Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

CHAPTER X.

1 The unequal comparison of God and idols. 17 The prophet exhorteth to flee from the calamity to come. 19 He lamenteth the spoil of the tabernacle by foolish

pastors. 23 He maketh an humble supplication.

HEAR ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3 For the 'customs of the people are vain : for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.

4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not they must needs be "borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for 'they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

6 Forasmuch as there is none 'like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

7 Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for 'to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.

:

8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish the stock is a doctrine of vanities. 9 Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.

10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an "everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.

12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

[blocks in formation]

17

Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress.

18 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them, that they may find it so.

19 ¶ Woe is me for my hurt! my wound T is grievous but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.

20 My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.

21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD; therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.

22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the "north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.

23 TO LORD, I know that the "way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

24 O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

25 Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.

4 Isa. 41. 23.

5 Psal. 86. 8. 10

Zech. 10. 2.

13

Or, noise.

1 Heb. statutes, or, ordinances are vanity. 2 Psal. 115. 5. 3 Isa. 46. 1. 7. 6 Rev. 15. 4. 7 Or, it liketh thee. 8 Heb. in one, or, at once. 9 Isa. 41. 29. Hab. 2. 18. 10 Heb. God of truth. 11 Heb. king of eternity. 12 Gen. 1. 1, 6. Chap. 51. 15. 15 Or, is more brutish than to know. 16 Chap. 51. 17, 18. 17 Chap. 51. 19. 19 Chap. 1. 15, and 5. 15, and 6. 22. 21 Prov. 61. 1, and 20. 24. 24 Psal. 79. 6.

14 Or, for rain.

20 Chap. 9. 11. 23 Heb. diminish me.

18 Heb. inhabitress.

22 Psal. 6. 1, and 38. 1. Chap. 30. 11.

Verse 2. Be not dismayed at the signs of heaven.'This is generally applied to astrology; but we should rather think it to refer to those unusual natural phenomena, such as eclipses, which in the ancient superstitions certainly diddismay the heathen,' being regarded by them as the harbingers and tokens of great public calamities. Many instances of the dismay which eclipses inspired might be cited. We may quote two of them. Nicias, the Athenian general, had determined to quit Sicily with his army; but an eclipse of the moon happening at that juncture, filled him with such alarm that he lost the favourable moment. This was the occasion of his own death and the ruin of his army; and this was so unhappy a loss to the Athenians, that the decline of their state may perhaps be dated from that event. Even the army of Alexander, before the battle of Arbela, was so frightened at an eclipse of the moon, that the soldiers, deeming it a sign that the gods were displeased at the enterprise of their leader, refused to proceed on their march from the Tigris, till assured by the Egyptian soothsayers that an eclipse of the moon was an omen of peculiar evil to their enemies the Persians. R. Jarchi expressly refers the present text to the terror which eclipses occasioned.

of a human head or bust. This form of representing the gods was preserved, with improvements suggested by advanced taste, in the terminal statues of Hermes and of Pan, long after the art of sculpture had progressed far beyond the circumstances in which such forms originated. A step beyond this original contrivance is exhibited in the Egyptian statues which meet our eyes in every exhibition

[blocks in formation]

EGYPTIAN ERECT IDOLS.-British Museum.

of Egyptian antiquities, or in books containing representa tions of them, in which the statues stand bolt upright, resting equally on both legs, which are close to each other, with the arms straight down by the sides. It is the same even in seated figures, which sit perfectly erect, and all the forms are rectangular, the back parts being indeed never rounded, but attached to a perpendicular mass of stone. This form of representation, as the most ancient, seems in Egypt to have been retained for all gods (as it was elsewhere for some gods) long after the Egyptians had acquired the art of representing the human form in sculpture under various circumstances of spirited action. To all such figures, which doubtless typify the forms of idols which prevailed in the time of the prophet, the comparison upright as the palm-tree' is singularly appropriate, and is no doubt intended to characterise the stiffness, lifelessness, and want of natural action which belonged to such representations.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors][merged small]

9. Uphaz.-This is probably the same as Ophir. Blue and purple is their clothing.'-This of course

[graphic]

land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, 'So be it, O LORD.

6 Then the LORD said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.

7 For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my

voice.

8 Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the 'imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not.

