Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 1:15
For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.
15. all the families of the kingdoms ] Probably we should read (with LXX) all the kingdoms, “families” in that case being in the first instance an explanatory gloss, afterwards taken into the text.
they shall set every one his throne ] The chiefs of the invading army, having captured the city, will take their places to administer justice, and inflict punishment on the guilty. For this assemblage of nations against Jerusalem, cp. Isa 17:12 ff. The gate of the city, or rather a large space in its neighbourhood, was reserved free of buildings, and was the ordinary place at which trials were held and sentences declared. Cp. Deu 16:18; Deu 17:8; Rth 4:1. For the word throne as used to denote the judgement-seat, see Psa 9:4; Psa 122:5; Pro 20:8. The general sense of the verse is that it is not without reason, or as the blind act of ambitious and more powerful nations, that Jerusalem is to be overthrown. That overthrow will take place as a judicial act, as a consequence of wickedness, and after the case had been duly weighed in the balances.
and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah ] As the text now stands, the prophet mingles the two thoughts of a besieging army and of a judicial sentence and its execution. It is in point of fact by the scaling of the walls of Jerusalem and the capture of the other cities of the country that the sentence is to be carried out, and Jeremiah here as elsewhere (see Intr. iii. 14 ( d) and note) breaks off his simile or metaphor with abruptness and takes up anew the literal statement.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I will call – I am calling. The judgment has begun. God is summoning His hosts to the war.
Families – The various races by which the provinces of the Babylonian empire were populated.
They shall set every one his throne – The chiefs of these various races come as Gods ministers to hold solemn court, and give sentence in His name (see Jer 25:9). They therefore set each one his throne in the usual place for administering justice, namely, the entering in of the gates, where a large open space was always left in cities for the purpose. Viewed in one light war is the boiling caldron of human passion, upset by hazard, and bringing only ruin in its course; in the other it is God sitting in judgment, with the kings of the earth as His assessors, solemnly pronouncing sentence upon the guilty.
Against all the walls … – Sentence judicially pronounced, the nations come to execute judgment by mounting as enemies upon her walls and storming her cities.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 15. Shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates] As the gates of the cities were the ordinary places where justice was administered, so the enemies of Jerusalem are here represented as conquering the whole land, assuming the reins of government, and laying the whole country under their own laws; so that the Jews should no longer possess any political power: they should be wholly subjugated by their enemies.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
I will call; or, I am upon calling, it is at hand, I am about to incline the northern countries to join together in this work, Jer 6:22; 10:22; 25:9,26.
The families, or kindreds, viz. those divers countries and nations that were under one lord, as a chief ruler is called the father of his country.
The kingdoms, viz. the Babylonians and their assistants, the Medes also being in confederacy with them, whose kings daughter Nebuchadnezzar married.
They shall set every one his throne; their seats, pavilions, or tents shall be pitched, which shall be as so many thrones, where I will see my judgments executed by the Chaldeans, Jer 52:4.
At the entering of the gates; at the entering to the gates, or way leading to the gates, Jdg 9:35; 2Ki 7:3; Jer 43:9, which besiegers have always a special regard to, that there be no going in or coming out, Isa 22:7.
Against all the walls thereof round about; they shall begirt it round, noting the great multitude, power, and courage of the Chaldeans.
Against all the cities; there were none of them should fare any better than Jerusalem.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
15. familiesthe tribes orclans composing the various kingdoms of Babylon; the specification ofthese aggravates the picture of calamity (Jer25:9).
