1Das Wort, welches von seiten Jehovas zu Jeremia geschah, also: 2So spricht Jehova, der Gott Israels, und sagt: Schreibe dir alle Worte, die ich zu dir geredet habe, in ein Buch. 3Denn siehe, Tage kommen, spricht Jehova, da ich die Gefangenschaft meines Volkes Israel und Juda wenden werde, spricht Jehova; und ich werde sie in das Land zurückbringen, welches ich ihren Vätern gegeben habe, damit sie es besitzen. 4Und dies sind die Worte, welche Jehova über Israel und über Juda geredet hat. 5Denn so spricht Jehova: Eine Stimme des Schreckens haben wir gehört; da ist Furcht und kein Friede. 6Fraget doch und sehet, ob ein Mann gebiert? Warum sehe ich eines jeden Mannes Hände auf seinen Lenden, einer Gebärenden gleich, und jedes Angesicht in Blässe verwandelt? 7Wehe! denn groß ist jener Tag, ohnegleichen, und es ist eine Zeit der Drangsal für Jakob; doch wird er aus ihr gerettet werden. 8Denn es wird geschehen an jenem Tage, spricht Jehova der Heerscharen, daß ich sein Joch von deinem Halse zerbrechen und deine Fesseln zerreißen werde, und Fremde sollen ihn nicht mehr dienstbar machen; 9sondern sie werden Jehova, ihrem Gott, dienen und ihrem König David, den ich ihnen erwecken werde. 10Und du, fürchte dich nicht, mein Knecht Jakob, spricht Jehova, und erschrick nicht, Israel! denn siehe, ich will dich retten aus der Ferne und deine Nachkommen aus dem Lande ihrer Gefangenschaft; und Jakob wird zurückkehren und ruhig und sicher sein, und niemand wird ihn aufschrecken. 11Denn ich bin mit dir, spricht Jehova, um dich zu retten. Denn ich werde den Garaus machen allen Nationen, wohin ich dich zerstreut habe; nur dir werde ich nicht den Garaus machen, sondern dich nach Gebühr züchtigen und dich keineswegs ungestraft lassen. 12Denn so spricht Jehova: Deine Wunde ist unheilbar, schmerzlich ist dein Schlag; 13niemand führt deine Streitsache, für das Geschwür gibt es kein Heilmittel, da ist kein Pflaster für dich! 14Alle deine Buhlen haben dich vergessen, sie fragen nicht nach dir. Denn ich habe dich geschlagen mit dem Schlage eines Feindes, mit grausamer Züchtigung, um der Größe deiner Ungerechtigkeit willen, weil deine Sünden zahlreich sind. 15Was schreist du über deine Wunde, daß dein Schmerz unheilbar ist? Um der Größe deiner Ungerechtigkeit willen, weil deine Sünden zahlreich sind, habe ich dir solches getan. 16Darum sollen alle, die dich fressen, gefressen werden, und alle deine Bedränger sollen insgesamt in die Gefangenschaft gehen; und deine Berauber sollen zum Raube werden, und alle deine Plünderer werde ich zur Plünderung hingeben. 17Denn ich will dir einen Verband anlegen und dich von deinen Schlägen heilen, spricht Jehova, weil man dich eine Verstoßene nennt: "Das ist Zion, nach der niemand fragt!" 18So spricht Jehova: Siehe, ich will die Gefangenschaft der Zelte Jakobs wenden, und seiner Wohnungen will ich mich erbarmen. Und die Stadt wird auf ihrem Hügel wieder erbaut, und der Palast nach seiner Weise bewohnt werden; 19und Lobgesang und die Stimme der Spielenden wird von ihnen ausgehen. Und ich will sie mehren, und sie werden sich nicht mindern; und ich will sie herrlich machen, und sie werden nicht gering werden. 20Und seine Söhne werden sein wie ehedem, und seine Gemeinde wird vor mir feststehen; und alle seine Bedrücker werde ich heimsuchen. 21Und sein Herrlicher wird aus ihm sein, und sein Herrscher aus seiner Mitte hervorgehen; und ich will ihn herzutreten lassen, daß er mir nahe; denn wer ist es wohl, der sein Herz verpfändete, um zu mir zu nahen? spricht Jehova. 22Und ihr werdet mein Volk, und ich werde euer Gott sein. 23Siehe, ein Sturmwind Jehovas, ein Grimm ist ausgegangen, ein sausender Sturmwind; er wird sich herniederwälzen auf den Kopf der Gesetzlosen. 24Nicht wenden wird sich die Glut des Zornes Jehovas, bis er getan und bis er ausgeführt hat die Gedanken seines Herzens. Am Ende der Tage werdet ihr dessen innewerden.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 2 RESTORATION OF THE JEWS FROM BABYLON AFTER ITS CAPTURE, AND RAISING UP OF MESSIAH. (Jer. 30:1-24)
Write . . . in a book--After the destruction of Jerusalem Jeremiah is not ordered as heretofore to speak, but to write the succeeding prophecy (
Jer 30:4, &c.), so as thereby it might be read by his countrymen wheresoever they might be in their dispersion.
