Observations Upon the Old Testament, Commentary · Jeremiah
Jeremiah.
JEREMIE, a Priest of Anathoth in Benjamin, prophesied fourty one years, and upwards; thus, From the thirteenth of King Josiah's reigne, to the end of it, being nineteene years; eleven in the reigne of Jehojakim; and eleven in the reigne of Zedekiah, chap. I. 1, 2. and chap. XXV. 3. and XXXIX. 11. And he prophesied some years after that, in Judea first, and Egypt last, ch. XLII. 2. and XLIII. 10. and XLIV. 8, 24. But how long is uncertaine. He was much opposed by false Prophets: and sustained much hard measure from the Priests, Princes, and People. And after the taking, and destruction of Jerusalem, Citie, and Temple, we read of his usage, chap. XXXIX. 11,—14. and chap. XL. 1,—6. and XLII. 2. and XLIII. 2, 6. Jeremiah in this Book mainly preacheth against the sinnes of the Jewes. And for them foretelleth the ruine of their State by the Babylonians, which he lived to see; and to lament in his Book of Lamentations. He foretels the LXX. years captivity there; Their returne thence, and happy enlargement under that blessed Branch, the Messias; And he propesieth also in the latter part of his Book against other Nations, the Enemies and Oppressors of Gods people, against Egypt; the Philistines; Moab; the Ammonities; Edom; Damascus; Kedar; Hazor; Elam; And foretels chiefly the utter ruine of Babylon, and the Empire by Cyrus; the Medes and Persians.
His Chapters as they now stand numbered, and placed in the Hebrew text, and in our English Translations, if they were rancked according to the course and Histories of the times, and the things done in them, after the first twenty Chapters, would follow in this ensuing Order, keeping the numbers of the Chapters that we now have, 20. 22. 23. 47. 26. 25. 36. 1—8. 45. 46. 36. 9—32. 35. 27. 24. 49. v. 34 —39. 29. 30. 31. 28. 51. v. 59—64. 21. 32. 33. 34. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 48. 49. 50. 51. v. 1—59. 52. Thus much varying from the Order wherein we have them. The LXX. also marshal them in another ranck and order much differing from the Hebrew Text. And as Chapters here are thus displaced; so also in Daniel partly. And the Hebrew Text seemes sometimes not so rightly to divide the Chapters, as Esay LXIV. And in our English Bibles, Chapters sometimes are not so fitly and exactly divided, as Esay 4. 1. and 26. 20. and 52. 13. 14. 15. And in other Books. No nor verses neither; as Esay 53. 9, 10. and 58. 9. and 59. 15. The end of his Book, Chap. 52. 31—34. was written by some Prophet after Jeremies death. But when, and where he died, is not recorded.
in the thirteenth year of his reigne] Then Jeremie was called from being ordinary Priest, chapter I verse 2 to be an extraordinary Prophet.
captive] There were Captives under Jehojakim, verse 3 and under Jeconiah: But this is the last and greatest of Jerusalem it self; when both Citie, and Temple was sackt, and burnt, and the Kingdome destroyed, in the dayes of Zedekiah.
in the fifth monethmonth] This might end the eleventh year of Zedekiah's reigne, chap. LII. 12
Then] When God first called him. verse 4 As thus, the Time; So now followes in this Chapter, the maner of his Calling; and such general instructions as God was pleased then to give him concerning his carriage in it, and discharge of it.
I sanctified thee] Designed thee to be a Prophet: verse 5 to which Office I do now call thee. So, Gal. I. 15. See the like use of the word, Esay XIII. 3. This stretcheth not to inward sanctification; as that of Iohn Baptist doth, Luke I. 15.
Nations] Both Jewes, and other Nations also, verse 10. Chap. XXV. 15, &c. And chap. XLIII. and XLVI. and XLVII. and XLVIII. and XLIX. and L. and LI.
