translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: JER

label: NET translator note

text: The words “to Jeremiah” are not in the Hebrew text. They are added by the Old Latin (not the Vulgate) and the Syriac versions. They are implicit, however, to the narrative style which speaks of Jeremiah in the third person (cf. vv. 7, 12 ). They have been supplied in the translation for clarity.


text: Heb “will turn from his wicked way.”


text: For the idiom and translation of terms involved here see 18:8 and the translator’s note there. sn The Lord is being consistent in the application of the principle laid down in Jer 18:7-8 that reformation of character will result in the withdrawal of the punishment of “uprooting, tearing down, destroying.” His prophecies of doom are conditional threats, open to change with change in behavior.


text: Heb “because of the wickedness of their deeds.”


text: Heb “thus says the Lord , ‘…’.” The use of the indirect quotation in the translation eliminates one level of embedded quotation to avoid confusion.


text: Heb “by walking in my law which I set before you.” sn Examples of those laws are found in Jer 7:5-6, 9 . The law was summarized or epitomized in the ten commandments which are called the “words of the covenant” in Exod 34:28 , but it contained much more. However, when Israel is taken to task by God, it often relates to their failure to live up to the standards of the ten commandments ( Heb “the ten words”; see Hos 4:1-3 ; Jer 7:9 ).


text: See the translator’s note on 7:13 for the idiom here.


text: 26:4-6 are all one long sentence containing a long condition with subordinate clauses (vv. 4-5 ) and a compound consequence in v. 6 : Heb “If you will not obey me by walking in my law…by paying attention to the words of the prophets which…and you did not pay heed, then I will make…and I will make…” The sentence has been broken down in conformity to contemporary English style but an attempt has been made to reflect all the subordinations in the English translation.


text: The translation again represents an attempt to break up a long complex Hebrew sentence into equivalent English ones that conform more to contemporary English style: Heb “And as soon as Jeremiah finished saying all that…the priests…grabbed him and said…” The word “some” has been supplied in the translation, because obviously it was not all the priests, the prophets, and all the people, but only some of them. There is, of course, rhetorical intent here to show that all were implicated, although all may not have actually participated. (This is a common figure called synecdoche where all is put for a part – all for all kinds or representatives of all kinds. See E. W. Bullinger, Figures of Speech , 614-19, and compare usage in Acts 10:12 ; Matt 3:5 .)


text: Or “You must certainly die!” The construction here is again emphatic with the infinitive preceding the finite verb (cf. Joüon 2:423 §123.h, and compare usage in Exod 21:28 ).


text: Heb “Why have you prophesied in the Lord ’s name, saying, ‘This house will become like Shiloh and this city will become a ruin without inhabitant?’” It is clear from the context here and in 7:1-15 that the emphasis is on “in the Lord ’s name” and that the question is rhetorical. The question is not a quest for information but an accusation, a remonstrance. (For this figure see E. W. Bullinger, Figures of Speech , 953-54, who calls a question like this a rhetorical question of remonstrance or expostulation. For good examples see Pss 11:1; 50:16 .) For the significance of “prophesying in the Lord ’s name” see the study note on 14:14 . The translation again utilizes the indirect quote to eliminate one level of embedded quotation. sn They are questioning his right to claim the Lord ’s authority for what they see as a false prophecy. They believed that the presence of the Lord in the temple guaranteed their safety ( 7:4, 10, 14 ) and that the Lord could not possibly be threatening its destruction. Hence they were ready to put him to death as a false prophet according to the law of Moses ( Deut 18:20 ).


text: Heb “these things.”


text: Heb “they sat” or “they took their seats.” However, the context is one of judicial trial. sn The gateway or gate complex of an ancient Near Eastern city was often used for court assemblies (cf. Deut 21:19; 22:15 ; Ruth 4:1 ; Isa 29:21 ). Here the gate of the temple was used for the convening of a court to try Jeremiah for the charge of being a false prophet.


text: The translation follows many Hebrew mss and ancient versions in reading the word “house” (= temple) here. The majority of Hebrew mss do not have this word. It is, however, implicit in the construction “the New Gate of the Lord .” sn The location of the New Gate is uncertain. It is mentioned again in Jer 36:10 where it is connected with the upper (i.e., inner) court of the temple. Some equate it with the Upper Gate that Jotham rebuilt during his reign ( 2 Kgs 15:35 ; Jotham reigned from 750-735 b.c. ). That gate, however, has already been referred to as the Upper Gate of Benjamin in Jer 20:2 (for more detail see the study note there) and would not likely have been called something different here.