3 bring again . . . captivity of . . . Israel and Judah--the restoration not merely of the Jews (treated of in this thirtieth chapter), but also of the ten tribes ("Israel"; treated in the thirty-first chapter), together forming the whole nation (
Jer 30:18;
Jer 32:44;
Ezek 39:25;
Amos 9:14-
Amos 9:15). "Israel" is mentioned first because its exile was longer than that of Judah. Some captives of the Israelite ten tribes returned with those of Judah (
Luke 2:36; "Aser" is mentioned). But these are only a pledge of the full restoration hereafter (
Rom 11:26, "All Israel"). Compare
Jer 16:15. This third verse is a brief statement of the subject before the prophecy itself is given.
5 We have heard . . . trembling--God introduces the Jews speaking that which they will be reduced to at last in spite of their stubbornness. Threat and promise are combined: the former briefly; namely, the misery of the Jews in the Babylonian captivity down to their "trembling" and "fear" arising from the approach of the Medo-Persian army of Cyrus against Babylon; the promise is more fully dwelt on; namely, their "trembling" will issue in a deliverance as speedy as is the transition from a woman's labor pangs to her joy at giving birth to a child (
Jer 30:6).
6 Ask--Consult all the authorities, men or books, you can, you will not find an instance. Yet in that coming day men will be seen with their hands pressed on their loins, as women do to repress their pangs. God will drive men through pain to gestures more fitting a woman than a man (
Jer 4:31;
Jer 6:24). The metaphor is often used to express the previous pain followed by the sudden deliverance of Israel, as in the case of a woman in childbirth (
Isa 66:7-
Isa 66:9).
paleness--properly the color of herbs blasted and fading: the green paleness of one in jaundice: the sickly paleness of terror.
7 great--marked by great calamities (
Joel 2:11,
Joel 2:31;
Amos 5:18;
Zeph 1:14).
none like it . . . but he shall be saved-- (
Dan 12:1). The partial deliverance at Babylon's downfall prefigures the final, complete deliverance of Israel, literal and spiritual, at the downfall of the mystical Babylon (Rev. 18:1-19:21).
8 his yoke . . . thy neck--his, that is, Jacob's (
Jer 30:7), the yoke imposed on him. The transition to the second person is frequent, God speaking of Jacob or Israel, at the same time addressing him directly. So "him" rightly follows; "foreigners shall no more make him their servant" (
Jer 25:14). After the deliverance by Cyrus, Persia, Alexander, Antiochus, and Rome made Judah their servant. The full of deliverance meant must, therefore, be still future.
9 Instead of serving strangers (
Jer 30:8), they shall serve the Lord, their rightful King in the theocracy (
Ezek 21:27).
David, their king--No king of David's seed has held the scepter since the captivity; for Zerubbabel, though of David's line, never claimed the title of "king." The Son of David, Messiah, must therefore be meant; so the Targum (compare
Isa 55:3-
Isa 55:4;
Ezek 34:23-
Ezek 34:24;
Ezek 37:24;
Hos 3:5;
Rom 11:25-
Rom 11:32). He was appointed to the throne of David (
Isa 9:7;
Luke 1:32). He is here joined with Jehovah as claiming equal allegiance. God is our "King," only when we are subject to Christ; God rules us not immediately, but through His Son (
John 5:22-
John 5:23,
John 5:27).
raise up--applied to the judges whom God raised up as deliverers of Israel out of the hand of its oppressors (
Judg 2:16;
Judg 3:9). So Christ was raised up as the antitypical Deliverer (
Ps 2:6;
Luke 1:69;
Acts 2:30;
Acts 13:23).
10 from afar--Be not afraid as if the distance of the places whither ye are to be dispersed precludes the possibility of return.
seed--Though through the many years of captivity intervening, you yourselves may not see the restoration, the promise shall be fulfilled to your seed, primarily at the return from Babylon, fully at the final restoration.
quiet . . . none . . . make . . . afraid-- (
Jer 23:6;
Zech 14:11).
11 though . . . full end of all nations . . . yet . . . not . . . of thee-- (
Amos 9:8). The punishment of reprobates is final and fatal; that of God's people temporary and corrective. Babylon was utterly destroyed: Israel after chastisement was delivered.
in measure--literally, "with judgment," that is, moderation, not in the full rigor of justice (
Jer 10:24;
Jer 46:28;
Ps 6:1;
Isa 27:8).
not . . . altogether unpunished-- (
Exod 34:7).
12 The desperate circumstances of the Jews are here represented as an incurable wound. Their sin is so grievous that their hope of the punishment (their exile) soon coming to an end is vain (
Jer 8:22;
Jer 15:18;
2Chr 36:16).