I cannot speak] Not dumb, verse 6 as Zacharie, Luke I. 20, 22. or slow, and stammering, as Moses, Exod. IV. 10, 14. But that he could not deliver such a message in that maner as was fitting; considering his childhood, and weaknesse, wanting that gravity, &c.
put forth his hand] In a Vision. verse 9
to root out] By publishing my word, verse 10 in Threatenings, and in Promises; which should as certainly be performed, as if the Prophet himself had acted them, chap. XVIII. 7, 8, 9. A foolish application is made of these words to the Popes pretended power over Kingdomes.
came unto me.] Seemingly at the same time with the former. verse 11
What seest thou?] See the like, Amos VII. 8. and VIII. 2. Zech. IV. 2. and V. 1.
I see] In a Vision.
Almond tree] That doth bud and blossome, the earliest of any.
hasten my word to performe it] 2 Kings XXIII. verse 12 33, 35. and chap. XXIV. 2.
a seething pot] Resembling Ierusalem. verse 13
Kingdomes of the North] Babylonians, verse 15 and their Assistants.
gird up thy loines] Addresse thy self manfully to thy imployment. verse 17
In this Chapter Ieremie directs his speech and Sermon to the whole body of the State, chapter II as in the name and person of God, debating the case, and expostulating with them, thus, viz. minding them of Gods mercies and favours towards them; taxing them for their base and unworthy thy carriage towards him; convincing them of their extreme folly and madnesse, in bringing mischief and misery upon themselves; and forewarning them of the sorry successe they should finde by relying on such as would not be able to relieve them.
the kindnesse of thy youth] What kindnesse, verse 2 and love, God then had shewed them; As, Psal. CVI. 4. Esay XLVI. 3.
when thou wentest] Gods kindnesse to them then, even though they then did but ill deserve it, Psal. CVI. 7, 32, 33. Amos V. 25, 26.
what iniquity] No fault in God, verse 5 that he is now changed towards them.
mine heritage] As dear to me, verse 7 as mine heritage; and by me assigned to you for an heritage.
and with your childrens children will I plead] As I formerly pleaded the cause with your forefathers, verse 9 chap. VII. 25. 2 Chron. XXXVI. 14, 15. Pleads here upon a new ground, verse 10, 11. Though they had no cause to plead with him, v. 29.
Kedar] In Arabia; verse 10 a kinde of savage people.
desolate] Lose your lustre. verse 12
Is Israel a servant] That he is so servilely, verse 14 slavishly, used by his enemies?
The young lions] Former judgements upon them; verse 15 as by the Syrians, and Assyrians.
Noph and Tahapanes] Cities in Egypt. verse 16
Sihor] Nilus. verse 18
river] Euphrates. The two broken Cisterns, v. 13.
when upon every high hill] Notwithstanding thy Promises and engagements. verse 20
see thy way in the valley] God points them, verse 23 as it were, with his finger, to the particular places of their idolatries.
dromedarie] A swift beast, whence in Greek it hath its name. A lesser and lower kinde of Camel, very rife in Arahia; and much used by Curriers there. Strabo l. 15. Diodore l. 2. c. 54. Leo Afric. l. 9.
A wilde Asse] Male, verse 24 or female. For Genders in the names of beasts, are often promiscuously used by the Hebrews. And we finde both Genders used sometimes of the very self-same thing; as, Ezek. II. 9. Jonah. I. 17. and II. 1.
snuffeth up the winde] Of lust, after the male or female.
in her monethmonth they shall finde her] When she is heavie with young, goeth near her time, and cannot so easily shift for her self.
withhold] A wholesom admonition and Caveat; verse 25 to break off their wicked courses in gadding after strange people, and strange gods, lest they suffer for it.
will I go.] Whatsoever comes of it. And so they are past cure, and past care.
to a stock] The ignorant idolatrous Jew no worse then the ignorant idolatrous Papist: verse 27 And the learned Papist not much differing herein from the learned idolatrous Jew.