text: Heb “the priests and prophets said to the leaders and the people….” The long sentence has been broken up to conform better with contemporary English style and the situational context is reflected in “laid their charges.”


text: Heb “a sentence of death to this man.”


text: Heb “it.”


text: Heb “Jeremiah said to all the leaders and all the people….” See the note on the word “said” in the preceding verse.


text: Heb “Make good your ways and your actions.” For the same expression see 7:3, 5; 18:11 .


text: Heb “And I, behold I am in your hand.” Hand is quite commonly used for “power” or “control” in biblical contexts.


text: Heb “For in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak in your ears all these words/things.”


text: Heb “Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets…”


text: Heb “For in the name of the Lord our God he has spoken to us.” The emphasis is on “in the name of…” sn The priests and false prophets claimed that they were speaking in the Lord ’s name (i.e., as his representatives and with his authority [see 1 Sam 25:9 ; 1 Kgs 21:8 and cf. the study note on Jer 23:27 ]) and felt that Jeremiah’s claims to be doing so were false (see v. 9 ). Jeremiah (and the Lord ) charged that the opposite was the case (cf. 14:14-15; 23:21 ). The officials and the people, at least at this time, accepted his claims that the Lord had sent him (vv. 12, 15 ).


text: Heb “elders of the land.” sn The elders were important land-owning citizens, separate from the “heads” or leaders of the tribes, the officers and the judges. They were very influential in both the judicial, political, and religious proceedings of the cities and the state. (See, e.g., Josh 24:1 ; 2 Sam 19:11 ; 2 Kgs 23:1 for elders of Israel/Judah, and Deut 21:1-9 ; Ruth 4:1-2 for elders of the cities.)


text: Heb “Yahweh of armies.” sn For an explanation of this title for God see the study note on 2:19 .


text: For location see Map5-B1 ; Map6-F3 ; Map7-E2 ; Map8-F2 ; Map10-B3 ; JP1-F4 ; JP2-F4 ; JP3-F4 ; JP4-F4 .


text: This Hebrew idiom ( חָלָה פָּנִים , khalah panim ) is often explained in terms of “stroking” or “patting the face” of someone, seeking to gain his favor. It is never used in a literal sense and is found in contexts of prayer ( Exod 32:11 ; Ps 119:158 ), worship ( Zech 8:21-22 ), humble submission ( 2 Chr 3:12 ), or amendment of behavior ( Dan 9:13 ). All were true to one extent or another of Hezekiah.


text: The he interrogative ( הַ )with the negative governs all three of the verbs, the perfect and the two vav ( ו ) consecutive imperfects that follow it. The next clause has disjunctive word order and introduces a contrast. The question expects a positive answer.


text: For the translation of the terms involved here see the translator’s note on 18:8 .


text: Or “great harm to ourselves.” The word “disaster” (or “harm”) is the same one that has been translated “destroying” in the preceding line and in vv. 3 and 13 .


text: Heb “in the name of the Lord ,” i.e., as his representative and claiming his authority. See the study note on v. 16 .


text: Heb “Now also a man was prophesying in the name of the Lord , Uriah son of…, and he prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah.” The long Hebrew sentence has been broken up in conformity with contemporary English style and the major emphasis brought out by putting his prophesying first, then identifying him.


text: Heb “all his mighty men/soldiers.” It is unlikely that this included all the army. It more likely was the palace guards or royal bodyguards (see where the same word is used of David’s elite corps).


text: Heb “his words.”


text: Heb “But Uriah heard and feared and fled and entered Egypt.”


text: Heb “from Egypt.” sn A standard part of international treaties at this time was a stipulation of mutual extradition of political prisoners. Jehoiakim was a vassal of Pharaoh Necho (see 2 Kgs 23:34-35 ) and undoubtedly had such a treaty with him.


text: Heb “Nevertheless, the hand of Ahikam son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah so that he would not be given (even more literally, ‘so as not to give him’) into the hand of the people to kill him.” “Hand” is often used for “aid,” “support,” “influence,” “power,” “control.”