Series: The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT)

The Old Testament prophets played a crucial role in the history of Israel. Although there were many prophets who brought the message of God to his people, we have records of only a few. Of these, our knowledge of Jeremiah is probably the most complete. In this commentary for scholars and pastors, originally part of the New International Commentary on the Old Testament, J. A. Thompson examines the book of Jeremiah with its message urging the people of Israel to be true to their covenant Lord and to live in conformity with his covenant requirements.

Thompson begins his study by looking at the role of the prophets in Israel and at Jeremiah’s place among them. He then discusses the historical setting of Jeremiah’s message. From this background, Thompson moves to an examination of the book of Jeremiah itself, focusing on its structure and composition before considering some important issues for exegesis—the date of Jeremiah’s call, the significance of the symbolic actions he performed, and the relationship between Jeremiah and Hosea. In the last part of his extensive introduction, Thompson examines the text and poetic forms of Jeremiah.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

          I. Jeremiah among the Prophets

          II. Jeremiah in His Historical Setting

          III. The Book of Jeremiah

          IV. Some Important Issues for Exegesis

          V. The Life of Jeremiah

          VI. The Message of Jeremiah

          VII. The Text

          VIII. Poetic Forms

          IX. Analysis of Contents

          X. Select Bibliography

TEXT AND COMMENTARY

          Superscription (1:1–3)

          I. The Call of Jeremiah and the Two Visions (1:4–19)

          II. The Divine Judgment on Judah and Jerusalem (2:1–25:38)

          III. Jeremiah’s Controversy with False Prophets (26:1–29:32)

          IV. The Book of Consolation (30:1–33:26)

          V. Incidents from the Days of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah (34:1–39:18)

          VI. Jeremiah’s Experiences after the Fall of Jerusalem (40:1–45:5)

          VII. Oracles against the Nations (46:1–51:64)

          VIII. Appendix: The Fall of Jerusalem (52:1-34)

INDEXES

          I. Subjects

          II. Authors

          III. Persons and Places

          IV. Scripture References

          V. Nonbiblical Texts