Arise, and save us.] Judges X. 10, 13, 14, 15.
of thy Cities, verse 28 are thy gods] Tutelar gods. As Papists had their Tutelar Saints, to every Citie, Parish, Corporation, trade, sicknesse, &c.
See the Word of the Lord] As, verse 31 hear the rod, Micah VI. 9. See Deut. XXIX. 2, 3, 4. Prov. XX. 12. Eccles. I. 16. Psal. XVII. 2. and LXVI. 18. Jer. II. 19.
we will come no more unto thee.] We have no further need now of thy support; we can do well enough without thee.
forgotten me] Their ornament, verse 32 and attire.
why trimmest] Esay LVII. verse 33 9, 10.
thou also taught] Wicked Harlots may learne of thee; by thy evil example.
but upon all these] The skirts of thy garments, verse 34 it is openly to be seene.
to change thy way] Ranging up and downe, verse 36 to seek aide and auxiliaries abroad.
ashamed] 2 Chron. XXVIII. 20.
from him] Heb. verse 37 this; place: into captivity.
The five first verses seeme to belong to the former Chapter and Sermon. chapter III
shall he returne unto her againe?] Clearly No. verse 1 And the Law expressely forbids it, Deut. XXIV. 1,—4. Neither could his heart brook it.
lien with] So, verse 2 Deut. XXVIII. 30. In both places the over-mannerly Masorets check the Pen-men of Scripture, in appointing an honester terme to be read, in the roome of that they found written. See the Observations on 2 Kings X. 27.
as the Arabian] As Thamar did, Gen. XXXVIII. 14. See Ezek. XVI. 24, 25, 31. or to truck and trade with them.
from this time] Of my Correcting thee, verse 4 and admonishing thee, v. 3. and chap. II. 25.
My Father] Lamenting, as a childe to his father offended.
thou hast spoken] As formerly, verse 5 v. 4, 5.
and done evil things] But still doest evily and wickedly.
as thou couldest] Get opportunity, and have ability; As, Micah II. 1.
A new Sermon in Josiah's dayes. verse 6
backsliding Israel] The revolt of the then Tribes: and Gods Bill of divorce thereupon given her.
her treacherous sister Judah] Not fearing, verse 7 or mending by that example: proves worse then Israel, v. 11.
but feignedly] In the dayes of good Josiah. verse 10 For all that he could do, yet the generality of the people never turned unto God with their whole heart, as too well appeared by their sudden relapse and revolt presently after his death, 2 Kings XXIII. 32,—37. 2 Chron. XXXVI. 12, 14.
North] Whither the ten Tribes were carried. verse 12 Not that he was to go thither: but to proclaime, setting his face towards it. So, Ezek. XX. 46. and XXI. 2.
one of a Citie] God would make such an exact enquirie and search for them, verse 14 upon their sincere turning to him, in all places of their dispersion, that though there should be but some one only of them in a Citie, or some two only in a whole Countrey, yet he would, &c. See a parallel place, Esay XXVII. 12.
in those dayes] After the enlargement and growth of the Church under the Messias. verse 16
The Arke] An utter cessation of Legal Rites, under the Messias. Now they should have no misse of it, no want, or use of it at all.
Jerusalem] Gods Church; verse 17 whereof that was a Type, Cal. IV. 26. Apoc. XXI. 2. See Esay LX. 14.
and all the Nations] Esay II. 2.
neither shall they] Israelites, or Proselyte-Gentiles.
Iudah walk with the house of Israel] They shall be reconciled together. verse 18
land of the North] From Chaldea, and Assyria. The spiritual deliverance, and restitution of them by Christ, being shadowed out in these Prophetical Sermons, by those temporal deliverances and restaurations. So, chap. XXXI. and XXXIII. Esay XI. and LIV. and LX.
