Jeremias 7
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Jeremias 7
BRIEF HISTORY Judah alone is left as God's covenant people. The Northern Ten Tribes have been in exile since 722 B.C. (i.e. Fall of Samaria to Assyria). SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF ASSYRIA Assyrian power has been completely broken by Neo-Babylon (605 B.C.; the battle of Carchemish). The remnant of the Assyrian army attempted to join forces with the Egyptian army. Josiah, Judah's godly king, tried to intervene and was killed by Egypt's army at Meggido. His son, Jehoahaz, reigned only three months before Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt placed his brother, Jehoiakim (609-597 B.C.), on the throne of Judah as his vassal. SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF NEO-BABYLON Jeremiah 7:1-15 and Jer. 26 ("in the beginning of Jehoiakim's reign") recount the same sermon and its effect. This is one of the most powerful sermons in the OT. Jeremiah attacks faithless ritual and liturgy (cf. Jer. 7:16; 8:3; Isa. 29:13). Religion without personal faith in YHWH is a disaster! The NASB Study Bible (p. 1065) asserts that Jer. 7:1-10:25 is a series of temple sermons over several years.
Jeremias 7:1-7
7:1 Notice the titles for God in this chapter. "the Lord" (YHWH), Jer. 7:1,2,13,19,29,30; see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. "the Lord of hosts," Jer. 7:3,21; see SPECIAL TOPIC: LORD OF HOSTS "the God (Elohim) of Israel," Jer. 7:3,21 (LXX, Jer. 7:1); see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C. "the Lord (Adon) God (YHWH)," Jer. 7:20; see SPECIAL TOPIC: Lord (Adon and Kurios) "I will be your God (Elohim), Jer. 7:23 (note the covenant language) "the Lord their God," Jer. 7:28 The tragedy of this sermon is that it is directed to the covenant people who had YHWH's revelation (promises, covenants, cultus, prophets, cf. Rom. 9:4-5), but were not loyal to Him. Notice how specific YHWH's message is to Jeremiah. These are not Jeremiah's thoughts and opinions. These are God's words, directed to His people, about their cavalier treatment of His name and worship! SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH SPECIAL TOPIC: WAYS OF REVELATION, I. A. #1, a. 7:2 "Stand in the gate. . .gates" This is a Qal IMPERATIVE (BDB 763, KB 840). Kimchi (Jewish commentator of the Middle Ages) says Jeremiah preached this sermon seven times (SINGULAR vs. PLURAL), once at each gate of the temple. The gates were the focal point of temple traffic. The temple itself was the place of the people's legalistic, liturgical, sacramental religion. ▣ "Hear the word of the Lord" This is another Qal IMPERATIVE (BDB 1033, KB 1570), which means "to hear so as to do" (cf. Deut. 4:1; 5:1; 6:3,4; 9:1; 20:3; 27:10; 33:7). SPECIAL TOPIC: LISTEN/HEAR (shema) ▣ "all you of Judah" Every male above the age of thirteen assembled regularly at the temple. SPECIAL TOPIC: FEASTS OF ISRAEL 7:3 "Lord of hosts" This refers to the captain of the army of heaven the leader of the heavenly council SPECIAL TOPIC: LORD OF HOSTS ▣ "Amend" The VERB "amend" (BDB 405, KB 408, Hiphil IMPERATIVE, cf. vv. 3,5,6) is normally translated "do good" (cf. Jer. 10:5). In this context it denotes changing from evil to good (cf. Jer. 7:5). It was another literary way to call for repentance (cf. Jer. 4:1). This VERB in the Hiphil denotes ethical behavior in Gen. 4:7; Lev. 5:4; Isa. 1:17; Jer. 4:22; 13:23. The covenant is both conditional ("if. . .then," Jer. 7:5,6) and unconditional (YHWH's character and promises) to every generation. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT ▣ "let you dwell in this place" The VERB (BDB 1014, KB 1490) is a Piel COHORTATIVE. The Vulgate and Aquilla's version have "I will dwell with you" (cf. 1 Kgs. 6:12-13; NJB). This involves only a revocalization of the Masoretic Text (as it does in Jer. 7:7). The UBS Text Project, p. 195, gives the first option a C rating (considerable doubt). The second option is theologically attractive because biblical faith is a trusting relationship with YHWH before it is a land promise! The greatest blessing is YHWH's personal presence (i.e. Immanuel, cf. Isa. 7:14; see SPECIAL TOPIC: IMMANUEL'S PERSON AND REIGN). 