Westminster Annotations, Jeremiah · Chapter 35
CHAP. XXXV.
Vers. 1. THe word which came, &c.] Chap. 1. 2, 4.
in the dayes of Jehoiakim] For the disposition and order of these Prophecies, see on Chap. 27. 1.
V. 2. the Rechabites] These were by originall Kenites, descended from Jethro or Hobab, Moses his father in law: Judg. 1. 16. & 4. 11. 1 Chron. 2. 55. who had therefore no possessions of their own among Gods people, but lived upon their imployments.
into one of the chambers] Which were adjoyning to and about the Temple and the courts thereof, for the Priests to lodge in; and for the holy vestments, oblations and the like to be stowed in. 1 Chron. 28. 11, 12. 1 King. 6. 5, 6, 10. 2 Chron. 3. 11. Ezek. 40. 17, 44-46. & 41. 6. & 42. 13.
V. 4. into the chamber of the sonnes, &c.] Whose course, it seemeth, was to wait and serve that week. See 1 Chron. 24. 5, 6. & 25. 1, 2, &c. 2 Chron. 23. 4, 8.
of Hanan] Whom some suppose to be that Hanani mentioned 2 Chron. 16. 7. but that is uncertain, and not very probable.
a man of God] A prophet, or godly and faithfull teacher of Gods people. Deut. 33. 1. Psal. 90. 1. 1 Tim. 6. 11.
by the chamber of the princes] Of the chief next under the High-priest. Chap. 20. 1. or, of the chief of that course, which was then in imployment. 2 Chron. 23. 4. Luk. 1. 5, 8, 23.
above the chamber of Maaseiah] For the chambers were built one above another. Ezek. 41. 5, 6.
the keeper of the door] Heb. threshold. Ezek. 43. 8. or, vessel. Chap. 52. 19, 24. One of the Porters. 1 Chron. 26. 1. Whereof some had the charge of the holy vessels; and sometime also of the treasure. 1 Chron. 9. 27-29. 2 King. 12. 9.
V. 5. Drink ye wine] He saith not, Thus saith the Lord, Drink wine. For they ought then to have done it: but speaketh in this manner onelyonly to try what they would do; and by their obedience to their ancestors charge, and constant …esolution in the same, to convince and condemn the disobedience of his people. vers. 16.
V. 6. Jonadab] Of whom we read in the storie of Jehu. 2 King. 10. 15.
Ye shall drink no wine] He enjoyned them this austere course of life; either because they were to live by their labours, having no portion of inheritance in the land; or to enure them to hardship; as fore-seeing the calamities likely to befall the State they lived in.
V. 7. where ye be strangers] Or, sojourn. Exod. 12. 49. For they were Kenites, or Midianites; not Israelites by descent. Exod. 2. 16. & 3. 1. 1 Chron. 2. 55.
V. 9. neither have we vineyard] Or, and that we should not have.
V. 10. But we have dwelt in tents] Or, we dwell therefore in tents. Ordinarily: save when necessitie enforceth us to do otherwise. vers. 11.
have obeyed, &c.] This, it seemeth, had been inviolably observed by them, well-neer the space of three hundred yeers, from Jehu to Jehoiakim.
V. 11. let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army] Heb. from the face of. Isa. 21. 15. & 31. 8. So in the next clause.
of the Syrians] Heb. Aramites. Isa. 7. 1. That joyned with, or served under the Chaldeans, in their expedition against Gods people. 2 King. 24. 2.
so we dwell at Jerusalem] Or, abide. Chap. 40. 5. vers. 15. So that, it seemeth, they held not themselves so strictly tied to these observances, but that in case of necessitie they might and did dispense with them.
V. 12. Then came, &c.] as Vers. 1.
V. 13. Will ye not receive instruction, &c.] Ye, whom I have chosen to be my people and children, above and before all the people in the world, who otherwise have as much interest in me as you. Deut. 7. 6.
V. 14. The words of Jonadab, &c.] When the children of one, by originall an heathen, living as strangers among you, do so punctually observe their fathers charge, and have constantly so done for so long a time together. vers. 8. 10.
notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, &c.] When I have from time to time so frequently and instantly minded you of my charge, and by my prophets called upon you for obedience thereunto. Chap. 7. 13. & 11. 7. See vers. 17.
V. 15. I have sent also unto you all my servants, &c.] Heb. And have sent unto. Or, For I have, &c. as Isai. 63. 5. or, I have even sent, &c. as Chap. 52. 13.
Return ye, &c.] Chap. 18. 11. & 25. 5.
and ye shall dwell in the land] Heb. sit; or, dwell. Psal. 37. 27. Or, remain; abide. Chap. 40. 5, 10. vers. 11.
V. 17. because, &c.] Prov. 1. 24. Chap. 7. 23.
I have spoken unto them] By my ministers and messengers the Prophets. vers. 15. It being all one in effect, when God speaketh by them, as if he spake immediately by word of mouth himself. Isa. 1. 2, 20. Chap. 15. 19. 2 Cor. 5. 20. & 13. 3. Eph. 2. 17.
they have not heard] Or, would not hear. Psal. 81. 11.
they have not answered] Or, would not answer. Chap. 7. 13.
V. 19. Jonadab shall not want a man to stand before me] Heb. There shall not a man be cut off from Jonadab the sonne of Rechab to stand before me. as Chap. 33. 17, 18. His posteritie shall continue in my favour for ever. Or, there shall be surviving of his posteritie among my people, so long as this State standeth. as Psal. 89. 36. And it may well …e, that there should some of them be imployed about the sacred offices concerning the Law: (as 1 King. 10. 8▪ & 17. 1.) for they were Scribes, and given to the study of literature. 1 Chron. 2. 55.
to stand before me] Deut. 10. 8. 1 King. 17. 1.
for ever] Which phrase is sometime taken, not absolutely, but with restriction and relation to the continuance of those things, on which that dependeth, whereunto it is applyed. as Gen. 17. 13. Exod. 21. 6. Numb. 18. 8. and so here. So long as that State either civil or sacred should continue.