But I said] I had such thoughts as these with my self. verse 19
How shall I] Demanding of them, how he should do so great things for them, whenas they had dealt so perfidiously with him, in times past, verse 6, 9, 13, 20. Somewhat like that, Hosea VI. 4. and XI. 8.
and I said] After such crosse thoughts to disswade me, yet at length I resolved to do it, upon the condition following; which in effect God promiseth to effect in them.
surely as a wife] God requires her to engage her self to such future loyal carriage; verse 20 because she had in this kinde beene very faulty before.
A voice was heard] Or, verse 21 is heard; as, Esay XIII. 4. bewailing their sins, ch. XXXI. 19, 18.
Returne] Gods exhortation, verse 22 and invitation.
we come] Their Answer; and Confession, to the end of the Chapter.
O Israel] Doubtful, chapter IV verse 1 whether the ten Tribes, or Iudah.
in him] In God. verse 2
men of Iudah and Ierusalem] Them he exhorts to repentance; verse 3 to prevent the imminent judgements to come.
Break up] Hosea X. 11.
Blow the Trumpet] To give warning of the enemies approach. verse 5
towards Zion] Whereby men may be admonished to repair towards Zion, verse 6 their chief place of strength.
The Lion is come] Nebuchadnezzar. verse 7
thou hast] The false Prophets in Gods Name; verse 10 those in the end of the former verse; those he blames for promising them peace.
unto me] To do my will against them. verse 12
from Dan] The utmost bound Northward, verse 15 and towards Babylon, ch. VIII. 16.
Ephraim] North-border of Judah; by which Nebuchadnezzar must come.
watchers] Hostile forces, verse 16 v. 17.
my bowels,] The Prophets passionate grieving at the miseries of the war upon his people, verse 19 ch. IX. 1. Esay XXII. 4 bewailing their folly that would take no warning.
my tents spoiled] The tents of my people. verse 20
I beheld] In a spiritual rapture, verse 23 represented to the eye of his minde.
the earth] The Land of Iudea. Very Rhetorical delineations do follow of their miseries by this invasion of Nebuchadnezzar, graphicaly as in a Map described.
yet will I not make a full end.] But reserve a remnant. verse 27
rentest thy face with painting] Noted as a whorish practice in Jezabel, verse 30 2 Kings IX. 30. in Aholah▪ and Aholibah, Ezek. XXIII. 40.
if ye can finde a man] Zeph. chapter V verse 1 I. 12. If not ten in Sodom; how much is it stranger that not one in Jerusalem, a larger Citie? See the oecumenical contagion; and yet Gods marvelous merciemercy. So Gen. XVIII. 32. Yet here, by a man, and any, we are not to tie it up to one individual person; No doubt more then one such there were: among those, chap. XXVI. 16, 24. and chap. XXXVI. 25. in Jehojakims time. And in Zedekiahs time, during the siege there were Ebedmelech, Jeremie himself, and others. The meaning must be, to understand scarce a man, very few, no considerable number, worth the speaking of; that a man might go to and fro for a long time in it, and yet not light on any man, one, or other, that were sincere and upright. See the like, Gen. VI. 1. Psal. XII. 1. and XIV. 2, 3. Esay LXIV. 6, 7. Micah VII. 1, 2.
The Lord liveth] Of swearing, verse 2 see the Observations on Hos. IV. 15.
These are poore] Poverty may put them upon evil courses. verse 4
a Lion] Nebuchadnezzar, and his forces.
Go ye up] Gods Commission to the Chaldeans. verse 10
not a full end] Verse 18. chap. IV. 27.
not he] That thus threateneth, verse 12 by Jeremie and some others.
a Nation] The Chaldeans. verse 15
O house of Israel] Of Judah, who are of the linage of Israel.
which have eyes, and see not] Esay XLII. verse 21 20. Ezek. XII. 2. Acts XXVIII. 26, 27. See the Observations on Esay VI. 9.
they catch men] As Jezabel set a trap, verse 26 and a snare, to catch Naboth.
they overpasse the deeds of the wicked] They surpasse them. verse 28 Or, rather they passe by evils, they escape those evils wherewith others are surprised; as Psal. LXXIII. 5.
and the Priests beare rule by their meanes] Priests; verse 31 Or, Princes. Both banded against Gods true Prophets.
