Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 29:29
And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.
29. read this letter, etc.] shewing thereby that he was in sympathy with the prophet.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
It is uncertain whether Zephaniah did this out of kindness to Jeremiah, for we read he was sent to Jeremiah upon messages, Jer 21:1; 37:3, from the king, or because he would not apprehend him before he heard him, and let him know that he did nothing against him but upon information, &c.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
29. Zephaniah . . . read . . . inthe ears of JeremiahHe seems to have been less prejudicedagainst Jeremiah than the others; hence he reads the charge to theprophet, that he should not be condemned without a hearing. Thisaccords with Shemaiah’s imputation against Zephaniah for want of zealagainst Jeremiah (Jer 29:26;Jer 29:27). Hence the latter waschosen by King Zedekiah as one of the deputation to Jeremiah (Jer 21:1;Jer 37:3).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Zephaniah the priest read this letter,…. Of Shemaiah’s to him, and the other priests:
in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet: whether out of good will, to let him know who were his enemies abroad; or out of ill will, to stir up the people against him; or in pretence of proceeding equitably with him; not taking him up, and punishing him before he brought the accusation and charge against him; and acquainted him who were his accusers, and what evidence there was, and heard what he had to say in his own defence whether one or the other is uncertain; however, by this means Jeremiah came to the knowledge of Shemaiah’s letter.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
It follows, And Zephaniah had read, etc The past perfect tense is more suitable here, for the verse ought to be put in a parenthesis. The Prophet obviates a doubt which might have been entertained. He then shews how the prophecy was made known to him; he was one of the hearers when the letter was read. And it is probable that the priest called Jeremiah on purpose, that he might be proved guilty by his own accuser. However this may have been, he wished to expose the holy man to the hatred of the people, or rather to their fury. The constancy of Jeremiah was worthy of greater praise, while he boldly reproved the arrogance of them all, who had nothing else in view but to suppress God’s truth by force and tyranny.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(29) And Zephaniah the priest . . .The fact thus related agrees with what has been said as to the character of Zephaniah. He does not act as Shemaiah wished him. At the most he only uses the letters as a threat, possibly to put the prophet on his guard against the machinations of his enemies, possibly also to induce him to moderate his tone. We are reminded of the like conduct of the Pharisees who reported Herods threats to our Lord, in Luk. 13:31.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
29. Read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah For what purpose we are not told, but it would seem that Zephaniah was friendly to him.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jer 29:29 And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.
Ver. 29. And Zephaniah the priest read this letter. ] For ill will, likely, and with exprobation. Ubi insignis elucit Dei tutela, saith an interpreter, where we may see a sweet providence of God in preserving his prophet from the rage and violence of the people so incensed.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Jer 29:29-32
29Zephaniah the priest read this letter to Jeremiah the prophet. 30Then came the word of the LORD to Jeremiah, saying, 31Send to all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite, Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, although I did not send him, and he has made you trust in a lie, 32therefore thus says the LORD, Behold, I am about to punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants; he will not have anyone living among this people, and he will not see the good that I am about to do to My people, declares the LORD, because he has preached rebellion against the LORD’
Jer 29:31 he has made you trust in a lie This same phrase is used in Jer 28:15. It is referring to the messages of peace and rapid restoration coming from the false prophets in both the Jewish community in Babylon and the Judean capital of Jerusalem. Ezekiel well describes these false prophets in Eze 13:2-3; Eze 13:22; Eze 22:28.
The concept of lie (BDB 1044) can denote
1. idols (cf. Jer 10:14; Jer 13:25; Jer 51:17)
2. false messages (cf. Jer 14:14; Jer 18:8; Jer 20:6; Jer 23:5-6; Jer 27:10; Jer 27:14; Jer 27:16; Jer 28:15; Jer 29:9)
3. false testimony (cf. Jer 5:2; Jer 37:14)
4. unbelief (cf. 1 John)
5. rejecting YHWH’s true message/messenger for a false one (cf. Jer 28:16)
Jer 29:32 he shall not have anyone living among this people Jeremiah pronounces judgment on this false prophet in the total eradication of all of his relatives and descendants. To a Jew this was a horrifying prospect.
because he has preached rebellion against the LORD Notice that the rejection of God’s prophet is the rejection of God.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, whichmeans 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. How many letters seems to be involved or mentioned in this chapter?
2. Explain the historical background of Jeremiah 29.
3. Why were Jeremiah’s words believed to be treasonous?
4. What are the implications of Jer 29:7?
5. Is seventy years meant to be a symbolic or literal figure?
6. How do you know a false prophet?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Jer 29:25
Reciprocal: 2Ki 25:18 – Zephaniah Jer 20:3 – Magormissabib Jer 52:24 – Zephaniah
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 29:29. There is no evidence that Zephaniah attempted to reprove Jeremiah, but he did let him hear what Shemaiah wrote against him. It Is also reasonable to conclude that Zephaniah went to the Lord about the situation.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jeremiah’s second letter to the exiles 29:29-32
After Zephaniah had read Shemaiah’s letter to Jeremiah (Jer 29:29), the Lord moved Jeremiah (Jer 29:30) to write a second letter to the exiles (Jer 29:31-32).
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Zephaniah the priest read Shemaiah’s letter to Jeremiah.