Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 31:24
And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the cities thereof together, husbandmen, and they [that] go forth with flocks.
24. they that go about ] opposed to dwellers in fixed habitations, such as the inhabitants of the towns and husbandmen. Cp. Isa 30:23.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Go forth – Go about. Judah shall have its settled population and fixed abodes; and shepherds shall move about with their flocks, wherever pasture is to be found.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
This whole verse is but an expression of their peaceable state after their return; they should live innocently and peaceably. Jer 33:12.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
24. Judah . . . cities . . .husbandmen . . . they with flocksTwo classes, citizens andcountrymen, the latter divided into agriculturists and shepherds, allalike in security, though the latter were to be outside theprotection of city walls. “Judah” here stands for thecountry, as distinguished from its cities.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the cities thereof together,…. In peace and unity, in great concord and harmony:
husbandmen, and those [that] go forth with flocks; husbandmen and shepherds; meaning such not merely in a temporal sense, but in a spiritual one; ministers of the Gospel, labourers with God, and under him, in the husbandry of his church; pastors after his own heart, to feed his people, his flocks, his sheep and lambs, with knowledge and understanding; who shall agree in their ministry, teaching the same doctrines, and administering the same ordinances, according to the rule of the word.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
He proceeds with the same subject, but sets forth the effect of that favor of which he had spoken, for dwell, he says, shall the Jews again in the land; that is, they shall rest there and have a quiet habitation. He adds cities, only to amplify the favor of God as to the number and multiplicity of men; as though he had said, that not a few would return, but a vast number of men, sufficient to fill their cities. Now this was to exceed the hope of all; for when they saw the cities deserted, and the land almost empty, who would have thought that they would again be filled with people? But this the Prophet confirms by saying, Dwell there shall Judah and all his cities; and he adds, husbandmen He extends God’s favor to the country and the villages, as though he had said, that the land would be filled with inhabitants, not only as to the fortified towns, but as to the fields.
It often happens that cities are inhabited when there is any fear or danger from enemies; for they who dwell in cities have walls for their defense, and mounds and other means of safety. Had then the Prophet spoken only of cities, he would not have sufficiently set forth the favor of God. Hence he adds husbandmen, as though he had said, that dwelling in the land would be safe, though there were no gates, no walls, no defences, for husbandmen would rest secure in their cottages as though inclosed within walls. We now then understand what the Prophet means.
Some read thus, “Husbandmen, and they who go forth with the flock,” as though the Prophet made a distinction between husbandmen and keepers of sheep; but this seems to me unsuitable; for I doubt not but that he means that husbandmen with their flocks and herds would be secure, having no fear of the inroads of enemies, but living in the land under the care and protection of God, without apprehending anything adverse or hostile to them. The meaning is, that the restoration of the Church would be such, that its state would not be worse than in former ages, and that it would be in a peaceable and quiet condition, so that the inhabitants of the villages and country places would not be less secure than those in cities. (46)
Now, were any one to ask, when was this fulfilled? We must bear in mind what has been said elsewhere, — that the Prophets, when speaking of the restoration of the Church, included the whole kingdom of Christ from the beginning to the end. And in this our divines go astray, so that by confining these promises to some particular time, they are compelled to fly to allegories; and thus they wrest, and even pervert all the prophecies. But the Prophets, as it has been said, include the whole progress of Christ’s kingdom when they speak of the future redemption of the people. The people began to do well when they returned to their own country; but soon after distresses came as Daniel had predicted. It was, therefore, necessary for them to look for the coming of Christ. We now taste of these benefits of God as long as we are in the world. We hence see that these prophecies are not accomplished in one day, or in one year, no, not even in one age, but ought to be understood as referring to the beginning and the end of Christ’s kingdom. It follows, —
(46) Blaney renders the verse, thus, —
And Judah shall dwell in it and all his cities, Husbandmen together, and they shall go about with flocks.
Like Calvin he takes “cities” for citizens; but still there is an inappropriateness in the words. I regard the word “land” as understood before “Judah,” —
And dwell in it, the land of Judah, And in all his cities together, Shall husbandmen; and they shall remove with their flocks.
See Jer 33:12,where the meaning of what is here said is made more evident “Remove,” that is, from place to place, as the word means, for the purpose of feeding their flocks. This betokened a state of liberty and of security. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(24) Husbandmen, and they that go forth with flocks.The prophets ideal of the restored life of Israel is that it should combine the best features of the patriarchal and the kingly life. A people pastoral, yet not nomadicagricultural, yet sharing in the culture and safety of citiesthis was the picture that rose up in Jeremiahs thoughts, in sharp contrast to the facts that actually surrounded him in the shape of devastated fields and pastures, with no flocks and herds (Jer. 4:26-29).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
24. Go forth Rather, go about. The phrase describes the ordinary life of the shepherd going hither and thither in the interest of the flock. The whole verse is a picture of peace and prosperity in contrast with the insecurity and desolation of war.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jer 31:24. Husbandmen, and they that go forth with flocks These words are descriptive of the circumstances in which the ancestors of the Jews were placed upon their first introduction into the land of Canaan. The land was by divine appointment divided by lot among them, and every man had his separate portion or patrimony assigned him, which he was forbidden to alienate or exchange, and consequently was bound to cultivate himself for the maintenance of himself and family. Besides which, I conceive, there were certain districts of waste or unappropriated plain, known by the name of the wilderness, reserved for the purpose of grazing and feeding their cattle in common. Thus every citizen was literally a husbandman, without any exception, and also a shepherd, or feeder of flocks. Nor could any institution be better calculated to render a people virtuous and happy, by training them up to habits of sobriety, frugality, and industry, and restraining them from the pursuits of luxury and pernicious elegance; while the prodigious increase of their numbers under such circumstances afforded a sufficient proof, that through the divine blessing co-operating with the natural fertility of their soil, they were all plentifully supplied with every article requisite for their commodious and comfortable subsistence. Accordingly it here appears to be the avowed design of divine Providence, upon bringing the Jewish people back to inhabit once more their ancient land, to revive among them an institution so favourable to their happiness.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jer 31:24 And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the cities thereof together, husbandmen, and they [that] go forth with flocks.
Ver. 24. Husbandmen, and those that go out with flocks. ] Agricolae et pecuarii; the citizens of the Church shall be plain hearted and profitable persons, living together in amity, and not jarring, as husbandmen and shepherds oft do; Cain and Abel for instance.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jer 33:11-13, Eze 36:10, Zec 2:4, Zec 8:4-8
Reciprocal: Exo 16:12 – ye shall know Psa 107:7 – that they Jer 32:15 – Houses Jer 33:12 – in all Eze 37:25 – they shall dwell in Zec 1:17 – My cities Mal 3:4 – the offering
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 31:24. The agricultural pursuits will be resumed without being even threatened successfully by a foreign enemy.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Judah would experience great unity at that time because the Lord would satisfy the previously weary residents and refresh those who formerly languished.