Jeremias 43:10-20

10 And Baruch read in the book the words of Jeremias in the house of the Lord, in the house of Gamarias son of Saphan the scribe, in the upper court, in the entrance of the new gate of the house of the Lord, and in the ears of all the people.

11 And Michaeas the son of Gamarias the son of Saphan heard all the words of the Lord, out of the book.

12 And he went down to the king's house, into the house of the scribe: and, behold, there were sitting there all the princes, Elisama the scribe, and Dalaeas the son of Selemias, and Jonathan the son of Acchobor, and Gamarias the son of Saphan, and Sedekias the son of Ananias, and all the princes.

13 And Michaeas reported to them all the words which he had heard Baruch reading in the ears of the people.

14 And all the princes sent to Baruch son of Nerias Judin the son of Nathanias, the son of Selemias, the son of Chusi, saying, Take in thine hand the roll in which thou readest in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch took the roll, and went down to them.

15 And they said to him, Read again in our ears. And Baruch read .

16 And it came to pass, when they heard all the words, they took counsel each with his neighbour, and said, Let us by all means tell the king all these words.

17 And they asked Baruch, saying, Where didst thou write all these words?

18 And Baruch said, Jeremias told me from his mouth all these words, and I wrote them in a book.

19 And they said to Baruch, Go, and hide, thou and Jeremias; let no man know where ye .

20 And they went in to the king into the court, and gave the roll to keep in the house of Elisama; and they told the king all these words.

Jeremias 43:10-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 43

This chapter contains the answer of the princes and people to the prophet's message; a relation of their going into Egypt; and a prophecy of the destruction of that land. The persons that gave the answer are described, some by name, and all by their character; and the time of their giving it is mentioned, in which they charge the prophet with a falsehood; impute the whole to an instigation of Baruch, and an ill design of his, and so were disobedient to the command of God, Jer 43:1-4; and went into Egypt, and carried all with them, of every rank, age, and sex, and even Baruch, and the prophet too, and came to Tahpanhes, the seat of the kings of Egypt, Jer 43:5-7; upon this a prophecy is delivered out, concerning the destruction of that country, which is signified by a symbol explained; the person, the instrument of it, is mentioned by name, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; the devastation he should make is expressed by slaying with the sword, and carrying into captivity; by burning the temples of their gods, and breaking their images in pieces, Jer 43:8-13.