7:4 "Do not trust in deceptive words" The VERB "trust" (BDB 105, KB 120, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense) is an important theological concept, repeated in Jer. 7:8 (Qal PARTICIPLE). The words of the priests and prophets (cf. Jer. 7:13) who served in Jerusalem in the temple were false (cf. Jer. 6:14; 8:11). They probably used 2 Sam. 7:11-14; 1 Kgs. 8:13; and Isaiah's message (i.e. Isaiah 36-39) as proof texts to back up their false optimism. They had forgotten the conditional nature of the covenant (cf. Jer. 7:5). ▣ "This is the temple of the Lord" This phrase possibly refers to a chorus the temple choir regularly sang. In Hebrew a three form repetition expresses a superlative degree (cf. Isa. 6:3, e.g. Holy, Holy, Holy = the most holy; as note Jer. 22:29; Ezek. 21:27). They were trusting in the place of worship not the person to be worshiped! Form without faith (cf. Isa. 29:13; 2 Tim. 3:5)! 7:5 "if" The "if" (conditional element) of this context is crucial (note the four "if" clauses). ▣ The MT has two intensified grammatical structures in v. 5. a Hiphil INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and a Hiphil IMPERFECT VERB of the same root (BDB 405, KB 408), "if you truly amend your ways" a Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and Qal IMPERFECT VERB of the same root (BDB 793, KB 889), "if you truly practice justice" SPECIAL TOPIC: JUSTICE 7:6 Notice the observable conditional activities which reveal a true faith lifestyle. practice justice between a man and his neighbor, Jer. 7:5 do not oppress, Jer. 7:6 the alien (foreigner living in Judah) the orphan the widow do not shed innocent blood in this place, Jer. 7:6 do not walk after other gods to your own ruin, Jer. 7:6 ▣ "alien, the orphan, or the widow" God loves and protects the helpless and weak. This is a recurrent theme of Deuteronomy (cf. Deut. 10:18; 24:17; 26:12-13; 27:19; Jer. 10:18; 14:29; 16:11,14; 22:3; 24:17,19,20,21; 26:12,13; 27:19). ▣ "walk after other gods" This is a Hebraic expression of lifestyle idolatry (cf. Jer. 13:10; Deut. 6:14-15; 8:19; 11:28; 1 Kgs. 8:25). SPECIAL TOPIC: CONSEQUENCES OF IDOLATRY 7:7 "forever and ever" This Hebrew phrase must be interpreted in light of the context of the conditional and unconditional aspects of the Mosaic covenant. To prooftext this phrase as a promise to depend on is a false message! SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam and aiōnios) SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT
Jeremias 7:8-11
7:8 See note at Jer. 7:4. 7:9 This is a summary of the Sinai revelation (i.e. Ten Commantments). steal ‒ BDB 170, KB 198, Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE murder ‒ BDB 953, KB 1283, Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE commit adultery ‒ BDB 610, KB 658, Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE swear falsely ‒ BDB 989, KB 1396, Niphal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE offer sacrifices to Ba'al ‒ BDB 882, KB 1094, Piel INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE walk after other gods ‒ BDB 229, IB 246, Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE SPECIAL TOPIC: NOTES ON EXODUS 20 7:10 "then come and stand before Me in this house" Both VERBS are Qal PERFECTS with waw (settled condition). This shows the hypocrisy of formal religion apart from personal lifestyle faith and obedience (cf. 1 Kgs. 8:23; Ezek. 23:36-45; Luke 6:46). ▣ "in this house, which is called by My name" This is a recurrent title for Solomon's temple in Jerusalem (cf. 1 Kgs. 8:43; 2 Chr. 6:33; 20:9; Jer. 7:10,11,14,30; 25:29; 32:34; 34:15). It is thus titled because YHWH, symbolically dwells there between the wings of the cherubim over the ark of the covenant. SPECIAL TOPIC: CALL ON HIS NAME SPECIAL TOPIC: CHERUBIM SPECIAL TOPIC: ARK OF THE COVENANT ▣ "We are delivered" This is a Niphal PERFECT (BDB 664, KB 717). They thought that religious acts in a religious place would bring deliverance (i.e. no defeat and exile by Neo-Babylon, cf. Jer. 39:17). ▣ "that you may do all these abominations" The covenant people turned their faith into a license to sin! Ritual replaced lifestyle faithfulness! Our life reveals our true self (cf. Matthew 7). SPECIAL TOPIC: ABOMINATION (OT) 7:11 "den of robbers" What a shocking phrase to describe Solomon's temple in light of 1 Kgs. 8:41-43,60. Jesus uses this same phrase in Matt. 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46 to describe the temple procedures occurring in the court of the Gentiles in His day. ▣ NASB, NKJV, Peshitta "I, even I, have seen it" "I, at any rate, can see straight" "I have seen what you are doing" "You know, I too am watching" "And I, behold, I have seen it" "As for Me, I have been watching" "I warn you, I myself have seen all this" The Hebrew is ambiguous but the sense is clear. YHWH knows and is involved in what happens on earth and especially with His covenant people (i.e. Exod. 3:7-9).
