PROPHETS NSB Research Isaiah thru Malachi

Prophets New Simplified Bible Research Isaiah thru Malachi 2 Welcome to the New Simplified Bible Research Version. The Research Version is presented to you in six digital volumes. The reason for this is that it contains more than 3,000 pages! The Bible portion has 2,131 pages and the dictionary has 869 pages. There are more than 3,700 throcratic definitions in the Simplified Bible Dictionary (SBD). Brothers and Sisters studying the weekly Bible Reading will find many thought starters to help with making comments at meetings. You have my personal promise, Jehovah permitting, that this Bible/Dictionary will continue to grow. I will continue to add new definitions and improvements. (Last updated October 27, 2009) Sincerely, James R Madsen ISAIAH, THE PROPHET, THE BOOK: The prophet and writer of the book of Isaiah. He lived about seven hundred years before Christ. The book of Isaiah was written by Isaiah some time after 732 B.C.E. in the city of Jerusalem. Matthew records some of the fulfillment of Jehovah‟s prophecies written in Isaiah. (Matthew 3:3; 4:14-16; 13:14-15) God is referred to as the “the Holy One of Israel” 25 times. The Messiah, or Anointed One, Jesus Christ is mentioned many times also. The book of Isaiah is quoted by many of the other inspired writers of the Holy Scriptures. ISAIAH (WRITER: ISAIAH, MEANS JEHOVAH IS SALVATION) (COMPLETED AFTER 723 B.C.E.) (TETRAGRAMMATON: YHWH IS SOMETIMES 3 TRANSLATED JEHOVAH, YAHWEH, YAHOWAH, YAHUWAH, YAHOVAH OR LORD DEPENDING ON TRANSLATOR‟S THEOLOGY) Isaiah 1 1 This is the vision* seen by Isaiah the son of Amoz. It is about Judah and Jerusalem at the time of Kings Uzziah,* Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. 2 Listen, heaven, and pay attention, earth! Jehovah* (YHWH*) has spoken: “I raised my children and helped them grow, but they have rebelled *against me. 3 “The bull knows its owner, and donkey knows where its master feeds it. But Israel does not know. My people do not understand!” 4 Woe to the sinful nation, people heavy with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, sons who are corrupt! They have forsaken Jehovah! They have despised the Holy One of Israel.* They have turned away from him. 5 Why do you still want to be beaten? Why do you continue to rebel? Your whole head is infected. Your whole heart is sick. 6 From the bottom of your feet to the top of your head there is no healthy spot left on your body. You have only bruises, sores, and fresh wounds. They have not been cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil. 7 Your country is desolate. Your cities are burned with fire. Foreigners destroy your fields in your presence. Your fields are devastated and taken over by strangers. 8 My people, the daughter of Zion is left like an empty hut in a vineyard. It is like a shack in a cucumber field, like a city under attack. 9 If Jehovah of Hosts had not left us a few survivors, we would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah. 10 Listen to the word of Jehovah (YHWH), you rulers of Sodom! Pay attention to the Law of our God, you people of Gomorrah! 11 Jehovah says: “What do your many animal sacrifices mean to me? I have had enough of your burnt offerings of rams and enough fat from your fattened calves. I am not pleased with the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats. 4 12 “Who requires you to trample on my courtyards when you appear in my presence? 13 “Do not bring any more worthless grain offerings. Your incense is disgusting to me! So are your New Moon Festivals, your days of worship, and the assemblies you call. I cannot endure your evil assemblies! 14 “I hate your New Moon Festivals and your appointed festivals. They are a burden to me. I am tired of putting up with them. 15 “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you. Even though you offer many prayers, I will not listen because your hands are full of blood.* 16 “Wash yourselves! Become clean! Get your evil deeds out of my sight. Stop doing evil. 17 “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Correct oppressors. Defend orphans. Plead the case of widows.” 18 “Come now, let us reason* together (make things right) (correct matters) between us!” Says Jehovah. “Though your sins are like scarlet,* they will become as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson,* they will become as white as wool.* 19 “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land. 20 “Refuse and rebel and swords will devour you. Jehovah has spoken.” 21 How the faithful town has become a prostitute! She was full of justice, and righteousness lived in her. But now murderers live there! 22 Your silver is not pure. Your beer* is watered down. 23 Your rulers are rebels, friends with thieves. They all love bribes and run after gifts. They never defend orphans. They do not listen to the widows' pleas. 24 That is why Jehovah, Jehovah of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, says: “How horrible it will be when I take revenge on my opponents! I will avenge myself against my enemies. 25 “I will turn my power against you (turn the back of my hand upon you). I will remove your impurities with bleach. I will get rid of all your worthless qualities. 5 26 “I will give you judges like you had long ago, advisers like you had in the beginning. After that you will be called the Righteous City, the Faithful City.” 27 Jehovah‟s justice will pardon Zion. Those who return will be pardoned by Jehovah‟s righteousness. 28 Rebels and sinners will be crushed at the same time. Those who abandon Jehovah will come to an end. 29 You will be ashamed of the oaks that you wanted to worship. You will be embarrassed by the garden that you have chosen for your gods. 30 You will be like an oak whose leaves wither and like a garden without water. 31 Strong people will become tinder* for a fire. Their work will be the spark. Both of them will burn together. There will be no one to put out the fire. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *1:1 visionary, seer: Hebrew: raah (raw-aw’). prophet: Hebrew: nabiy (naw-bee’). Greek: prophetas. The Hebrews also called seers prophets. The Hebrew word “cho-zeh” means behold and vision. (Numbers 24:4) (Isaiah 1:1; 21:2; 22:1) (Ezekiel 13:7) (Daniel 8:1) *1:1 visions: Holy servants of God saw visions and dreams. These were vivid images and perceptual experiences that came to them direct from Jehovah God. (Luke 1:22; 24:23) (Acts 26:19) (2 Corinthians 12:1) *1:1 Uzziah the king of Judah: Uzziah was also called Azariah. He was the son of Amaziah by his wife Jecoliah. After the death of his father, the people of Judah made Uzziah king at age 16. He reigned for 52 years. (2 Kings 14:21) (2 Chronicles 26:1) The prophets Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1, 6:1), Hosea (Hosea 1:1), Amos (Amos 1:1), and Joel were contemporaries of Uzziah. Uzziah was righteous in Jehovah‟s eyes. But his subjects committed improper sacrificing at high places. (2 Chronicles 26:4, 5) Uzziah had many military successes with the help of God. He restored Elath to the kingdom of Judah 6 and rebuilt that city at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba. He also promoted agricultural interest in the land and build many cisterns to provide a plentiful water supply for farming. (2 Chronicles 26:10) *1:2 stubborn and rebellious: sarar/tuphoo/adamans. Stubbornness is hardness or strength in a bad sense. A stubborn, proud, insolent person deliberately refuses to comply with God‟s will or commands. (Psalms 78:8; 81:12) (Isaiah 1:23; 65:2) (Jeremiah 3:17; 5:23; 7:23-26; 11:8; 18:12) (Acts 7:51) Disaster and problems happen to those who persist in a stubborn course. (Deuteronomy 29:19, 20) (Nehemiah 9:29, 30) (Proverbs 28:14) (Isaiah 30:1) (Jeremiah 6:28-30) (Daniel 5:20) (Hosea 9:15) (Zechariah 7:9) (Romans 2:5) God is patient and allows individuals and nations to continue to exist even when they are not repentant. (Genesis 15:16) (2 Peter 3:9) *1:2 YHWH: Hebrew: YHWH. This four letter word is called the tetregramiton. It is possible that the divine name is Yahowah, Yahuwah, Yahweh or Jehovah. Since this is an English Translation the name Jehovah has been used. Most Bible translators refuse to use any of the above names and therefore resort to the use of the title the LORD about 7,000 times as if it did not exist in the original text. And yet they retain the names of many false gods mentioned in the original text. Included in this list are Baal, Bel, Merodach, and even Satan! *1:2 Yahwist: Yahwist is a person who believes the divine name should be pronounced and spelled Yahowah, Yahweh, or Yahuah. The Yahwist uses Bible translations that contain many of the English representations of Hebrew words. The Yahwist Word List with the words used in the New Simplified Bible Yahwist Version is found in the appendix of this dictionary. 7 *1:4 Holy One of Israel: The phrase “the Holy One of Israel” is found 25 times in the book of Isaiah. Holy means clean and pure and YHWH (Yahowah) (Jehovah) is holy to the highest degree. God told the Israelites, “You must sanctify yourselves and you must prove yourselves holy, because I am holy.” Leviticus 11:44. prayer: palal, tephillah/proseuche/oratio, litania. Prayer is communication with God. It is not always vocal speech but can be thoughts directed to God. Prayer involves devotion, trust, respect for God. (Genesis 3:8-13; 4:9-14; 44:18; 50:17) (Acts 25:11) Jehovah God is the One to whom prayer should be directed. He is the Hearer of prayer and He has the power to act in behalf of the petitioners. (Psalms 5:1, 2; 65:2; 66:19) (Matthew 6:9) (Mark 11:24) (Ephesians 3:20) Jesus Christ is the only way to approach God through prayer. (John 14:6; 15:16; 16:23, 24) (1 Corinthians 1:2) (Ephesians 2:18) *1:15 prayers God hears and prayers God does not hear: All people may come to the Hearer of prayer, Jehovah God. (Psalm 65:2) (Acts 15:17) “God shows no partiality. In every nation He accepts every person who respects him and does what is right.” (Acts 10:34, 35) “Whatever we ask we receive from Him because we obey His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1 John 3:22) (Psalm 10:17) (Proverbs 15:8) (1 Peter 3:12) God does not listen to the prayers of those who are not doing His Will. (Proverbs 15:29; 28:9) (Isaiah 1:15) (Micah 3:4) The model prayer given to us by Jesus gives us a basic pattern of the subjects it is proper to pray for. (Matthew 6:9-13) *1:18 reason: mandah/dia (dee-ah’)/ratio. If people would take the time to quietly reason on the Scriptures they would allow God‟s Spirit to work in their lives. While emotions play a part in your faith they are not as important as the power of reason. *1:18 scarlet, crimson: Hebrew: shaniy, tollath. Greek: kokkinos (kok’-kee-nos) Scarlet is a brilliant red color. 8 Crimson is also red, a deep and vivid red. These colors are reminiscent of the color of blood. They are characterized by violence and bloodshed. The palace guard removed Jesus‟ clothes and “dressed him in a scarlet robe.” (Matthew 27:28) Jehovah told the people of Israel: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will become as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they will become as white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) “You are going to be destroyed.” Jehovah said to his people. “Why do you dress in scarlet (crimson) and put on gold jewelry?” (Jeremiah 4:30) The spies that Joshua sent to view the land of Jericho were to escape being caught by lowering themselves down on a scarlet cord. (Joshua 2:1, 18) The harlot sitting on the scarlet-colored beast is dressed in purple and scarlet. (Revelation 17:3-5) *w00l: Hebrew: tsemer (tseh’-mer). Greek: erion (er’-ee-on) Wool is soft hair from sheep. It is used to make clothing. Wool was often white and was associated with whiteness and purity. Isaiah compared forgiven sins to white wool at Isaiah 1:18-20. The Ancient of Days Jehovah is seen in vision as having hair like clean wool at Daniel 7:9. John saw someone whose head and hair were white as wool. (Revelation 1:12-14) White garments were representative of righteousness. *1:22 beer: Hebrew: beer. Latin: cervisia. Beer is brewed using slow fermentation of wheat or other grain. It is usually low in alcohol content. (Isaiah 1:22) (Hosea 4:18) (Nahum 1:10) The Hebrew word so‟ve means wheat beer. It can also be translated liquor. The art of brewing beer from grain was practiced in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. Beer became a common drink in Egypt where Ramses III considered it so valuable that he offered up over 30,000 gallons per year to his gods. Beer mugs have been found in many nations and a wide variety of beer was produced. There has been thick beer and watered down beer, sparkling beer and spiced beer, perfumed beer and dark beer to mention a few. *1:31 tow, tinder: Hebrew: neoreth (neh’-or-eth). Tinder is material used for starting fire. Tow is the refuse of flax. It is 9 usually very small and easy to burn. Jehovah decreed that the wicked people and their works would perish. He said: “Strong people will become tinder for a fire. Their work will be the spark. Both of them will burn together. There will be no one to put out the fire.” (Isaiah 1:31) Isaiah 2 1 The vision and prophetic message Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw about Judah and Jerusalem. 2 In the last days the mountain of the house of Jehovah* will be established as the highest of the mountains* and exalted above the hills. All the nations will stream to it. 3 Then many people will come and say: “Let us go to the mountain of Jehovah, to the House of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways so that we may live by them.” The law will go out from Zion. The word of Jehovah will go out from Jerusalem. 4 Then he will judge disputes between nations and settle matters between many people. They will beat (hammer) their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations will not fight against each other, and they will not learn war anymore. 5 Come, descendants of Jacob, let us live in the light of Jehovah. 6 Jehovah, you have abandoned your people, the descendants of Jacob, because they are filled with Eastern influences. They practice witchcraft like the Philistines, and they make deals with foreigners. 7 Their land is full of silver and gold. There is no limit to their treasures. Their land is also full of horses. There is no limit to their chariots. 8 Their land is full of idols. They worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made. 9 Man has been humbled. Everyman has been humiliated.* Do not forgive them. 10 Go in among the rocks and hide underground because of Jehovah‟s terrifying presence and the magnificence of his majesty. 10 11 The arrogant people will be humbled. High and mighty people will be brought down. On that day Jehovah alone will be exalted. 12 All who are proud will be humbled. Jehovah of Hosts will have his day against all who are arrogant and conceited. 13 It will also be against all the towering and mighty cedars of Lebanon and all the oaks of Bashan,* 14 against all the high mountains and all the lofty hills, 15 against every high tower and every fortified wall, 16 and also against all the large ships of Tarshish* and all the beautiful boats. 17 Then arrogant people will be brought down. High and mighty people will be humiliated. On that day Jehovah alone will be honored. 18 Then idols (false gods) will disappear completely. 19 People will go into caves* in the rocks and into holes in the ground because of Jehovah‟s terrifying presence and the honor of his majesty when he rises to shake the earth. 20 That day people will throw their silver and gold idols, that they made for themselves to worship, to the moles and the bats.* 21 They will go into caves in the rocks and into cracks in the cliffs because of Jehovah‟s terrifying presence and the honor of his majesty when he rises to shake the earth. 22 Stop trusting people, whose breath (life) is in their nostrils. How can they be worth anything? Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *2:2 Mountain of the House of Jehovah: The Mountain of Jehovah is God‟s temple in heaven. (Isaiah 2:3) The Israelites spoke about going the Mountain of Jehovah on earth, namely the Temple in Jerusalem. *2:2 Mountains or High Places: When used in symbolic terms they mean Kingdoms or governments. (Revelation 6:16) 11 *2:9 humiliated: Greek: tapeino. Latin: abicere. abased, broken, embarressed. When you are humiliated you are made to feel uncomfortable because of shame or wounded pride. *2:13 big trees: ets (ates)/xulon, dendron/arbor. Most of the time the big trees referred to in the Bible are mentioned by specific names such as the cedars of Lebanon and the oaks of Bashan. (Amos 2:9) (Isaiah 2:13) (Ezekiel 27:6) (Zecheriah 11:1, 2) The great tree reported at Genesis 12:6 and 14:13 could have been the terebinth or turpentine tree. It could also have been one the mighty oaks of Mamre. *2:16 Tarshish: Tarshish was the region where the offspring of Tarshish son of Javan settled. It must have been a Mediterranean seaport since the Scriptures mention “the ships of Tarshish,” at Ezekiel 27:25, 26, (Psalms 48:7) (Jonah 2:3) Tarshish was a major market for the merchants of the city of Tyre. (Jeremiah 10:9) (Ezekiel 27:3, 12) It is mentioned many time in the Holy Scriptures. *2:19 caves: mearah/selaion/cavus. A cave is an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from a lake or sea. The word cave is translated from the Hebrew word “me‟arah‟” (Genesis 19:23) It also comes from the Greek word “spelaion.” (John 11:38) This could be a root of the English word „spelunk,‟ which means to explore natural caves. The Hebrew “chor” or “chohr” speaks of a hole, sometimes big enough for humans to penetrate. (1 Samuel 14:11) (Job 30:6) (2 Kings 12:9) The Hebrew word “mechillah‟”is another word for hole. (Isaiah 2:19) Caves are plentiful in the limestone of Palestine, Mount Carmel and the Jerusalem areas. Lot and his two daughters lived in a cave after they left Zoar because of fear. (Genesis 19:30) When the Israelites fled from the Philistines they hid in caves. (1 Samuel 13:6, 14:11) The dead were often buried in caves. (Genesis 23:7-20; 25:9, 10; 49:29-32; 50:13) Jesus‟ friend Lazarus was buried in a memorial tomb made with a cave. (John 11:38) The figurative use of the word cave is evident in Isaiah and 12 Revelation where it tells that some will try to escape God‟s judgment by hiding in caves. (Isaiah 2:19-21) (Ezekiel 33:27) (Revelation 6:15-17) *2:20 bat: Hebrew: atalleph (at-al-lafe’). The bat is a mammal, a flying mammal. It looks like a mouse with wings. The Scriptures say that the bat is an unclean flying creature and should not be eaten by the Israelites. (Leviticus 11:19) (Deuteronomy 14:18) About twenty different varieties of bats are found in Israel today. Bats roost head downward in dark caves during the daylight and they fly at night. They are worshiped by demonize people. (Isaiah 2:20) Isaiah 3 1 Jehovah of Hosts, the Almighty* is going to take all support and supply of food and water from Jerusalem and Judah. 2 He will take their heroes and soldiers, judges and prophets, fortunetellers and statesmen, 3 military leaders and civilian leaders, counselors, skilled workers, and experts in magic. 4 I will make boys their leaders. Childish tyrants will govern them. 5 People will oppress each other. Everyone will harass his neighbor. The young will tyrannize the old. The common people will taunt their superiors. 6 A person will grab one of his relatives from his father's family and say: “You have a coat. You will be our leader. This pile of ruins will be under your control.” 7 Then the relative will cry out: “I am not a healer! I do not have any food or a coat in my home. Do not make me a leader of the people.” 8 Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because what they say and what they do is against Jehovah! They are defiant in his honored presence. 9 The expression on their faces will be held against them. They boast about their sins! They are like those of the people of Sodom. They do not even bother to hide them. How horrible it will be for these people. They have brought disaster on themselves. 13 10 Tell the righteous that blessings will come to them. They will taste the fruit of their labor. 11 How horrible it will be for the wicked! Disaster will strike them. What they have done to others will be done to them. 12 Children oppress my people! Women rule over them. O My people! Those who guide you lead you astray. They confuse the direction of your paths. 13 Jehovah stands erect to assert his power. He stands to judge the people. 14 Jehovah enters into judgment with the elders and princes of his people: “It is you who have devoured the vineyard. The plunder of the poor is in your houses. 15 “What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the face of the poor?” Declares Jehovah of Hosts. 16 Jehovah also said: “Because the daughters of Zion are proud and walk with heads held high and seductive eyes, and go along with mincing steps and tinkle the bangles* on their feet, 17 “Jehovah will cause sores to appear on the heads of the women of Zion. Jehovah will make their foreheads bare.” 18 On that day Jehovah will take away their fine things: jingling anklets, headbands, crescent-shaped necklaces, 19 pendants, bracelets, scarves, 20 hats, ankle bracelets, blouses, perfume boxes, charms,* 21 signet rings, nose rings,* 22 fine robes, coats, shawls, purses,* 23 mirrors, underwear, headdresses, and veils. 24 Instead of the smell of perfume, there will be the smell of decay. They will wear ropes instead of belts. They will have baldheads instead of beautiful hair. They will wear sackcloth instead of expensive clothes. Their beauty will be scarred with brand marks. 25 Your men will be killed by the sword, in war. 26 Her (Zion‟s) gates will lament and mourn and she will sit on the ground deserted. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) 14 *3:1 Almighty: shadday (shad-dah’-ee)/pantokrator (pan-tok-rat’-ore)/omnipotens. Sovereign Ruler, Jehovah of Hosts is not just Mighty, He is Almighty, having unlimited power. *3:16 bangles: Hebrew: akas. Tinkling ornament. Ankle bracelets or ornamental rings worn on the legs near the ankles were in common use in the ancient Middle East. They were made of glass, ivory, brass, gold, silver, and iron. Persons of both sexes wore them. Sometimes people wore matching arm and ankle bracelets. The Hebrew words, “ets‟a-dhah,” “tse‟adhah,” and “tsa‟adh” are translated ankle chainlets, step chains, and ankle bracelet. (Nu 31:50, 51; Isa 3:16, 18, 20) *3:20 charms, amulets: Amulets were ornaments, gems, scrolls and charms. They were worn to provide protection against the power of enchantments such as witchcraft and magical spells. The "earrings" in Genesis 35:4 were obviously connected with idolatrous worship and were probably amulets or charms taken from the bodies of the slain Shechemites. (Judges 8:24) (Isaiah 3:40) (Hosea 2:13) *3:21 nose ring: tabbaath/daktulios/orbis. This ornamental ring was worn in the nose usually by women. (Genesis 24:22, 30, 47) (Isaiah 3:21) However some men wore them. (Judges 8:24-26) *3:22 purse: kiys (keese)/balantion/crumens. A purse was a bag or pouch used by men and women to carry gold, silver, copper, coins or other items. Women sometimes had ornamental purses. (Isaiah 3:16, 22; 46:6) (Matthew 10:9) Early purses were made of leather, woven rushes or cotton. Some people used girdle purses. (Matthew 10:9) (Mark 6:8) (Luke 12:33) When Jesus sent out the seventy disciples to do the preaching work he told them to provide themselves with purses. (Luke 10:1, 4, 7) 15 Isaiah 4 1 Seven women will grab one man and say: “We will eat our own food and provide our own clothes. Just let us marry you and be called by your name. Take away our disgrace.” 2 In that day the Branch of Jehovah* will be beautiful and glorious. And the fruit of the earth will be the delight (pride) (joy) and the adornment of the survivors of Israel. 3 It will come about that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy along with everyone who is recorded among the living in Jerusalem. 4 Jehovah will wash away the filth of the daughters (women) of Zion and purge the bloodshed of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning. 5 Then Jehovah will create over the entire area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, even smoke,* and the brightness of a flaming fire by night. A canopy* (shelter) will be over all as the glory* (honor). 