Also I spake to the priests, and to all this people, saying,
&c.] From the court he went to the temple, and spoke to the priests that were ministering there, and to all the people that were assembled for divine worship; either at the ordinary time of it, or at some one of the solemn feasts: this was a proper time and place to meet with the people and the priests; which latter especially had a concern in what he had to say concerning the vessels of the temple: thus saith the Lord, hearken not to the words of your prophets that
prophesy unto you:
your false prophets, as the Targum: saying;
as follows: behold, the vessels of the Lord's house shall now shortly be brought
again from Babylon;
which were carried thither, both in the times of Jehoiakim, and of Jeconiah, ( 2 Chronicles 36:7 2 Chronicles 36:10 ) ; these the false prophets gave out would in a short time be returned; that the king of Babylon, either willingly and of his own accord, or being pressed or forced to it, would send them back; so little reason had they to fear an invasion from him, or captivity by him: for they prophesy a lie unto you;
that which is false, and will never be accomplished, at least in any short time.