Jeremias 7:12-15
7:12 "Shiloh" "Go" (BDB 229, KB 246) and "see" (BDB 906, KB 1157) are both Qal IMPERATIVES. Shiloh was the first sanctuary in the Promised Land where the tabernacle and the Ark dwelt. It was destroyed by the Philistines and the Ark captured in 1050 B.C. (the event is not recorded in the OT but alluded to in Jer. 26:6; Ps. 78:60). This should have shown the covenant people their theology of God's covenant protection without conditions was not correct. 7:13 "I spoke to you" This refers to the prophets (cf. Jer. 7:25). ▣ "rising up early" This is imagery for the often and repeated attempts by YHWH to address His people through the prophets (cf. Jer. 7:25; 11:7; 25:3-4; 26:5; 29:19; 32:33; 35:14-15; 44:4)! SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY (OT) 7:14 "the house. . .in which you trust" There are no special places or things to those who truly know God (cf. Jer. 26:6; John 4:23-24). All places, things, and especially people are holy and sacred because of God's presence and creation. They turned faith into a place and ritual instead of a daily, godly faith relationship (cf. 1 Kgs. 6:12-13). This is also true of the church building and Sunday services in modern western countries! 7:15 "all the offspring of Ephraim" This is a reference to the exile of the Northern Ten Tribes in 722 B.C. by Assyria. What happened to them should have been a warning to Judah but it was not (cf. Jer. 3:11; Ezek. 16:51-52; 23:11). Judah also will be "cast out" (two Hiphil PEFECTS, BDB 1020, KB 1527). The northern tribes came to be known by three titles. Israel (a collective term) Ephraim (the largest tribe and the tribe of the person who instigated the split, Jeroboam I) Samaria (the fortified capital; it fell in 722 B.C. to Assyria Just a note about "the northern ten tribes." This was not a numerically accurate title. Judah was made up of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Simeon, and most of the Levites. Remember, there were 13 sons of Jacob/Joseph, only twelve who inherited land.