6 There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *4:2 Branch of Jehovah, Sprout: A branch is a small division of a main part such as a tree. The term branch is used interchangeable with the words, sprout, sprig, shoot, offshoot, bough, and twig. Branches of trees were literally used in the worship of God by the Israelites. (Leviticus 23:40) (Nehemiah 8:15) Palm branches were waved as a way of respectfully greeting Jesus Christ, the Son of God at John 12:12, 13. Branches were utilized to show reverence to God at Revelation 7:9, 10. The small town of Nazareth was called “Sprout-Town” in fulfillment of prophecy. (Isaiah 11:1) (Matthew 2:23) (Zechariah 3:8; 6:12, 13) (Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15) The context of this chapter shows us that Jerusalem and Mount Zion are center of worship for all rightous people. At this point in our study we are reminded that Mount Zion is symbolic for heaven, where our God resides. *4:5 smoke: Hebrew: ashan. Greek: kapnos. Smoke is a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas. It is a hot vapor filled with carbon and produced by combustion. Sacrificial 16 smoke was offered as a pleasing odor to God. The Hebrew word “qatar” means sacrificial smoke. (1 Ch 6:49; Jer 44:15) Figurative use of the word smoke is found through out the Bible. Jehovah gave evidence of his presence by a cloud of smoke, sometimes accompanied by fire. (Exodus 19:18; 20:18) (Isaiah 4:5, 6:1-6) (Revelation 15:8) Jehovah‟s burning anger is shown with the use of smoke. (Deuteronomy 29:20) (Isaiah 65:5) A pillar of cloud was used to led the Israelites through the desert wilderness. (Exodus 13:21) Smoke normally dissipates quickly, so it has been used figuratively to convey transitory things, beings, and events. (Job 41:20) (Psalms 68:2; 102:3) (Hosea 13:3) *4:5 canopy, shelter: machaseh (makh-aseh)’/apologia/defendo. closet, defence, chamber, protection, refuge. He is “a refuge in times of trouble.” (Psalm 9:9) “He leadeth me in paths of righteousness.” (Psalm 23:3 KJV) *4:5 honor, glory: kabod kabod/doxa/gloria. copiousness, dignity, honor. splendor, Isaiah 5 1 Let me sing to my loved one a song of my beloved concerning his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hill. 2 He dug the soil all around and removed its stones. He planted it with the choicest vine. And he built a tower in the middle of it and also hewed out a wine vat in it. Then he expected it to produce good grapes, but it only produced worthless ones. 3 “Now then, you inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah, judge between my vineyard and me! 4 “What more could have been done for my vineyard than what I have already done for it? When I waited for it to produce good grapes, why did it produce only sour, wild grapes? 5 “Here is what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge* and break down the wall that protects it. I will let wild animals eat it and trample it down. 17 6 “It will turn into a desert, neither pruned nor cultivated. It will be covered with thorns and briars. I will command the clouds not to send rain.” 7 I am Jehovah of Hosts (All Powerful)! Israel is the vineyard, and Judah is the garden I tended with care. I had hoped for honesty and for justice, but dishonesty and cries for mercy were all I found. 8 Cursed are those who are joining house to house, and putting field to field, till there is no more living-space for any but themselves in all the land!* 9 With my own ears I heard Jehovah of Hosts say: “Many houses will become empty. Large, beautiful houses will be without people to live in them. 10 “A ten-acre vineyard will produce only six gallons of wine, and two quarts of seed will produce only four quarts of grain.” 11 How horrible it will be for those who get up early in the morning to look for a drink and who sit up late at night until they are drunk from wine.* 12 At their feasts there are lyres* and harps, tambourines and flutes, and wine. Yet, they do not pay attention to what Jehovah is doing or respect what his hands have done. 13 My people will go into exile because they do not understand what I am doing. Honored men will starve, and common people will be parched with thirst. 14 That is why the grave's appetite increases. It opens its mouth very wide so that honored people and common people will go down into it. Those who are noisy and joyous will go down into it. 15 People will be brought down. Everyone will be humiliated and the eyes of arrogant people will be abased (humbled). 16 Jehovah of Hosts shows his greatness by doing what is right. He reveals his holiness by judging his people. 17 In the ruins of the cities lambs will eat grass and young goats will find pasture. 18 Woe to those who scatter sin with cords of falsehood and iniquity with a cart rope! 19 You say: “Let Jehovah hurry up and do what he says he will, so that we can see it. Let Israel's holy God carry out his plans. Let us see what he has in mind.” 18 20 You are doomed! You call evil good and you call good evil.* You turn darkness into light and light* into darkness. You make what is bitter, sweet, and what is sweet you make bitter. 21 You are doomed! You think you are wise. You think you are so very clever. 22 You are doomed! Heroes of the wine bottle! Brave and fearless when it comes to mixing drinks! 23 You let the guilty go free for a bribe and you keep the innocent from getting justice. 24 You will go up in flames like straw and hay! You have rejected the law of the holy God Jehovah the All-Powerful Holy One of Israel. Now your roots will rot, and your blossoms will turn to dust. 25 You are Jehovah‟s people, but you made him terribly angry, and he struck you with his mighty arm. Mountains shook, and dead bodies covered the streets like garbage. Jehovah is still angry. He is ready to strike you again. 26 Jehovah raises up a flag for the nations far away. With a whistle he signals those at the ends of the earth. Look, they are coming very quickly! 27 None of them grow tired or stumble. None of them slumber or sleep. The belts on their waists are not loose or their sandal straps broken. 28 Their arrows are sharpened. All their bows are strung and ready to shoot. Their horses' hoofs are as hard as flint.* Their chariot wheels are as quick as the wind. 29 They roar* like a lioness. They growl* like a young lion. They growl as they snatch their prey and carry it off to where no one can rescue it. 30 In that day they will roar over their prey as the sea roars. If they look at the land, they will see only darkness and distress. Thick clouds will darken even the light. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *5:5 hedge: Hebrew: suk, mesukah (mes-oo-kaw’). Greek: phragmos (frag-mos’). Hedges surrounded farm fields. These were thick rows of thorny plants used to safeguard the area 19 from thieves and predatory animals. (Isaiah 5:5) The Bible uses the expression “put up a hedge” in a figurative sense to denote giving protection. (Job 1:10) *5:8 The Cost of Greed: Isaiah emphaticlly pronounces the first of many curses (or woes). Isaiah declares, “Cursed are those who are joining house to house, and putting field to field, till there is no more living-space for any but themselves in all the land! With my own ears I heard Jehovah of Hosts say: “Many houses will become empty. Large, beautiful houses will be without people to live in them.” Material wealth becomes the most important thing in life and the true treasure of God‟s Kingdom is devalued or even completely ignored. (Matthew 6:33) *5:11 Questionable Entertainment: “How horrible it will be for those who get up early in the morning to look for a drink and who sit up late at night until they are drunk from wine.” Christians should produce godly fruit and exercise restraint and moderation when pursuing recreation. *5:12 viol: Hebrew: Nebel. a psaltery, a musical instrument. (Isaiah 5:12) *5:20 good is evil, evil is good: Most churchs are manmade organizations. They decide what to believe and what to teach. Each one teaches false teaching and say they are the truth. In other words they say evil is good! *5:2 Apostasy: Apostasy is the act of falling away or turning from the truth found in the Holy Scriptures. (2 Thessalonians 2:3) (2 Timothy 2:18) (2 Timothy 4:3) Apostates frequently try to make others their followers. They willfully abandon the Christian congregation and become part of the antichrist. (Acts 20:30) (Hebrews 6:4-8) (2 Peter 2:1, 3) (1 John 2:18, 19) *5:20 light: ohr/phos/lumen. In physics light is electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation. Hebrew “ohr” and Greek “phos” mean light from a lamp or the 20 sun. (Jeremiah 25:10) Sunlight is a combination of colors offering many hues that delight the eye of man. Light is the opposite of darkness. It can be literal (physical) or figurative (spiritual). (Isaiah 5:20) (John 11:10, 11) God is the source of light. (Genesis 1:3) (Isaiah 45:7) (Psalms 104:1, 2; 136:7-9) (1 John 1:5) (James 1:17) Jesus Christ the Son of God is the light of the world. (John 3:19-21; 8:12; 12:35, 36, 46) *5:28 hard as flint: Hebrew: challamiysh. This stone is harder than steel. It is so hard that when two pieces are struck together a fire can be started from the spark. The Bible uses flint in a figurative way at Isaiah 5:28, Isaiah 50:7 and Ezekiel 3:9. From early times knives, axheads, chisels, spearheads, arrowheads, and other tools have been fashioned out of flint. (Exodus 4:25) (Joshua 4:19; 5:2, 3, 8, 9) *5:29 roar: Hebrew: shaag, raam. Latin: latro. Have you ever visited the lions at a zoo when on of the big cats roars at full volume. Your heart almost jumped out of your chest because of your fear. The roar of a lion can be louder than a jet airplane flying over. No wonder the lion is called the king of the beasts. Isaiah 6 1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw* Jehovah seated on a throne,* high and exalted. The train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Above him were seraphs* each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 They called to one another: “Holy, holy, holy* is Jehovah of Hosts. All the earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their voices the foundations and thresholds trembled and the Temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips (a sinner) and I live among a people of unclean (filthy) lips (speech) (language). My eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of Hosts.” 21 6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand. With tongs he seized it from the altar. 7 He touched my mouth with it and said: “See! This has touched your lips, your guilt is taken away and your sin forgiven (pardoned) (atoned for).” 8 I heard the voice of Jehovah. He said: “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”* And I said: “Here I am. Send me!” 9 He said: “Go and tell this people: „Hear constantly but do not understand. See constantly but do not perceive.‟ 10 “This people‟s heart has become calloused.* They hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”(Septuagint) 11 Then I said: “How long, O Jehovah?* And He answered: “Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, until the houses are deserted and the land is utterly desolate. 12 “Until Jehovah has removed men far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land. 13 “Even if one out of ten people are left it will be destroyed (burned) again. When a strong tree or an oak is cut down, a stump is left. The holy seed is the stump.” Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) 6:1 saw: raah/eido/pervideo. discern, consider, experience, perceive, be present. “No man has ever seen God.” (John 1:18) The words “saw God” are obviously presented in figurative sense. *6:1 throne: kisse (kis-say’)/thronos/solium. The Hebrew word for throne is “kis-se.” It also refers to a seat or chair and is not limited to the seats of ruling monarchs. (1 Samuel 4:13) (1 Kings 22:10) (2 Kings 4:10) (Nehemiah 3:7) (Esther 3:1) (Ezekiel 26:16) Eli fell backward from his “kis-se” at the gate of Shiloh. It was a backless chair. (1 Samuel 4:13, 18) The Greek word for high backed chair with arms was “thro‟nos.” The figurative use of the word throne in the Scriptures signifies a seat of ruling authority. (Genesis 41:40) (1 Kings 2:12; 16:11) (1 Chronicles 17:14) (Psalm 89:44) God does not 22 have to sit on a throne or a chair but a throne symbolizes His royal authority and sovereignty. (1 Kings 8:27; 22:19) (Isaiah 6:1) (Ezekiel 1:26-28) (Daniel 7:9) (Revelation 4:1-3) Jesus Christ on a throne: Jesus Christ will rule over the earth because of the power and authority granted by his heavenly Father, Jehovah God. That is the meaning of the expression at Psalm 45:6 and Hebrews 1:8: “God is your throne forever and ever.” Most English translations state this Scripture: “Your Throne, O God, is forever and ever.” The statement at Hebrews 1:8 speaks about the Son of God, Jesus Christ. It emphasizes that God‟s power and authority are given to him. After Jesus Christ rules for a thousand years he returns the throne [of authority] to his Father and God just as it is stated at 1 Corinthians 15:24-27. Verse 27 makes it clear that God is the one who places all things under Christ. *6:2 seraphs: Hebrew: seraphim. The Hebrew word “seraphim” is a plural noun that comes from the verb “sa-raph,” meaning burn. (Isaiah 6:2, 6) These are spirit creatures stationed above Jehovah God‟s throne in heaven. The prophet Isaiah describes them at Isaiah 6:1-7. He said: Seraphs were standing above Jehovah. Each one had six wings. Two covered his face, and two covered his feet and he flew with the other two wings. The description of the seraphs must be understood to be symbolic. Their likeness to earthly creatures is only used to give human beings something to relate to. God often speaks symbolically of himself as having eyes, ears and other human features. *6:3 Holy: kodesh/hagios/sanctus. is stated three times for emphasis and not as an indication of a triune God. There is no Trinity in the Hebrew Scriptures! *6:8 Who will go for us? Jehovah asked the question who will go for us? Isaiah volunteered. He said Here I am. Send me! When he used the plural pronoun “us,” was God talking about Isaiah and Himself. Or was He talking about His Son, Jesus Christ as He talked bout him when God said, Let us 23 make man in our image.” Genesis 1:26. When we read the commission to preach the good news of the Kingdom do we immediately respond, “Here I am. Send me!” *6:10 calloused: insensitive, tough, hard, without feelings. *6:11 How long, O Jehovah? Isaiah wanted to know how long he must preach the truth from God‟s Word. Jehovah answered him, “until the cities are laid waste” and “the land is utterly desolate.” The preaching work doesn‟t stop until the wicked are all destroyed by God. Isaiah 7 1 In the days of Ahaz son of Jotham son of Uzziah, king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah* son of Remaliah of Israel went up to attack Jerusalem, but could not mount an attack against it. 2 A report was made to the house of David saying: Aram has allied itself with Ephraim.” The heart of Ahaz and the heart of his people shook* (their courage failed) as the trees of the forest shake before the wind. 3 Jehovah said to Isaiah: “You and your son Shear-ja‟shub should go out to meet Ahaz at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the (laundryman‟s field) Fuller‟s Field.* 4 “Say to him: „Be careful, keep calm and do not be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood and because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. 5 “„Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah‟s son have plotted your ruin. They say: 6 “„“Let us invade Judah. Let us tear it apart and divide it among us. Let us make the son of Tabeel king over Judah.” 7 “„This is what the Lord Jehovah says: “It will not take place! It will not happen! 8 “„“Because the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is only Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people. 24 9 “„“The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah‟s son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”‟” 10 Again Jehovah spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask Jehovah your God for a sign. Ask it in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” 12 But Ahaz said: “I will not ask. I will not put Jehovah to the test.” 13 Isaiah said: “Hear this you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also?” 14 Therefore Jehovah will give you a sign: The virgin* will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel* (God with us*). 15 He will eat butter and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. 16 But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. 17 Jehovah will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah. He will bring the king of Assyria upon you. 18 “In that day Jehovah will whistle for the flies that are at the distant branches of the Nile River in Egypt and for the bees that are in Assyria. 19 “All of them will come and settle in the deep valleys, in the cracks in the cliffs, on all the thorn bushes, and at all the water holes. 20 “In that day Jehovah will hire the king of Assyria from beyond the Euphrates River to be a razor to shave the hair on your head, the hair on your legs, and even your beard. 21 “On that day a person will keep alive a young cow* and two sheep. 22 “They will give so much milk that he will have all he needs. Yes, the few survivors left in the land will have milk and honey to eat. 23 “When that time comes, the fine vineyards, each with a thousand vines and each worth a thousand pieces of silver, will be overgrown with thorn bushes and briers. 25 24 “People will go hunting there with bows and arrows. Yes, the whole country will be full of briers and thorn bushes. 25 “All the hills where crops were once planted will be so overgrown with thorns that no one will go there. It will be a place where cattle and sheep graze.” Simplivied Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *7:1 Pekah: Pekah was King of Israel for 20 years beginning in 778 B.C.E. Pekah was son of Remaliah. He served as adjutant to Israelite King Pekahiah. He worked with 50 men of Gilead to assassinate Pekahiah and then he seized the kingship over Israel in Samaria. (2 Kings 15:25-28) Pekah‟s reign was noted for continued idolatrous calf worship. Pekah was involve in a number of military actions against Judah and other nearby countries. (2 Kings 16:1-7) (Isaiah 7:1-7) Hoshea the son of Elah killed Pekah and became Israel‟s next king. (2 Kings 15:30) *7:2 heart of his people shook: Hebrew: nua (noo’-ah). their courage failed, they were shaken, trembeled, staggered, was moved. *7:3 Laundryman‟s Field, Fuller‟s Field: This was an area close to the city of Jerusalem where laundrymen worked. Isaiah and his son Shear-jashub met King Ahaz by the highway of the laundryman‟s field. (Isaiah 7:3; 36:2) The word fuller is from the Hebrew word kabas. It means the fulling process to wash by stamping with the feet. *7:14 virgin: bethulah/parthenos/virgo. Most dictionaries define a virgin as a person who has never had sexual intercourse. This was the situation for Mary, the mother of Jesus, our Lord. If it were not so the impregnation by God‟s Holy Spirit would mean nothing. (Matthew 1:21-25) Prophecy written at Isaiah 7:14 was fulfilled: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (God with us).” 26 *7:14 Immanual: Hebrew: Immanual. Greek: Emmouel. Isaiah‟s son, also prophetic of the title given to Jesus Christ. It means: God With Us. (Matthew 1:23) *17:14 God With Us: Emmanuel was a title given to Jesus Christ. Thousands, perhaps millians of men are called Immanuel in the world today. Does that mean they are God? Does the name Immanuel mean that Jesus is God? No! Many people saw Jesus, but no man has seen God. (John 1:18) It means Jesus represented God. He was a spokesman for God. See: Matthew 1:23. *7:21 cow: shor, parah/thremma/bovis. The average cow has four legs, a tail, and gives milk. That description sounds strange but most readers live in cities and seldom, if ever, see a cow. The cow was valued for its production of milk. (Numbers 19:2) (Isaiah 7:21, 22) Cowhides were used for a variety of leather goods. Young cows or heifers were sometimes sacrifieced in worship. (Genesis 15:9) (1 Samuel 6:14, 16:2) The cow is presented in prophecy about the peaceful conditions that the Messiah Jesus Christ will bring at Isaiah 11:7. Isaiah 8 1 Jehovah said to me: “Take a large writing tablet, and write on it with a pen:* Maher Shalal Hash Baz (The Looting Will Come Quickly; the Prey Will Be Easy). 2 “I will have these dependable witnesses testify: the priest Uriah and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah.” 3 I slept with the prophetess. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son. Jehovah told me: “Name him Maher Shalal Hash Baz. 4 “Before the boy knows how to say “Father” or “Mother” the wealth of Damascus and the loot from Samaria will be carried away to the king of Assyria.” 5 Jehovah spoke to me again, He said: 6 “These people have rejected the gently flowing water of Shiloah* and find joy in Rezin and Remaliah's son. 27 7 “That is why Jehovah is going to bring against them the raging and powerful floodwaters of the Euphrates River, that is, the king of Assyria with all his power. It will overflow all its channels and go over all its banks. 8 “It will sweep through Judah. It will overflow and pass through. It will be neck-high. Its outspread wings will extend over your entire country, O Immanuel.” 9 Be broken, you people. Be terrified. Listen all you distant parts of the earth. Prepare for battle and be terrified. Prepare for battle and be terrified! 10 Make plans for battle, but they will never succeed. Give orders, but they will not be carried out, because God is with us! 11 This is what Jehovah said with his powerful hand on me. He warned me not to follow the ways of these people: 12 “Do not say that everything these people call a conspiracy is a conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear. Do not let it terrify you! 13 “Remember that Jehovah of Hosts is holy. He is the one you should respect. He is the one you should reverence (venerate) (exalt).” 14 He will be a place of safety for you. But he will be a rock that makes people trip and a stumbling block for both kingdoms of Israel. He will be a trap and a snare for those who live in Jerusalem. 15 Many will stumble over them. They will fall and be broken. They will be trapped and caught. 16 Tie up the written instructions. Seal the precepts (law) among my disciples. 17 I will wait for Jehovah, who hides his face from the descendants of Jacob. I will hope in him. 18 I am here with the children Jehovah has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from Jehovah of Hosts, who lives on Mount Zion.* 19 People will say to you: “Ask for help from the mediums and the fortunetellers, who whisper and mutter.” Should people ask their God for help instead? Why should they ask the dead to help the living? 28 20 They should go to the teachings and to the written instructions. If people do not speak these words, it is because there is no light (truth) in them. 21 They will pass through the land when they are hard-pressed (destressed) and hungry. When they are hungry, they will be furious. Then they will look up and curse their king and God. 22 They will look toward the nations of the earth and see only distress and gloom. They will go in anguish and be banished into darkness. Simplified Bible Dictionary *8:1 pen, stylus: This writing instrument was used to make impressions on materials such as clay or wax. (Psalm 45:1) (Isaiah 8:1) (Jeremiah 8:8) A stylus or chisel of metal was needed to cut or carve letters into stone or metal. (Job 19:23, 24) Judah‟s sins were written down with an iron stylus or pen. That symbolized indelible records. (Jeremiah 17:1) *8:1 Maher Shalal Hash Baz: This name means: The Looting Will Come Quickly; the Prey Will Be Easy. Jehovah commanded Isaiah to write these prophetic words on a large tablet. Then he instructed Isaiah to give this name to his newborn son. It means he who comes quickly to the plunder. (Isaiah 8:1-4) *8:6 Shiloah Canal: This canal is believed to have flowed from the Gihon Spring down the Kidron Valley around a hill to a pool at the Hinnom and Tyropoeon Valleys. It had a gradient of less than 0.2 of an inch per yard and thus produced a very gentle flow. This would explain the statement about the “gently flowing water of Shiloah” found at Isaiah 8:6. The point of the statement is figurative and represents the source of real salvation and security. *8:18 Mount Zion, Mountain of Meeting: The king of Babylon is portrayed as saying: “I will sit on the mountain of meeting far away in the north.” (Isaiah 14:13) Some historians believe that this mountain of meeting was the dwelling place 29 of their gods. However the mountain of meeting must be identified in the light of Holy Scripture. Clearly the king of Babylon would not want his throne lifted above a god that he worshiped. Isaiah reveals that the reference was not to the Babylonian gods but to the Most High. (Isaiah 14:14) Therefore the mountain of meeting must be associated to the Most High God! There was only one mountain of any consequence to the Hebrews, Mount Zion. (Isaiah 8:18; 18:7; 24:23) (Joel 3:17) Mount Zion was in a northerly location. This harmonizes with the placement of the: “mountain of meeting” in the remotest parts of the north. (Psalm 48:1, 2) It is important to remember that Jehovah God is in heaven not in some physical mountain. Mount Zion is symbolic of heaven, the home of our God. Mountain of the House of Jehovah: The Mountain of Jehovah is God‟s temple in heaven. (Isaiah 2:3) The Israelites spoke about going the Mountain of Jehovah on earth, namely the Temple in Jerusalem. Mountains or high places: When used in symbolic terms mountains and hills mean Kingdoms or governments. (Revelation 6:16) Isaiah 9 1 There will be no more gloom for those who were suffering. In the past he humiliated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future he will honor Galilee of the Nations, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan. 2 The people who walk in darkness (ignorance) (lies) have seen a great light (truth). A light has dawned on those who live in the land of the shadow of death (the grave) (calamity). 