throne at . . . gatestheusual place of administering justice. The conquering princeswill set up their tribunal there (Jer 39:3;Jer 39:5; Jer 52:9).Or the reference is to the military pavilion (Jer43:10) [MAURER].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the Lord,…. Which belonged unto and were under the jurisdiction of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and the “call” of them, as Kimchi well observes, is no other than putting it into their hearts to come:
and they shall come; being influenced and directed by the providence of God, who had a principal concern in this matter:
and they shall set everyone his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem; meaning, not only that they should pitch their military tents, and encamp about Jerusalem, and place themselves at the entering of the gates, in order to get in; but that they should sit down there in great safety and security, and be very successful, victorious, and triumphant:
and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah; not only besiege Jerusalem, and take that, but also all the rest of the cities of the land.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Jer 1:15 is not the precise interpretation of the picture seen, but a direct statement of the afflictions about to fall on the inhabitants of Judah. “ They will set each his throne. ” The representatives of the kingdoms are meant, the kings and generals. To set one’s throne ( or ; cf. Jer 43:10; Jer 49:38) is a figure for the establishing of sovereignty. , seat or throne, is not the seat of judgment, but the throne of the sovereign; cf. the expression: set the throne upon these stones, Jer 43:10; where a passing of judgment on the stones being out of the question, the only idea is the setting up of dominion, as is put beyond doubt by the parallel clause; to spread out his state carpet upon the stones. “Before the gates of Jerusalem:” not merely in order to besiege the city and occupy the outlets from it (Jerome and others), but to lord it over the city and its inhabitants. If we take the figurative expression in this sense, the further statement fits well into it, and we have no need to take refuge in Hitzig’s unnatural view that these clauses are not dependent on ‘ but on . For the words: they set up their dominion against the calls of Jerusalem, and against all cities of Judah, give the suitable sense, that they will use violence against the walls and cities.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
This verse contains an explanation of the last; for God more dearly and more specifically expresses what he had before referred to — that the evil would come from the north. He says that he would be the sender of this evil, and speaks thus of it: Behold, I call all the families of the kingdoms of the north The prediction would not have been so effectual had not this declaration been expressly added — that the Chaldeans would come by the authority of God; for men are ever wont to ascribe to fortune whatever takes place: and we shall hereafter see in the Book of Lamentations (Lam 3:37) that the Jews were so besotted, that in their calamities they attributed to the events of fortune the destruction of the temple and city, and the ruin of the kingdom. Hence God sharply expostulated with them, because they were so blind in a matter so clear, and did not acknowledge his judgments. The Prophet, then, after having testified that the evil would come from the north, now adds, that this evil would by no means be by chance, but through that war which the Chaldeans would bring on them; that God would be the chief commander, who would gather soldiers from all parts, and prepare an army to destroy the Jews.
The Prophet uses the word, to cry: Behold, he says, I will cry to all the kindreds, or families, etc. (16) God employs various modes of speaking, when he intends to teach us that all nations are in his hand, and subject to his will, so that he can excite wars whenever it pleases him. He says, “Behold, I will hiss (or whistle) for the Egyptians;” and he compares them sometimes to bees. (Isa 5:26; Isa 7:18.) Again, in another place he says, “Behold, I will blow with the trumpet, and assemble shall the Assyrians.” All these modes of speaking are intended to shew, that though men make a great stir, and disturb the whole world, yet God directs all things by his sovereign power, and that nothing takes place except under his guidance and authority. We then see that the Prophet does not speak as an historian; nor does he simply predict what was to be, but also adds a doctrine or a great truth. It would have been a naked prediction only, had he said, “An evil shall break forth from the north: “but he now, as I have already said, performs the office of a teacher, that his prediction might be useful, and says that God would be the chief commander in that war: Behold, then, I will cry to all the families (17) of the kingdoms of the north.
There was then indeed but one monarchy; but as the self — confidence of the Jews was so great, and hence their sottishness, so that they dreaded no evil, God, in order to arouse them, says that he would assemble all the families of the kingdoms: and doubtless those belonged to many kingdoms whom God brought together against the Jews. A regard also was had to that vain confidence which the Jews entertained, in thinking that the Egyptians would be ever ready to supply them with help. As, then, they were wont to set up the Egyptians as their shield, or even as a mountain, God here exposes their folly, — that trusting in the Egyptians, they thought themselves sufficiently fortified against the power and arms of the whole Chaldean monarchy. For these reasons, then, he mentions the families, and then the kingdoms, of the north.