Jeremias 7:16-20
7:16 Because of Judah's reluctance to repent, YHWH tells Jeremiah not to pray for them ‒ BDB 813, KB 933, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense lift up cry or prayer for them ‒ BDB 669, KB 724, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense intercede ‒ BDB 803, KB 910, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense This is repeated in Jer. 11:14! He will not hear (cf. Jer. 11:11; Ps. 18:41; Prov. 1:28; Isa. 1:15; Hosea 5:6). There are consequences to repeated, hardened unrepentant people! Westerners must be cognizant of the hyperbolic nature of eastern literature. Often they say things to arrest people's attention. Here are some examples. Jer. 7:16; 11:14; 14:11 ‒ do not pray for them Jer. 7:20 ‒ YHWH's anger on the temple and Judah will be like a fire that will never be quenched Jer. 11:11 ‒ YHWH will not hear their prayers for help Jer. 23:40 ‒ YHWH sends everlasting reproach and humiliation that will not be forgotten Hosea 9:15 ‒ YHWH hates them, does not love them, will drive them out of His temple For a good brief discussion of hyperbole, see G. B. Caird, The Language and Imagery of the Bible, pp. 110-117. SPECIAL TOPIC: EASTERN LITERATURE SPECIAL TOPIC: INTERCESSORY PRAYER 7:18 The entire family was caught up in and taught idolatry, but especially the wife. Parent do influence and stamp their children with their own lifestyles and priorities (cf. Exod. 20:5-6). ▣ "cakes" This refers to the sacrificial raisin cakes made in Astarte's image which was given to worshipers. This was family worship, but of idols (cf. Jer. 44:19; Hosea 3:1). ▣ "queen of heaven" This was possibly the fertility goddess of Babylon, Ishtar (who is called "the Queen of heaven" [Venus], cf. Jer. 44:17-19,25). Worship of her (Venus) involved giving worshipers "sweet cakes," cf. Jer. 44:19. Other examples of idol worship are 19:13; 32:29; 44:17-19; 2 Kgs. 23:4-14. The LXX has "host of heaven," which would make it Babylonian astrology. However, it is possible that this was an Assyrian goddess which came into Judah through political alliance ceremonies or even Asherah, the Canaanite goddess. SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE ▣ "they pour out drink offerings to other gods" This was part of the worship (cf. Jer. 19:13; 44:18; Ezek. 20:28). ▣ "in order to spite Me" The VERB (BDB 494, KB 491, Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, cf. Deut. 31:29) is repeated in Jer. 7:19 (Hiphil PARTICIPLE). YHWH is a jealous God! He wants faithful worship. Idolatry is an affront to Him (i.e. spiritual adultery, cf. Jer. 11:17; 32:29; Deut. 32:16,21; 1 Kgs. 14:9; 16:2; Ezek. 8:7-18). SPECIAL TOPIC: JEALOUS. . .ZEALOUS 7:20 YHWH's anger (BDB 60 I) and wrath (BDB 404) "will be poured out" (BDB 677, KB 732, Niphal PARTICIPLE), which is a different word from "poured out" in Jer. 7:18 (BDB 659, KB 703). The one in Jer. 7:18 is used of a sacrifice, but this one is used of poured out wrath. ▣ Notice how God's judgment affects God's Promised Land. The curses of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 are coming to reality. on man on beast on trees of the field (cf. Jer. 8:13) on the fruit of the ground
Jeremias 7:21-26
7:21 The rejection of sacrifices by YHWH is a recurrent theme (see full note at Jer. 6:20 and note 14:12; Isa. 1:11; Amos 5:21). That which was designed to bring sinful mankind back to YHWH (i.e. Leviticus 1-7) had been completely perverted into ritual and liturgy only! ▣ "burnt offerings" These were sacrifices that were totally consumed on the altar (BDB 750). SPECIAL TOPIC: BURNT OFFERINGS ▣ "sacrifices and eat flesh" In some sacrifices only part was burnt and the rest was eaten by priests or the offerer (BDB 257). The Jews did not eat meat regularly. They were offering sacrifices to God just so they could have the meat to eat! SPECIAL TOPIC: PEACE OFFERING 7:22 "For I did not speak. . .concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices" This is not a total rejection of ritual sacrifices, but an emphasis on the motive behind the sacrifice and the offerer's faith relationship with YHWH (cf. 1 Sam. 15:22; Ps. 51:16-17; Isa. 1:11-14; Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8). It is surprising that in Exodus 19-20, which describes God's teachings revealed at Sinai, no mention of the sacrificial cultus is made. 7:23 "this is what I commanded them" Exodus 19-20 shows that the covenant was primarily ethical living, not ritual acts of devotion. Obedience is crucial (cf. Exod. 19:5-6; Deut. 6:3; Isa. 1:19), but so is attitude (cf. Deut. 30:15-20)! SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP ▣ "I will be your God, and you will be My people" This is covenant language (cf. Jer. 11:4; Exod. 6:7; Lev. 26:12; Deut. 26:17-18). Notice the conditional connotation (i.e. obedience [lit. "hear" Qal IMPERATIVE] to the covenant). For the concept of "covenant" see SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT ▣ "that it may be well with you" God wants to give us joy and abundance (cf. Deuteronomy 27-28), but it is conditional (cf. Jer. 26:13; 38:20; 42:6). 7:24 This verse expressed the reality of His covenant people's condition (cf. Ezek. 20:8,13,16,21), as Jer. 7:23 expresses the hope. they did not obey they did not incline their ear they walked in their own counsels (or by revocalization, "their disobedience") they walked in the stubbornness of their evil heart they went backward and not forward 7:25-26 These verses express the rebellious acts of YHWH's people. From the very beginning they were repeatedly unresponsive to Him (cf. Neh. 9:16-19; see SPECIAL TOPIC: STUBBORNNESS). He tried and tried (cf. Jer. 7:13; 25:3-4; 29:19; 35:14-15; 44:4) to communicate with them, but they would not hear and respond (cf. Jer. 17:23; 19:15). 7:25 "My servants the prophets" YHWH sent His people prophets again and again, but they would not listen. Israel/Judah was His vineyard (cf. Isa. 5:1-7; Jer. 12:10). He planted in her His best vines (cf. Jer. 2:21), but they produced only bad/wild grapes (i.e. sin and rebellion). Because of this, He will send judgment on His vineyard (i.e. foreign armies, cf. Jer. 5:17; 8:13). One wonders how much of this repeated story Jesus picks up on in His parable of the wicked tenant farmers (cf. Matt. 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19). He saw Himself as the vineyard owner's "son" and the covenant people as the wicked tenant farmers! Jesus' parable closes with a quote from Ps. 118:22-23.