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy. They rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 As in the day of Midian‟s defeat, you have shattered the yoke of his burdens: the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 30 5 Every warrior‟s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For unto us a child is born. Unto us a son* is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.* He will be called Wonderful,* Counselor, Mighty god, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David‟s throne and over his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of Jehovah of Hosts will accomplish this. 8 Jehovah has sent a message against (to) Jacob and it will fall on Israel. 9 All the people will know it. Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria who say with pride and arrogance of heart:* 10 “The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with cut stones. The fig trees have been cut down, but we will replace them with cedars.” 11 But Jehovah has strengthened Rezin‟s foes against them and has spurred their enemies on. 12 The Arameans from the east (front) and the Philistines* from the west* (behind) have devoured Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger has not turned away. His hand (power) is still stretched out (extended). 13 The people did not turn back to him who struck them, or seek Jehovah of Hosts. 14 So Jehovah will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed (rush) in one day. 15 Elders and dignitaries are the head, and prophets who teach lies are the tail. 16 Those who led this people led them astray. And those who were led by them were left in confusion. 17 That is why Jehovah did not rejoice in their young people, nor show compassion to their orphans and widows. Everyone was godless and an evildoer, and every mouth spoke wickedness (foolishness) (vileness). In all this his anger has not turned away. His hand is stretched out still (ready to apply his power). 31 18 This wickedness is like a brushfire. It burns not only briers and thorns but the forests, too. It sends up vast clouds of smoke. 19 The land is blackened by the fury of Jehovah of Hosts. The people are fuel for the fire, and no one spares anyone else. 20 They slice off what is on the right hand, but they will still be hungry. In the end they will even eat the flesh of their own arms (offspring) (turn upon themselves). 21 Manasseh will feed on Ephraim, Ephraim will feed on Manasseh, and both will devour Judah. But even then Jehovah‟s anger will not be satisfied. His hand is still poised to unleash his power. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *9:6 son: This prophesy is about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. *9:6 government: The government will be on the shoulders of Jesus the Messiah, our King. He will rule over the earth. ((Revelation 5:10; 20:6) *9:6 name: shem/onoma/nomen. This verse refers to the meaning of the Son of God‟s name. It depicts honor, authority and character. The name Jesus means Jehovah is Salvation. (Matthew 1:21) Immanuel: Another title that is given is was a title given to Jesus Christ. Thousands, perhaps millians of men are called Immanuel in the world today. Does that mean they are God? Does the name Immanuel mean that Jesus is God? No! Many people saw Jesus, but no man has seen God. (John 1:18) *9:6 Wonderful: pala/dunamis/prodigmosus. Marvelous, great, different, distinguish, wonderous. *9:6 Counsellor: yaats/bouleutes/monere. consult, guide with purpose. Advisor, 32 *9:6 Mighty god: Hebrew: gibbor el. powerful, strong, valiant. The context of the entire Holy Scriptures show that Jesus is the Son of God. That makes him mighty but not Almighty. *9:6 Everlasting Father: Hebrew: ad ab. Greek: aionios theos. The Son of God is everlasting meaning without end. He is god in that he is God‟s Son, making him a member of the God family. That makes him like-God. *9:6 Prince of Peace: Hebrew: sar shalom. Greek: archon eirene. Jesus Christ will bring peace to the world. *9:9 pride and arrogance of heart: gawon lab, gawavah lab/huperepephania kardia/superbia animus. Most dictionaries define pride as unreasonable and inordinate selfesteem. It is haughty behavior that includes egotism and arrogance. The Hebrew verb ga-ah‟ means grow tall and get high and it relates to self-exaltation in the good and bad sense. (Isaiah 9:9) (Proverbs 8:13) (Psalm 68:34) (Amos 8:7) *9:12 Philistines: The Philistines were Israel‟s enemy for many years. They superstitiously consulted their priest and diviners to make decisions. They worshiped false gods and carried idols of their gods with them when they went into battle. (2 Samuel 5:21) The Philistines were among Israel‟s avowed enemies. (Isaiah 9:12; 11:14) The word Philistines occurs more that 250 times in the Bible. *9:12 directions: The Hebrews told directions by facing the sunrise. That would be East, so the direction behind was west. Isaiah 10 1 How horrible it will be for those who enact unjust laws and who decree oppressive regulations. 2 They deprive the poor of justice. They take away the rights of the needy among my people. They prey on widows and rob orphans. 33 3 What will you do on the day you are called to account for these things, when destruction comes from far away? Where will you run for help? Where will you leave your wealth? 4 There is nothing left but to crouch among prisoners and to fall with those who are killed. Even after all this, his anger will not disappear. His hand is stretched out (he is still ready to use his power). 5 “How horrible it will be for Assyria! It is the rod of my anger. My fury is in the staff of the Assyrians' hands. 6 “I send him against a godless nation. I commission him against the people of my fury to capture booty and to seize plunder, and to trample them down like mud (clay) in the streets.* 7 “But the Assyrian emperor has his own violent plans in mind. He is determined to destroy many nations. 8 “He boasts: „Every one of my commanders is a king! 9 “„Is not Calno like Carchemish?* Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus? 10 “„As my hand took hold of the kingdoms of the idols, kingdoms whose carved images were greater then those of Jerusalem and Samaria, 11 “„As I have done to Samaria and her idols, Shall I not also do to Jerusalem and her idols?‟ 12 “It will happen when Jehovah has performed all his work on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem. He will say: I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty appearance. 13 “„The king of Assyria says: By the strength of my hand I have done it. By my wisdom and understanding I have done it! I am prudent! Also I have removed the boundaries of the nations. I have robbed their treasuries. I have brought down people like a mighty man! 14 “„I found the riches of nations as one finds a nest. I gathered the whole world as one gathers abandoned eggs. Not one of them flapped a wing, opened its mouth, or peeped.‟” 15 Can an ax attack the person who cuts with it? Can a saw make itself greater than the person who saws with it? A rod cannot move the person who lifts it. A wooden stick cannot pick up a person. 34 16 That is why the Almighty Jehovah of Hosts will send a degenerative disease against brave men. A flame will be turned into a raging fire under his power. 17 The Light of Israel will become a fire and his Holy One a flame. It will burn and consume his thorns and his briers in a single day! 18 It will completely destroy the splendor of his forests and fertile fields, as when a sick man wastes away. 19 And the remaining trees of his forests will be so few that a child could write them down. 20 In that day the remnant of Israel, the survivors of the house of Jacob, will no longer rely on the one who defeated them. They will truly rely on Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel. 21 A remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty (Powerful) God. Yes, a remnant will return! 22 Your people, O Israel, are like the sand of the sea. Yet only a remnant within them will return. Overwhelming and righteous destruction has been decreed. 23 The Sovereign Lord Jehovah of Hosts, will carry out the complete destruction decreed upon the whole land. 24 Therefore, this is what the Lord Jehovah of Hosts, declares: “O my people who live in Zion, do not be afraid* of the Assyrians. They beat you with a rod and lift up a club against you, as Egypt did. 25 “Very soon my anger against you will end and my wrath will be directed to their destruction. 26 “Jehovah of Hosts will stir up enemies against you as when he struck down Midian at the rock of Oreb. His wrath will come by way of the sea, as he did in Egypt. 27 “In that day your burden will be lifted from your shoulders, their yoke from your neck; the yoke will be broken because you have grown so fat.” 28 They enter Aiath and they pass through Migron.* They store supplies at Micmash. 29 They go over the pass and make Geba their camping place for the night. Ramah trembles and Gibeah of Saul flees. 30 Cry out, O Daughter of Gallim! Listen and pay attention, O Laishah! Poor afflicted Anathoth! 31 Madmenah* has fled; the people of Gebim take cover. 35 32 This day they will halt at Nob.* They will shake their fist at the mount of the Daughter of Zion, at the hill of Jerusalem. 33 Behold, the Sovereign Lord Jehovah of Hosts will lop off the boughs with great power. The lofty trees will be cut down! The tall ones will be brought low. 34 He will cut down the forest thickets with an ax. Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *10:6 street: chuts (Khoots)/rhume (hroo’-may)/via. A street is a throughfare that is usually lined with buildings and houses. Vehicles travel on the streets. Most of the streets in ancient towns were unpaved. (Isaiah 10:6; 42:2) (Psalm 18:42) An open area along a street served as the public square, a place to tansact business or meet for instruction. (Genesis 23:10-18) (Nehemiah 8:1-3) (Jeremiah 5:1) Children sometimes played in the streets. (Zechariah 8:4, 5) Jesus taught, and cured the sick along the side of the roads and streets. (Luke 8:1) (Matthew 12:13-19) (Isaiah 42:1,2) *10:9 Carchemish: Carchemish was a major trade center on the west bank of the upper Euphrates River. Because of its strategic location for both commercial and military activities, aggressor kingdoms from early times sought control of Carchemish. (Isaiah 10:9-11) *10:24 Do not be afraid: Christians face the future without fear as long as they maintain a strong relationship with God. They must always put the kingdom interests first and continually try to do God‟s will. (Matthew 6:33) *10:31 Madmenah: Madmenah was a site in the path of the Assyrian advance toward Jerusalem. It is found only once in the Bible. (Isaiah 10:31) The interesting thing about this name is that it means “manure.” *10:28 Migron: Migron was a place on the outskirts of Gibeah where King Saul camped with Johathan. His armor 36 bearer killed about twenty men from the Philistine camp near Michmash. (1 Samuel 13:16, 23; 14:1, 2, 13-16) Migron is mentioned as one of the cities that the Assyrians would pass through on their way to Jerusalem. (Isaiah 10:28) *10:32 Nob: This city was located in the territory of Benjamin close to Jerusalem. When David fled from Saul, he went to High Priest Ahimelech at Nob. Nob was one of the places mentioned in connection with the Assyrian‟ move toward Jerusalem. (Isaiah 10:24, 32) The Benjamites resettled it after they returned from Babylonian exile. (Nehemiah 11:3131) Isaiah 11 1 There must go forth a twig out of the stump of Jesse. A branch (sprout) (shoot) (descendant) from his roots will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of Jehovah will rest on him. The spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and respect for Jehovah will be his. 3 He will delight in the reverence of Jehovah. He will not judge by what his eyes see, nor make a decision by what his ears hear. 4 But with righteousness he will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth (power of his words), and with the spirit (breath) of his lips he will destroy the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be the belt around his loins.* Faithfulness will be the belt around His waist. 6 The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and the well-fed animal together. A little boy will lead them. 7 Also the cow and the bear* will graze. Their young will lie down together. And the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra. The weaned child will put his hand on the viper's den. 9 They will not hurt or destroy in my entire holy mountain. This is because the earth will be full of the knowledge of Jehovah* just as the waters cover the sea. 37 10 Then in that day the nations will search for and turn to the root of Jesse. He will stand as a signal for the peoples. His resting place will be glorious. 11 Then it will happen in that day that Jehovah will again recover the second time with his hand the remnant of his people. They will remain, from Assyria,* Egypt, Pathros, Cush,* Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. 12 He will lift up a standard for the nations and assemble the outcast ones of Israel. He will gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. 13 Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart. Those who harass Judah will be destroyed. Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, and Judah will not harass Ephraim. 14 They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines on the west. Together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will possess Edom and Moab, and the sons of Ammon will be subject to them. 15 Jehovah will utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt. He will wave his hand, his mighty Spirit, over the (Euphrates) River. He will strike it into seven streams and make men walk over on dry land. 16 There will be a highway from Assyria for the remnant of his people who will be left. This will be as it was for Israel when they came up out of the land of Egypt. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *11:5 loin, hips: Hebrew: shoq. Latin: coxa. Hips are attached to the small of the back. A belt is often worn at the hips. The Bible speaks many times about the sheath of the sword worn at the hips. (2 Samuel 20:8) (Nehemiah 4:18) (Ezekiel 9:2) Sackcloth was worn around the hips. (Genesis 37:34) Hips are mentioned in a figurative sense throughout the Scriptures. To ungird the hips of kings means to take away their strength. (Isaiah 45:1) Jesus Christ was prophetically envisioned as reigning with righteousness on the belt of his hips and faithfulness as the belt of his loins at Isaiah 11:1, 5. 38 *11:7 bear: Hebrew: dob dob. Latin: tolero. Isaiah was given a vision of a bear feeding with a cow. This symbalized how peaceful conditions will be when God‟s people gather under Messiah‟s rule. (Isaiah 11:7) The Syrian brown bear is found in Palestine, Syria, Iran, and Turkey. It is light brown in color and averages about 310 pounds in weight. While they appear awkward they generally are not. Some can run as fast as 30 mile an hour for short distances. They are good swimmers and most of them can climb. Scriptures speak of the bears dangerousness in comparison to the lion. (Amos 5:19) (Lamentations 3:10) A female bear with young can be very ferocious. (2 Samuel 17:8) (Proverbs 17:12) (Hosea 13:8) The bear represented the Medo-Persian World Power in Daniel‟s vision of terrible beasts. (Daniel 7:5, 17) The wild beast in John‟s vision had feet like a bears feet. (Revelation 13:2) *11:9 knowledge: daath/epignosis/scientia. Isaiah 11:6-9 contains words that touch the heart. The peace Isaiah refers to comes from the knowledge of Jehovah. Peace is given as a gift from God as frutage of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) (Matthew 6:9, 10) (2 Peter 3:13) *11:11 Assyria: Assyria was the country in the north end of the Mesopotamian plain what is today the modern country of Iraq. Throughout their history Assyria and Babylon were closely related. They jointly occupied a region with no natural division between them. The Assyrian people were more energetic and aggressive than the Babylonians. Assyria was a military power and they were cruel and rapacious people. The city of Asshur, located west of the Tigris was the original capital of the region. Assyria‟s religion was inherited from Babylon even though it had its own national god Asshur. The Assyrians believed every object and natural phenomenon to be animated by a spirit. Numerous references to Assyria are found in the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, and Zecariah. (Isaiah 11:11-16; 14:25) (Jeremiah 50:17, 18) (Ezekiel 32:22) (Zechariah 10:10, 11) 39 *11:11 Cush/Ethiopia: Hebrew: kush. (or Ethiopia), the name of a son of Ham, and of his territory; also of an Israelite. Ethiopia is the region of Africa south of Egypt. The name comes from the Greek word “Aithiopia.” The ancient Hebrews called the land Cush. (Genesis 10:6-8) (1 Chronicles 1:8-10) (Isaiah 11:11) (Ezekiel 30:5) This country contains semiarid plains in the north, savannas and plateau land in the central region, and tropical rain forest in the south. Several Ethiopian queens used the title Candace. This included the one mentioned at Acts 8:27. The account of the Ethiopian eunuch and the evangelist Philip is a wonderful example of teaching, conversion, and subsequent baptism. It is found in chapter eight of Acts. Isaiah 12 1 In that day you will say: “I will praise you, O Jehovah. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. 2 “Truly God is my salvation!* I will trust and not be afraid. Jehovah… Jehovah is my strength and my song! He has become my salvation.” 3 With joy (gladness) you will draw water* from the wells* of salvation. 4 In that day you will say: “Give thanks to Jehovah, call on his name;* make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. 5 “Sing to Jehovah, for he has done glorious things. Let this be known to the entire world. 6 “Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *12:2 God is my salvation: Salvation means to be rescued from danger. Being saved from sin and death. The wages sin earns is death. (Ro 5:12; 6:23) Salvation is a gift from Jehovah God offered through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. (John 3:16) (Ephesians 2:8-10) (Titus 2:11-12) (Hebrews 5:7-9) 40 *12:3 water: mayim/hudor hudatos/aqua. The major part of living matter is water. In fact the human body is more than 70% water. (Revelation 14:7) When God created the earth he created endless mounts of water. (Genesis 1:6-8) God installed a wonderful watering system recorded at Genius 2:6. Water is also used in a figurative way, such as “Living Water” referring to God‟s Word and the blessings he gives to believers. (John 4:13, 14, 7:38) *12:3 well: Hebrew: “be‟er” means a well, pit or hole in the ground. Most of the Mid-East has long dry seasons. That makes having a good well very important. Wells were named after their geographic location, Beersheba (Genesis 21:14), Beerelem (Isaiah 15:8), Beer (Nu 21:16-18). Abraham owned the well at Beersheba. (Genesis 21:25-31; 26:20-21) A good well can mean salvation for a very thirsty person. Used symbolicly when a person delivers spiritual water it means salvation for the thirsty one. (Isaiah 55:1) (Revelation 22:17) *12:4 call upon God‟s name: shem (shame)/onoma/nomen. (Exodus 6:3) Greek: “onoma” means proper name, authority, character and reputation. (Matthew 6:9) The word “name” is found 958 times in the Holy Scriptures. The divine name (YHWH) Jehovah is found in the Holy Scriptures nearly 6,828 times. Isaiah 13 1 BABYLON IN PROPHECY: The pronouncement Isaiah the son of Amoz saw in vision. 2 “Lift up a standard high on the mountain. Raise your voice to them. Shake the hand so they may enter the doors of the nobles. 3 “I have commanded my consecrated ones. I have called my mighty warriors. My proud ones are to express my anger, those who rejoice in my majesty (excellency). 4 “Listen! A sound of tumult on the mountains is like that of many people! A sound of the uproar of kingdoms and nations gathered together! Jehovah of Hosts assembles (inspects) the army for battle. 41 5 “They come from a far country, from the extremities of the heavens (horizons). Jehovah and his instruments of indignation come to destroy the whole land. 6 “Shout (wail) (howl) for the Day of Jehovah is near! It will come as destruction from the Almighty. 7 “All hands will fall impaired (weakened). Every man's heart will melt (courage will fail). 8 “They will be terrified! Pains and anguish will possess them. They will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another in amazement with their faces reddened with excitement (aflame). 9 “Behold! The Day of Jehovah is coming! It will be cruel, with fury and burning anger. It will make the land desolation and exterminate the sinners from it. 10 “The stars of heaven* and their constellations will not shine forth their light. The sun will be dark when it rises and the moon will not shine its light. 11 “I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity. I will also end the arrogance of the proud. I will demean (disgrace) the arrogance of tyranny. 12 “I will make mortal man harder to find than pure gold and mankind than the gold of Ophir. 13 “Therefore I will make the heavens tremble. The earth will shake from its place at the fury of Jehovah of Hosts in the day of his burning anger. 14 “They will each turn to his own people, and each one escape to his own land just like a hunted gazelle,* or like sheep without a shepherd. 15 “All who are found will be pierced through. All who are captured will fall by the sword. 16 “Their infant children will be dashed to pieces before their eyes. Their houses will be plundered and their wives raped. 17 “I will stir up the Medes against them. They will not value silver or take pleasure in gold. 18 “And their bows will mow down the young men. They will not even have compassion on the fruit of the womb. Nor will they have compassion on children. 42 19 Babylon, the beauty (honor) (glory) of kingdoms, the majesty of Chaldean* pride, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah. 20 “It will never be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation! Nor will the Arab pitch his tent there. Nor will shepherds take their flocks there. 21 “But desert animals will lie down there. Their houses will be full of owls! Shaggy goat demons* will play there and ostriches will dance there. 22 “Wild beasts will howl in her fortified towers and jackals in her luxurious temples. Her time also will soon come and her days will not be prolonged.” Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *13:10 heaven, outer space: Hebrew: shamayim shameh. The physical heavens extend beyond earth into outer space. Jehovah God refers to the army of the heavens, the sun, moon, stars, and constellations. (Deuteronomy 4:19) (Isaiah 13:10) (1 Corinthians 15:40, 41) (Hebrews 11:12) The very first verse of the Bible speaks of the creation of the starry heavens. Long before earth was created the heavens of the universe were created. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1. It is hard to believe that an astronomer, a student of the universe, would not believe the true God of the Bible, for the heavens show forth God‟s glory and the work of His fingers. (Psalms 8:3; 19:1-6) And the stars are all numbered and named by Him. (Job 38:33) (Psalm 147:4) (Isaiah 40:26) (Jeremiah 31:37; 33:22, 25) Heaven, Midheaven: Hebrew: lab shamayim. Midheaven is the earth‟s atmosphere where the birds fly. It is also called the “heart of the heavens” and “the four extremities of the heavens.” (Deuteronomy 4:11) (1 Chronicles 21:16) (2 Samuel 18:9) (Job 28:24) (Psalm 19:4-6) (Isaiah 13:5) (Jeremiah 49:36) (Matthew 24:31) (Mark 13:27) The four extremities of the heavens refer to the four points of the compass. 