Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 4:2
And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
2. shall bless themselves in him ] not in Israel, but in God, i.e. they will use Jehovah’s name in invoking blessings on themselves.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 2. Thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth] Thou shalt not bind thyself by any false god; thou shalt acknowledge ME as the Supreme. Bind thyself BY me, and TO me; and do this in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness.
The nations shall bless themselves in him] They shall be so fully convinced of the power and goodness of Jehovah in seeing the change wrought on thee, and the mercies heaped upon thee, that their usual mode of benediction shall be, May the God of Israel bless thee!
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And thou shalt swear: this is to be understood, partly by way of command, as Deu 10:20; and partly by way of direction, if thou swear, or when thou swearest: it is put here synecdochically for the whole worship of God, hereby acknowledging and owning God as the only God.
The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness: here he prescribes,
1. The form of the oath. viz.
The Lord liveth, or, By the life of God, which was that form which they did use in swearing, 1Sa 14:39,45, and many other places; so Joseph sware by the life of Pharaoh, Gen 42:15,16; and Elisha very frequently useth this form, 2Ki 2:2,4,6; 3:14; 5:16; which is also to be understood exclusively; q.d. not by any idol, as Baal, &c., or any creature, Jer 5:7; Mat 5:34-36; Jam 5:12, but by God alone, Isa 65:16; see Hos 2:17; for by this indeed we declare the Godhead of him whom we worship, Isa 19:18.
2. The qualification of it, in which indeed are comprised all the requisites to a religious oath and worship of God, both in our general and particular calling, with respect to God, ourselves, our neighbours,
1.
In truth, that the matter and substance of it be really true in itself, Rom 9:1, that which agrees with the intent of the mind, Psa 24:4, and with the intent of him that administers it; not doubtful, feigned, or deceitful, as they did, Isa 48:1; Jer 5:2, but as true as the Lord lives.
2.
In judgment, i.e. either in matter or places of judicature, for the decision of controversies, deliberately, advisedly, and reverently, well considering both of the form and matter of the oath, Lev 5:4, that Gods name be neither taken in vain customarily, or in matters trivial, Deu 5:11, nor abused by oaths the are rash and precipitant, such as Sauls was, 1Sa 14:39, and as Herods, Mat 14:7, and without necessity.
3.
In righteousness, that none be injured by it, that the things we engage be,
1. Both lawful and possible; see 1Sa 25:21,22; 28:10; 1Ki 19:2; and,
2. That we look to the performance, Psa 15:4; Mat 5:33; the want of either of which circumstances makes it a bond of iniquity, Ecc 5:4,5.
The nations shall bless themselves in him; this shall be a means to work upon the heathen nations, and prevail with them to come into the same way of worship, that now scorn both you and me, because I am forced to make them the rod of my anger against you, in regard of your provocations, Psa 47:8,9; Jer 3:17. They shall think themselves happy to be incorporated with thee, that it may be with them according to that promise, Gen 12:3; 22:17,18. They shall, as it were, bless themselves in such like form; The Lord make me and mine as Israel; blessed be Israel, and the God of Israel. Or rather,
in him shall they glory; whereas before they gloried in their idols, now, being taken into the true church, among Gods Israel, they shall glory in God alone, Psa 106:5, who indeed alone is the glory of his people, Psa 89:17; 148:14.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. And thourather, “Andif (carried on from Jer 4:1)thou shalt swear, ‘Jehovah liveth,’ in truth, c.”, that is, ifthou shalt worship Him (for we swear by the God whom weworship compare Deu 6:13; Deu 10:20;Isa 19:18; Amo 8:14)in sincerity, c.
and the nationsRather,this is apodosis to the “if” then shall the nationsbless themselves in (by) Him” (Isa65:16). The conversion of the nations will be the consequence ofIsrael’s conversion (Psa 102:13;Psa 102:15; Rom 11:12;Rom 11:15).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And thou shalt swear, the Lord liveth,…. Or by the living Lord, by him and him only; not by the creatures, but by the God of truth. This is sometimes put for the whole worship and service of God, De 6:13 and for a confession of Christ, and profession of faith in him, Isa 45:23, compared with Ro 14:11 and which ought to be done,
in truth, in righteousness, and in judgment; in sincerity, integrity, and uprightness of soul; in spirit and in, truth; in righteousness and true holiness:
and the nations shall bless themselves in him, not in Israel, as the Targum, Jarchi, and Kimchi, interpret it; but in the Lord, even in the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom all the nations of the earth were to be blessed with all spiritual blessings; with which being blessed, they call and count themselves happy, being pardoned through the blood of Christ, justified by his righteousness, and having peace, life, and salvation by him, Ge 22:18:
and in him shall they glory; not in themselves, nor in any creature, or creature enjoyment; but in the Lord, and in what he is to them, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; in whom all the seed of Israel, being justified, glory; see 1Co 1:30. The sense of the words seems to be, that upon the Gospel being preached by Christ and his apostles to the Israelites, and some of them being converted, and their abominations put away, and they cleaving to the Lord, and to his worship; the Gentiles should have the Gospel sent to them, and receive it, and place all their blessedness in Christ, and glory in him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Here the Prophet goes on with the same subject; for he denudes these flatteries, by which they thought that God could be pacified: for when they had his name in their mouth, they thought it sufficient for their defense, — “What! do we not call upon God? do we not ascribe to him his due honor, when we swear by his name?” There is in the Prophet’s words a part given for the whole; for swearing is to be taken for the whole of God’s worship. When therefore the Israelites made a profession of God’s name, they thought themselves absolved from all guilt.
