Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 11:21
Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:
Jer 11:21
Prophesy not in the name of the Lord, that thou die not by our hand.
Intimidating the prophet
Think of Bunyan when he is brought before the judge, and the judge says, You! a tinker! to go about preaching! Hold your tongue, sir! I cannot hold my tongue, says Bunyan. Then I must send you back to prison unless you promise never to preach again. If you put me in prison till the moss grows on my eyelids, I will preach again the first moment I get out, by the help of God. (Life of John Bunyan.)
Intimidators put to silence:–There is the story of a conversation between the burgomaster in Hamburg and holy Dr. Ducken when he first began to preach. The burgomaster said to him, Do you see that little finger, sir? While I can move that little finger, I will put the Baptists down. Mr. Ducken said, With all respect to your little finger, Mr. Burgomaster, I would ask you another question. Do you see that arm? No, I do not see it. Just so, said Mr. Ducken, but I do; and while that great arm moves, you cannot put us down, and if it comes to a conflict between your little finger and that great arm, I know how it will end. It was my great joy to see the burgomaster sitting in the chapel at Hamburg, among the audience that listened to my sermon at the opening of the new chapel. The little finger had willingly given up its opposition, and the great arm was made bare. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
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Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
21. Prophesy not (Isa 30:10;Amo 2:12; Mic 2:6).If Jeremiah had not uttered his denunciatory predictions, they wouldnot have plotted against him. None were more bitter than his ownfellow townsmen. Compare the conduct of the Nazarites towards Jesusof Nazareth (Lu 4:24-29).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Therefore thus saith the Lord of the men of Anathoth,…. That is, “unto”, or “concerning the men of Anathoth”, the townsmen of Jeremiah, and who were the persons that combined together to destroy him; of this place, [See comments on Jer 1:1]
that seek thy life; or “soul”; that is, to take it away:
saying, prophesy not in the name of the Lord; without their leave, and such hard things as he did, unless he would prophesy smooth things, and then he might go on, otherwise he must expect to die:
that thou die not by our hand; or means; they intimate, that, should he persist in this way of prophesying, they should not stay to carry on a judicial process against him, to bring him and accuse him before a judge, or the sanhedrim, or any court of judicature; but should do as those called zealots in later times did; lay violent hands upon him, and dispatch him themselves at once; perhaps this they said after they found that the prophet had knowledge of their designs against him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The Prophet here expressly denounces vengeance on his own people: for we have seen at the beginning of this book that he belonged to the town of Anathoth. Now it appears from this passage, that the holy man had not only to contend with the king and his courtiers, and the priests, who were at Jerusalem; but that when he betook himself to a corner to live quietly with his own people, he had even there no friend, but that all persecuted him as an enemy. We hence see how miserable was the condition of the Prophet; for he had no rest, even when he sought retirement and fled to his own country. That he was not safe even there, is a proof to us how hardly God exercised and tried him for the many years in which he performed his prophetic office.
As the citizens of Anathoth had grievously sinned, so he denounces on them an especial calamity. It is indeed certain that the Prophet was not kindly received at Jerusalem; nay, he met there, as we shall hereafter see, with enemies the most cruel: but when he hoped for some rest and relaxation in his own country, he was even there received as we find here. This is the reason why God commanded him to threaten the citizens of Anathoth with destruction. I cannot finish the whole today.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
B. The Verdict Which He Receives Jer. 11:21-23
TRANSLATION
(21) Therefore, thus says the LORD concerning the men of Anathoth who are seeking your life, saying, Do not prophesy in the name of the LORD and you will not die at our hand; (22) therefore thus says the LORD of host: Behold, I am about to punish them! The young men will die by the sword, their sons and daughters will die by the famine; (23) and they shall not have a remnant, for I will bring calamity unto the men of Anathoth, the year of their punishment.
COMMENTS
The righteous Judge was quick to render His verdict in favor of the plaintiff. Punishment is about to fall upon the inhabitants of Anathoth. The young men of military age would die by the sword of the enemy. Younger children would die in the famine which would result because of prolonged siege (Jer. 11:22). No remnant of those conspirators[194] would survive the calamity which God was about to bring upon the land. The year of their visitation or punishment is upon them (Jer. 11:23). They shall not be able to escape the ruthless armies of Nebuchadnezzar.
