Jeremiah 29:25

25 Thus said Jehovah of Hosts, God of Israel, saying, Because that thou hast sent in thy name letters unto all the people who [are] in Jerusalem, and unto Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest, and unto all the priests, saying,

Jeremiah 29:25 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 29:25

Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying,
&c.] (See Gill on Jeremiah 29:4); because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that
[are] at Jerusalem;
not in the name of the captives, whom he consulted not; nor with Ezekiel the prophet of the Lord, who was of the captivity; but in his own name, taking upon him to direct and order what should be done in Jerusalem. These letters were sent, very probably, by the hands of the king's messengers, when they returned, whose names are mentioned, ( Jeremiah 29:3 ) ; some of them were sent to the people, to set them against the prophet of the Lord, Jeremiah, that they might not give any heed and credit to him; and others to the priests, as follows: and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest;
not the high, priest, but his sagan or deputy; the second priest, as he is called, ( Jeremiah 52:24 ) ; for Seraiah was high priest, unless he was now become high priest in his room. This Maaseiah was either his immediate parent, or else the head of that course to which Zephaniah belonged, as a common priest, which was the twenty fourth in order, ( 1 Chronicles 24:18 ) ; saying:
as follows:

Jeremiah 29:25 In-Context

23 Because that they have done folly in Israel, and commit adultery with the wives of their neighbours, and speak a word in My name falsely that I have not commanded them, and I [am] He who knoweth and a witness -- an affirmation of Jehovah.

24 `And unto Shemaiah the Nehelamite thou dost speak, saying,

25 Thus said Jehovah of Hosts, God of Israel, saying, Because that thou hast sent in thy name letters unto all the people who [are] in Jerusalem, and unto Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest, and unto all the priests, saying,

26 Jehovah hath made thee priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, for there being inspectors of the house of Jehovah, for every one mad and making himself a prophet, and thou hast put him unto the torture and unto the stocks.

27 And now, why hast thou not pushed against Jeremiah of Anathoth, who is making himself a prophet to you?