It follows, And they shall come, and set each (man, literally) his throne (18) at the entrance of the gates The Prophet here means that the power of the Chaldeans would be such, that they would boldly pitch their tents before the gates, and not only so, but would also close up the smaller gates, for he mentions the doors ( ostia) of the gates (19) And by speaking of each of them, he meant the more sharply to touch the Jews: for they, relying on the help of Egypt, thought themselves capable of resisting, while yet the Chaldeans, who had conquered the Assyrians, would be irresistible. Hence he says, that not only the army itself would encamp before the gates, but that each individual would fix himself there, and set up his tent as in a place of safety. In short, God intimates that the Chaldeans and Assyrians would be victorious, that they would entirely rule and rest themselves as at their own homes, in the fields and before the gates of the city Jerusalem. These things are afterwards more distinctly expressed, and many circumstances are added: but God intended at first to announce this declaration, that the Jews might know that it would be all over with them.
He then says, On its walls around, and on all the cities of Judah The Prophet here declares, that the whole country would be laid waste, as though he had said, “The Jews in vain trust to their own resources, and help from others, for God will fight against them; and as the Chaldeans and the Assyrians shall be armed by him, they shall be victorious, whatever force the Jews may oppose to them.” It follows —
(16) Perhaps the more literal rendering would be, “I will call to,” or for. The version of Septuagint is, “ συγκάλω -I will summon;” of Vatablus, “ invitabo — I will invite;” of Piscator, “ vocabo — I will call;” and of Blayney, “I will call for.” — Ed
(17) They are called “families,“ say some, because kings are called fathers; but probable it is a mode of speaking retained from primitive times, as we find that those called “families” in Gen 12:3, are called “nations” in Gen 22:18. — Ed.
(18) The original word, כסא, not only means a throne, but a seat; see 1Sa 1:9; 1Sa 4:18; and 2Kg 4:10, where it is rendered in our version “a stool.” Grotius renders it here “ praetorium castrense — a camp’s tent.” The “throne” is derived from the Septuagint. — Ed
(19) Literally it is “The opening of the gates.” The preposition at is not in the original; and the word in some other places is found without it. See Gen 19:11; Gen 43:17. The preposition ἐπὶ is given by the Septuagint, “ ἐπὶ τὰ πρόθυρα -at or in the vestibules,“ etc. We have the fulfillment of this expressly recorded in Jer 39:3. The idea suggested by Adam Clarke, that they would sit as judges in the gates, as these were the courts of justice, is evidently not intended here; for they would also fix their tents or their seats by or on the walls, and in all the cities of Judah. The latter portion of the verse may be thus rendered, —
And they shall come, and set, each his seat, At the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, And on all its walls around, And on all the cities of Judah.
The description betokens an entire possession of the whole land. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(15) I will call.Literally, I am calling. The evil is not merely future, but is actually begun.
All the families of the kingdoms of the north.In the Hebrew the words are in apposition, all the families, even the kingdoms of the north. The words point chiefly to the Chaldans and other inhabitants of Babylonia, but may probably include also the Scythians, who about this time spread like a deluge over Asia Minor and Syria, and penetrated as far as Ascalou (Herod. i. 105).
They shall set every one his throne.i.e., shall usurp the administration of justice, and set up their thrones of judgment in the space near the gates in which kings usually sat to hear complaints and decide causes (2Sa. 15:2; Psa. 127:5). In Jer. 39:3 we have a literal fulfilment of the prediction.
Against all the walls.As the previous words speak of a formal usurpation of power, so do these of invasion and attack, the storming of the lesser cities of Judah, while Jerusalem became the centre of the foreign government.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
15. I will call Literally, I am calling. The present tense shows that the judgment is at the very door, yea, has even now begun. The summons has already gone forth.
The kingdoms of the north Not only those of Syria, which is the country lying immediately to the north of Palestine, but of the whole region of the Euphrates and the Tigris; for all armies coming from this region would enter Palestine from the north.