Hence the Prophet says, Thou shalt swear truly in the name of God; that is, “Ye are indeed self — confident, because an external profession of religion seems to you to be a sort of expiation, whenever ye seek to contend with God: ye boast that you are Abraham’s seed, and swear by the name of God; but ye are sacrilegious, when ye thus falsely profess God’s name.” Swear then, he says, in truth
We hence see how the words of the Prophet harmonize together: he had said, that Israel had hitherto dealt falsely with God, because they had not performed what in words they had promised, for they went astray; and now he adds, that it availed the Israelites nothing, that they openly called on God and shewed themselves to be his people by an external worship: this, he says, is nothing, except ye worship God in truth and in judgment and in righteousness
Truth is no doubt to be taken here for integrity, as we shall see in the fifth chapter: it is the same as though he had said, that God is not rightly worshipped, except when the heart is free from all guile and deceit; in short, he means that there is no worship of God without sincerity of heart. But the truth, of which the Prophet speaks, is especially known by judgment and righteousness; that is, when men deal faithfully with one another, and render to all their right, and seek not their own gain at the expense of others. When therefore equity and uprightness are thus observed by men, then is fulfilled what is required here by the Prophet: for then they worship not God fallaciously, nor with vain words, but really shew that they do, without disguise, fear and reverence God.
What follows is variously explained by interpreters; but the Prophet, I have no doubt, does here indirectly reprove the Israelites, because God’s name had been exposed to many reproaches and mockeries, when the heathens said, that there was no power in God to help the Israelites, and when the people themselves expostulated with God, as though they had a just cause for contending with him, — “What! God has promised that we should be models of his blessing; but we are exposed to the reproaches of the heathens: how can this be?” Since then the Israelites thus deplored their lot, and cast the blame on God, the Prophet gives this answer, Bless themselves shall the nations and glory in him Some refer this to the Israelites, but not correctly. It had indeed been said to Abraham, “In thy seed shall all nations be blessed,” or, shall bless themselves. But this blessing had its beginning, as it is here noticed by the Prophet. For we must look for the cause or the fountain of this blessing: how could the nations bless themselves through the seed or the children of Abraham, except God, the author of the blessing, manifested his favor towards the children of Abraham? Very aptly then does the Prophet say here, Then bless themselves in God shall all the nations, and in him shall they glory; that is, “Ye are to be blamed, that God’s curse is upon you and renders you objects of reproach to all people, and also, that heathens disdain and despise the name of God: for your impiety has constrained God to deal more severely with you than he wished; for he is ever ready to shew his paternal clemency. What then is the hindrance, that the nations bless not themselves in God and glory in him? that is, that pure religion does not flourish through the whole world, and that all nations do not come to you and unite in the worship of the only true God? The hindrance is your impiety and wickedness; this is the reason why God is not glorified, and why your felicity is not everywhere celebrated among the nations.” We now perceive the meaning of the Prophet, — that the Jews groundlessly imputed blame to God, because they were oppressed by so many evils; for they had procured for themselves all their calamities, and at the same time gave occasion to heathens to profane God’s name by their reproaches. (99) It follows —
(99) This is a very lucid and satisfactory exposition. The import of the passage is very clearly given. A simpler version may be made, and such as will exhibit the meaning more plainly. When two vaus occur, they may often be rendered, when and then: so here, —
2. When thou shalt swear, “Live does Jehovah,” In truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; Then call him blessed shall nations, And in him shall they glory.
To swear is to avow Jehovah as our God. The verbs “bless” and “glory” are both in Hithpael, which has commonly a reciprocal sense, but not always. See Psa 72:17; Psa 105:3. This and the preceding verse belong to the last chapter. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(2) And thou shalt swear.The conditions are continued: If thou wilt swear by the living Jehovah [the Lord liveth being the received formula of adjuration], in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness.