Jeremias 7:27-31
7:27 This verse is theologically parallel to Isa. 6:9-10! However, Jeremiah must speak YHWH's message (cf. Jer. 26:2; Ezek. 2:7). The message is Jer. 7:28-34. 7:28 Notice again (cf. Jer. 7:24) how YHWH characterizes His people. they did not obey they did not accept correction they allowed truth to perish be cut off from their mouth ▣ "truth" This is literally "faithfulness" and refers both to their faith relationship with YHWH and obedience to His covenant. SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OT SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT 7:29 Verse 29 is a poem amidst prose. It has three IMPERATIVES. cut off your hair ‒ BDB 159, KB 186, Qal IMPERATIVE cast it away ‒ BDB 1020, KB 1527, Hiphil IMPERATIVE take up lamentation ‒ BDB 669, KB 724, Qal IMPERATIVE These acts are grieving rites (cf. Jer. 41:5; Isa. 22:12). See SPECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES The reason for the grieving is that YHWH has rejected ‒ BDB 549, KB 540, Qal PERFECT forsaken ‒ BDB 643, KB 695, Qal IMPERFECT (with waw) Because of Jer. 16:6; 48:37 (Isa. 15:2) it could refer to idolatrous rites (cf. Lev. 21:5; Deut. 14:1). ▣ "lamentation on the bare heights" This possibly refers to the very high places of Canaanite fertility worship. 7:30 This refers to the idols the covenant people put in YHWH's temple (cf. Jer. 32:34; 2 Kgs. 21:4-5,7; 23:4-14; 2 Chr. 33:4,5,7; Ezek. 8:3,5). What a shocking sin. They were probably related to political alliances and Canaanite fertility cults. 7:31 "Topheth" The root of this term (BDB 1075, KB 1781 II) is either from Aramaic, "hearth" or Hebrew, "to speak." This is a reference to the worship of Molech (cf. Lev. 18:21; 20:2-5; see SPECIAL TOPIC: MOLECH), the Phoenician fire god to whom children were sacrificed (cf. Jer. 19:6,11-12; Lev. 18:21; 2 Kgs. 16:3; 17:17; 21:6; 23:10; 2 Chr. 28:3; 33:6; Ps. 106:37,38). This type of worship possibly developed from a misunderstanding of Exod. 13:2. ▣ "the valley of the son of Hinnom" See Gehenna in SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DEAD, WHERE ARE THEY? (Sheol/Hades, Gehenna, Tartarus), II. D.
Jeremias 7:32-34
7:32 See Jeremiah 19:6-7! A Terrible judgment is coming! 7:33 "food for the birds of the sky" This is a common imagery of "the last days" (cf. Jer. 12:9; Isa. 18:4; Ezek. 29:5; 32:4; 39:4). This is one of the specific judgments of Deuteronomy 28 (cf. Deut. 28:26). 7:34 YHWH wanted to give peace and joy (cf. Jer. 7:13), but because of their idolatrous rebellion He will give judgment (cf. Jer. 16:9; 25:10).