Jeremiah45
New American Standard
1This is the message which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at Jeremiah’s dictation, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying:
2“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says to you, Baruch:
3‘You said, “Oh, woe to me! For the Lord has added grief to my pain; I am weary with my groaning and have found no rest.”’
4This is what you are to say to him: ‘This is what the Lord says: “Behold, what I have built I am going to tear down, and what I have planted I am going to uproot, that is, all the people of the land.”
5But as for you, are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I am going to bring disaster on all flesh,’ declares the Lord, ‘but I will give your life to you as plunder in all the places where you may go.’”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Jeremiah 45.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: An encouragement sent to Baruch. (1-5).
vv1-5
Baruch was employed in writing Jeremiah's prophecies, and reading them, see Jer. 36, and was threatened for it by the king. Young beginners in religion are apt to be discouraged with little difficulties, which they commonly meet with at first in the service of God. These complaints and fears came from his corruptions. Baruch had raised his expectations too high in this world, and that made the distress and trouble he was in harder to be borne. The frowns of the world would not disquiet us, if we did not foolishly flatter ourselves with the hopes of its smiles, and court and covet them. What a folly is it then to seek great things for ourselves here, where every thing is little, and nothing certain! The Lord knows the real cause of our fretfulness and despondency better than we do, and we should beg of him to examine our hearts, and to repress every wrong desire in us.
Key Words
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יִרְמְיָה: Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites
נָבִיא: a prophet or (generally) inspired man
דָבַר: perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בָּרוּךְ: Baruk, the name of three Israelites
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
נֵרִיָּה: Nerijah, an Israelite
כָּתַב: to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
סֵפֶר: properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
רְבִיעִי: fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth
Cross References
Jeremiah 45Establishes the exact historical setting: the fourth year of Jehoiakim when Baruch wrote the scroll.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Directly records Baruch writing the words of Jeremiah's mouth upon a roll of a book.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Provides the background danger (the king seeking to take them) which caused Baruch's distress.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Defines the unique idiom 'thy life will I give unto thee for a prey' used elsewhere.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels God plucking up and breaking down His own vineyard (Israel) which He planted.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the command not to seek great things with Davidic humility of heart.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Similar deliverance promise ('thy life shall be for a prey') granted to Ebed-melech.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jeremiah, who previously complained similarly, now delivers God's correction to his own disciple.
Supported by JFB
Elisha's rebuke to Gehazi against seeking wealth and honor during a time of judgment.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Echoes the foundational prophetic commission to build, plant, root out, and pull down.
Supported by John Calvin