9 And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

10 They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.

11 Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.

12 Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.

13 For according to the number of thy 'cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.

10

14 Therefore "pray not thou for this people, 4 Heb. Amen. 5 Or, stubbornness. 6 Heb. to go forth of 9 Chap. 2. 28.

a Heb. evil.
10 Heb. shame.
14 Heb. What is to my beloved in my house?
17 1 Sam. 16. 7. 1 Chron. 28. 9. Psal. 7. 9.

neither lift up a cry or prayer for them for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.

13

15 What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.

15.

16 The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.

17 For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.

18 And the LORD hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then thou shewedst me their doings.

19 But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.

20 But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that "triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.

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:

22 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine:

23 And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.

Chap. 14. 12. Ezek. 8. 18. Micah 3. 4. 12 Heb, evil. 13 Isa. 1. 11, &c. 16 Heb. the stalk with his bread. 18 Heb. visit upon.

7 Prov. 1. 28. Isa. 1. 15. 11 Chap. 7. 16, and 14. 11. 15 Or, when thy evil is. Chap. 17. 10, and 20. 12. Rev. 2. 25.

Verse 13. According to the number of thy cities were thy gods. This seems to indicate about the lowest depth of idolatry. This deplorable manifestation of the corruption of the Hebrews was evidently borrowed from their heathen neighbours, among whom there were not only certain great gods worshipped everywhere in common, but others who were honoured as the tutelary divinities of particular towns; and there was scarcely any town without one. Some of these idols were little known beyond the town or district in which they were specially honoured. The gods particularly selected as tutelary divinities were such as,

This

from some cause or other, were supposed to regard the place with peculiar favour; and many were believed to have been born in the towns they protected. practice certainly existed among all the nations bordering on Palestine; but it is best known to us as existing among the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. There are instances in Scripture of the disposition of the heathen to regard JEHOVAH as such a god as this, without allowing that he alone was entitled to the general and exclusive worship of mankind. See 2 Kings xvii., and the note

[blocks in formation]

CHAPTER XII.

1 Jeremiah, complaining of the wicked's prosperity, by faith seeth their ruin. 5 God admonisheth him of his brethren's treachery against him, 7 and lamenteth his heritage. 14 He promiseth to the penitent a return from captivity.

RIGHTEOUS art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet 'let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

2 Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.

3 But thou, O LORD, 'knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.

4 How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, "for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.

5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

6 For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak 'fair words unto thee.

7¶ I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies. 8 Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it 11 crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it.

12

[blocks in formation]

13

9 Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; "come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.

10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my "pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

11 They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.

12 The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace.

13 They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger the LORD.

of

14 Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them.

15 And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.

16 And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.

18

17 But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.

2 Job 21. 7. Psal. 37. 1, and 73. 3. Hab. 1. 4. 3 Heb. they go on. 7 Chap. 9. 4. 8 Or, they cried after thee fully. 12 Heb. giveth out his voice. 13 Or, having talons. Deut. 28. 38. Micah 6. 15. Hag. 1. 6. 17 Deut. 30. 3.

4 Psal. 17.3. 9 Heb. good things. 14 Or, cause them to come. Chap. 32. 37. 18 Isa. 60. 12.

[ocr errors]

Verse 5. Run with the footmen,' etc.-There is perhaps an allusion here to the running footmen, concerning whom an explanation has been given under 1 Sam. viii. 8, 11. Here they seem to be supposed to run with mounted horsemen, but there with chariots. A statement regarding both is given in the note upon the text referred to.

9. A speckled bird.'-The words (y by ha-'ait tzaboa) have occasioned considerable perplexity to the interpreters of Scripture. The Seventy render it' hyena' (van), which is sanctioned by the use of the word tzaboa in the Arabic, and is followed by Bochart, Gesenius,

Boothroyd, and many others. In the language of the Talmud it means a she leopard or panther. But then some difficulty arises from the fact that usually denotes birds of prey, and the above explanations render it necessary that it should be a beast in the present instance. This consideration operated so strongly with Dr. Blayney, that he translates the bird tzaboa, not professing to understand what bird the tzaboa was. Jerome supposes it was the peacock, and various doubtful alternatives of speckled or spotted birds have been sug gested by others.

« AnteriorContinuar »