Jeremiah 19
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
THE DESOLATION OF THE JEWS FOR THEIR SINS FORETOLD IN THE VALLEY OF HINNOM; THE SYMBOL OF BREAKING A BOTTLE. (Jer 19:1-15) bottle--Hebrew, bakuk, so called from the gurgling sound which it makes when being emptied. ancients--elders. As witnesses of the symbolic action (Jer 19:10; Isa 8:1-2), that the Jews might not afterwards plead ignorance of the prophecy. The seventy-two elders, composing the Sanhedrim, or Great Council, were taken partly from "the priests," partly from the other tribes, that is, "the people," the former presiding over spiritual matters, the latter over civil; the seventy-two represented the whole people.
Open source ↗Thus saith the Lord, go and get a potter's earthen bottle,.... From the potter's house, where he had lately been; and where he had been shown, in an emblematic way, what God would do in a short time with the Jews; and which is here further illustrated by this emblem: or, "go and get", or "buy, a bottle of the potter, an earthen one" (k); so Kimchi; called in Hebrew "bakbuk", from the gurgling of the liquor poured into it, or out of it, or drank out of it, which makes a sound like this word (l): and take of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests; the word "take" is rightly supplied by our translators, as it is by the Targum, the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions; for these words are not to be connected with the former, as in the Vulgate Latin version; as if the prophet was to get or buy the earthen bottle of the elders of the people, and of the priests; but those who were the greatest and principal men of the city, and of which the Jewish sanhedrim consisted, were to be taken by the prophet to be witnesses of what were said and done, to see the bottle broke, and hear what Jeremiah from the Lord had to say; who, from their years, it might be reasonably thought, would seriously attend to those things, and would report them to the people to great advantage; and the Lord, who sent the prophet to them, no doubt inclined their hearts to go along with him; who, otherwise, in all probability, would have refused; and perhaps would have charged him with impertinence and boldness, and would have rejected his motion with contempt, as foolish or mad. (k) "emas, vel emito oenophorum a figulo testaceum", Munster, Tigurine version. So Kimchi and Ben Melech. (l) Vid. Stockium, p. 150.
Open source ↗The Broken Pitcher. - Jer 19:1. "Thus said Jahveh: Go and buy a potter's vessel, and take of the elders of the people and of the elders of the priests, Jer 19:2. And go forth into the valley of Benhinnom, which is before the gate Harsuth, and proclaim there the words which I shall speak unto thee, Jer 19:3. And say: Hear the word of Jahveh, ye kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus hath said Jahveh of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth his ears shall tingle. Jer 19:4. Because they have forsaken me, and disowned this place, and burnt incense in it to other gods whom they knew not, they, and their fathers, and the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents, Jer 19:5. And have built high places for Baal, to burn their sons in the fire as burnt-offerings to Baal, which I have neither commanded nor spoken, nor came it into my heart. Jer 19:6. Therefore, behold, days come, saith Jahve, that this place shall no longer be called Tophet and Valley of Benhinnom, but Valley of Slaughter. Jer 19:7. And I make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place, and cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies and by the hand of them that seek their lives, and give their carcases to be food for the fowls of the heaven and the beast of the earth. Jer 19:8. And make this city a dismay and a scoffing; every one that passeth thereby shall be dismayed and hiss because of all her strokes; Jer 19:9. And make them eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and each shall eat his neighbour's flesh in the siege and straitness wherewith their enemies and they that seek after their lives shall straiten them. - Jer 19:10. And break the pitcher before the eyes of the men th…
Open source ↗The corruption of man having made it necessary that precept should be upon precept, and line upon line (so unapt are we to receive, and so very apt to let slip, the things of God), the grace of God has provided that there shall be, accordingly, precept upon precept, and line upon line, that those who are irreclaimable may be inexcusable. For this reason the prophet is here sent with a message to the same purport with what he had often delivered, but with some circumstances that might make it the more taken notice of, a thing which ministers should study, for a little circumstance may sometimes be a great advantage, and those that would win souls must be wise. I. He must take of the elders and chief men, both in church and state, to be his auditors and witnesses to what he said - the ancients of the people and the ancients of the priests, the most eminent men both in the magistracy and in the ministry, that they might be faithful witnesses to record, as those Isa 8:2. It is strange that these great men should be at the beck of a poor prophet, and obey his summons to attend him out of the city, they know not whither and they knew not why. But, though the generality of the elders were disaffected to him, yet it is likely that there were some few among them who looked upon him as a prophet of the Lord, and would pay this respect to the heavenly vision. Note, Persons of rank and figure have an opportunity of honouring God, by a diligent attendance on the ministry of the word and other divine institutions; and they ought to think it an honour, and no disparagement to themselves, yea, though the circumstances be mean and despicable. It is certain that the greatest of men is less than the least of the ordinances of God. II. He must go to the valley of the son of Hinnom, and del…