43 Heaven, Spiritual Heaven Where God Resides: shamayim shameh/ouranos/aetherius. Being a Spirit, God resides in a spiritual place. From His supreme position He looks down on the physical heavens and the earth. (Psalms 14:2; 102:19; 113:6) His throne is in the spirit realm over which He rules. (Psalm 103:19-21) (2 Chronicles 20:6) (Matthew 23:22) (Acts 7:49) The angels also live in the spirit realm. They are his congregation of the holy ones. (Genesis 28:12) (Psalms 89:5-7; 103:20, 21) (Daniel 7:10) (Matthew 18:10; 24:36) (Luke 2:13) (Revelation 12:12) Heavens: Greek: ouranos. The Greek word translated heaven at Matthew 3:2 is ouranos. (Matthew 4:17; 5:3, 19; 7:21; 10:7; 13:52; 20:1) This word means: the sky; the universe and starry heavens; the world and its physical heavens, including air and clouds; and the spiritual place where God and other spirit beings dwell. Since God created all things, His kingdom could also be considered a rulership over all of the heavens defined by the Greek word “ouranos.” That includes the physical as well as the spiritual. Since the invention of the printing press, about five-percent of all English translations have used the term: “kingdom of the heavens.” While this phrase describes all of the heavens, both physical and spiritual, it complicates the thinking of the reader. In order to keep the reading simple, the New Simplified Bible translates “ouranos” in the singular, “kingdom of heaven.” It does so for three basic reasons: (1) it is a familiar phrase (2) it is easy to read and (3) it is easy to understand. (Luke 18:22) (Ephesians 1:10) (1 Peter 1:4) There does not appear to be any difference in the meaning whether it is rendered “heavens” or “heaven.” *13:14 gazelle: The gazelle is a beautiful, graceful antelope from Africa and Asia. It has lustrous eyes that shine from the sun and moon. It stands about 2 feet tall at the shoulder and 3.5 feet long. Gazelle horns measure nearly one foot in length. It is one of the fastest mammals in the world and it‟s speed is alluded to in Scripture. (2 Samuel 2:18) (1 Chronicles 12:8) (Proverbs 6:5) (Isaiah 13:14) Solomon spoke about the beauty 44 of the gazelle in the Song of Solomon. (Song of Solomon 2:9; 4:5; 7:3) *13:19 Chaldea, Chaldean: The land consisting of the southern Babylonian plain was Chaldea. The people occupying this rich delta area of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers were Chaldeans. In early times Ur was the most important city in the region. Ur was the hometown of Abraham. (Genesis 11:28, 31; 15:7) (Nehemiah 9:7) (Acts 7:2-4) The Chaldeans were noted for their knowledge of mathematics and astronomy. (Daniel 2:2, 5, 10; 4:7; 5:7, 11) This territory of Babylonia was known as the land of the Chaldeans. (Isaiah 13:19; 23:13; 47:1, 5; 48:14, 20) *13:21 goat demons: Hebrew: sair. (Idols): The Hebrew word “sair” refers to a goat. There are three texts (Leviticus 17:7) (2 Chronicles 11:15) (Isaiah 13:21) in which the word is considered by translators as having a sense beyond the simple word “goat.” It has to do with demon possession and idolatry. Isaiah 14 1 Jehovah will have compassion on Jacob and again choose Israel. He will resettle them in their own country. Foreigners will join them and unite with the descendants of Jacob. 2 People will take them and bring them to their own place. The nation of Israel will possess nations as male and female slaves in Jehovah‟s land. They will take their captors captive and rule their oppressors. 3 When that day comes, Jehovah will give you relief from your pain and suffering, from the hard slavery you were forced to do. 4 You will mock the king of Babylon with this saying: “How the tyrant has come to an end! How his attacks have come to an end! 5 “Jehovah has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers. 6 “They struck the people with fury, with blows that did not stop. They ruled nations in anger, persecuting them without restraint. 45 7 “The whole earth rests and is quiet. It breaks out into shouts of joy. 8 “„Even the cypress trees rejoice over you. The cedars of Lebanon say: „Since you have fallen, no lumberjack has come to attack us.‟ 9 “The grave below wakes up to meet you when you come. It wakes up those who are dead, all who were leaders on earth. It raises all who were kings of the nations from their thrones. 10 “„All of them will greet you: „You also have become weak like us! You have become like one of us! 11 “„Your pride has been brought down to the grave along with the music of your harps. Maggots are spread out like a bed under you, and worms* cover you.‟ 12 “O how you have fallen from heaven, you morning star (shining one*), and son of the dawn! How you have been cut down to the ground, you who conquered nations! 13 “„You thought: „I will go up to heaven (Mount Zion) and set up my throne above God's stars (messengers). I will sit on the mountain of meeting far away in the north where the gods assemble. 14 “„I will go above the top of the clouds.* I will be like the Most High.‟ 15 “But you have been brought down to the grave, to the deepest part of the pit. 16 “„Those who see you stare at you. They look at you closely and say: „Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook the kingdoms, 17 who made the world like a desert and tore down its cities and did not let his prisoners go home?‟ 18 All the kings of the nations, all of them, have been buried with honor, each in his own tomb. 19 However you are thrown out of your tomb like a rejected branch. You are covered with those who were killed in battle. You go down to the stones (bottom) of the pit like a trampled corpse. 20 You ruined your country and killed your own people. For that reason, you will not be buried like other kings. None of your evil family will survive. 46 21 “Prepare a slaughtering place! The sons of this king will die because of their ancestors' sins. None of them will ever rule the earth or cover it with cities.” 22 Jehovah of Hosts declares: “I will attack Babylon and bring it to ruin. I will leave nothing! There will be no children, no survivors at all. I, Jehovah, have spoken. 23 “I will turn Babylon into a marsh. Porcupines* will live there. I will sweep Babylon with a broom that will sweep everything away.” I, the Sovereign Lord Jehovah have spoken. 24 Jehovah of Hosts has sworn an oath: “What I have intended (devised) will happen. What I have determined to do will be done. 25 “I WILL DESTROY THE ASSYRIANS: In my land of Israel I will trample them on my mountains. I will free my people from the Assyrian yoke and from the burdens they have had to bear.” 26 This is my purpose (plan) (advise) for the world, and my arm (extended power) is stretched out to punish the nations. 27 Jehovah of Hosts is determined to do this. He has stretched out his arm to punish, and no one can stop him. 28 This message was proclaimed in the year that King Ahaz died: 29 “PEOPLE OF PHILISTIA: The rod that beat you is broken, but you have no reason to be glad. When one snake dies, a worse one comes in its place. A snake's egg hatches a flying dragon. 30 “Jehovah will be a shepherd to the poor of his people and will let them live in safety. But he will send a terrible famine on you Philistines. It will not leave any of you alive. 31 “Howl and cry for help, all you Philistine cities! Be terrified, all of you! A cloud of dust is coming from the north. It is an army with no cowards in its ranks.” 32 What then will one answer the messengers that come to us from Philistia? We will tell them that Jehovah has established Zion and in her the poor and afflicted of his people find refuge. Simplified Bible Dictionary 47 *14:11 worm: The Hebrew term “tohle‟ah” means worm. It is a slender, crawling, creeping animal. It has a soft body and no legs. The reference in Scripture often refers to the larval stage of insects and maggots. (Exodus 16:20, 24) (Isaiah 14:11; 66:24) Used illustratively at Psalm 22:6 it foretold that the Messiah would be viewed as a reproach and despicable as a worm. *14:12 Shining One: This is a description applied to the king of Babylon at Isaiah 14:4, 12. The Hebrew expression comes from a root meaning “shine.” (Job 29:3) “The shining one said in his heart: I will go up to heaven (Mount Zion) and set up my throne above God‟s stars.” (Isaiah 14:13) Biblical evidence points to Mount Zion as the “heaven” the shining one; the king of Babylon plans to conquer. Stars refer to kings at Numbers 24:17 and Revelation 22:16. Therefore God‟s stars must be the kings of the Davidic line who ruled from Mount Zion. The word “Lucifer” in the King James Version comes from the Latin Vulgate. The proper Hebrew translation means “shine, shining one, or morning star.” *14:14 high places: Hebrew: “ba-mohth‟” means a place of worship and also can mean hills and mountains. (2 Samuel 1:19, 25) (Amos 4:13) (Micah 1:3) Job 9:8 refers to the high places of the sea. Isaiah 14:14 speak about that which is above the clouds. *14:23 porcupine: The porcupine is a large rodent that is full of protective spines or quills. The Hebrew word translated porcupine is “qippodh.” Modern lexicons list “qippodh” as the porcupine or hedgehog. (Isaiah 14:23; 34:11) (Zephaniah 2:14) Isaiah 15 1 PROPHECY ABOUT MOAB: Surely in a night Ar of Moab is devastated and ruined. Certainly in a night Kir of Moab* is devastated and ruined. 48 2 They have gone up to the temple and to Dibon, to the high places to weep. Moab wails over Nebo and Medeba. Everyone's head is bald and every beard is cut off. 3 They have dress themselves with sackcloth in their streets. On their housetops and in their squares everyone is wailing, taken down with tears. 4 Heshbon and Elealeh* cry out. Their voice is heard all the way to Jahaz.* Therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud and tremble with fear. 5 My heart cries out for Moab! The people have fled to the town of Zoar, and to Eglath Shelishiyah.* Some climb the road to Luhith. They weep as they go. Some escape to Horonaim, grieving loudly. 6 The Brook of Nimrim is dry, the grass beside it has withered, and nothing green is left. 7 The people go across the Valley of Willows, trying to escape with all their material possessions. 8 Everywhere at Moab's borders the sound of crying is heard. It is heard at the towns of Eglaim and Beerelim.* 9 Dimon‟s waters are full of blood. I will bring still more upon Dimon,* a lion upon the fugitives of Moab and upon those who remain in the land. Simplified Bible Dictionary *15:1 Kir of Moab: This city in Moab was probably it‟s capital at one time. Several names are listed for this city in the Aramaic Targum: Kir of Moab, Kir-hareseth and Kir-heres. The modern name is Karak. (Isaiah 15:1) Isaiah prophesied that the Moabites would mourn for the raisin cakes of Kirhareseth. (Isaiah 16:6-7) Isaiah‟s innermost being was moved by the message of woe for Kir-hareseth. (Isaiah 16:11) (Jeremiah 48:31, 36) *15:4 Elealeh: Elealeh was a city mentioned along with Heshbon. It was located in the country east of Jordan about 2 miles northeast of Heshbon. The tribe of Reuben rebuilt the city after it was conquered. (Numbers 32:3-5, 37) It fell under Moab‟s control centuries later. Isaiah and Jeremiah 49 prophesied that Elealeh would soon cry out because of the nations‟s collapse. (Isaiah 15:4; 16:9) (Jeremiah 48:34) *15:4 Jahaz: Jahaz was a city east of the Jordan River and north of Arnon. The Israelites defeated the forces of Sihon at Jahaz and it became a possession of the tribe of Reuben. (Numbers 21:23-26) (Deuteronomy 2:32, 33) (Joshua 13:15, 18, 23) (Judges 11:20, 21) Later Jahaz was designated as a Levite city for the Merarites. (Joshua 21:34, 36) Later the city came under Moabite control. The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah mention Jahaz in pronouncements against Moab. (Isaiah 15:1, 4) (Jeremiah 48:1, 34) *15:5 Eglath Shelishiyah: This term is used at Isaiah 15:5 and Jeremiah 48:34 in the pronouncement of doom against Moab. It might be referring to a place in Moab. However, some scholars believe that this Hebrew term is not a proper noun. They call it a symbolic expression that should be translated “a three year old heifer.” The King James Version uses this term in Jeremiah and thus compares Moab to a sturdy young cow. Since there is no absolute proof the New Simplified Bible uses the proper noun Eglath Shelishiyah. Luhith: When Jehovah pronounces doom against Moab he speaks about the road to Luhith. (Isaiah 15:1, 5) (Jeremiah 48:5) Some scholars think that Luhith was a Moabite city located on a hill. Others believe that Luhith was not a city but only the name of the hill used by the fleeing Moabite refugees. (Numbers 34:4) *15:8 beer, a well: The Hebrew word “beer” usually refers to a well. It usually occures in compound place names such as Beer-elim and Beer-sheba. The Hebrew word “ayin” means a natural spring. After passing the Arnon on their way to the Promised Land, the Israelites came to Beer where they dug a well. The well became known as Beer-elim, Well of the Big Trees. (Numbers 21:13-16) (Isaiah 15:8) *15:9 Dimon: Dimon was a place spoken about in Isaiah‟s pronouncement of doom upon Moab. The slaughter of the 50 Moabites caused the water of Dimon to become full of blood. (Isaiah 15:9) Isaiah 16 1 Send lambs as tribute to the ruler of the land, from Sela, across the desert, to the mountain of the Daughter of Zion. 2 Like fluttering birds pushed from the nest, so are the women of Moab at the fords of the Arnon River. 3 “Give us counsel and render a decision. Make your shadow like night at high noon. Hide the fugitives! Do not betray the refugees. 4 “Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you. Be their shelter from the destroyer. The oppressor will come to an end. Destruction will cease! For the aggressor will vanish from the land. 5 “In love a throne will be established and in faithfulness a man will sit on it. One shall sit upon it in truth and faithfulness. He will be from the tent of David. He will judge and seek justice and speed the cause of righteousness.” 6 We have heard of the pride of Moab and of his arrogance. We know of his pride, conceit and empty boasting. 7 The Moabites cry, they cry out together for Moab. Lament and grieve for the men and the raisin cakes of Kir Hareseth. 8 The fields of Heshbon and the vines of Sibmah wither. The rulers of the nations have trampled down the choicest vines, which once reached Jazer and spread toward the desert. Their shoots spread out and went as far as the sea. 9 So I weep, as Jazer weeps, for the vines of Sibmah. O Heshbon, O Elealeh, I drench you with tears! The shouts of joy over your ripened fruit and over your harvests have been stilled. 10 Joy and gladness are taken away from the orchards. No one sings or shouts in the vineyards! No one treads out wine at the presses, for I have put an end to the shouting. 11 That is why my heart mourns for Moab like a harp. I mourn for Kir Hareseth. 12 When the people of Moab appear at the worship site, they will only wear themselves out. They will come into the holy place to pray, but they will not be able to. 51 13 This is the message Jehovah spoke about Moab in the past. 14 Now Jehovah says: “Moab's honor will be despised within three years. I will count them like workers count the years left of their contracts. In spite of their great number, the survivors will be very few and powerless.” Isaiah 17 1 PROPHECY CONCERNING DAMASCUS: “Damascus will cease to be a city, and will become a heap of ruins. 2 “The cities of Aroer (three places near Palestine) will be deserted forever. They will be places for flocks to lie down, and no one will make them afraid. 3 “The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the kingdom (sovereignty) from Damascus. The remnant of Aram will be like the glory of the children of Israel, proclaims Jehovah of Hosts. 4 “Then the glory of Jacob will be brought low, and the fat of his flesh will grow lean (riches, strength and glory will diminish). 5 It will be like reapers gathering the standing grain. Their arms harvest the ears, and as when one gleans the ears of grain in the Valley of Rephaim. 6 Gleanings will be left in it, as when an olive tree is beaten: two or three berries in the top of the highest bough, four or five on the branches of a fruit tree, declares Jehovah the God of Israel. 7 On that day people will regard their Maker. Their eyes will look (offer respect) to the Holy One of Israel. 8 They will not have regard for the altars, the work of their hands, and they will not look to what their own fingers have made, either the sacred poles* (Asherim) or the altars of incense. 9 In that day their strong cities (of Syria and Israel) will be like a forsaken bough and an uppermost branch that they left because of the children of Israel. There will be desolation in the land. 10 Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation. You have not been mindful of the Rock* of your stronghold. 52 Therefore you will plant pleasant plants and set out foreign (imported) (unusual) seedlings. 11 In that day you will make your plant grow. In the morning you will make your seed flourish; but the harvest will be a heap of ruins in the day of grief and desperate sorrow. 12 There will be trouble for the multitude* of people, because they will roar like the roar of the seas. Woe to the rushing of nations that makes a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! 13 The nations will rush like the raging of many waters. But God will rebuke them and they will flee far away. They will be chased like the chaff of the mountains before the wind, like a rolling dust before the whirlwind.* 14 In the evening, sudden terror! Before the morning, they are gone! This is the portion of those who loot us, the lot of those who rob us. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *17:8 sacred poles: Hebrew ashe-rah’ means sacred pole representing a Canaanite goddess of fertility Asherah. Sometimes it was used to refer to the goddess herself. (Judges 6:25, 26) (2 Kings 13:6) The sacred poles or symbols stood upright and were made of wood. The Israelites were commanded to cut them down and burn them. (Exodus 34:13) (Deuteronomy 12:3) Both Israel and Judah disobeyed God‟s command not to set up sacred pillars and sacred poles. They placed them upon every high hill and under every luxuriant tree. These idols were probably phallic symbols used with grossly immoral sex origies. (1 Kings 14:22-24) (2 Kings 17:10) *17:10 Rock: tsur tsur, sela/petra/petra. “Jehovah is my rock and my fortress.” (Psalm 18:2) The Holy Scriptures uses the term rock and crag to figuratively describe the qualities of Jehovah God. He is the Father of Israel (Deuteronomy 32:18) and a stronghold (2 Samuel 22:32, 33) (Isaiah 17:10). Our God is a secure height and a refuge for his people. (Psalms 62:7; 94:22) And Jehovah is the God of salvation. (Deuteronomy 32:15) (Psalm 95:1) Jesus speaks of rocks in his 53 illustration of the sower at Matthew 13:3-5,20. The Greek word “petros” is used as a proper name for Peter at John 1:42. The Bible conveys the names of rocks and crags in the Hebrew Scriptures. A good example is the rock called Oreb found at Judges 7:25 and Isaiah 10:26. This practice of naming rocks is not uncommon even in our day. Everywhere you travel in the Rocky Mountains, USA you find named rocks such as “Sleeping Indian”, “Lover‟s Leap”, and “Castle Rock.” *Rock-Mass: Greek: pe’tra translates to mass of rock. (Matthew 7:24, 25; 27:51, 60) (Luke 6:48; 8:6,13) (Revelation 6:15, 16) This is bigger than “pe‟tros” meaning piece of rock. Jesus pointed out at Matthew 16:18 that he, Jesus, was the entire rock mass while Peter was only a piece of the rock. It is absolutely clear that Christ Jesus is the foundation cornerstone! (Ephesians 2:19-22) (Revelation 21:2, 9-14) Peter identified the rock mass to be Jesus Christ at 1 Peter 2:4-8. When Jesus said on this rock I will build my church, he was talking about himself! *17:12 multitude: robe, miniy (min-ee’)/ochlos/multudo, populus. A multitude is a large indefinate number of people. A multitude is a crowd. *17:13 whirlwind: Hebrew: saar, supah. Latin: turbo. Word Web Dictionary: A more or less vertical column of air whirling around itself as it moves over the surface of the Earth. Isaiah 18 1 Woe to the land of whirring wings which lies beyond the rivers of Ethiopia (Cush). 2 It sends messengers by sea in boats made of reeds that skim over the surface of the water. “Go, swift messengers, to a tall and smooth-skinned people, a people who are feared far and near, a strong and aggressive nation, whose land is divided by rivers.” 54 3 Look when someone raises a flag on the mountains. Listen when someone blows a ram's horn, all you inhabitants of the world, you who live on the earth. 4 Jehovah says this to me: “I will be still and watch from my dwelling place. My presence will be like scorching heat in the sunshine, like heavy dew in the heat of the harvest. 5 “Before the harvest, when blossoms are gone and grapes are ripening from blossoms, he will cut off the shoots with pruning shears and chop off and take away the spreading branches. 6 They will all be left for the birds of prey on the mountains and the wild animals. The birds of prey will feed on them in the summer. All the wild animals on earth will feed on them in the winter. 7 “At that time gifts will be brought to Jehovah of Hosts from a tall and smooth-skinned people, a people who are feared far and near. It will be a strong and aggressive nation, whose land is divided by rivers. They will be brought to Mount Zion, the place where the name of Jehovah of Hosts is.” Isaiah 19 1 PROPHECY ABOUT EGYPT: Jehovah rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him. The hearts of the Egyptians melt (their courage fails) within them. 2 “I will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian. Brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom. 3 “The Egyptians will become discouraged. I will bring their plans to nothing. They will consult the idols and the spirits* of the dead, the mediums and the spiritists. 4 “I will hand the Egyptians over to the power of a cruel master, and a fierce king will rule over them.” This is the declaration of Jehovah of Hosts, the Almighty. 5 The waters of the Nile River will dry up. The riverbed will be parched and dry. 6 The canals will stink. The streams of Egypt will dwindle and dry up. The reeds and rushes will wither. 55 7 The plants (rushes) along the Nile, at the mouth of the river will wither. Every sown field along the Nile will become parched and blow away to be no more. 8 The fishermen will groan and lament. All who cast hooks into the Nile and throw nets on the water will be weak and sick. 9 Those who work with combed flax will despair. The weavers of fine linen (and cotton*) will lose hope. 10 The workers in cloth will be dejected, and all the wage earners will be sick at heart. 11 The officials of Zoan* are nothing but fools. The wise counselors of Pharaoh give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh: “I am one of the wise men, a disciple of the ancient kings?” 12 Where are your wise men now? Let them show you and make known what Jehovah of Hosts has purposed (planned) (resolved) against Egypt. 13 The officials of Zoan have become fools. The leaders of Memphis* (Noph) are deceived. The cornerstones of her peoples have led Egypt astray. 14 Jehovah has poured into them a spirit of dizziness. They make Egypt stagger in all that she does, as a drunkard staggers around in his vomit. 15 There is nothing Egypt can do head or tail, palm branch or reed. 16 A time is coming when the people of Egypt will be as timid as women. They will tremble in terror when they see that Jehovah of Hosts has stretched out his hand (extended His power) to punish them. 17 The people of Egypt will be terrified of Judah every time they are reminded of the fate that Jehovah of Hosts has prepared for them. 18 When that time comes, the Hebrew language will be spoken in five Egyptian cities. The people there will take their oaths in the name of Jehovah of Hosts. One of the cities will be called: “City of Destruction.” 19 When that time comes, there will be an altar to Jehovah in the middle of the land of Egypt and a stone pillar dedicated to him at the Egyptian border. 56 20 They will be a sign of the presence of Jehovah of Hosts in Egypt. When the people there are oppressed and call out to Jehovah for help, he will send someone to rescue them. 21 Jehovah will make himself known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know Jehovah in that day. They will even worship with sacrifice and offering, and will make a vow to Jehovah and perform it. 22 Jehovah will strike Egypt, striking but healing; so they will turn to Jehovah, and he will respond to them and will heal them. 23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will come to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. 