[194] That the threat is limited to the conspirators is indicated by the fact that some men of Anathoth did survive the exile and returned to their home city. See Ezr. 2:23.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(21) Thus saith the Lord.The men of Anathoth, it would seem, had at first tried to stop the preaching of Jeremiah by threats, as Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, had tried to stop that of Amos (Amo. 7:12-13). Failing in this, after the manner of the men of Nazareth in their attack on the Christ (Luk. 4:28-29), and of the later Jews in their dealings with St. Paul, they conspired against his life (Act. 9:23; Act. 9:29; Act. 14:19; Act. 23:12).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
YHWH Declares The Death Sentence Against Anathoth ( Jer 11:21-23 ).
Jer 11:21-22
‘Therefore thus says YHWH concerning the men of Anathoth, who seek your life, saying, “You shall not prophesy in the name of YHWH, that you die not by our hand.” Therefore thus says YHWH of hosts,
YHWH’s response was to pronounce His verdict against the men of Anathoth who had threatened Jeremiah with death if he prophesied in the name of YHWH. The double repetition of ‘thus says YHWH’ confirms the emphasis and certainty of fulfilment of the verdict.
Jer 11:22-23
“Behold, I will punish them.
The young men will die by the sword,
Their sons and their daughters will die by famine,
And there will be no remnant to them,
For I will bring evil on the men of Anathoth,
Even the year of their visitation.”
The sentence is one of death against the whole households of the would be murderers. Their young men of fighting age would die by the sword, their other young men and women would die through famine, no remnant of them would remain. For the year when YHWH would visit His judgment on the men of Anathoth was coming, and it would take the form of evil being brought on them in the form of devastating invasion. Thus the young men would die defending their homeland, and the famine would be at least partly the result of the marauding activities of the enemy, destroying them by fire after taking possession of such supplies of food as they required for their own use.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jer 11:21. Prophesy not, &c. This passage shews abundantly that Jeremiah is to be understood primarily in the literal sense; which does not by any means prevent our understanding it of Jesus Christ in the spiritual. We may hence observe the usage which the prophets generally met with. The people of their own towns and countries could not bear the solemn and alarming truths which they delivered, and therefore became their enemies. See Mat 13:57.
REFLECTIONS.1st, Jeremiah is sent of God again to this rebellious house of Judah:
1. To remind them of the tenor of that covenant by which they held the land of promise; the great condition of which was, their obedience; and this God earnestly pressed upon them as the one thing needful, charging their fathers to observe and do all his commandments, as the only means to secure his favour, and their relation to him; promising that, in consequence of this, they should possess the land of Canaan, flowing with milk and honey; and this was farther enforced by the awful sanction of that terrible curse which would overtake the breakers of this covenant. God had not ceased from that day to continue his admonitions to them, and urge that fidelity to which they were so strictly obliged. And now this prophet must second those who went before in the same protestations and urgent calls to them, to hear and obey; which that they may do, he earnestly prays, So be it, O Lord. Note; They who withdraw themselves from God’s service have no right to expect his protection.
2. To charge them with their gross violations of this covenant, by which they had forfeited all the blessings promised, and incurred all the penalties annexed to it. They obeyed not, neither they, nor their fathers; nor inclined their ear to the divinely-commissioned messengers, whom from time to time God sent to admonish them; but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart, without the least regard to God’s law; therefore all the curses denounced against the disobedient lie at their door; and God saw their secret as well as their open wickedness. A general conspiracy is formed among them, to discard God’s worship and law, and to introduce the idols and customs of the heathens around them. The men of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem, city and country, high and low, are engaged in it. A little reformation had been made in the days of Josiah, but they quickly turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, and sunk again into idolatry. Israel first led the way, and Judah copied their abominations, so that the covenant which God had made with their fathers was utterly broken. Note; (1.) They who will not be ruled by God’s law, must be destroyed under his curse. (2.) Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not go unpunished.
2nd, The curse follows sin as close as the shadow does the body. We have,
1. Their miserable and helpless case. Therefore I will bring evil upon them, the evil of punishment for the evil of sin, which they shall not be able to escape; neither their wisdom, nor might, nor riches, shall be able to avert the storm. In vain will be their applications to God, he will not hear them: in vain their application to their idols, they cannot help them, though so numberless, that not only every city, but every street, had altars erected to that shameful thing Baal. Note; (1.) When wrath pursues the sinner, flight is vain. (2.) Prayer comes too late, when it is the time of judgment. (3.) Many cry to God to save them from their sufferings, who never lament the evil of the sins which procured them; and therefore well may he refuse to hear. (4.) All our idols and creature-dependences will be found miserable comforters in a day of calamity. (5.) Sin is a shameful thing; and we must either take shame to ourselves now for it, or be put to everlasting shame in the day of visitation.