And the nations shall bless themselves in him.This forms the completion of the sentence. If the conditions of a true repentance are fulfilled by Israel, then the outlying heathen nations shall bless themselves in Jehovahi.e., shall own Him and adore Him, be blessed by Him.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Jer 4:2. And the nations shall bless, &c. This is a prediction of the Gospel-times, when the heathens should join with the Israelites in paying all solemn acts of worship and devotion to the true God only, and in ascribing all honour and glory to him, and to his only Son, the Messiah, in whom all the nations were to be blessed. Literally, it is, “The nations shall wish the same blessings for themselves, as the God of Israel hath bestowed upon his people; nor shall withhold their praise from him, who hath given so great peace and prosperity to those who worship him.” See Houb.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jer 4:2 And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
Ver. 2. And thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth. ] Not by Baal shalt thou swear, or other idols, but by the living God, or by the life of God. The Egyptians once sware by the life of Pharaoh, as the proud Spaniards now do by the life of their king. But, to speak properly, none liveth but the Lord, and none should be sworn by but he alone, an oath being a proof of the divine power, which one worshippeth. The Pythagoreans used to swear by , Quaternity, which they called , the fountain of eternal being; and this doubtless was the same with , Jehovah.
In truth, in judgment, and in righteousness.
In judgment.
And in righteousness.
And the nations shall bless themselves in him.
a Tremel.
b Suidas.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
thou shalt swear. Reference to Pentateuch (Deu 10:20).
in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness. Figure of speech Hendiatris (App-6) = truly, yea, justly and righteously, the three referring to the one thing, “shalt swear”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
shalt swear: Jer 5:2, Deu 10:20, Isa 45:23, Isa 48:1, Isa 48:2, Isa 65:16
in truth: Jer 9:24, 1Ki 3:6, Psa 99:4, Hos 2:19, Zec 8:8
and the nations: Gen 22:18, Psa 72:17, Isa 65:16, Gal 3:8
and in him: Jer 9:24, Isa 45:25, 1Co 1:31, 2Co 10:17, Phi 3:3,*Gr.
Reciprocal: Gen 21:23 – swear Gen 24:3 – swear Gen 24:5 – Peradventure Exo 20:7 – take Lev 19:12 – ye shall Deu 5:11 – General Deu 6:13 – shalt swear Deu 32:40 – General Jos 9:19 – We have Jdg 21:1 – had sworn Rth 3:13 – the Lord liveth 1Sa 20:3 – sware 1Sa 20:21 – as the 2Sa 14:11 – As the Lord 1Ki 2:8 – he came 1Ki 17:12 – As the Lord 2Ki 2:2 – As the Lord 2Ki 20:3 – in truth 2Ki 23:3 – And all Neh 10:28 – every one Job 27:2 – God liveth Jer 7:5 – For if Jer 12:16 – my name Jer 44:26 – The Lord God Dan 12:7 – liveth Zep 1:5 – and that Zep 2:3 – Seek ye Zec 8:17 – love Zec 8:22 – General Joh 4:23 – in truth Rev 21:24 – the nations
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 4:2. Thou shall swear the Lord liveth is a contrast with the practice of swearing by the name of the false gods as the idolaters were doing. Under the Jewish Dispensation the people of God were permitted to make oaths but Christians are forbidden to do so (Mat 5:33-37; Jas 5:12). If the Jews professed to swear by the Lord it would not avail them anything unless they were doing so in truth and justice and with a righteous motive. Nations shall bless themselves means that if the people (one definition of nations) will base their oaths on the Lord they will be blessed and glorified.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 4:2. And thou shalt swear, &c. In taking a solemn oath, thou shalt appeal, not to dead and vain idols, but to Jehovah, the living and true God. This is put here for the whole worship of God, acknowledging and owning God as the only God, which is strongly expressed by this act: see Isa 48:1; Isa 65:16. In truth In sincerity, knowing that the matter of the oath is strictly true; in judgment Deliberately, advisedly, and reverently, the occasion being great and important; in righteousness That none be injured by it, that the things we engage to do, or to see done, be both lawful and possible, and that we look to the performance of our oaths. And the nations shall bless themselves in him This shall be a means of inducing the heathen nations to turn to the true God, and embrace the same way of worship. They shall think themselves happy to be incorporated with thee, that it may be with them according to the promise, Gen 12:3. And in him, shall they glory Whereas before they gloried in their idols, they shall now glory in Jehovah alone. This is evidently a prediction of gospel times, when the heathen should join with the Israelites in paying all solemn acts of worship and devotion to the true God only, and in ascribing all honour and glory to him, and to his only Son, the Messiah, in whom all the nations were to be blessed.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
4:2 And thou shalt {b} swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
(b) You will detest the name of idols, Psa 16:4 and will with reverence swear by the living God, when your oath may advance God’s glory, and profit others: and here by swearing he means the true religion of God.