cf. Lev 19:23-25).

⁹ sn Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria were all cities in the northern kingdom of Israel with important religious and political histories. When Israel was destroyed in 722 b.c., some of the Israelites had been left behind and some of the Judeans had taken up residence in these northern cities. People residing there had participated in the reforms of Hezekiah (2 Chr 30:11) and Josiah (2 Chr 34:9) and were evidently still faithfully following the Jewish calendar. They would have been on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish New Year and the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev 23:34).

¹⁰ tn The words “to show they were mourning” are not in the text but are implicit in the acts. They are supplied in the translation for clarification for readers who may not be familiar with ancient mourning customs.

¹¹ tn The words “in Jerusalem” are not in the text but are implicit. They are supplied in the translation for clarity.