Jeremias 43
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Jeremias 43:1-7
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS There is little historical evidence for an invasion of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar II. fragment of Nebuchadnezzar annals from the 37 th year (568-567 B.C.) Herodotus, History Ezekiel 29:19-21 The invasion may have been a punitive raid which, after initial success, was suspended. After this the political relationship between Egypt and Neo-Babylon improved. There was another military campaign against Egypt by Nabonidus (550-539 B.C.) in the closing days of the Neo-Babylonian Empire which lasted ten years. Jeremiah 43 and 44 are a literary unit but deal with two different groups of Judean refugees. 43:1 "Jeremiah, whom the Lord their God had sent" This phrase, like "Jeremiah the prophet" in Jer. 42:2,4, affirms the true status of Jeremiah. He was YHWH's spokesperson to them. He was the giver of the "voice of YHWH" (cf. Jer. 42:13,21). To disobey his prophecy was to disobey YHWH! 43:2 "Azariah the son of Hoshaiah" This is probably the brother of Jezaniah (i.e. Jer. 42:1). ▣ NASB, TEV, NJB, JPSOA "the arrogant men" "the proud men" "the insolent men" "the wicked men" "their party" "all the men who had spoken" The Hebrew word (BDB 267) has the connotation of those who knowingly reject YHWH's word/message (cf. Ps. 119:21; Prov. 21:24; Mal. 4:1 [MT 3:19]). This type of person is described in Jer. 5:12-13. The consequences of this attitude was clearly stated in Jer. 42:15-16. ▣ "you are telling a lie" They knew that Jeremiah was a prophet because all of his predictions had come true concerning the Neo-Babylonian invasion (i.e. Deuteronomy 13), yet they had already made up their minds (cf. Jer. 41:17). They wanted the pretense of spirituality but not the demanded obedience! Rejecting Jeremiah was tantamount to rejecting YHWH! 43:3 "but Baruch is inciting you against us" This shows that Baruch was more than just a secretary. He had great influence on Jeremiah (cf. chapter 45). 43:5 "who had returned from all the nations to which they had been driven away, in order to reside in the land of Judah" They were afraid because of Ishmael's ruthless acts against Gedaliah and the Neo-Babylonian honor guard. These covenant people had returned to live in the land of Judah; how ironical that now they were fleeing to Egypt. 43:6 "together with Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch" The prophet and his scribe were forced to accompany them in the face of God's warning. 43:7 "Tahpanhes" This is one of the border cities (i.e. in Egyptian, "the Fortress of Penhase") in the eastern delta region on the caravan route to Palestine. It was just barely into Egypt's national boundary.
Jeremias 43:8-13
43:8-13 This paragraph describes the Neo-Babylonian invasion and destruction of Egypt as far as Heliopolis (Hebrew, "House of the Sun"). Jeremiah is again giving a very specific prophecy to prove/validate his role as prophet (possible date is 568-567 B.C.). 43:10 "Lord of hosts" See SPECIAL TOPIC: Lord of Hosts ▣ "My servant" See SPECIAL TOPIC: MY SERVANT ▣ NASB, NJB, REB "canopy" NKJV, Peshitta "royal pavilion" TEV, NET "royal tent" "pavilion" "his weapons" The BDB 1051 and KB 1636 suggest that this term (found only here in the OT) could mean royal pavilion canopy carpet scepter (from Akkadian root) The first three suggestions assume an Assyrian VERB, "to spread out." The point is that a special royal structure in Egypt will become a Neo-Babylonian camp. Herodotus, Nebuchadnezzar II annals, and Ezek. 29:19-21 all speak briefly of a Neo-Babylonian invasion of Egypt in 568 B.C. 43:11 This is a literary way of expressing YHWH's sovereignty (cf. Jer. 15:2) through Nebuchadnezzar II (called YHWH's servant in Jer. 43:10). The translation of Jer. 43:12a reflects this by the NRSV and REB having "he" and the MT having "I." Nebuchadnezzar's army will do it but the real power and will are YHWH's. The UBS Text Project, p. 289, gives "I" a "B" rating. SPECIAL TOPIC: ONE CAUSALITY 43:12 The idols and their temples will be burned and their gold, silver, and jewels taken to Babylon. 43:13 "the obelisks of Heliopolis" This city was called "On" by the Egyptians and "Beth-Shemesh" (i.e. "house of the Sun") by Jeremiah. It was known for its royal/religious pillars or obelisks.