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Here is added the punishment which confirmed the prophecy of Jeremiah; for it was God’ purpose to have regard to the ignorance of many who would have otherwise stumbled, or made their ignorance a pretext, for they could not determine which of the two had been sent by God, Hananiah or Jeremiah. It was then God’ design, in his paternal indulgence, to stretch forth his hand to them, and also in an especial manner to render inexcusable the unbelieving who had already given themselves up, as it were, to the devil; for the greater part were not moved by an event, so memorable; (200) for it follows immediately, —
(200) The last clause of this verse is not here explained. Calvin’ version is, “ hast thou spoken against Jehovah;” the Vulg., “ the Lord hast thou spoken;” the Syr., “ hast thou spoken before the Lord;” and the Targ., “ hast thou spoken before Jehovah.” Blayney’ version is, “ hast spoken prevarication concerning Jehovah.” Gataker renders it the same with Calvin, and explains it thus, — “ by thy lying tales thou hast heartened and encouraged men to stand out against God’ word, and against his admonitions and menaces by his prophets.” Henry gives the same view.
Blayney says that, סרה properly signifies declining or turning aside from the straight path, the path of truth and right, and that here it means the presumption of uttering as a revelation from God what a man knew to be not so. The same phrase occurs in two other places, Deu_13:5; Jer_29:32. The אל here before Jehovah is על in several MSS.; but the prepositions are sometimes the same. The rendering that would suit the three places would be the following: — “ of turning aside hast thou spoken contrary to Jehovah,” that is, to his expressed will or command. The meaning might be thus conveyed, — “ thou hast encouraged disobedience contrary to the express command of God.” — Ed