Shall set his throne Meaning, establish a hostile power, and so implies violence against Jerusalem and the cities of Judah. “The chiefs of these various races come as God’s ministers to hold solemn court, and to give sentence in his name.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jer 1:15. And they shall set every one his throne, &c. The allusion here is to the ancient custom of setting and judging at the gates: “I will send against Jerusalem the princes, to judge, to condemn, to punish it: I will establish a tribunal at each of your gates, where kings shall sit to judge you, attended with soldiers, ready to execute their decrees.” The prophesy was fulfilled when this city was taken by Nebuchadnezzar. See ch. Jer 39:3.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jer 1:15 For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.
Ver. 15. And set every one his throne. ] Judging such as in those very gates had unjustly judged others. See this performed, 2Ki 24:4 ; 2Ki 25:6 Jer 52:9
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
all. Frequently put (as here) by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Whole), App-6, for the principal or greater part.
set, &c. Where the kings of Judah had sat to judge and rule. Fulfilled in Jer 39:3, for here the setting is hostile.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
I will call: Jer 5:15, Jer 6:22, Jer 10:22, Jer 10:25, Jer 25:9, Jer 25:28, Jer 25:31, Jer 25:32
and they: Jer 39:3, Jer 43:10, Isa 22:7
and against: Jer 4:16, Jer 9:11, Jer 33:10, Jer 34:22, Jer 44:6, Deu 28:49-53, Lam 5:11
Reciprocal: Jer 5:17 – they shall impoverish Jer 6:1 – evil Jer 34:1 – all the kingdoms Jer 46:24 – she shall Eze 9:2 – six Amo 3:2 – all Hab 1:6 – I raise Zec 6:6 – the north Rev 17:14 – and they
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 1:15, This is more along the same line as the preceding verses and is expressed in more direct language. The Lord told the prophet that he would call the people from the north as has been explained. At the time of the invasion there was to be but one government engaged in the movement, which would be the Babylonians. The terms families and kingdoms refer to the divisions of the army that were to operate in unison under the authority of the emperor. Set every one his throne or seat means these various units would fix their proper places in the siege against Jerusalem which was the capital of the Jewish nation. Of course at the same time the necessary attention would be given to the other cities of Judah to see that nothing is done to hinder the siege. The fulfillment of this invasion and siege is recorded in 2 Kings 24, 25 for the Biblical account. The historical fulfillment was quoted with the comments on Isa 3:1 in the 3rd volume of this Commentary.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 1:15-16. For lo, I will call Or, I am upon calling, or, about to call; all the families of the kingdoms of the north By these seem to be meant the different nations who were subject to Nabopolassar and Nebuchadnezzar, and who served in their armies, such as the Medes, Armenians, Chaldeans, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, and Syrians. The kings of Assyria were formerly troublesome to the Jews, chiefly under Ahaz and Hezekiah; but they do not seem to be spoken of here, but only those people who, from the thirteenth year of Josiah, when Jeremiah had this vision, grievously harassed Judea, until the taking of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, to whom the kings of the north were either tributaries or auxiliaries. And they shall set every one his throne, &c. To set up a throne in, or over, any place, denotes taking full possession of it, as appears from Jer 43:10; Jer 49:38 : but, by thrones here, seats, pavilions, or tents pitched, may be intended; and so this prophecy was fulfilled when the city was taken by Nebuchadnezzar: see Jer 39:3. And I will utter my judgments against them Namely, against the Jews, for this is spoken of them, and not of the kings or people, mentioned in the foregoing verse; touching their wickedness Then I will no longer speak unto them by my prophets, whose threatenings they have disregarded; but the judgments which I will bring upon them shall declare their wickedness, and the vengeance due unto them for it.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The evil from the north would be many families (peoples) of the kingdoms of the north; it would be a massive invasion. These enemies would invade Judah, besiege Jerusalem, and seek to conquer and rule the land. "Setting a throne" at the gates of Jerusalem is a figure for establishing sovereignty over Jerusalem.