Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. The word that came to Jeremiah-to the fourth year] This prophecy, we see, was delivered in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, and the chapter that contains it is utterly out of its place. It should be between chapters xxxv. and 36.
The defeat of the Egyptians by Nebuchadnezzar at Carchemish, and the subsequent taking of Jerusalem, occurred in this year, viz., the fourth year of Jehoiakim.
The first year of Nebuchadrezzar] This king was associated with his father two years before the death of the latter. The Jews reckon his reign from this time, and this was the first of those two years; but the Chaldeans date the commencement of his reign two years later, viz., at the death of his father.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Good and bad figs represent the Jews in captivity, and those who remai in their own land.
The prophet saw two baskets of figs set before the temple, as offering of first-fruits. The figs in one basket were very good, those in the other basket very bad. What creature viler than a wicked man? and what more valuable than a godly man? This vision was to raise the spirits of those gone into captivity, by assuring them of a happy return; and to humble and awaken the proud and secure spirits of those yet i Jerusalem, by assuring them of a miserable captivity. The good fig represents the pious captives. We cannot determine as to God's love of hatred by what is before us. Early suffering sometimes proves for the best. The sooner the child is corrected, the better effect the correction is likely to have. Even this captivity was for their good and God's intentions never are in vain. By afflictions they wer convinced of sin, humbled under the hand of God, weaned from the world taught to pray, and turned from sins, particularly from idolatry. God promises that he will own them in captivity. The Lord will own thos who are his, in all conditions. God assures them of his protection i trouble, and a glorious deliverance in due time. When our troubles ar sanctified to us, we may be sure that they will end well. They shal return to him with their whole heart. Thus they should have liberty to own him for their God, to pray to him, and expect blessings from him The bad figs were Zedekiah and those of his party yet in the land These should be removed for their hurt, and forsaken of all mankind God has many judgments, and those that escape one, may expect another till they are brought to repent. Doubtless, this prophecy had it fulfilment in that age; but the Spirit of prophecy may here loo forward to the dispersion of the unbelieving Jews, in all the nation of the earth. Let those who desire blessings from the Lord, beg that he will give them a heart to know him _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew הדבר1697 אשׁר834 היה1961 על5921 ירמיהו3414 על5921 כל3605 עם5971 יהודה3063 בשׁנה8141 הרבעית7243 ליהויקים3079 בן1121 יאשׁיהו2977 מלך4428 יהודה3063 היא1931 השׁנה8141 הראשׁנית7224 לנבוכדראצר5019 מלך4428 בבל׃894
