Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 7 · Jeremiah · Chapter 19
CHAP. XIX.
AFter teaching by one sign of a potter making and breaking his pots at his pleasure, Chap. 18. now the Lord diverteth Ieremiah to teach by another of a pot taken to the valley of the son of Hinnom, and by him broken there in the sight of some Priests and Elders called thither by him. By the former having shewed, that they were in his hands, as the pots in the hands of the potter, so that he could whensoever he disliked, break them by his Judgements, and being broken, when he was reconciled by their repentance make them again a more prosperous and flourishing Nation then they were before: now he sheweth by this, that he could not only break them so, as that they should not be repaired again, but that he would certainly do it for their obstinate going on in their sins, that is, the wicked Jews then living, the remnant alwayes excepted, whom he promised to replant and build again. And this other sign, as Calvin conjectureth, is added, least any should think, that Calvin.although the Lord could do by them as the potter by his pots being new made, yet he could not do so by them, that had been so long formed into a glorious state, so that they were safe enough and needed not to fear his Judgements to come to their utter ruining as Ieremiah threatned. But by this resemblance he made the contrary most plain, that they should not only be broken in pieces, but also broken so as never to be made again into so excellent a body, as they had formerly been, as indeed they were not, no not after their return from Babylon, because they were under other Kings, the Persian, the Grecian, &c. and had never more any such Kingdom again as in Davids and Solomons time. And the Prophet is bidden to shew this in the valley of the son of Hinuom, otherwise called Tophet, of which see before, Chap. 7. 32. where the same threatning with this is made, that where such abominable sinnes were committed such dreadfull judgements should be executed, as they had sinned therein unnaturally burning their sons and daughters in sacrificing to Molock; so in Jerusalem which was neer unto it they should eat the flesh of their sons and daughttes for extream hunger in the time of their siege, wherewith their enemies should besie…e them: of which see, 2 King, 25. Levit. 26. 29. And he is bidden to take of the Priests and Elders with him to this place: vulgar Latin, take an earthen vessell of the Vers. 1, 2.potter from the Elders: but Hebr. it is, get or buy an earthen pot, of the potter, and from the Elders, that is, some chosen from amongst them both of the people and Priests, to hear and see what thou dost, but none of the common sort, because they were lead and guided by the Elders, and they had not so much understanding. The Elders of the Priests were the chief and most ancient of their severall families, as they are spoken of, Chron. 24. the Elders of the people governours amongst those of other tribes: and go to the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is at the entrance of the East gate, Vulg. of the potters gate, but the word signifyeth the Suns gate, which was eastward where the sun arose. But because the word foreign signifying a potters vessell, and foreign the Sun, which is here used, are so near the one to the other, yea the same in pronunciation, because foreign hath the point in the left horn, the Vulgar Latine hath it, the potters gate, and to justifie that reading it is alledged that the gate next to the valley of the son of Hinnom stood not East, but Southward, as may be seen, Josh. 15. 8. 18. 16. and the same was also called the dung gate, affirmed also by Brocardus to stand Southward. Against this nothing makes, but the word foreign here used and not foreign; of which because so good a reason hath been rendred before, I cannot for my part, but be satisfied in it, and therefore determine with the vulgar Latin that the best reading is the potters gate, so called for the potters dwelling near unto it and thereby carrying forth their potsheards, for which being as dung, R. Solomon saith it was called the dung-gate, Cald. Par. for the dung carryed out by it. And in bidding him go by the potters gate, there is an allusion to the pot, which he was bidden to carry that way.
And have burnt incense to strange gods, which neither their fathers nor they Vers. 4. Hieron.have known, that is, saith Jerom, their fathers, that were godly, for they that lived not long before since Idolatry took place amongst them, are not here looked at, as unworthy to be counted fathers, but only the most ancient. Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, Moses, Samuel and David, whose knowing and acknowledging was regulated by the Law of God. And therefore the like may be objected against the Papists now, Ye offer and pray to Saints departed and images, which neither your fathers, nor ye have known, that is, Peter, and Paul, and other Apostles, and first Preachers of the Gospel, nor ye from their example, and whereas ye pretend, that our forefathers did so, it is true, that they did indeed, but not any except those of later & more corrupt times, who are not therefore worthy of his name, for they worshipped, as Christ to the Samaritane Woman, they knew not what, because they knew them not to be such as should be worshipped by the rule of Gods Holy Word, and without this to know, Cal…in.as Calvin well noteth, is not to know. Some yet by these words, which neither your fathers, nor ye have known, understand, to have any power to save, or help you in the time of danger, which neither is to be disliked.
I will bring to nought the Counsell of Iudah and Ierusalem in this place, that is, Vers. 7.when they shall fall by the sword here, and suffer as hath been threatned, the Counsell that they took together of saving themselves by such or such means shall all be frustrate, thus Hugo, from whom others differ not, but Hugo Cardin.that some say, that in this place the bringing of their Councels to nought is threatned, to shew that their Councell and wisdom was by serving Baal here, and plying him with humane sacrifices so to ingratiate themselves with him, as Cal…in. T. Aquinas.that they might surely trust unto him, for preservation, come the greatest danger that might come: and the Paranomasie in the word foreign here used, is to be noted as answering to foreign a Pot, v. 1.
The flesh of their sons and daughters, that this was done, as is threatned, see Vers. 9.Lament. 2. 20. 4. 10.
Whereas he threatens, that they shall be as a pot broken that cannot be Vers. 11.made again, but before Chap. 18. that upon repentance they should be planted and built, that is to be understood, if before the Judgements come they repented, they should be like unto a pot, not yet burnt and hardened in the fire, which may be made into any form, though broken: but Judgement being once come by the Caldees, their case should be as of a pot burnt and then broken, which is irreparable; so they till the seventie years expired, and not then neither so fully as before, according to that which hath been already said.
All houses▪ upon the roofes whereof they have sacrificed to the hoast of Heaven, Vers. 13.so the Vulgar Latine, but N. Tr. because of all the houses, upon the roofes whereof they have burnt incense, Heb. I will make all the houses of Ierusalem and of the Kings of Iudah as Tophet, to all the houses upon the roofes whereof, &c. That is, one as well as another, in what place of the Land soever they have burnt incense upon their roofes, they shall together be all defiled by the dead▪ as Tophet, for all places shall be filled with dead corpses, which I will cause to be slain as a sacrifice to my justice for your sacrificing so shamelesly every where to false gods. Now all this is set forth by a pot broken in pieces, to shew, that wicked men are like earthen pots, and if they continue in sin, death will suddenly come and break them, their place shall be as Tophet, a dark stinking filthy Note. valley, where the fire of Gods wrath shall burn for ever, &c. For from the valley of Hinnom, which was Tophet, being Hebr. foreign Gehenna hell, the fire whereof is so much spoken of by our Lord, that never goeth out.
Having finished his prophecying at Tophet Ieremiah returned again to the Vers. 14, 15.Lords house, & there spake the same to all the people, that although he called not so great a multitude forth with him, yet all night be warned of the evil to come, and be moved to fear and tremble and turn from their sinnes, and the Priests also, that went not forth with him, either because not called, or because being called they refused, as some conjecture; which the Lord knowing, bad him take from amongst them some, leaving the rest, that they which would might hear what he said, and see the action at Tophet, and the rest where he could finde them to speak unto them.