This Chapter is full of plagues and judgements, chapter VI chiefly by the Chaldeans, threatened for their sinnes. And their sinnes charged upon them, as the Cause of those judgements.
Benjamin] Which Tribe adhered still to Judah; verse 1 had the Northerne halfe of Jerusalem; and joyned to the North-side of it, Josh. XVIII. 28.
flee out] Before flee unto it, for succour; chap. IV. 6. now to flee out of it, to escape: yea, out of the Land, ch. X. 17.
Tekoah] A fenced Citie, built by Rehoboam, 2 Chron. XI. 5, 6. Where Amos was among the herdmen, and called to be a Prophet, Amos I. 1. And where that wise woman dwelled, 2 Sam. XIV. 2.
Bethhaccerem] Nehem. III. 14. Very many Cities in Jurie, begin with Beth. There set up a signe of fire, or fire a Becon, to give warning of the Babylonians approach.
Wholly oppression] As if all made of it. verse 6
before me continually is grief and wounds] Their grievances and woundings one another, verse 7 by their cruel dealings, are still before me, to provoke me to proceed in wrath against her.
Be thou] A summons to Repentance. verse 8
Turne back thy hand] Gods speech to the Chaldeans. verse 9
To whom] The Prophets Speech. verse 10
I am full] The Prophet cannot longer hold it in. verse 11
the aged] With the decrepit.
were they ashamed] The false Porphets. verse 15 They were shamelesse in it.
stand ye] The seduced people; verse 16 stand, as travellers use to do, when they are at a stand, and doubtful of the way.
we will not] Their wilful obstinacie.
Nations] God calls all the world to witnesse. verse 18
To what purpose] So long as their lives and courses were such as had beene shewed, verse 20 Esay I. 11,—15.
Sheba] Psal. LXXII. 10.
I will lay stumbling-blocks] I will bring those things upon them that shall be meanes of ruine and mischief to them, verse 21 Ezek. III. 20. and VII. 19.
I have set thee] God to his Prophet. verse 27
They are all] The Prophets answer. verse 28
One only verse in Jeremie is written in the Chaldee-language; for the ready use of the Jewes there, among, and against the Chaldeans Idols; viz. that in Ch. X. v. 11.
The seventy years captivity, or serving the King of Babylon, Ch. XXV. 11. take their rise and commencement, not from the last of Zedekiah; But from the first of Nebuchadnezzar, and third or fourth of Iehojakim; if not from the last of Iehojakim; and captivity of Iechoniah. See Jer. XXV. 1, 11, 12. and XXIX. 1, 2, 3, 10. Ezek. XL. 1. and XXXIII. 21. 2 Chron. XXXVI. 21, 22.
Rach l (who kept her fathers sheep, and had her name from Sheep or Ewe) her weeping for her children, chap. XXXI. 15. applied mostwhat by way of Allusion, to the mothers weeping for their children, Matth. II. 17, 18.
Jonadab, the sonne of Rechab; and not Rechab, the Author of that Injunction and Inhibition, to his Posterity; Chap. XXXV. 6, 8, 14, 16, 18, 19.
The Command concerning the Yoakes, chap. XXVII. 1, 2, 3. was either injoyned in the beginning of the reigne of Jehojakim, (and so the reigne of Nebuchadnezzar, and of Zedekiah, propheticaly foreseene and foretold by Jeremiah) And was after executed in the reigne of Zedekeih, when the Messengers of those neighbouring Kings, verse 3. came to Zedekiah, to congratulate him in the Beginning of his reigne; or to sollicit him to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar, in the fourth year of his reigne, chap. XXVIII. 1, 10. Or otherwise Jehojakim, in chap. XXVII. v. 1. must by errour of the Scribe be crept in, for Zedekiah; mentioned againe, v. 12. which thing in all Copies may not be admitted.
He shall be called, The Lord our Righteousness, chap. XXIII. 6.