24 In that day Israel will be the third party with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth. 25 Jehovah of Hosts has blessed, saying: Blessed is Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *19:3 spiritism, witchcraft: qesem (keh’sem)/pharemakeia/veneficus. The major belief or doctrine of spiritism is that the living can communicate with the dead. They claim that it is accomplished through a person known as a medium. This practice existed from early times. The ancient Egyptians and Babylonians believed in spiritism. (Isaiah 19:3; 47:12, 13) This is contrary to the Holy Scriptures, for they teach that “the dead do not know anything.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5) The practice of spiritism was so bad that God made it a capital offense. (Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27) (Deuteronomy 18:9-12) (Isaiah 8:19) It is emphaticaly stated in the Christian Greek Scriptures that those who practice spiritism, a work of the flesh, “will not inherit God‟s kingdom.” (Galatians 5:20, 21) (Revelations 21:8) The Greek word “pharmakia” means spiritism. The word relates to the use of drugs. Included in the use of drugs is the practice of influencing someone with poisons, occult powers, charms and amulets. The Bible clearly tells us that wicked spirits, demons, are responsible for this 57 practice. (Deuteronomy 18:11) (Acts 16:16-19) (1 Corinthians 10:20) Jesus Christ expelled demons when he was on earth. (Matthew 8:29-34) (Mark 5:7-13) (Luke 8:28-33) *19:9 cotton: Hebrew: karpas. Greek: karpasos. Cotton is silky fibers produced by cotton plants. It is used to manufacture the fabric known as cotton. The Hebrew “karpas‟” and Greek “kar‟pa-sos” refer to fine cotton or fine cotton linen. Cotton and linen are among the materials used for decorating the palace courtyard during King Ahasuerus‟ seven day banquit at Shushan. (Esther 1:6) (Isaiah 19:9) The use of cotton extends far back into ancient times in Persia and India. Egypt and Palestine also used cotton and linen from the very beginning of history. *19:11 Zoan: Zoan was an ancient Egyptian city. It was built seven years after Hebron and was already in existence when Abraham entered into Canaan in 1943 B.C.E. (Numbers 13:22) (Genesis 12:5; 13:18) Known also by its Greek name, Tanis, it was situated on the branch of the Nile River called the Tanitic branch. Psalm 78:12, 43 speaks of the field of Zoan and refers to the land of Egypt. The city of Zoan was an important commercial trade center. It was also known for religious structures. A great temple was constructed there, measuring 1,000 feet long. Pharaoh Ramses II erected an immense stature of himself measuring 92 feet tall and weighing over 800 metric tons. The prophet Isaiah offered a divine pronouncement against Egypt and in it he calls to the officials of Zoan “nothing but fools.” (Isaiah 19:1, 11-13) Tirhakah, the Ethiopian ruler over Egypt during Isaiah‟s lifetime used Zoan as a base for ruling northern Egypt. *19:13 Memphis: Memphis was one of the capitals of ancient Egypt. It was 14 miles south of Cairo on the west side of the Nile River. The city was called Moph at Hosea 9:6 in the Hebrew text. Elsewhere it is called the Hebrew Noph. (Isaiah 19:13) (Jeremiah 2:16; 44:1; 46:14, 19) (Ezekiel 30:13, 16) The city was a great commercial center and a center of religion and of learning in Egypt. 58 Isaiah 20 1 The supreme commander, sent by Sargon* king of Assyria, fought against Ashdod and captured it. 2 At that time Jehovah spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz. He said to him: “Take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet.” He did this and went around stripped and barefoot. 3 Jehovah said: “Just as my servant Isaiah has gone stripped and barefoot for three years, as a sign and portent against Egypt and Cush, 4 so the king of Assyria will lead away stripped and barefoot the Egyptian captives and Cushite exiles, young and old, with buttocks bared to Egypt‟s shame. 5 “Those who trusted in Cush and boasted in Egypt will be afraid and put to shame. 6 “That day the people who live on this coast will say: „See what has happened to those we relied on, those we fled to for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can we escape?”‟ *20:1 Sargon: Sargon was the king of Assyria. He was the successor of Shalmaneser V. An earlier king of Babylon is designated as Sargon I. Sargon is identified as the king of Assyria. (Isaiah 20:1) His son Sennacherib succeeded him after his death. Isaiah 21 1 THIS PROPHETIC MESSAGE IS ABOUT BABYLON: Like a whirlwind sweeping across the desert, disaster will come from a terrifying land. 2 I have seen a vision of cruel events, a vision of betrayal and destruction. Army of Elam, attack! Army of Media, lay siege to the cities! God will put an end to the suffering that Babylon has caused. 3 What I saw and heard in the vision has filled me with terror and pain. My hips are full of pain and convulsions like that of a woman in labor. 59 4 My innermost being reels, horror overwhelms me. The twilight I longed for has been turned for me into trembling. 5 They set the table, they spread out the cloth, they eat, they drink; Rise up, captains, oil the shields, 6 For this is what Jehovah says to me: “Go, station the lookout, and let him report what he sees. 7 “When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs, a train of donkeys, a train of camels, Let him pay close attention, very close attention.” 8 The watchman* called out from the tower: “Sir, I stand on the watchtower* every day. Every night, I stand guard at my post. 9 “Look! Here come chariots and horsemen in pairs. Then he said: „Babylon has fallen! She has fallen! All the idols they worship lie shattered on the ground.‟” 10 You, my people, have been threshed and winnowed. I make known to you what I heard from Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel. 11 This is the divine REVELATION ABOUT EDOM. He calls to me from Seir: “Watchman, what of the night? How much of the night is left? Watchman, what of the night?” 12 The watchman replies: “Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would ask, then ask; and come back yet again.” 13 An ORACLE CONCERNING ARABIA: You caravans of Dedanites, who camp in the thickets of Arabia, 14 bring water for the thirsty. You who live in Tema,* bring food for the fugitives. 15 They flee from the sword, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow and from the heat of battle. 16 This is what Jehovah says to me: “Within one year, as a servant bound by contract would count it, all the pomp of Kedar will come to an end. 17 “The survivors of the bowmen, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” Jehovah, the God of Israel, has spoken! Simplified Bible Dictionary *21:8 watchman: Hebrew: tsaphah (tsaw-faw’) Latin: custodis. A watchman is a guard who keeps watch against 60 possible harm to persons or property. In military service a watchman is called a guard or sentry. (Jeremiah 51:12) (Acts 12:6; 28:16) Watchmen were usually stationed on the city walls and towers. (2 Samuel 18:24-27) (2 Kings 9:17-20) Christians are sometimes compared to watchmen who are required to warn others of impending dangers that could lead to spiritual death. (Ezekiel Chapter 9, 18) *21:8 watchtower: Hebrew: tsaphiyth (tsaw-feeth’) Watchtowers were lookout posts built above city walls. Watchmen stationed themselves there to watch for trouble. (2 Chronicles 20:24) (Isaiah 21:8; 32:14) *21:14 Twma Oasis: This oasis is located about 250 miles southeast of Ezion-geber. Two major caravan routes traveled through there. Tema is mentioned by both Isaiah and Jeremiah. Jehovah‟s rage was to fall upon Tema. (Job 6:19) (Isaiah 21:13, 14) (Jeremiah 25:15-23) The modern day name for this oasis is Taima. Isaiah 22 1 PROPHECY CONCERNING THE VALLEY OF VISION: What troubles you now that you have all gone up on the roof? 2 You are a town full of commotion, a city of tumult and revelry. The sword did not kill your slain, nor did they die in battle. 3 All your leaders have fled together. They have been captured without using the bow. All you who were caught were taken prisoner together. You fled while the enemy was still far away. 4 I said: “Turn away from me. Let me weep bitterly. Do not try to console me over the destruction of my people.” 5 The Lord Jehovah of Hosts has a day of tumult, trampling and terror in the Valley of Vision. It is a day of battering down walls and of crying out to the mountains. 6 Elam takes up the quiver, with her charioteers and horses. Kir uncovers the shield. 7 Your choicest valleys are full of chariots, and horsemen are posted at the city gates. 61 8 The defenses of Judah are stripped away. And you looked in that day to the weapons in the house of the forest. 9 You saw that the City of David had many breaches in its defenses. You stored up water in the lower pool.* 10 You counted the houses of Jerusalem. Then you broke down the houses to fortify the wall. 11 You made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you did not look to him who did it, or have regard for him who planned it long ago. 12 In that day Jehovah God of Hosts called to weeping and mourning, to baldness and putting on sackcloth. 13 Instead there was joy and festivity, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating meat and drinking wine. “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 14 Jehovah of Hosts has disclosed himself in my ears: “Surely this iniquity will not be forgiven you until you die,” says Jehovah of Hosts. 15 Jehovah of Hosts says: “Go to this steward, to Shebna, who is master of the household, and say to him: 16 “„What right do you have here? Who are your relatives here that you have cut out a tomb here for yourself, cutting a tomb on the height, and carving a habitation for yourself in the rock? 17 “„Jehovah will violently throw you away, O mighty man. He will surely seize you. 18 “„He will surely turn violently and toss you like a ball into a large country! There you shall die, and there your glorious chariots will be the shame of your master‟s house.‟ 19 “„I will drive you out of your office. He will pull you down from your position. 20 “„Then in that day I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah. 21 “„I will clothe him with your robe and strengthen him with your belt. I will commit your responsibility into his hand. He will be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. 22 “„I will lay the key of the house of David on his shoulder. He will open, and no one will shut and he will shut, and no one will open. 62 23 “„I will fasten him as a peg in a secure place. He will become a glorious throne to his father‟s house. 24 “„They will hang all the glory of his father‟s house on him, the offspring and the posterity, all vessels* of small quantity, from the cups to all the pitchers. 25 “„Jehovah of Hosts says: „In that day the peg that is fastened in the secure place will be removed and be cut down and fall. The load that was on it will be destroyed.‟” Jehovah has spoken. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *22:9 pool: berekah/kolumbethra/lacuna. The Pool of Shelah (Shiloah) was a pool or reservoir of water south of the City of David where the Valley of Hinnom and the Central Valley meet. (Nehemiah 3:15) This same pool was called the lower pool at Isaiah 22:9. The term Shelah is from the Masoretic text. This pool came from a gradual slope of a canal that may be referred to in the words “the gently flowing waters of the Shiloah.” (Isaiah 8:6) *22:24 vessels: Hebrew: keleiy (kel-ee’). Greek: aggeion. Vessels are receptacles that hold substances, either liquid or solid. They are objects used as containers. Some vessels have lids and some do not. (1 Kings 17:10) (Esther 1:7) (Jeremiah 40:10) Most vessels were made of clay, wood, metal, or stone. (Leviticus 6:28; 15:12) (Numbers 7:85) (1 Kings 10:21) (Matthew 26:7) Some containers were jars and bowls. (Isaiah 22:24) Bags, sacks or baskets were also used as vessels. (Genesis 42:25) (Haggai 1:6) (Mark 8:19, 20) (2 Corinthians 11:33) Skin bottles and buckets were also used. (Judges 4:19) (Luke 5:37, 38) (Numbers 24:7) (John 4:11) The Scriptures often symbolically call people frail earthen vessels. (Acts 9:15) (2 Corinthians 4:7) (Leviticus 18:19, 20; 20:18) (1 Peter 3:7) Cups are symbolic of God‟s anger. (Psalm 11:6; 75:8) (Isaiah 51:17, 22) (Revelation 14:9, 10; 16:19; 18:5-8) 63 Isaiah 23 1 TYRE IN PROPHECY: Wail, O ships of Tarshish! For Tyre is destroyed and left without house or harbor. From the land of Cyprus* word has come to them. 2 Be silent, you people of the island and you merchants of Sidon, whom the seafarers have enriched. 3 On the great waters came the grain of the Shihor.* The harvest of the Nile River was the revenue of Tyre, and she became the marketplace of the nations. 4 Be ashamed, O Sidon,* and you, O fortress of the sea, for the sea has spoken: I have neither been in labor nor given birth. I have neither reared sons nor brought up daughters. 5 When word arrives at Egypt, they will be in anguish at the report from Tyre. 6 Crossover to Tarshish and cry you people of the island. 7 Is this your exultant city founded in antiquity? Is this the city that sent its people to settle in distant lands? 8 Who planned such a thing against Tyre, the city that produced kings? Its merchants are princes. Its traders are among the honored people of the world. 9 Jehovah of Hosts planned this in order to dishonor all arrogant* people and to humiliate all the honored people of the world. 10 Travel through your country like the Nile, people of Tarshish. You no longer have a harbor. 11 Jehovah has stretched his hand over the sea to shake kingdoms. He has commanded that Canaan's fortifications be destroyed. 12 He said: “You will exult no more, O crushed virgin daughter of Sidon. Arise, pass over to Cyprus; even there you will find no rest.” 13 Look at the land of the Chaldeans. This is the people that were not. Assyria appointed it for desert creatures. They erected their siege towers and they stripped its palaces. They made it a ruin! 14 Cry out O ships of Tarshish, for your stronghold is destroyed. 64 15 Now in that day Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years like the lifespan of one king. At the end of seventy years it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the prostitute: 16 “Take harp and walk about the city, O forgotten prostitute. Pluck the strings skillfully; sing many songs, that you may be remembered.” 17 It will come about at the end of seventy years that Jehovah will visit Tyre. Then she will go back to her prostitute‟s wages and will play the wanton woman with all the kingdoms on the face of the earth. 18 The money she earns by commerce will be dedicated to Jehovah. She will not store it away, but those who worship Jehovah will use her money to buy the food and the clothing they need. Simplified Bible Dictionary *23:1 Cyprus: Cyprus is an island in the northeast corner of the Mediterranean Sea. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, after Sicily and Sardinia. It is about 145 miles long and about 60 miles wide. Cyprus is believed to be the “Kittim” of the Hebrew Scriptures. (Isaiah 23:1, 12)(Daniel 11:30) The island is known for it‟s copper and timber industry. (Ezekiel 27:2, 6) Paul, Barnabas and John Mark went to Cyprus on their first missionary tour. (Acts 11:19, 20) *23:3 Shihor River: The term Shihor River occurs four times in the Hebrew Scriptures: Joshua 13:3, 1 Chronicles 13:5, Isaiah 23:3 and Jeremiah 2:18. Most experts link it to Egypt and the Nile River. It is most likely the easternmost branch of the Nile River in the Delta region. *23:4 Sidon: Sidon was Canaan‟s firstborn son and the progenitor of the Sidonians. The seaport town of Sidon was named after Sidon. Tyre, a town about 22 miles south of Sidon , was colonized by the Sidonians. Tyre and Sidon are mentioned together in prophecy. (Jeremiah 25:22; 27:2; 47:4) (Joel 3:4) (Zechariah 9:2) The Sidonians were depraved and lewd people. They performed detestable sex orgies in 65 connection with the goddess Ashtoreth as part of their worship. (Judges 10:6, 7, 11-13) Jehovah‟s prophets pronounced destruction on the Sidonians and later the Babylonians and others carried out the prophecy. (Isaiah 23:4, 12) (Jeremiah 25:17, 22; 27:1-8; 47:4) (Ezekiel 28:20-24; 32:30) (Joel 3:4-8) (Zechariah 9:1-4) *23:9 arragant, proud: rahab, gaon/tuphoo/superbus. Tyre is condemned because of her pride. She has become wealthy at the expense of other people. The Israelites were included in the victims. “Give me neither poverty nor riches.” “If I am full (rich) I could deny you and say, „Who is Jehovah?.‟ Or if I am poor and steal, I could take God‟s name in vain.” (Proverbs 30:8, 9) Isaiah 24 1 Jehovah lays the earth waste, annihilates it, disfigures its surface and scatters its inhabitants. 2 The people will be like the one officiating, the servant like his master, the maid like her mistress, the buyer like the seller, the lender like the borrower, the creditor like the debtor. 3 The earth will be completely uninhabitable and totally plundered. Jehovah has spoken this word. 4 The earth mourns and fades away, the world fades and withers, the exalted people of the earth mourn. 5 The inhabitants of the earth pollute the earth. They transgress laws and violate statutes. They break the everlasting covenant. 6 A curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are found guilty. Therefore, those living on the earth are burned, and few men are left. 7 The new wine mourns, the vine decays and the merryhearted sigh. 8 The joyful sound of tambourines ceases. The noise of revelers and the delight of the harp cease. 9 They no longer drink wine with a song. The beverage is bitter to its drinkers. 10 The ruined city lies desolate. The entrance to every house is barred and none may enter. 66 11 In the streets they cry out for wine. Joy turns to gloom and rejoicing is banished from the earth. 12 The city is left in ruins; its gate is battered to pieces. 13 So will it be on the earth and among the nations, as when an olive tree is beaten, or as when gleanings are left after the grape harvest. 14 They raise their voices and shout for joy. From the west they acclaim Jehovah‟s majesty. 15 Therefore in the east give glory to Jehovah. Exalt the name of Jehovah the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea. 16 Listen to them as they sing to Jehovah from the ends of the earth: “Glory and praise to the righteous one!” But I say: “My heart is heavy with grief. I am discouraged, for evil still prevails, and treachery is everywhere.” 17 Terror and traps and snares will be your lot, you people of the earth. 18 Those who flee in terror will fall into a trap, and those who escape the trap will step into a snare. Destruction falls on you from the heavens. The world is shaken beneath you. 19 The earth is broken and destroyed and it is split into pieces. The earth is shaken violently. 20 The earth reels to and fro like a drunkard and it quakes like a shack in the wind. Its transgression is heavy upon it, and it will fall, never to rise again. 21 That day Jehovah will punish the host of heaven on high and the kings of the earth below. 22 They will be gathered like prisoners in the dungeon tower. They will be confined in prison and after many days they will be punished. 23 Then the moon will be abashed and the sun ashamed, For Jehovah of Hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, And his glory will be before his elders. Isaiah 25 1 O Jehovah, you are my God. I will exalt you and I will praise your name! You have done wonderful things with plans formed of old. You are faithful and true. 2 You have made the city a heap, the mighty city a ruin. The palace of aliens is a city no more. It will never be rebuilt. 67 3 Therefore strong peoples will glorify you. Cities of ruthless nations will fear you. 4 You have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade* from the heat. When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm, 5 the noise of strangers like heat in a dry place, you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds; the song of the ruthless was stilled. 6 On this mountain Jehovah of Hosts will make a feast of rich food for all peoples, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow,* of well-aged wines strained clear of dregs. 7 On this mountain He will destroy the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations. 8 He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces. He will take away the disgrace of His people from the earth. Jehovah has spoken! 9 On that day his people will say: “This is our God! We have waited for Him and now He will save us. This is Jehovah. We have waited for Him. Let us rejoice and be glad because He will save us.” 10 Jehovah‟s power will be on this mountain. Moab will be trampled beneath him like straw that is trampled in a pile of manure. 11 The Moabites will stretch out their hands in the manure like swimmers* who stretch out their hands to swim. Jehovah will humble those arrogant people despite the movements of their hands. 12 He will bring down Moab's high-fortified walls,* level them, and throw them into the dust on the ground. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *25:4 Shadow of the Almighty: tsel (tsal)/skai (skee’ah)/umbra. A shadow is an area where the intensity of the sun‟s heat and light does not reach. It is used in the Bible to describe the protection Jehovah God offers people. (Psalms 91:1; 17:8; 36:7; 63:7; 121:5) (Isaiah 25:4) The opposite is also 68 depicted where the shadow is associated with gloom and danger, as well as the grave. (Job 10:21, 22; 24:17; 38:17) (Psalm 23:4) *25:6 marrow: Hebrew: moach (mo’-akh). Greek: muelos (moo-el-os‟). Bone marrow is a soft and fatty vascular tissue that fills the interior cavities of most bones. Job spoke about the bone marrow of a healthy person being kept moist. (Job 21:24) The Israelites ate animal bone marrow for food. (Micah 3:2, 3) God‟s banquet for the peoples symbolically included well-oiled dishes filled with marrow. (Isaiah 25:6) Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God‟s word can (figuratively) penetrate clear to the marrow, the innermost part of the bone (person). *25:11 swim: sachah/kolumbao/natare. A swimmer is a person who propels himself through water using his arms and legs. People have learned to swim through out all ages in history. (Ezekiel 47:5) (Acts 27:42, 43) Fishermen needed to know how to swim in order to move the net into position. (John 21:7, 8) Isaiah referred to swimming in his prophecy against Moab at Isaiah 25:10, 11. *25:12 walls: shur, gader, chomah/teichos/paries. Masonry and stone structures that serve as barriers for protection were called walls. The walls of David‟s palace were of cut stone. (2 Samuel 5:11) City walls were erected around the city to prevent enemy invasion. (1 Kings 4:13) (Isaiah 25:12) Walls are also symbolic mentioned in a figurative way. (1 Samuel 25:16) (Proverbs 18:11) (Ezekiel 13:10) (Revelation 21:2, 12, 14, 17-19) Isaiah 26 1 THIS SONG WILL BE SUNG IN THE LAND OF JUDAH: “We have a strong city. God makes salvation its walls and ramparts.” 2 “Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that preserves truth. 3 You will keep the steadfast mind in perfect peace, because he trusts (hopes) in you. 69 4 “Trust in Jehovah forever, for Jah, Jehovah, is the Rock eternal. 5 “He humbles those who dwell on high, he lays the lofty (inaccessible) city low; he levels it to the ground and casts it down to the dust. 6 “Feet trample it down, the feet of the depressed, the footsteps of the poor (needy).” 7 The path of the righteous is level. O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth. 8 Yes, Jehovah, walking in the way of your Laws, we wait for you. Your name and your fame are the desire of our hearts. 9 I yearn for you in the night. In the morning I long for you with all my being. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness. 10 Grace (favor) is shown to the wicked,* but they do not learn righteousness. In a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and do not regard the majesty of Jehovah. 11 O Jehovah, your hand is lifted high, but they do not see it. Let them see your zeal for your people and be put to shame. Let the fire reserved for your enemies consume them. 12 Jehovah, you establish peace for us. All that we have accomplished you have done for us. 13 O Jehovah, our God, other lords besides you have ruled over us, but your name alone do we honor. 