2. The prophet is forbidden to pray for them. The decree was gone forth against them, and the prayers of good men now would be as unavailable as their own. Note; They are desperate indeed who are beyond the reach of prayer.
3. Their attendance at God’s house could profit them nothing, when their hearts were so false and faithless with him. What hath my beloved to do in mine house? This title was given them for their fathers’ sake: but to what purpose did they keep up their attendance, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many? committing such scandalous idolatry, as utterly separated them from all communion with God, and made their services barefaced hypocrisy; and the holy flesh is passed from thee; their sacrifices were no longer acceptable to God, and an end would quickly be put to them, when their temple was laid in ruins: when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest; and, while this love of and delight in iniquity remained, all services and sacrifices were but an abomination before God. Note; They who trust in their external privileges, and outward attendance on the worship and ordinances of God, while their hearts are strangers to vital holiness, and enslaved by sin, will find themselves disowned of God, and all their dependance a delusion.
4. The former favours which they enjoyed, as they served but to aggravate their ingratitude, would be no security to them at present. They were once, indeed, called a green olive-tree, fair and of goodly fruit: God’s blessing was upon them, and prosperity surrounded them on every side; but since they have changed their conduct, God hath changed his dispensations of providence towards them. The Chaldeans, at his command, have kindled a fire, and burnt it; and the branches, their princes, priests, and great men, are broken and consumed. God hath pronounced sentence against them for their sins, especially their worship of Baal, which provoked his anger, and brought wrath upon their souls; and, though he planted them, he will utterly root them up. Note; (1.) They who sin against God, bring ruin upon their own souls. (2.) They who produce no fruits of holiness, like barren trees, are only fit fuel for the flames.
3rdly, They who are sent to bear witness against obstinate sinners, must, with Jeremiah, put their lives in their hand. His fidelity begins now to expose him to the most imminent danger.
1. A conspiracy is formed against him, by the men of Anathoth, his brethren; a city of priests, who should have been foremost to support him, but are so exasperated at his sharp reproofs, that nothing but his blood will satisfy them. Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, either the prophet and his family, or his prophesy; or, as the words are rendered by some, Let us corrupt his bread with poison; signifying the method which they intended to take, in order to dispatch him; and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered, and he and his prophesy buried in everlasting oblivion. Note; (1.) It is no wonder to see wicked priests the bitterest persecutors of their faithful brethren; it was ever so of old. (2.) People take great pains to be rid of their troublers; but they must have God’s permission before any of their crafty designs can take place.
2. God disappoints their scheme, by informing the prophet of his danger, and setting him on his guard; for he was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter, without the least suspicion of their designs. Note; (1.) They who are conscious of the integrity of their own conduct, are least ready to entertain suspicions of others. (2.) God preserves us from many unforeseen dangers, into which we should else have blindly rushed. (3.) His prophets and faithful ministers are his peculiar care.
3. He lodges his appeal with God, the righteous judge, who knew his simplicity and their iniquity; therefore he prays, Let me see thy vengeance on them; not from a spirit of revenge, but from zeal for God’s glory: or it may be considered as prophetical of what would be their case; for unto thee have I revealed my cause; and therefore rest satisfied, in full confidence that justice will he done. Note; (1.) Whatever man does against us, it is a comfort that we have a righteous judge, who will vindicate those that are oppressed with wrong. (2.) They who devise mischief against others, will find the stone which they have rolled return upon themselves.
4. Judgment is pronounced on the men of Anathoth. They determined to silence the prophet, at all hazards. The provocation he had given them was, prophesying in the name of the Lord, without their licence, and in a way which reflected such infamy upon their false doctrine and faithless conduct; and if they could not intimidate him from preaching, they resolved to murder him; therefore God denounces his judgments on the men of Anathoth. Famine and the sword shall slay them and their families, and not so much as a remnant shall escape the universal destruction. Note; (1.) No prohibition or threatening can stop the mouths of God’s true ministers; they are ready to suffer, but resolved to cry aloud and spare not. (2.)
The day of visitation is at hand, when all the persecutors of God’s people (and especially those perfidious priests, who abuse their power to suppress the testimony of God’s few faithful servants, whose life and doctrine reflect upon their ignorance, errors, sloth, and immoralities,) shall receive their righteous doom.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jer 11:21 Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:
Ver. 21. Of the men of Anathoth that seek thy life. ] Where shall a man find worse friends than at home? A prophet is nowhere so little set by as in his own country. Mat 13:57 Probatissimuset optimus quisque peregre vivit, saith Ennius, in Cicero. a
Saying, Prophesy not in the name of the Lord.
a Epist. Famil., lib. vii. cap. 6.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Jer 11:21-23
21Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the men of Anathoth, who seek your life, saying, Do not prophesy in the name of the LORD, so that you will not die at our hand; 22therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, Behold, I am about to punish them! The young men will die by the sword, their sons and daughters will die by famine; 23and a remnant will not be left to them, for I will bring disaster on the men of Anathoth-the year of their punishment.
