The Lexham Context Commentary: Old Testament surveys each book of the Old Testament at several levels—Book, Super Division, Division, Section, Pericope, Paragraph, and Unit—providing contextually appropriate commentary on each level. The reader of the commentary can easily ascertain the contextual importance of any larger section, or pericope, or even a particular verse of Scripture.
Jeremiah’s Call to Ministry and God’s Prosecution of Judah (1:1–3:5)
This section introduces the three main characters of the book: the prophet, the people, and YHWH. In the thesis statement of the book (1:10), YHWH commissions Jeremiah with a message of uprooting (judgment) and planting (restoration). The prophet is fearful of opposition, but YHWH assures him (1:18–19). YHWH then condemns his people for their flagrant spiritual adultery: as a faithful husband, YHWH liberated his people from Egypt and gave them a good land, but they have abandoned him to whore after other gods (2:13). Most grievous of all, they insist on their innocence (2:35). What future could this relationship possibly have?
Mangum, D., ed. (2020). Lexham Context Commentary: Old Testament (Je 1:1–3:5). Lexham Press.
Faithlife Study Bible (FSB) is your guide to the ancient world of the Old and New Testaments, with study notes and articles that draw from a wide range of academic research. FSB helps you learn how to think about interpretation methods and issues so that you can gain a deeper understanding of the text.
2:1–3:5 This section of oracles is part of an early collection that includes 3:6–4:4. It centers on the themes of apostasy and repentance. The first group of oracles, 2:1–3:5, focuses on the religious infidelity of Judah and the Jerusalem temple. This religious criticism is coupled with an equally strong disparagement of King Jehoiakim’s foreign policy.
2:13 the source of living water In Deuteronomy 32:40, Yahweh describes Himself as the eternally living God, contrasted against lifeless idols (compare Jer 17:7–8, 17:13; Psa 1:3).
for themselves A metaphor for a people no longer reliant on the living God. See Jer 2:27–28.
that can hold no water Foreign gods are broken containers; they cannot produce water, and they cannot hold the water poured into them.
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Je 2:13). Lexham Press.
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