14 They are now dead and they live no more. The deceased do not rise. You punished them and brought them to ruin. You wiped out all memory (memorial) (commemoration) of them. 15 You have enlarged the nation, O Jehovah; you have enlarged the nation. You have gained glory for yourself. You have extended all the borders of the land. 16 Jehovah, they came to you in their distress. When you disciplined them, they could barely whisper a prayer. 17 Like a woman with child and about to give birth struggles and cries out in her pain, so were we in your presence, O Jehovah. 18 We were with child, we writhed in pain, but we gave birth to wind. We have not brought salvation to the earth. We have not given birth to people of the world. 70 19 But your dead will live. Their bodies will rise. You, who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead. 20 Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you. Hide yourselves for a little while until his rage has passed by. 21 Behold! Jehovah is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose (reveal) the bloodshed upon her. She will conceal her slain no longer. Simplified Bible Dictionary *26:10 wicked, wickedness: rasha/poneria/profanus. Hebrew: verb “ra-sha” means wicked. (Genesis 18:23) (2 Samuel 22: 22) (Psalm 37:10) (Isaiah 26:10) The Greek word “poneri‟a” is that which is wicked in a moral or physical sense. (Luke 6:45) (Matthew 7:17, 18) Behavior that does not conform to God‟s standard of moral excellence is wicked. Isaiah 27 1 In that day Jehovah will punish with his sword, his fierce, great and powerful sword. He will slay Leviathan the fleeing, coiling serpent, the monster of the sea. 2 In that day sing about a fruitful vineyard: 3 “I, Jehovah, watch over it. I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it. 4 “I am not angry. If only there were briers and thorns confronting me! I would march against them in battle. I would set them all on fire. 5 “Let them come to me for refuge. Let them make peace with me, yes, let them make peace with me.” 6 In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill the entire world with fruit. 7 Has Jehovah struck her as he struck down those who struck her? Has she been killed as those were killed who killed her? 8 By warfare and exile you contend with her. With his fierce blast he drives her out, as on a day the east wind blows. 71 9 By this Jacob‟s guilt will be atoned for, and this will be the full fruitage of the removal of his sin. When he makes all the altar stones to be like chalk stones* crushed to pieces, no Asherah poles or incense altars will be left standing. 10 The fortified city stands desolate, abandoned settlements, forsaken like the desert. There the calves will graze, there they lie down; they strip its branches bare. 11 When its twigs are dry, they are broken off and women come and make fires with them. For they have no understanding.* Their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor. 12 In that day Jehovah will thresh from the flowing Euphrates River to the Wadi (streambed) of Egypt. You, O Israelites, will be gathered up one by one. 13 A great trumpet will sound. Those who were perishing in Assyria and those who were exiled in Egypt will come and worship* Jehovah on the holy mountain in Jerusalem. Simplified Bible Dictionary *27:9 chalk stones: Very soft stone that is easily powdered and with high calcium carbonate content is found throughout Palestine. It is called chalkstone or plaster. (Isaiah 27:9) (Daniel 5:5) *27:11 understanding: yahdah, shama/gnoridzo/agnosco. Perceive, comprehend. *27:13 worship, obeisance: hishtachawah/proskyneo/adorare. Obeisance is the act of bowing, kneeling, and prostrating the body. It is a worshipful act of submission in which deep respect is expressed. The Greek “proskyneo” and Hebrew “hishtachawah” convey the thought of both obeisance to creatures and worship to God or a deity. The word is used in connection with worship in many places in the Bible. (Genesis 24:23-26) (Exodus 24:1; 34:8) (Psalm 95:6) (Isaiah 27:13; 66:23) (Deuteronomy 4:19; 8:19; 11:16) (Job 1:20, 21) The expressions, “show respect” “bow down in adoration” and “pay homage” are used in the New 72 Simplified Bible instead of the expression, “do obeisance.” (Hebrews 1:6) (Philippians 2:9-11) (Matthew 4:8-10) (Luke 4:7, 8) The terms “obeisance” and “worship” are closely related in meaning. The Holy Scriptures give accounts of people worshiping angels or others humans. They were immediately told not to do that, but to worship God! (Acts 10:25, 26) (Revelation 19:10; 22:8, 9) Isaiah 28 1 Woe to the proud drunks who wear the crown of Ephraim for it is doomed! Its glory is fading like the crowns *of flowers on their heads. They are at the entrance of a fertile valley. They are drunk from wine. 2 Behold, Jehovah has a strong and mighty one (Assyria). He will cast down to the earth with military power. It will be like a destructive thunderstorm with hail and a mighty flood of water. 3 The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under foot. 4 The fading flower of his glorious beauty is found at the head of the fertile valley. He looks at the first-ripe fig before the summer. He picks it with his hand and eats it. 5 Jehovah of armies will then become a crown of glory and beauty to the remnant of his people. 6 He will be a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who repel the attack at the gate. 7 These also stagger from wine and reel from beer. Priests and prophets stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine. They reel from beer. They stagger when seeing visions. They stumble when rendering decisions. 8 The tables are covered with vomit and there is no spot without filth. 9 “Who is he is trying to teach? To whom is he explaining his message? To children weaned from their milk, to those just taken from the breast? 10 “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.” 11 With stammering lips and another tongue he will speak to this people. 73 12 He said: “This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest, and, this is the refreshing.” Yet they would not listen. 13 But the word of Jehovah to them was: “Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little,” that they might go and fall backward, and be broken and snared and caught. 14 Therefore hear the word of Jehovah, you scornful men, who rule this people who are in Jerusalem, 15 Because you have said: “We have made a covenant with death, and with the grave we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge. We have hidden under falsehood!” 16 Therefore this is what The Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation. It is a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily. 17 “I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plummet.* The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place. 18 “Your covenant with death will be annulled. Your agreement with the grave will not stand when the overflowing scourge passes through. Then you will be trampled down by it. 19 “As often as it passes through it will take you. Morning by morning it will pass over, and by day and by night. It will be a terror just to understand the report.” 20 The bed is too short on which to stretch out, and the cover so narrow that one cannot wrap himself in it. 21 Jehovah will rise up as at Mount Perazim. He will be angry as in the Valley of Gibeon. That he may do his work, his awesome work, and bring to pass his act, his unusual act. 22 Do not be scoffers, lest your bonds be made strong. For I have heard from the Sovereign Lord Jehovah of Hosts that destruction is determined (decreed) upon the whole earth. 23 Give ear and hear my voice. Listen and hear my speech. 24 Does the plowman keep plowing all day in order to sow seed? Does he keep turning his soil and breaking the clods? 74 25 When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow the black cummin and scatter the cummin, plant the wheat in rows, the barley in the appointed place, and the spelt* in its place? 26 He instructs him in right judgment and his God teaches him. 27 The black cummin is not threshed with a threshing* sledge, nor is a cartwheel rolled over the cummin. But the black cummin is beaten out with a stick, and the cummin with a rod. 28 Bread flour must be ground. Therefore he does not thresh it forever, break it with his cartwheel, or crush it with his horsemen. 29 This also comes from Jehovah of Hosts. He is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *28:1 garland of flowers, crown: atarah, kether/stephanos/corona. A garland was a circular band of flowers worn on the head. It was a decoration of beauty worn at times of celebration. The Hebrew word tsephi-rah‟ means garland or diadem. (Isaiah 28:1-5) The Greek word meaning garland is “stem‟ma.” It is found at Acts 14:13. The people thought Paul and Barnabas were gods and were no doubt trying to put garlands on their heads. (Acts 14:8-18) *28:17 leveling device: This instrument was used in making surfaces level or at right angles to a plumb line. Hebrew “mishqelleth “means leveling instrument. (Isaiah 28:14-19) *28:17 plummet, plum line: : Hebrew: mishqeleth mishqoleth (mish-keh’-leth)(mish-ko’-leth). Latin: cado. A plum line is a metal, stone, or clay weight fastened to a cord. The builder holds the end of the cord allowing the weight to hang straight down in a perpendicular manor. It is sometimes call a plumb bob or plummet. (Zechariah 4:9, 10) (Ezra 3:810; 6:14, 15) Amos saw a vision of Jehovah stationed on a wall. Jehovah was holding a plumb line. The prophet learned that 75 God was setting a plumb line in the midst of His people. Israel did not meet the test of spiritual straightness and Jehovah would therefore mete out justice. (Amos 7:7-9) *28:25 spelt: Hebrew: kussemeth. Latin: alica. Spelt is an inferior variety of wheat in which the kernels are hard to separate from the chaff. Spelt is simetimes called rye. In ancient times spelt was cultivated in Egypt. Greek historian Herodotus reported that it was made into bread. The Israelites planted it as a border plant around their fields to serve as a fence. (Exodus 9:32) (Ezekiel 4:9) (Isaiah 28:25) *28:27 thresh: Hebrew: dush dosh diysh (doosh, dosh, deesh). Latin: tritico. In English the three Hebrew words for thresh mean “trample, break, tear.” Threshing is the process of releasing grain from its stalk and chaff. A rod or flail was used to beat the grain by hand on the ground. (Judges 6:11) (Ruth 2:17) (Isaiah 28:27) A threshing floor was also used with bulls circling the floor to brake down the straw and free the grain from the chaff. The Hebrew word used to describe this was darak (daw-rak‟). It means to tread down or walk on. (Deuteronomy 25:4) (Hosea 10:11) (1 Corinthians 9:9, 10) Isaiah 29 1 “You will have trouble Ariel.* The years go by, year after year in Ariel the city where David camped! (Jerusalem) You celebrate your festivals on schedule. 2 “I will still make you suffer Ariel. Your people will cry and mourn when I make you like the lion of God, Jerusalem. (Ariel is symbolic name for Jerusalem.) 3 “I will surround you with a military blockade and attack you from all sides. 4 “From deep in the earth, you will call out for help. Your voice will sound like a mumble (indistinct voice) from out of the dust. It will be faint like a whisper. 5 “Your cruel enemies will be swept away like dust in a windstorm. It will be sudden and unexpected like chaff in the wind. 76 6 “Jehovah of Hosts will visit you with a thundering earthquake. A huge whirlwind will bring loud noise and a devouring fire.” 7 The multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel (Jerusalem) will be like a bad dream, a vision in the night. Many will fight against her and bring distress to her. 8 It will be like a hungry man who dreams that he eats. But when he awakes he is empty and still hungry! It will also be like a thirsty man who dreams that he drinks. When he awakes he is thirsty and weak and hungry. The multitude of nations that fight against Mount Zion will be like this. 9 Stand still and wonder. Refuse to see and be blind. Get drunk and stagger, but not from wine. 10 Jehovah has made you drowsy. He shut your eyes in a deep sleep you prophets and visionaries. He overwhelmed your leaders. 11 His message is like a sealed book to you. You say to someone read this out loud. And they respond, “We cannot read it, because it is sealed.” 12 The illiterate say: “We cannot read it because we do not know how to read.” 13 “These people praise me with their words,” said Jehovah, “but they never draw near to me in their hearts (deepest thoughts). Their reverence for me comes from the repetitious tradition of men. 14 “I will do things that shock and amaze them. I will destroy the wisdom of those who claim to know and understand (discern).” 15 You are in for trouble, if you try to hide your plans from Jehovah! You think what you do in the dark cannot be seen. So you ask: “Who sees us, who knows us?” 16 You have it all backwards. A clay dish does not say to the potter, “You did not make me.” And should the one made say to the maker, “You do not understand?” 17 Soon the forest of Lebanon will become a fertile field thick with trees. 18 The deaf* will be able to hear the words of the book read to them. The blind will be freed from gloom and darkness. 77 19 The meek, the poor, and the needy will celebrate and shout because of Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel. 20 All who are cruel and arrogant will be extinguished. Those who live by crime will be removed. 21 God will destroy those who slander others. He will destroy those who prevent the punishment of criminals and those who tell lies to keep honest people from getting justice. 22 Jehovah said to the house of Jacob: “I am the God of Israel, who rescued Abraham from trouble. My people will not be disgraced any longer. You will no longer be filled with shame. 23 “When you see the children that I will give you, then you will acknowledge and sanctify my name. I am the Holy God of Israel! You will honor me and stand in awe of me. 24 “People who stray will learn to understand. Those who always grumble will be glad to be taught.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *29:1 Ariel, a name for Jerusalem: Hebrew: Aiyiel (aree-ale’). Symbolical name for Jerusalem, also the name of an Israelite. The name Ariel is revealed as a secret name for Jerusalem. It is found in Isaiah 29:1, 2, 7. Jerusalem was the location of God‟s Temple and the center of Jehovah‟s pure worship. Isaiah delivers an ominous message at Isaiah 29:1-4 that predicts the destruction that was to come to that city in 607 B.C.E. The cause of the calamity is stated in verses 9 to 16. (Isaiah 29:9-16) *29:18 deaf: Hebrew: cheresh (khay-rashe). Greek: kophos. Deafness is partial or complete inability to hear. The Bible deals with both physical deafness as well as spiritual deafness. The psalmist compared the wicked, who refuse to listen to direction, to a cobra that makes itself deaf to the voice of charmers. (Psalm 58:3-5) Isaiah pointed out that Israelites, although having ears, were as though deaf for they were slow to listen and respond to Jehovah‟s Word. (Isaiah 42:18-20; 43:8) He said when they heard the word of Jehovah they would no longer be spiritually deaf. (Isaiah 29:18; 35:5) 78 Isaiah 30 1 “Suffer you unwilling children,” says Jehovah. “You pursue a purpose that is not mine. You make a covenant sacrifice without my Spirit. You add sin to sin. 2 “You go to Egypt for help without asking for my advice. You want Egypt to protect you. You put your trust in Egypt's military might. 3 “The safety of Pharaoh will be your shame and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt, your humiliation. 4 “Their princes are at Zoan and their ambassadors arrive at Hanes. 5 “Everyone will be ashamed because of a people who cannot help them. They cannot help. They can only offer shame and reproach.” 6 THE PROPHESY ABOUT THE BEASTS OF THE NEGEV (southern land): The Negev* is a land of distress and anguish. Lions and lionesses live there. Vipers and poisonous snakes live there. They carry their riches on the backs of young donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels to a nation that cannot help them. 7 Egypt's help is completely useless. That is why I call her: “Rahab, who sits still.” (defamatory word for Egypt) (negative connotation) 8 Write this on a tablet for them, and inscribe it in a book so that it will be there in the future as a permanent witness. 9 These people are rebellious and deceitful children. They refuse to listen to Jehovah‟s Law. 10 They say to the seers: “Do not see the future.” They say to those who have visions: „Do not have visions that tell us what is right. Tell us what we want to hear. Prophesy illusions. 11 “„Get out of our way! Stop blocking our path! Get the Holy One of Israel out of our sight.‟” 12 This is what the Holy One of Israel says: “You have rejected this warning, trusted oppression and deceit, and you leaned upon them for support. 13 “For that reason your sin will be like a high wall with a bulging crack, ready to fall. All of a sudden it will fall. 79 14 “It will break like pottery. It will be smashed. Nothing will be left of it. No piece will be big enough to carry live coals from a fireplace or to dip water from a reservoir.” 15 The Lord Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Return to me and be saved. You can have rest. You can be strong by being quiet and by trusting me.” But you do not want that! 16 You have said: “No, we will flee on horses.” So you flee. You added: “We will ride on fast horses.” So those who chase you will also be fast. 17 One thousand people will flee when one person threatens them. You will flee when five threaten you. Then you will be left alone like a flagpole on top of a mountain, like a signpost on a hill. 18 Jehovah is waiting to be kind to you. He rises to have compassion on you. Jehovah is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him. 19 You will live in Zion, in Jerusalem. You will not cry anymore. Jehovah will certainly have pity on you when you cry for help. As soon as he hears you, he will answer you. 20 Jehovah may give you troubles and hardships. But your Teacher (Grand Instructor) will no longer be hidden from you. You will see your Teacher with your own eyes. 21 You will hear a voice behind you say: “This is the way. Walk in it,” whether it turns to the right or to the left. 22 Then you will dishonor your silver-plated idols and your gold-covered statues. You will throw them away like clothing ruined by stains. You will say to them: “Get out!” 23 Jehovah will give you rain for the seed that you plant in the ground, and the food that the ground provides will be rich and nourishing. When that day comes, your cattle will graze in large pastures. 24 The cattle and the donkeys that work the soil will eat a mixture of food that has been winnowed with forks and shovels.* 25 Brooks and streams will be on every lofty mountain and every high hill. When the day of the great slaughter comes, towers will fall. 26 Then the light of the moon will be like the light of the sun. The light of the sun will be seven times as strong, like the light 80 of seven days. When that day comes, Jehovah will bandage his people's injuries and heal the wounds he inflicted. 27 The name of Jehovah is going to come from far away. His anger is burning. His burden is heavy. His lips are filled with fury. His tongue is like a devouring flame. 28 His breath is like an overflowing stream. It raises neck high and sifts the nations with a sieve of destruction. It places a bit in the mouths of the people to lead them astray. 29 You will sing a song like the song you sing on a festival night. Your hearts will be happy like someone going out with a flute on the way to Jehovah‟s mountain, to the rock of Israel. 30 Jehovah will make his majestic voice heard. He will come with all his might, with furious anger, with firestorms, windstorms, rainstorms, and hailstones.* 31 The people of Assyria will be shattered at the sound of Jehovah‟s voice. He will strike them with his rod. 32 To the sound of tambourines and lyres, Jehovah will pound on them. He will fight them in battle, swinging his fists.* 33 Topheth was prepared long ago. It was made ready for the king. It was made deep and wide and piled high with plenty of burning logs. Jehovah‟s breath will be like a flood of burning sulfur,* setting it on fire. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *30:6 Negev, Negeb: Hebrew: negev. The Hebrew word “neghev” comes from the root meaning parched or dry land. It is referred to as a land of distress and anguish at Isaiah 30:6. When Abram left Egypt to the Negeb at Genesis 13:1 no direction is specified. The area known as the Negeb went from Beer-sheba in the north to Kadesh-barnea in the south. *30:24 shovel: Hebrew: rachath (rakh-ath’). Latin: rutila. A shovel is a scooping and digging implement. It usually has a long handle. Shovels were used at the tabernacle for removing the ashes from the altar of burnt offering. (Exodus 27:1-3; 38:3) (Numbers 4:14) The Hebrew-Phoenician workman Hiram made copper shovels for use at the temple Solomon built. (1 Kings 7:13, 14, 40, 45) The Babylonians carried these 81 utensils away in 606 B.C.E. (2 Kings 25:8, 14) (Jeremiah 52:18) Big wide wooden shovels were used to winnow grain. (Isaiah 30:24) (Matthew 3:1, 12) They were also used at the threshing floor. *30:30 hail: Hebrew: barad (baw-rad). Greek: chalaza (khal’-ad-zah). Hail is the precipitation of ice pellets that occur when there are strong rising air currents. The Holy Scriptures describes the destructive nature of hail. This is confirmed by the phenomenal storm activities in recent years. Severe thunderstorms can generate hail the size of eggs or even grapefruit. Hail is damaging to crops. Single hailstorms sometimes cause losses amounting to millions of dollars. Jehovah uses hail to demonstrate his great power. (Psalms 148:1, 8) (Isaiah 30:30) Hail is used symbolically too: The first of the seven angels blew his trumpet to announce the opening of the heavenly temple sanctuary of God. (Revelation 8:2, 7; 11:19) Then the seventh bowel of God‟s anger was poured out in the form of symbolic hailstones, each weighing about a talent or 45 pounds. (Revelation 16:1, 17, 21) They descended upon wicked men. God told Job he had reserved the storehouses of hail for the times of trouble, for days of war and battle. (Job 38:1, 22, 23) *30:30 hailstones: Hail is frozen precipitation consisting of pellets of ice or frozen rain. Hail is often damaging to criops. Some hailstorms cause financal loses amounting to millions of dollars. Hail can also injure and even kill humans and animals. A large hailstone from a hail storm in Kansas, U.S.A. on September 3, 1970 measured 6 inches across. Large hailstones fall at speeds in excess of 100 mph. Hail is one of the prophetic forces used by Jehovah God to accomplish his word. (Psalms 78:47, 48; 105:32, 33; 148:1, 8) (Isaiah 30:30) (Exodus 9:18-26) In Revelation hailstones are symbolic of hard Bible truths pummeling wicked mankind. (Revelation 8:7) 82 *30:32 fists: Hebrew: chophen (kho’-hen). Swinging his fists means displaying his power. *30:33 sulfur, brimstone: Hebrew: gophriyth (gofreeth’). Greek: theion (thi’-on). Sulfur is a yellow nonmetallic element that occurs in many mineral, especially in volcanic regions. It burns with a pale blue flame forming sulfur dioxide, which gives off a pungent odor. Fire and sulfur rained down on the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. (Genesis 19:24) (Luke 17:29) Sulfur is highly flammable. (Isaiah 30:33; 34:9) (Revelation 9:17, 18) It is believed that sulfur was added to the ever-burning fires in the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna) outside the walls of Jerusalem. Fire and sulfur is used as a symbol of total destruction. (Deuteronomy 29:22, 23) (Job 18:15) (Psalm 11:6) (Ezekiel 38:22) (Revelation 14:9-11) The “lake of fire and sulfur” is a symbol of complete, total annihilation known as the second death at Revelation 19:20; 20:10; 21:8. Isaiah 31 1 How horrible it will be for those who go to Egypt for help! Cursed are those who rely on very strong warhorses, who depend on many chariots. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel. They do not seek Jehovah. 2 He is wise and can bring about disaster. He does not take back his words. He rises against wicked people and against those who help troublemakers. 3 The Egyptians are humans, not God. Their horses are flesh and blood, not spirit. Jehovah will stretch out his powerful hand (extend his power). The one who gives help will stumble. The one who receives help will fall. Both will die together. 4 This is what Jehovah said to me: “A lion, even a young lion, growls over its prey when a crowd of shepherds is called to fight it. It is not frightened by their voices or disturbed by the noise they make. So Jehovah of Hosts will come to fight for Mount Zion and on its hill. 5 “Jehovah of Hosts will defend Jerusalem like a hovering bird. He will defend it and rescue it. He will pass over it and protect it.” 83 6 Return you people of Israel, return to the one whom you have so violently rebelled against. 