She shall be called, The Lord our Righteousnesse, chap. XXXIII. 16. The Lord is our Righteousnesse.
Iehojakim is made King by Pharaoh Necho, and paies to him the tribute imposed, 2 Kings XXIII. 31, 32, 34, 35. slaies Uriah the Prophet, Ier. XXVI. 20,—23. And in the third or fourth year of his reigne, and first of Nebuchadnezzar, he was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar; as Jeremie foretold, chap. XXV. 1,—11. And he served him three years, 2 Kings XXIV. 1. In which time he burnes the Book written by Baruc from the mouth of Jeremie, chap. XXXVI. After rebels against Nebuchadnezzar. And at last, after that, 2 Kings XXIV. 2. he is taken by him, and bound in fetters to be carried to Babylon, 2 Chron. XXXVI. 6. But dying by the way, his dead body is cast out, and he buried with the burial of an Asse; as Jeremie foretold, chap. XXII. 18, 19. and XXXVI. 30. And so he slept with his fathers, 2 Kings XXIV. 6.
Zedekiah saw with his eyes the eyes of the King of Babylon: But not Babylon it self, where yet he should die in captivity: Having his eyes put out by Nebuchadnezzar at Ribla, Jer. XXXII. 4, 5. and LII. 10, 11. Ezek. XII. v. 13. and XVII. 16.
In the first year of Zedekiahs captivity and nineteenth of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan came, in the fifth monethmonth, seventh day, unto Jerusalem: and after two dayes preparation, and taking order about it, on the tenth day burnt the Temple, Kings house, and all the great mens houses. Or, began to burne them on the seventh day, which fire continued burning, and came to its height, or end, on the tenth day, Jer. LII. 12. 2 Kings XXV. 8.
Jewes carried capives into Babylon, by Nebuchadnezzar: in his
I. Year; and third, or fourth monethmonth of Jehojakim; Daniel▪ and his three Companions; and others. And part of the Vessels of the Temple, Jer. XXV. 1. Dan. I. 1, —6.
VII. Year; and eleventh and last of Jehojacin; 3023. Persons. And, it seemes more Vessels of the Temple, Jer. LII. 28. 2 Chron. XXXVI. 7.
VIII. Year; with Jehojakim; men of might, and apt for warre, 10000. out of all Jerusalem: and 1000. Smyths: and more Vessels of the Temple; and cut them in pieces, 2 Kings XXIV. 13, 14, 16. 2 Chron. XXXVI. 10. And at that time, Mordecai, Ester II. 5, 6. And Ezekiel; who calls it his Deportation, Ezek. XXXIII. 21. and XL. 1.
XVIII. and XIX. years; and last of Zedekiah; He carried away Zedekiah; and 832. persons. And all the rest of the Vessels of the Temple, great, and small. And by Nebuzaradan the Captaine of the Guard, burnt the Citie of Ierusalem, and the Temple; brake down the Walls: slew Serajah the High Priest, and the second Priest; and twelve other principal men, and sixty others brought to him to Ribla by Nebuzaradan; Ier. LII. 11,—29. 2 Kings XXV. 8,—21. 2 Chron. XXXVI. 17, 18, 19.
XXIII. Year; and fifth of Zedekiah's captivity, by the aforesaid Nebuzaradan; 745. Ier. LII. 30. This was after the murder of Gedaliah.
Their number at their Returne out of the Captivity was farre greater, Ezra II. 64, 65. Neh. VII. 66, 67.
Leopard] Or rather an Ounse, chapter XIII verse 23 or Cat-a-mountaine.