Jer 11:21-23 This is YHWH’s response to Jeremiah’s prayer of Jer 11:20. Anathoth was Jeremiah’s hometown (cf. Jer 1:1). There has been much discussion in the commentaries if these threats were based on the ancient rivalry between the two priestly families of Zadok and Abiathar. This connection is not certain in the text, but was obviously an undercurrent. Zadok was the current ruling high priestly family and Abiathar had been exiled to Anathoth by Solomon (cf. 1Ki 2:26-27).
Jer 11:22 the sword. . .famine In the ANE there was a triad of terms used by Jeremiah to describe coming disaster (cf. Jer 14:12; Jer 21:7; Jer 21:9; Jer 24:10; Jer 27:8; Jer 27:13; Jer 29:17-18; Jer 32:24; Jer 32:36; Jer 34:17; Jer 38:2; Jer 42:17; Jer 42:22; Jer 44:13).
1. the sword – invasion
2. famine – drought or siege
3. pestilence – insects, sickness, or siege
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. What is a covenant?
2. Define the Hebrew word Amen in Jer 11:5.
3. Who is Ba’al and how was he worshiped?
4. How is Jer 11:15 related to the book of Hosea?
5. Why were the men of Anathoth trying to kill Jeremiah?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
of = concerning.
men. Hebrew. Plural of ‘enosh. App-14.
seek = are seeking.
thy life = thy soul. Hebrew. nephesh.
hand. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “hands”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
that seek: Jer 12:5, Jer 12:6, Jer 20:10, Mic 7:6, Mat 10:21, Mat 10:34-36, Luk 4:24
Prophesy: Isa 30:10, Amo 2:12, Amo 7:13-16, Mic 2:6-11
thou: Jer 20:1, Jer 20:2, Jer 38:1-6, Mat 21:35, Mat 22:6, Mat 23:34-37, Luk 13:33, Luk 13:34, Act 7:51, Act 7:52
Reciprocal: Exo 5:23 – in thy name Ezr 2:23 – Anathoth Neh 7:27 – Anathoth Jer 1:1 – in Anathoth Jer 15:15 – know Jer 32:7 – Anathoth Jer 34:20 – and into Amo 2:11 – and Mar 6:4 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 11:21. Anathoth was a city near Jerusalem and was known as the unofficial headquarters of the priests. The other Citizens of that place did not like the teaching of Jeremiah and even threatened his life. This is the thing referred to In verse 19 but of which the prophet was unaware for a time. But their dangerous attitude toward him finally became so outspoken that he heard of it, and then made the plea to God which we have just read and to which an answer of assurance was given.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 11:21. Thus saith the Lord of the men that seek thy life That are combined to kill thee; saying, Prophesy not in the name of the Lord
The meaning is, that those men of Anathoth threatened that they would kill him if he did not cease to prophesy such things as he did in the name of the Lord, namely, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, the desolation of Judea, and the carrying away of the people into captivity. For if he had spoken falsely in the name of the Lord, and promised them peace and prosperity, they would have heard him prophesy gladly: they were thus exasperated at him, and opposed his prophesying, because he told them those truths which they had no mind to hear. This passage sufficiently shows that Jeremiah is to be understood in the literal sense here, which, however, does not by any means forbid our considering him in this instance as a type of Christ, and prefiguring, by his sufferings, those of the Redeemer of mankind. It manifests also the usage which the prophets generally met with from their own countrymen, who became their enemies because they told them the truth. The people of their own towns, even their friends and relations, could not bear to hear the solemn warnings which they gave them, and the prediction of those judgments which were coming upon them for their sins.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
11:21 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the men of {q} Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, {r} Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:
(q) That is, both the priests and the rest of the people: for this town was the priests, and they dwelt in it, Jer 1:1 .
(r) Not that they could not abide to hear God named; (for in this they would show themselves most holy) but because they could not abide to be sharply reproved, and therefore desired to be flattered Isa 30:10 , to be maintained in their pleasures Mic 2:11 and not to hear vice condemned Amo 7:12 .
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Men from Jeremiah’s hometown had warned him to stop prophesying in Yahweh’s name or they would kill him.