7 When that day comes, all of you will reject the worthless gods of silver and gold, the idols that your sinful hands have made. 8 Then Assyrians will be killed with a sword not made by human hands. The swords not made by human hands will destroy them. They will flee from battle, and their young men will be made to do forced labor. 9 “In terror they will run to their stronghold, and their officers will be frightened at the sight of the battle flag.” Jehovah declares this. His fire (light) is in Zion and his furnace is in Jerusalem. Isaiah 32 1 Some day there will be a king* who rules with integrity,* and national leaders who govern with righteousness. Princes will rule for the sake of justice. 2 Each of them will be like a shelter from the wind and a place to hide from storms. They will be like streams flowing in a desert, like the shadow of a giant rock in a barren land. 3 Their eyes and ears will be open to the needs of the people. 4 They will not be impatient any longer, but they will act with understanding and will pay attention to the needs of the people. 5 No one will think that a fool is honorable or say that a scoundrel is honest. 6 A fool speaks foolishly and thinks up evil things to do. He promotes wickedness and what he says insults Jehovah. He never feeds the hungry or gives thirsty people anything to drink. 7 As for a rogue, his weapons are evil. He devises wicked schemes to destroy the afflicted with slander, even though the needy one speaks what is right. 8 But the noble man devises noble plans. He stands firm for what is honorable. 9 Rise up, you women who are at ease. Hear my voice and pay attention to my word, you complacent daughters. 84 10 Within a year and some days you will be troubled, O complacent* women for the vintage is ended, the fruit gathering will not happen. 11 Tremble you women who are at ease. Be troubled you complacent ones. Undress and put sackcloth on your waist, 12 Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine, 13 For the land of my people where thorns and briars will grow for they are on the delightful houses and the exultant city. 14 Because the palace has been abandoned, the populated city forsaken. Hill and watchtower have become caves forever. They will be a delight for wild zebras,* a pasture for flocks. 15 The Spirit will be poured out upon us from on high. Then the wilderness will be turned into a fertile field, and the fertile field will be considered a forest. 16 Then justice will live in the wilderness, and righteousness will be at home in the fertile field. 17 An act of righteousness will bring about peace and security forever. 18 My people will live in a peaceful place, in safe homes and quiet places of rest. 19 The forest will be flattened because of hail, and the city will be completely leveled. 20 Blessed are those who plant beside every stream and those who let cattle and donkeys roam freely. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *32:1 Kingdom: mamlakah/basileia/regnum. A kingdom requires four basic things: (1) King. (2) Capital City. (3) Sovereign territory. (4) Subjects. Earthly kingdoms ranged in size and influence from the mighty world powers such as Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome, to the small city-kingdoms such as those in Canaan at the time of the Israelite conquest. (Joshua 12:7-24) Governmental structure varied between kingdoms. 85 *32:1 King: melek/basileus/rex regis. A king is a male sovereign ruler of a kingdom. Jehovah is the supreme King. He possesses unlimited power and authority. The kings of Judah were subordinate kings who represented God‟s sovereignty on earth. Jesus is also a subordinate King. He serves under the far greater authority of his heavenly Father, Jehovah God. His power is far greater than the power of earthly kings. This is because Jehovah placed him in the position of ruling the universe. (Philippians 2:9-11) (Revelation 19:16) This was done to the glory of God the Father. (Philemon 2:11) *32:1 integrity: Hebrew: tome, tummah. Latin: integritis. The righteous man walks in his integrity. (Proverbs 20:7) The Hebrew word “tamim‟” means perfect. It refers both to physical and mental perfection. It represents moral soundness, completeness of mind, being blameless and faultless. (Job 2:3; 2:9; 4:6; 27:5) (Psalms 26:1; 26:11) (Proverbs 10:9; 11:3; 20:70) Integrity is embraced in the commandment Jesus announced at Matthew 22:36-38 as the greatest of all: ”You shall love Jehovah your God with all your heart, and with all your being, and with your entire mind. (Greek: kardia: feelings, emotions) (Greek: psuche, life) (Hebrew: nephesh, breath, living being, person) (Deuteronomy 6:5) (Greek: dianoia: understanding) *32:10 complacent: A complacent person is contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions and delays or hesitates to do something different. *32:14 zebra: The zebra comes from the horse family. It resembles the wild ass in appearance and habits, however it is easily distinguished from the wild ass by its dark or black stripes. The zebra has been clocked at 40 mph after its initial burst of speed. The zebra is hard to tame. (Job 24:5; 39:5) (Isaiah 32:14) They feed on grasses and they drink frequently. (Job 6:5) (Psalm 104:11) (Jeremiah 15:6) 86 Isaiah 33 1 Woe to you who destroy for you have not been destroyed! Woe to you who betray for you who have not been betrayed! When you stop destroying you will be destroyed; when you stop betraying you will be betrayed. 2 Jehovah, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. 3 When you make a sound the peoples flee. When you rise up, the nations scatter. 4 Your plunder, O nations, is harvested like young devouring locusts; like a swarm of cockroaches* men pounce on it. 5 Jehovah is exalted, for he dwells on high. He will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. 6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge. Respect* for Jehovah is the key to this treasure. 7 Their brave men cry aloud in the streets; the messengers (ambassadors) of peace weep bitterly. 8 The highways are deserted, no travelers are on the roads. The treaty is broken and its witnesses are despised. No one is respected. 9 The land dries up and wastes away. Lebanon is ashamed and withers. Sharon* is like a desert plain. Bashan and Carmel drop their leaves. 10 “Now I will arise,” says Jehovah. “Now I will be exalted and lifted up. 11 “You conceive chaff and you give birth to straw. Your strength will be in vain. Fire will consume you. 12 “The peoples will be burned as if to lime. Like thorn bushes they will be set ablaze. 13 “You who are far away hear what I have done. You who are near will acknowledge (comprehend) (recognize) my power!” 14 The sinners in Zion are terrified. The godless tremble. Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with long lasting fire? 15 He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil. 87 16 This man will dwell on the heights. His refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and he will have water. 17 Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar. 18 In your thoughts you will ponder the former terror: “Where is that chief officer? Where is the one who took the revenue? Where is the officer in charge of the towers?” 19 You will see those arrogant people no more, those people of an obscure speech, with their strange, incomprehensible tongue. 20 Look upon Zion, the city of our festivals. Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved. Its stakes will never be pulled up, nor any of its ropes broken. 21 Jehovah will be the Almighty One (Powerful One) (Excellent One). It will be like a place of broad rivers and streams. No galley* with oars will ride them, no mighty ship will sail them. 22 Jehovah is our Judge.* Jehovah is our Lawgiver.* Jehovah is our King! He will save us. 23 Your rigging hangs loose. The mast is not held secure and the sail is not spread. Then an abundance of spoils will be divided and even the lame will carry off plunder. 24 No one living in Zion will say: “I am sick.” The sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven. Simplified Bible Dictionary *33:4 cockroach: The Hebrew word “chasil” comes from the root word meaning to devour. (Deuteronomy 28:38) It has been rendered: caterpillar, cricket, stripper, shearer, locust, grasshopper and cockroach. (Isaiah 33:4) (Joel 1:4) The New Simplified Bible uses the words locust and cockroach interchangeably. The cockroach has long, strong legs, making it one of the fastest insects. It has a flat short head and is equipped with long, threadlike antennae or feelers. The prophet Joel prophesied about a horde of insects that would desolate the land. He mentioned the “chasil” last and described it as one that consumes everything that has been left 88 behind by the others. (Joel 1:4) Both the locust and the cockroach fit this description. (Isaiah 33:1-4) *33:6 respect: yirah/phobeo/respicio. Respect is an attitude of admiration or esteem. It is the condition of being honoured. True respect for God requires deep reverence and a sincere desire to obey His Laws. *33:9 Sharon: Sharon was the plain located between the Plain of Dor near Carmel and the Plain of Philistia. Its northern border was the Crocodile River and the southern border was the area of Joppa. Large areas of sand dunes are found near the coast. Sharon was abundant with fertile land that was well watered. Flocks and herds grazed there. (1 Chronicles 27:29) (Isaiah 33:9; 35:2; 65:10) *33:21 galley: Hebrew: oniy (on-ee’). A galley was a long, narrow, large single decked medieval ship propelled by sails and oars. It usually carried more than 1,000 men and was used for naval warfare. Rivers and canals protected cities like Babylon and Noamon from galley invasions. (Nahum 3:8) Jerusalem had no such protection. However, Jehovah assured Jerusalem in a figurative way that he would provide security and salvation for them. (Isaiah 33:21-22) *33:22 Jehovah is our Judge, Executioner: Law must have a law enforcer. Jehovah God is the Law giver and the Law Enforcer. “Jehovah is our Judge. There is only One that is lawgiver and judge.” (Isaiah 33:22) (James 4:12) Therefore Jehovah God is an executioner of judgment and vengeance upon violators of His Law. (Exodus 12:12) (Deuteronomy 10:17, 18) (Ezekiel 25:11-17) (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9) (Jude 14, 15) The execution of the death penalty in Israel was either by stoning or by the sword. Jesus Christ, Jehovah‟s Messianic King, will soon serve as ruler and judge over all the earth. (Judges 8:20, 21) (2 Samuel 1:15) (Genesis 18:25) (Psalms 149:6-9) (Revelation 12:7-9; 19:11-16; 20:1-3) 89 *33:22 Jehovah is our Lawgiver: God is the Supreme Lawgiver. (Isaiah 33:22) His throne is established on righteousness and judgment. (Psalm 97:1-2) The word law in the Hebrew Scriptures is translated from the word “toh-rah.” It means direct instruction. *33:22 statute: Hebrew: choq (choke). Chaldee: qeyam (keh-yawm’). Latin: lex legis. A statute is an act of law. It can be passed by a legislative body. It is also a divine law. Jehovah is the the supreme Statute Giver. (Isaiah 33:22) (Genesis 26:5) (Psalm 89:30-32) (Daniel 6:15) Isaiah 34 1 Draw near, people of all nations! Gather around and listen. Let the whole earth and everyone living on it come here and pay attention. 2 JEHOVAH IS ANGRY WITH ALL THE NATIONS. He is furious with all their armies. He has condemned them for destruction. He has handed them over to be slaughtered. 3 Their dead bodies will be thrown out. A stench will rise from their corpses. The mountains will be laid waste with their blood. 4 All the stars in the sky will dissolve. The heavens will be rolled up like a scroll. The stars will fade away like leaves fall from a vine or fruit from a tree. 5 My sword is covered with blood in the heavens. It will fall on EDOM and on the people I have claimed for destruction. 6 Jehovah‟s sword is covered with blood. It is covered with fat, with the blood of lambs and goats,* with the fat of rams' kidneys. Jehovah will receive a sacrifice in Bozrah, a huge slaughter in the land of Edom. 7 Wild oxen will be killed with them, young bulls along with rams. Their land will be drenched with blood. Their dust will be covered with fat. 8 Jehovah will have a day of vengeance! He will have a year of retribution (recompense) in defense* of Zion. 9 Edom's streams will be turned to tar. Its soil will be turned to burning sulfur. Its land will become blazing tar. 90 10 They will not be extinguished day or night, and smoke will always go up from them. Edom will lie in ruins for generations. No one will ever travel through it. 11 Pelicans and herons will take possession of the land. Porcupines and crows will live there. He will stretch the measuring line of chaos and the plumb line of destruction over it. 12 There are no nobles to rule a kingdom. All of its princes have disappeared. 13 Its palaces are covered with thorns. Its fortresses have nettles* and thistles. It will become a home for jackals* and a place for ostriches. 14 Hyenas will meet with jackals. Male goats will call to their mates. Screech owls* will rest there and find a resting place for themselves. 15 Arrow snakes* will make their nests there, lay eggs, and hatch them. They will gather their young under their shadow. Vultures also will gather there, each one with its mate. 16 Search Jehovah‟s book and read it out loud. Not one of these animals will be missing. Not one will lack a mate, because Jehovah has commanded it, and his Spirit will gather them together. 17 He is the one who casts the lot for them, and his hand divides up the land for them with a measuring line. They will possess it permanently and live there for generations. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *34:6 goat: „ez (aze) she goat, tsaphiyr (tsaw-feer‟) he goat. Latin: caper. Any of numerous agile ruminants related to sheep but having a beard and straight horns. The goat is a cud-chewing mammal with hollow horns and long, straight hair. It served as a sacrificial animal, being presented as a burnt offering. (Leviticus 1:10; 3:6; 12; 5:6; 22:18, 19, 27) The term goatlike leaders was used figuratively to refer to rulers. (Isaiah 14:9) (Zechariah 10:3) Goats were used to represent people who were in opposition to Jehovah. (Isaiah 34:6, 7) (Jeremiah 51:40) (Ezekiel 34:17) (Zechariah 10:3) (Matthew 25:31-46) 91 *34:8 legal case: A matter that should be settled in a court of law or a legal hearing is a legal case. The Hebrew verb “riv” means to quarrel, argue, contend, or conduct a legal case. (Genesis 26:20) (Exodus 23:2) (Deuteronomy 17:8; 33:8) (Psalm 35:23) (Proverbs 25:8) (Isaiah 34:8) The Hebrew word “din” is also rendered legal case. *34:13 nettle: Hebrew: cha-rul‟, qim-mohsh,‟ sirpadh.‟ Latin: urtica. There are a variety of plants with sawedged leaves. They are usually covered with stinging hairs containing irritating liquid. The hairs brake off and penetrate the skin. The Hebrew terms cha-rul‟, qim-mohsh‟ and sirpadh‟ refer to nettles and briers. (Proverbs 24:31) (Zepaniah 2:9) (Isaiah 34:13) (Job 30:7) Most people would not like to get close to nettles, however in a waterless region they might seek the shade of a tall nettle or even gather these plants for food. *34:13 Jackal: Hebrew: tannah (tan-naw‟). The Jackal is like a wild dog. It has a long, pointed muzzle and a bushy tail. In many ways it resembles a fox. They can still be found in Palestine. Jackals are dwellers of wild and lonely desertlike areas. Many prophecies use this animal figuratively as well as literally to represent a state of utter desolation. Jackals were used to picture desolation for Jerusalem, the cities of Judah, Hazor, Babylon, and Edom. (Jeremiah 9:11; 10:22; 49:33; 51:37) (Isaiah 34:5, 13) The King James Version call the the “dragons of the wilderness.” (Malachi 1:3) *34:14 Nightjar, Screech Owl: The Hebrew word “li-lith” means a creature inhabiting Edom‟s ruins, most likely a nocturnal bird. (Isaiah 34:14) It has been translated nightmonster, nightjar, and screech owl. The screech owl is the most understood term in our modern society. *34:15 Arrow Snake: qippohz/akontias/serpens. The Hebrew word “qippohz” refers to the snake called in Greek “akontias.” It is called the arrow snake because of its darting 92 and springing on its prey like the rattlesnake. Most snakes lay eggs and some coil around their eggs to protect them. This practice is mentioned in the prophecy found at Isaiah 34:15. Isaiah 35 1 The desert will rejoice, and flowers will bloom in the wastelands. 2 The desert will sing and shout for joy! It will be beautiful like the Lebanon Mountains. It will be fertile as the fields of Carmel and Sharon. Everyone will see Jehovah‟s splendor. They will see his greatness and power. 3 Strengthen the tired hands and the knees that tremble with weakness. 4 Tell the discouraged ones with anxious heart: “Be strong and do not be afraid! God is coming to your rescue! He is coming to punish your enemies.” 5 Then the blind will be able to see, and the deaf will hear. 6 The lame will leap and dance, and those who cannot speak will shout for joy. Streams of water will flow through the desert plain. 7 The parched ground will become a lake, and dry land will be filled with springs. Marsh grass and reeds will grow where jackals used to live. 8 There will be a highway there, called: “The Road of Holiness.” No sinner will ever travel that road. No fools will mislead those who follow it. 9 No lions will be there. No fierce animals will pass that way! Those whom Jehovah has rescued will travel home by that road. 10 They will reach Jerusalem with gladness, singing and shouting for joy. They will be happy forever. They will be forever free from sorrow and grief. Isaiah 36 1 It was Hezekiah's fourteenth year as king. King Sennacherib of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. 2 The king of Assyria sent his field commander with a large army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. He stood 93 at the channel for the Upper Pool on the road to the Laundryman's Field.* 3 Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace and was the son of Hilkiah, Shebna the scribe, and Joah, who was the royal historian and the son of Asaph, went out to the field commander. 4 He said to them: “Tell Hezekiah, This is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: „What makes you so confident? 5 “„You give useless advice about getting ready for war. Whom do you trust for support in your rebellion against me? 6 “When you trust Egypt, you trust a broken reed* for a staff. If you lean on it, it stabs your hand and goes through it. This is what Pharaoh king of Egypt is like for everyone who trusts him. 7 “„Suppose you say: „We are trusting Jehovah our God. He is the god whose places of worship and altars Hezekiah got rid of. Hezekiah told Judah and Jerusalem: Worship at this altar.‟”‟ 8 “Now, make a deal with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses if you can put riders on them. 9 “How can you defeat my master's lowest-ranking officers when you trust Egypt for chariots and horses? 10 “Have I come to destroy this country without Jehovah on my side? Jehovah said to me: Attack this country, and destroy it.‟”‟ 11 Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the field commander: “Speak to us in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak to us in the Judean language as long as there are people on the wall listening.” 12 However the field commander asked: “Did my master send me to tell these things only to you and your master? Did he not send me to the men sitting on the wall who will have to eat their own excrement and drink their own urine with you?” 13 Then the field commander stood and shouted loudly in the Judean language: “Listen to the great king, the king of Assyria. 14 “„This is what the king says: „Do not let Hezekiah deceive you. He cannot rescue you. 94 15 “„Do not let Hezekiah get you to trust Jehovah by saying: „Jehovah will certainly rescue us, and this city will not be put under the control of the king of Assyria. 16 “„Do not listen to Hezekiah, because this is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me! Come out, and give yourselves up to me! Everyone will eat from his own grapevine and fig tree and drink from his own cistern. 17 “„Then I will come and take you away to a country like your own. It is a country with grain and new wine, a country with bread and vineyards. 18 “„Do not let Hezekiah mislead you by saying to you: „Jehovah will rescue us. Did any of the gods of the nations rescue their countries from the king of Assyria? 19 “„Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Did they rescue Samaria from my control? 20 “„Did the gods of these countries indeed rescue them from my control? Could Jehovah then rescue Jerusalem from my control?‟” 21 They were silent and did not say anything to him because the king commanded them not to answer him. 22 Then Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace and was son of Hilkiah, Shebna the scribe, and Joah, who was the royal historian and the son of Asaph, went to Hezekiah with their clothes torn in grief. They told him the message from the field commander. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *36:2 Laundryman‟s Field, Fuller‟s Field: This was an area close to the city of Jerusalem where laundrymen worked. Isaiah and his son Shear-jashub met King Ahaz by the highway of the laundryman‟s field. (2 King 18:17) (Isaiah 7:3; 36:2) The word fuller is from the Hebrew word kabas. It means the fulling process to wash by stamping with the feet. *36:6 reed: qaneh/kalamos/canna. The Hebrew word “qa-neh” and the Greek word “ka‟la-mos” mean reed. They refer to numerous reed-like plants commonly growing in wet 95 places. (Job 40:1) (Psalm 68:30) (Isaiah 19:6; 35:7) Roman soldiers placed a reed in Jesus‟ right hand. This was to represent a royal scepter. Later they hit him with it. A sponge soaked in sour wine was lifted to the impaled Jesus. (Matthew 27:29, 30, 48) (John 19:29) The book of Ezekiel speaks about a measuring reed that was six cubits long. (Ezekiel 40:5) (Revelation 11:1; 21:15,16) Bible writers use the reed to represent instability and frailty. (1 Kings 14:15) (2 Kings 18:21) (Isaiah 36:6; 42:3) (Ezekiel 29:6, 7) (Matthew 11:7; 12:10-14, 20) (Matthew 23:4) (Mark 6:34) Isaiah 37 1 King Hezekiah heard it and he tore his clothes. He covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of Jehovah. 2 Hezekiah sent Eliakim the palace administrator along with Shebna the scribe and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz. 3 They said to him: “Hezekiah says: „This day is a day of distress, rebuke and rejection. Children have come to birth, and there is no strength to deliver. 4 “„Perhaps Jehovah your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh. His master the king of Assyria has sent him to reproach the living God! He will rebuke the words Jehovah your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that survives.‟” 5 So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6 Isaiah said to them: “Say to your master: „Jehovah says: “Do not be afraid because of the words you have heard from the servants of the king of Assyria. For they have blasphemed me. 7 “„“Listen! I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land. I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.”‟” 8 Then Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah. He had heard a report that the king had left Lachish. 9 He heard this concerning Tirhakah king of Cush: “He has come out to fight against you.” So he sent messengers to Hezekiah and said: 96 10 “Say to Hezekiah king of Judah: „Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you. He says to you: “Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” 11 “„You have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the countries. He destroyed them completely. And will you be delivered? 12 “„Did the gods of the nations that were destroyed by my forefathers deliver them? And what about the gods of Gozan, Haran, Rezeph* and the people of Eden who were in Tel Assar? 13 “„Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim,* or of Hena* or Avva?‟”* 14 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. He went to the temple of Jehovah and spread it out before Jehovah. 15 Hezekiah prayed to Jehovah: 16 “O Jehovah of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 17 “Give ear, O Jehovah, and hear! Open your eyes, O Jehovah, and see! Listen to all the words Sennacherib* said to insult the living God. 18 “It is true, Jehovah, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands. 19 “They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them. But they were not gods! They were only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. 