I am weary with repenting] God repents, chapter XV verse 6 see Gen. VI. 6, 7. and in many other places. But this is not properly Repentance, such as is in man. Man Repents with trouble of minde and conscience, for some fault, or out of ficklenesse, or through some oversight, or impotence. In which respects God cannot Repent, Num. XXIII. 19. 1 Sam. XV. 29. Mal. III. 6. Iames I. 17. But he is said to Repent improperly. And so this, and other Humane Passions, in some semblance, are ascribed to him improperly for our better apprehension. And thus God is said to Repent, when he doth as men use to do when they Repent, 1 Sam. XXV. 33, 34. When he undoeth what he had done before, revoketh a doome that he had passed before, stayeth the execution of a Sentence that formerly he had denounced, withholdeth the punishment denounced against sinne when the Persons repent of the evil of sinne. So, Iudg. X 13. 15, 16. 1 Kings XXI. 21, 27, 29. Ionah I…I. 10. Ier. XVIII. 8, 10. and XLII 10. Psal. CVI. 45. The end being thus accomplished for which the doome was denounced: Without which Repentance in man, God will not Repent of his purposed punishment; Esay XIV. 24, 27. Ier. IV. 28. Zech. VIII. 14. Thus Repentance in man produceth this kinde of Repentance in God. Man Repenting changeth his minde, will, and act: But God Repenting, willing this change in man, altereth the act; His minde and purpose abiding still the same, Ier. XX. 16.
Shallum] This seemes to be the same with Jehoachaz, chapter XXII verse 11 and Johanan, 2 Kings XXIII. 30. 1 Chron. III. 15. And that Shallum named, 1 Chron. III. 15. seemes to be another from this Shallum, as being reckoned distinctly the fourth sonne of Iosiah, and haply dying before his father Iosiah. See the Observations on 2 Kings XXIII. 31.
Branch] Is taken for the Messias. And so, chapter XXIII verse 5 chap. XXXIII. 15. and Zech. III. 8. and VI. 12. Esay IV. 2. XI. 1. Yet that King, Esay XXXII. 12. and XXXIII. 17. seemes properly and immediately to be understood of Ezekiah; of Christ only Typicaly. And that, Esay VIII. 18. and XLIX. 1. and chap. LXI. 1. of Esay partly, but of Christ principaly. As likewise that, Esay XLIX. 1. And that, Esay VIII. 8. Of Esay literaly, of Christ figuratively, Heb. II. 14. And againe, Esay XLII. 1. of Christ principaly, of Cyrus Typicaly. That Esay XLI. 2. of Cyrus only. Many speeches of the Prophets, concerning themselves, and others who were Types of Christ, are in the New Testament applied to Christ; being one way, and in one maner verified of them; and another way, and in another maner also, many times fulfilled in him. And so those words, 2 Sam. VII. 14. compared with 1 Chron. XXII. 10. and Heb. I. 5. And those, Heb. II. 13. Yea, in diverse Prophecies, some Particulars agree to the Type, and not to the Truth; as, Psal. XXII. 6. and XL. 12. Some to the Truth, and not to the Type; as, Psal. XVI. 10. with Acts II. 29. and XIII. 36, 37. Or to the Type in one sense; to the Truth in another: so in those Psalmes wherein David is a Type of Christ, as Psal. II. and XVI. and XXII. and those in which Solomon, as, Psal. XLV. and LXXII. Christ is called the Branch, because springing up as a bud or sprout from the root of Jesse, Esay XI. 1, 10. And so from David, Apoc. V. 5. and XXII. 16. Psal. CXXXII. 11, 17. Acts XIII. 23, 32. called the Righteous Branch, in this Text, and chap. XXXIII. 15. springing from a withered stock and stump, & sprouting at first in a mean and despicable maner, Esay XXXIII. 2, 3, 4. Yet after branching out beautifully, retaining its verdure perpetualy, spreading and growing, flowering and flourishing to all eternity, Dan. II 44, 45.
A man] See the Annotations on Esay II. chapter XXX verse 6 9.
uncles sonne] Sonne omitted in the Original, chapter XXXII verse 12 haply for brevity fake, as well knowne to be supplied out of verse. 7. preceding. As likewise the word Sister seemes to be omitted, 2 Sam. XXI. 8. And the word Brother, Verse 19. of that Chapter.