13 none to plead--a new image from a court of justice.
bound up--namely, with the bandages applied to tie up a wound.
no healing medicines--literally, "medicines of healing," or else applications, (literally, "ascensions") of medicaments.
14 lovers--the peoples formerly allied to thee, Assyria and Egypt (compare
Lam 1:2).
seek thee not--have cast away all concern for thee in thy distress.
wound of an enemy--a wound such as an enemy would inflict. God condescends to employ language adapted to human conceptions. He is incapable of "enmity" or "cruelty"; it was their grievous sin which righteously demanded a grievous punishment, as though He were an "enemy" (
Jer 5:6;
Job 13:24;
Job 30:21).
15 Why criest thou--as if God's severity was excessive. Thou hast no reason to complain, for thine affliction is just. Thy cry is too late, for the time of repentance and mercy is past [CALVIN].
16 Therefore--connected with
Jer 30:13, because "There is none to plead thy cause . . . therefore" I will plead thy cause, and heal thy wound, by overwhelming thy foes. This fifteenth verse is inserted to amplify what was said at the close of
Jer 30:14. When the false ways of peace, suggested by the so-called prophets, had only ended in the people's irremediable ruin, the true prophet comes forward to announce the grace of God as bestowing repentance and healing.
devour thee . . . be devoured . . . spoil . . . be a spoil . . . prey upon . . . give for a prey--retribution in kind (see on
Jer 2:3;
Exod 23:22;
Isa 33:1).
17 (
Jer 8:22;
Jer 33:6).
Outcast--as a wife put away by her husband (
Isa 62:4, contrasted with
Jer 30:12).
Zion--alluding to its Hebrew meaning, "dryness"; "sought after" by none, as would be the case with an arid region (
Isa 62:12). The extremity of the people, so far from being an obstacle to, will be the chosen opportunity of, God's grace.
18 bring again . . . captivity-- (
Jer 33:7,
Jer 33:11).
tents--used to intimate that their present dwellings in Chaldea were but temporary as tents.
have mercy on dwelling-places-- (
Ps 102:13).
own heap--on the same hill, that is, site, a hill being the usual site chosen for a city (compare
Josh 11:13, Margin). This better answers the parallel clause, "after the manner thereof" (that is, in the same becoming ways as formerly), than the rendering, "its own heap of ruins," as in
Jer 49:2.
palace--the king's, on Mount Zion.
remain--rather, "shall be inhabited" (see on
Jer 17:6,
Jer 17:25). This confirms English Version, "palace," not as others translate, "the temple" (see
1Kgs 16:18;
2Kgs 15:25).
19 thanksgiving--The Hebrew word includes confession as well as praise; for, in the case of God, the highest praises we can bestow are only confessing what God really is [BENGEL], (
Jer 17:26;
Jer 31:12-
Jer 31:13;
Jer 33:11;
Isa 35:10;
Isa 51:11).
multiply them-- (
Zech 10:8).
20 as aforetime--as flourishing as in the time of David.
21 their nobles--rather, "their Glorious One," or "Leader" (compare
Acts 3:15;
Heb 2:10), answering to "their Governor" in the parallel clause.
of themselves--of their own nation, a Jew, not a foreigner; applicable to Zerubbabel, or J. Hyrcanus (hereditary high priest and governor), only as types of Christ (
Gen 49:10;
Mic 5:2;
Rom 9:5), the antitypical "David" (
Jer 30:9).
cause him to draw near--as the great Priest (
Exod 19:22;
Lev 21:17), through whom believers also have access to God (
Heb 10:19-
Heb 10:22). His priestly and kingly characters are similarly combined (
Ps 110:4;
Zech 6:13).
who . . . engaged . . . heart to approach--literally, "pledged his heart," that is, his life; a thing unique; Messiah alone has made His life responsible as the surety (
Heb 7:22;
Heb 9:11-
Heb 9:15), in order to gain access not only for Himself, but for us to God. Heart is here used for life, to express the courage which it needed to undertake such a tremendous suretyship. The question implies admiration at one being found competent by His twofold nature, as God and man, for the task. Compare the interrogation (
Isa 63:1-
Isa 63:3).
22 ye shall be my people, &c.--The covenant shall be renewed between God and His people through Messiah's mediation (
Jer 30:21;
Jer 31:1,
Jer 31:33;
Jer 32:38;
Ezek 11:20;
Ezek 36:28).
23 (
Jer 23:19). Vengeance upon God's foes always accompanies manifestations of His grace to His people.
continuing--literally, "sojourning," abiding constantly; appropriately here in the case of Babylon, which was to be permanently destroyed, substituted for "whirling itself about" ("grievous" in English Version) (see on
Jer 23:19-
Jer 23:20), where the temporary downfall of Judea is spoken of.
As in that chapter the restoration of Judah, so in this the restoration of Israel's ten tribes is foretold.