Open source ↗19:1-15 Jeremiah acted out another parable (see 13:1-14) that demonstrated to the leaders of Judah that the Lord would utterly destroy their idolatrous and murderous nation.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) קָנָה (qânâh, H7069) — to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively,… יָצַר (yâtsar, H3335) — to mould into a form; especially as apotter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a… חֶרֶשׂ (cheres, H2789) — a piece of pottery בַּקְבֻּק (baqbuq, H1228) — a bottle (from the gurgling in emptying) זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a…
Open source ↗יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… גַּיְא (gayʼ, H1516) — a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… הִנֹּם (Hinnôm, H2011) — Hinnom, apparently a Jebusite פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way חַרְסוּת (charçûwth, H2777) — a potsherd, i.e. (by implication) a pottery; the name of a gate at Jerusalem שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);…
Open source ↗עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. נָכַר (nâkar, H5234) — properly, to scrutinize, i.e. look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) אַחֵר (ʼachêr, H312) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc. אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… נָקִי (nâqîy, H5355) — innocent
Open source ↗בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בָּמָה (bâmâh, H1116) — an elevation בַּעַל (Baʻal, H1168) — Baal, a Phoenician deity שָׂרַף (sâraph, H8313) — to be (causatively, set) on fire בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the…
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… תֹּפֶת (Tôpheth, H8612) — Topheth, a place near Jerusalem גַּיְא (gayʼ, H1516) — a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… הִנֹּם (Hinnôm, H2011) — Hinnom, apparently a Jebusite הֲרֵגָה (hărêgâh, H2028) — slaughter
Open source ↗בָּקַק (bâqaq, H1238) — to pour out, i.e. to empty, figuratively, to depopulate; by analogy, to spread out (as a… עֵצָה (ʻêtsâh, H6098) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… נְבֵלָה (nᵉbêlâh, H5038) — a flabby thing, i.e. a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively);… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… שַׁמָּה (shammâh, H8047) — ruin; by implication, consternation שְׁרֵקָה (shᵉrêqâh, H8322) — a derision עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… שָׁמֵם (shâmêm, H8074) — to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both… שָׁרַק (shâraq, H8319) — properly, to be shrill, i.e. to whistle or hiss (as a call or in scorn) מַכָּה (makkâh, H4347) — a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence
Open source ↗אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) מָצוֹר (mâtsôwr, H4692) — something hemming in, i.e. (objectively) a mound (of besiegers), (abstractly) a siege,… מָצוֹק (mâtsôwq, H4689) — a narrow place, i.e. (abstractly and figuratively) confinement or disability אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… צוּק (tsûwq, H6693) — to compress, i.e. (figuratively) oppress, distress
Open source ↗שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7665) — to burst (literally or figuratively) בַּקְבֻּק (baqbuq, H1228) — a bottle (from the gurgling in emptying) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… כָּכָה (kâkâh, H3602) — just so, referring to the previous or following context שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7665) — to burst (literally or figuratively) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יָצַר (yâtsar, H3335) — to mould into a form; especially as apotter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a… כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) רָפָא (râphâʼ, H7495) — properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e. (figuratively) to cure קָבַר (qâbar, H6912) — to inter תֹּפֶת (Tôpheth, H8612) — Topheth, a place near Jerusalem מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);…
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… תֹּפֶת (Tôpheth, H8612) — Topheth, a place near Jerusalem
Open source ↗בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… טָמֵא (ṭâmêʼ, H2931) — foul in a religious sense מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… תֹּפֶת (Tôpheth, H8612) — Topheth, a place near Jerusalem גָּג (gâg, H1406) — a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… נָסַךְ (nâçak, H5258) — to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint aking נֶסֶךְ (neçek, H5262) — a libation; also a cast idol אַחֵר (ʼachêr, H312) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh, H3414) — Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites תֹּפֶת (Tôpheth, H8612) — Topheth, a place near Jerusalem יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) נָבָא (nâbâʼ, H5012) — to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse) עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
How the precious sons of Zion, once worth their weight in pure gold, are now esteemed as jars of clay, the work of a potter’s hands!
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you.
It will break in pieces like a potter’s jar, shattered so that no fragment can be found. Not a shard will be found in the dust large enough to scoop the coals from a hearth or to skim the water from a cistern.”
Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.
And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz
When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death.
Some of the elders of the land stood up and said to the whole assembly of the people,
At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.
“This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Take these deeds—both the sealed copy and the open copy of the deed of purchase—and put them in a clay jar to preserve them for a long time.