Funeral Burnings, chapter XXXIV among the Heathen, were of the dead bodies: But among the Jewes, not of the bodies; but of sweet odours; and divers kinds of spices, prepared by the Art of the Apothecaries, burned in the Tombe where the embalmed body was to lie, 2 Chr. XVI. 14. This was denied to the wicked King Jehoram, 2 Chron. XXI. 19. yet granted here to Zedekiah, in Babylon: And that burning of the Flesh of Saul, and his sonnes, 1 Sam. XXXI. 12. was a case extraordinary, and as their present condition, and that exigent seemed to require.
when they cut the calf in twaine, chapter XXXIV verse 18 &c.] The maner of making Covenants; whence the Hebrew phrase is to Cut a Covenant, that is from the right of Cutting a beast in twaine, sometime for Sacrifice, sometime for Feasting; and the Covenanters passing through betweene the Parts of it; implying it seemes, and that by way of execration, Themselves to be alike cut in sunder in case of violating the Conditions of the Covenant, Matth. 24. 51. Though some make the Cutting to relate to the strict and exact cutting out of Articles agreed upon for mutual performance by both parties, Gen XV. 9, 10, 17. Deut. XXIX. 12. Of Covenants, see more betweene man and man, and betweene God and man, Gen. IX. 9,—17. Gen. XXI. 27,—32. and chap. XXVI. 28,—31. and chap. XXXI. 44,—55. Exod. XXIV. 4,—8. Deut. V. 2, 3. whence the two tables are called the Tables of the Covenant; and the Ark, the Ark of the Covenant. And the Tabernacle, The Tabernacle of the Covenant; the Book of the Law, the Book of the Covenant, Josh. XXIV. 24, 25, 26, 27. Neh. IX. 38. 1 Sam. XVIII. 3, 4. and XXIII. 18. 1 Kings V. 12. and XX. 34. 2 Kings XI. 17. and XXIII. 3. Ezra. X. 3. Esay LIX. 21. Jer. L. 5. And God promises to make a New Covenant with his people, Jer. XXXI. 31, 32, 33, 34. cited, Heb. VIII. 8, 9. which yet is not simply New, in regard of the substance of it: for the maine matter and substance of the former Covenant is there, verse 33. And, Gen. XVII. 7. Deut. XXVI. 17, 18. and XXIX. 13. And both Covenants ratified by the blood of the Messias. But as Love is called a New Commandment, John XIII. 34. So this a New Covenant; in that it is ratified by the death of our Saviour exhibited; in that the Doctrine of the Gospel is now more fully and clearly revealed; in that this runneth wholly upon the spiritual, and celestial Blessings; in that the Ceremonials are removed, and the more Spiritual Service substituted for it; in that it is more generaly dilated and enlarged to all Nations; in that a large measure of Spiritual Gifts and efficacie of the Spirit is now vouchsafed; in that the continuance of it, without change, is to be to the end of the world.
hath sworne by himself] Having no greater to swear by, chapter LI verse 14 Heb. VI. 13. So, Gen. XXII. 16. Jer. XXII. 5. Amos VI. 8. By his soul; So is the Hebrew in this text, and chap. LI. 14. By the excellency of Jacob, Amos VIII. 7. By his Holinesse, Amos IV. 2. And againe, the Forme of his Oath is thus expressed, As I live, Heb. I. live, so, Jer. XXII. 24. and XLVI. 18. Ezek. V. 11. And, I live for ever, Deut. XXXII. 40. So men use to swear, The Lord liveth, Jer. IV. 2. and V. 2. As the Lord liveth that made us this soul, Jer. XXXVIII. 16. Gods oath shall undoubtedly be fulfilled, Psal. CX. 4. and CXXXII. 11. Heb. VI. 17, 18. Of Oaths, see more in the Annotations on Hos. IV. 15. and Gen. XXIV. 3.
carried away captive] chapter LII verse 28 Five captivities into Babylon are mentioned in Scripture.