20 “Now, O Jehovah our God, deliver us from his hand. That way all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Jehovah, are God. 21 Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “This is what Jehovah, the God of Israel, says: „Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria, 22 this is the word Jehovah spoke against him: “The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises and mocks you. The Daughter of Jerusalem tosses her head as you flee. 23 “Who is it you have insulted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? It is against the Holy One of Israel! 97 24 “By your messengers you have heaped insults on Jehovah. You said: With my many chariots I have ascended the heights of the mountains, the utmost heights of Lebanon. I cut down its tallest cedars, the choicest of its pines. I reach its remotest heights, the finest of its forests. 25 “I dug wells and drank the water there. With the bottom of my feet I dried up all the streams of Egypt. 26 “Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it. In days of old I planned it! And now I have brought it to pass, that you have turned fortified cities into piles of stone. 27 “Their people are drained of power. They are dismayed and put to shame. They are like plants in the field, like tender green shoots, like grass sprouting on the roof, parched before it grows. 28 “I know where you stay and when you come and go and how you rage against me. 29 “For the reason that you rage against me and because your insolence (arrogance) has reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth. I will make you return by the way you came.” 30 “„This will be the sign for you, O Hezekiah: „This year you will eat what grows by itself. The second year you will eat what springs from that. But in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 31 “„Again a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above. 32 “„Out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the Lord Jehovah will accomplish this. 33 “„Therefore this is what Jehovah says concerning the king of Assyria: “He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here. He will not come before it with shield, or build a siege ramp against it. 34 “„He will return by the way that he came. He will not enter this city, declares Jehovah. 35 “„I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant!‟” 98 36 The angel of Jehovah put to death a hundred and eightyfive thousand men in the Assyrian camp. The people got up the next morning and saw all the dead bodies! 37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. 38 One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech* and Sharezer cut him down with the sword. They escaped to the land of Ararat. Esarhaddon his son succeeded him as king. Simplified Bible Dictionary *37:12 Rezeph: Rezeph is a place mentioned in Sennecherib‟s message to King Hezekiah. Sennecherib was boasting that Assyrian kings destroyed these nations. (2 Kings 19:8-12) (Isaiah 37:12) *37:13 Sepharvaim: After the Israelites had been taken into exile the king of Assyria brought people from Sepharvaim to live in Samaria. Sepharvaim and its king were defeated by the Assyrians. Sepharvaim was mentioned among the places in Syria and Babylon. (2 Kings 17:24; 19:13) (Isaiah 37:13) *37:13 Hena: Hena was a city and a region listed with Sepharvaim and Ivvah. It was conquered by the Assyrians. (2 Kings 18:34; 19:13) (Isaiah 37:13) *37:13 Avva: Avva was a town in northern Syria. It was under the control of Assyria in the eighth centuy B.C.E. Some scholars think it is the same as Ivvah. (2 Kings 17:24; 18:34) (Isaiah 37:13) *37:17 Sennacherib: Sennacherib was the son of Sargon II. He succeeded his father to the throne of Assyria in the 23rd year of Hezekiah. Like the Persian Xerxes, Sennacherib was weak and vain but cruel and boastful in success. He defeated a powerful combination of princes who were in league against him. Hezekiah was among these princes. Hezekiah entered into an alliance with Egypt against Assyria. Sennacherib sent 99 envoys to try to persuade Hezekiah to surrender. But this was all in vain. (2 Kings 19:10-34) In one night the angel of Jehovah destroyed the camp of the Assyrians. In the morning there were dead corpses everywhere. The Assyrian army was annihilated. (Isaiah 37:9-37) Sennacherib lived 20 more years after this but he never renewed his attempt to capture Jerusalem. After a reign of 24 years Sennacherib was murdered by his two sons, Adrammelech and Sharezer. *37:38 Adrammelech, son of Sennacgerub: This man was the son of King Sennacherib of Assyria. Adrammelech and his brother Sharezer murdered their father while he was bowing down in worship. This took place at the house of the god Nisroch at Nineveh. They escaped to the mountains of Ararat, near the Caspian Sea. (2 Kings 19:35-37) (Isaiah 37:36-38) Isaiah 38 1 King Hezekiah became sick and almost died. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to see him. Isaiah said to him: “Jehovah tells you: „You are to put everything in order because you will not recover. Get ready to die.”‟ 2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Jehovah: 3 “Remember, Jehovah, that I have served you faithfully and loyally. I have always tried to do what you wanted me to.” Then he cried bitterly. 4 Then Jehovah commanded Isaiah 5 to go back to Hezekiah and say to him: “I Jehovah, the God of your ancestor David, have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen more years to your life. 6 “I will rescue you and this city of Jerusalem from the king of Assyria, and I will continue to protect the city.” 7 Isaiah said:” This is your sign from Jehovah that he will do what he promises. 8 “The sun made a shadow that went down the stairway of the upper palace of Ahaz. „I am going to make the shadow go back ten steps.‟” So the sun on the stairway went back up the ten steps it had gone down. 100 9 King Hezekiah of Judah wrote this after he was sick and became well again: 10 “I thought that in the prime of my life I would go down to the gates of the grave and be robbed of the rest of my life. 11 “I thought that I would not see Jehovah in this world. Even with all the people in the world, I thought I would never see another person. 12 “My life was over. You rolled it up like a shepherd's tent.* You rolled up my life like a weaver. You cut me off from the loom. You ended my life in one day. 13 “Until morning came, I thought you would crush my bones just like a hungry lion; both night and day you make an end of me. 14 “I cry like a swallow (swift).* I mourn like a dove. My eyes are red from looking to you, Jehovah. I am terribly abused. Please come and help me. 15 “There is nothing I can say in answer to you. For you are the one who has done this to me. My life has turned sour. I will limp until I die. 16 “Your words and your deeds bring life to everyone, including me. Please make me healthy and strong again. 17 “Yes, it was for my benefit that I suffered such distress. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction. You have put (thrown) (hurled) all my sins behind your back. 18 “For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise. Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness. 19 “The living, yes the living praise you, as I am doing today! Fathers tell their children about your faithfulness. 20 “Jehovah will save me! We will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the Temple of Jehovah.” 21 Isaiah said: “Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover.” 22 Hezekiah said: “What will be the sign that I will go up to the Temple of Jehovah?” Simplified Bible Dictionary 101 *38:12 tent: ohel/skene/tentorium. A tent is a portable, collapsible shelter made of cloth or skins and supported by poles. Tent were one of mans earliest dwellings. (Genesis 4:20; 9:21) Nomadic people used tents in the Middle East. (Genesis 9:27) (Psalm 83:6) Tent is used figuratively on several occasions in the Bible. (Isaiah 38:12) (Job 4:21) (Jeremiah 4:20) John is inspired to write that the tent of God, Greek:skene (skay-ney‟), a habitation or tabernacle, will be with mankind during the thousand year reign of Christ. This is recorded at Revelation 21:1-3. *38:14 bulbul, swallow: Bulbul was the name of several types of medium sized thrushlike birds found in Aftica and southern Asia. They were found in Palestine. These birds were similar to the American swallow. (Isaiah 38:14) 38:14 swift, swallow: Hebrew: agur (aw-goor‟). The swift is a very fast flying bird capable of flying up to 100 miles per hour or more. It swoops and darts after insect prey. Its feet are not suitable for walking so it catches it food in flight. It even drinks while skimming over the surface of water. The swift‟s cry has a wailing, melancholy sound. Some translators use the word swallow instead of swift since they are similar to the swallow. (Isaiah 38:14) (Jeremiah 8:7) The common barn swallow is abundant in Palestine. (Psalm 84:1-3) (Proverbs 26:2) Isaiah 39 1 At that time Merodach-Baladan* son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of his illness and recovery. 2 Hezekiah received the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his storehouses. He showed them the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine oil, his entire armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in his entire kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. 3 Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked: “What did those men say, and where did they come from?” Hezekiah replied: “They came from the distant land of Babylon.” 102 4 The prophet asked: “What did they see in your palace? “They saw everything in my palace,” Hezekiah said. “There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them.” 5 Isaiah said to Hezekiah: “Hear the word of the Jehovah of Hosts: 6 “„The time will come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left,‟ says Jehovah. 7 “„Some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away! They will become officers in the palace of the king of Babylon.‟” 8 “The word of Jehovah you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought: “There will be peace and security in my lifetime.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *39:1 Merodach-Baladan: This name means Murduk Has Given a Son. He was the son of Baladan and king of Babylon. Merodach-baladan sent letters and a gift to King Hezekiah of Judah after his recovery from illness. (Isaiah 39:1-7) Assyrian and Babylonian cuneiform inscriptions state that he was the ruler of a Chaldean district know as Bit-Yakin. This district was in the marshlands south of Babylon, above the headwaters of the Persian Gulf. Merodach-baladan sent a delegation to Hezekiah in an attempt to gain the support of the kingdom of Judah. (2 Kings chapter 20) Isaiah 40 1 “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. 2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed. Her sin has been paid for and she has received double for all her sins from Jehovah‟s hand.” 3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for Jehovah. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 “Every valley will be raised up! Every mountain and hill made low. The rough ground will become level and the rugged places a plain. 103 5 “The glory of Jehovah will be revealed and together all mankind will see it. For the mouth of Jehovah has spoken!” 6 A voice shouts: “Cry out!” And I said: “What shall I cry?” The voice shouts: “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 7 “The grass* withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of Jehovah blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” 9 You bring good news to Zion. Go up on a high mountain. You bring good news to Jerusalem. Lift up your voice with a shout! Lift it up and do not be afraid! Say to the towns of Judah: “Here is your God!” 10 See the Sovereign Lord Jehovah comes with power. His arm* rules for him. See, his reward is with him and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart. He gently leads those that have young. 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the span* of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance of the scale? 13 Who has understood the mind of Jehovah, or has instructed him, as his counselor? 14 Whom did Jehovah consult to enlighten him? Who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? 15 Truly the nations are like a drop in a bucket! They are regarded as dust on the scales! He weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. 16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings. 17 Before him all the nations are as nothing! He regards them as worthless and less than nothing. 18 To whom, then, will you compare God? What image will you compare him to? 19 As for an idol, a craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it. 104 20 A man too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot. He looks for a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple. 21 Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told to you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? 22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers.* He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. 23 He brings princes to nothing and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. 24 No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.* 25 “To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” says the Holy One. 26 “Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? The being that brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name created all these! Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. 27 “„Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel: „My way is hidden from Jehovah! My God disregards my cause?‟ 28 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? JEHOVAH IS THE EVERLASTING GOD,* the Creator* of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and no one can measure (find out) his understanding. 29 “He gives strength to those who grow tired and increases the strength of those who are weak. 30 Even young people grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. 31 “Those who hope in Jehovah will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.* They will run and not grow weary! They will walk and not be faint.” Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *40:7 grass, leeks: Hebrew: chatsiyr (khaw-steer‟). Means green grass and leeks. (Isaiah 40:7, 8) (Numbers 11:4, 105 5) Onions and garlic are similar to leeks. The bulbs and leaves of the leek are cooked as a vegetable and used as a seasoning. They are also eaten raw. *40:10 Arm of God: Hebrew: chazaq (khaw-zawk‟). Latin: fortis. Means strong. God‟s power is the arm of God. (Isaiah 40:10; 53:1) *40:12 span: Hebrew: zereth (zeh‟-reth). A span is a distance between the end of the thumb and the end of the little finger when the hand is spread out. Strong‟s Dictionary calls ithe “the spread of the fingers.” (Isaiah 40:12) The span was about 8 or 9 inches in length. Two spans were equal to one cubit. Tree handbreadths were equal to one span. A span is also an interval or period of time from one moment to another. The Hebrew term “tsemedh” refers to a pair or couple of animals that are yoked together. *40:22 grasshoppers: The Hebrew terms “ar-beh” and “cha-ghav” are applied to the winged stage of locust mentioned at Leviticus 11:22. The grasshopper is a planteating insect with legs adapted for jumping. The Hebrew terms “ar-beh” and “cha-ghav” are applied to the winged stage of locust mentioned at Leviticus 11:22. It is considered as clean for food. The grasshopper is destructive to vegetation. (2 Chronicles 7:13) It is used in an illustrative setting in the Holy Scriptures. Men are compared to little grasshoppers from God‟s viewpoint at Isiaiah 40:22. They are likened to aged persons bent and stiff and burdened at Ecclesiastes 12:5. *40:24 stubble: The grain stalks remaining in the field after the harvest is the stubble. The Israelites had to gather stubble when Egypt‟s Pharaoh deprived them of the straw they needed for making bricks. (Exodus 5:10-12) Stubble is used in a figurative or illustrative way since it is easily blown away by the wind. (Isaiah 40:24; 41:2) (Jeremiah 13:24) The wicked enemies of Jehovah and their evil schemes are compared to stubble. (Exodus 15:7) (Psalm 83:13) (Malachi 4:1) (Isaiah 33:11) The apostle Paul listed stubble as a material that would not withstand the fire test at 1 Corinthians 3:12, 106 *40:28 everlasting: olam olam (o-lawm‟ olawm‟)/aionios (ahe-o‟-nee-os)/aeternus eternus. Jehovah God is eternal meaning without end. He will not die. (Genesis 21:33) (Nehemiah 9:5) (Isaiah 40:28) Jehovah‟s kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. (Daniel 4:3) The good news of the kingdom is everlasting. (Revelation 14:6) *40:28 creator: bara (baw-raw‟)/ktistes/creator. “You (Jehovah) have created all things, and because of your will they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:11) God‟s act of bringing the universe and all that is in it into existence is called creation. Creation is also that which has been created. The Hebrew word “bara” and the Greek word “ktizo” both mean create. They are used with reference to divine creation. Jehovah God is called “the Creator.”—Isa 40:28. “The heavens were made by the word of Jehovah, and by the breath of his mouth their entire host.” (Psalm 33:6) Jehovah is a God of order, “not of disorder, but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33) His creative word would not reflect chaos or chance as evolution depicts. *40:31 eagle: nesher (neh-sher‟)/aetos (ah-ettos‟)/aquila. The eagle is the symbol of divine wisdom. Isaiah spoke about soaring like eagles at Isaiah 40:31. The eagle‟s ability to fly at fast speeds is noted in the Scriptures. (2 Samuel 1:23) (Jeremiah 4:13) (Lamentations 4:19) (Habakkuk 1:8) Ezekiel saw a vision of four living creatures each with a different face. One had the face of an eagle. (Ezekiel 1:10; 10:14) Eagles are pictured in the book of Revelation as creatures attending God‟s throne and announcing the judgment messages of God for those on earth. (Revelation 4:7; 8:13) Moses was to tell the Israilites that God carried them “on the wings of eagles, and brought you to my mountain.” (Exodus 19:4) Symbolic wings of the great eagle were given to a symbolic woman at Revelation 12:14, representing deliverance and protection from the serpent described earlier in that chapter as the devil (false accuser)(Satan). 107 Isaiah 41 1 “Be silent before me, you islands! Let the nations renew their strength! Let them come forward and speak. Let us meet together at the place of judgment. 2 “Who has stirred up one from the east, calling him in righteousness to his service? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow. 3 “He pursues them and moves on unscathed. He goes by a path his feet have not traveled before. 4 “Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, Jehovah have done this with the first of them and with the last. I am he!” 5 The islands have seen it and fear. The ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward. 6 Each helps the other and says to his brother: “Be strong!” 7 The craftsman encourages the goldsmith. He who smooths with the hammer spurs on him who strikes the anvil. He says of the welding: It is good. He nails down the idol so it will not topple. 8 “However you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham, my friend,* 9 “„I took you from the ends of the earth. I called you from its farthest corners. I said: „You are my servant. I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 10 “„Do not fear for I am with you! Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.‟ 11 “All who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced. Those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. 12 “Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. 13 “I AM JEHOVAH, YOUR GOD! I take hold of your right hand* and say to you: Do not fear; I will help you. 14 “Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I will help you. This is the declaration of Jehovah, your Redeemer, and the Holy One of Israel. 108 15 “See I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them. You will reduce the hills to chaff. 16 “You will winnow them. The wind will pick them up and a gale will blow them away. But you will rejoice in Jehovah and glory in the Holy One of Israel. 17 “The poor and needy search for water, but there is none! Their tongues are parched with thirst. But I Jehovah will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. 18 “I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. 19 “I will put the juniper* (cedar) and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive in the desert. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together. 20 “People may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand (power) of Jehovah has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it. 21 “Present your case,” says Jehovah. “Set forth your arguments, says Jacob‟s King. 22 “Bring in your idols to tell us what is going to happen. Tell us what the former things were, so that we may consider them and know their final outcome. Or declare to us the things to come. 23 “Tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods. Do something, whether good or bad, so that we will be shocked and filled with fear. 24 “You are less than nothing and your works are utterly worthless! He who chooses you is detestable. 25 “I have stirred up one from the north, and he comes! One from the rising sun calls on my name. He treads on rulers as if they were mortar, as if he were a potter treading the clay. 26 “Who told of this from the beginning, so we could know, or beforehand, so we could say: He was right? No one told of this, no one foretold it. No one heard any words from you!” 27 I was the first to tell Zion: “Look, here they are!” I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good news. 28 I look but there is no one. There is no one among them to give counsel! There is no one to give answer when I ask them. 109 29 See they are all false (hurtful) (nonexistent)! Their deeds amount to nothing! Their images are but wind and confusion. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *41:8 Abraham, my friend: The Holy Scriptures depict a friend as a person who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24; 17:17; 27:6, 9) Jesus called his disciples friends at John 15:12-14. Early Christians referred to fellow believers as friends at 3 John 14. Abraham had the privilege and honor of being called God‟s friend at Isaiah 41:8, and this was verified at James 2:21-23. James went on to warn that friendship with the world would make a person an enemy of God. (James 4:4) *41:13 right hand: yad (yawd)/cheir (kheir)/manus. Greek: dexios means right side or hand. The open hand indicates power, means, and direction. Symbolically the right hand is very important. For example, to be on the right hand of a ruler was to have a very important position. (Psalm 110:1) (Acts 7:55, 56) (Romans 8:34) (1 Peter 3:22) To indicate how closely Jehovah God and Jesus Christ work together, the Scriptures show that after returning to heaven Jesus Christ is at God‟s right hand. (Acts 7:55) (Colossians 3:1) (Hebrews 10:12) *41:19 Juniper: The Juniper tree, the Juniperus excelsa, is a native of Lebanon and is regularly associted with Lebanon. It was imported from Lebanon by King Solomon. (1 Kings 5:810; 9:11) (2 Chronicles 2:8) Juniper wood was used in the temple built by Solomon. (2 Chronicles 3:5) (1 Kings 6:34) It is mentioned in the restoration prophecies when describing the beauty of the land of God‟s people. (Isaiah 41:19; 55:13; 60:13) Isaiah 42 1 Here is my servant, whom I have strengthened. Here is the one I have chosen, with whom I am pleased. I have filled him with my Spirit, and he will bring justice to every nation. 110 2 He will not shout or raise his voice or make loud speeches in the streets. 3 He will not break off a bent reed nor extinguish a flickering lamp. He will bring lasting justice to all. 4 He will not lose hope or courage. He will establish justice on the earth. Distant lands eagerly wait for his law. 5 God created the heavens and stretched them out. He fashioned the earth and all that lives there. He gave life and breath to all its people. And now Jehovah God says to his servant: 6 “I, Jehovah, have called you and have given you power to see that justice is done on earth. I will make a covenant with all peoples and bring light (truth) (light of instruction) (Psalm 27:1) to the nations through you. 7 “You will open the eyes of the blind and set free those who sit in dark prisons. 8 “I ALONE AM JEHOVAH. THAT IS MY NAME. I WILL NOT GIVE MY GLORY TO ANOTHER! I will not let idols share my praise.* 9 “The things I predicted have now come true. Now I will tell you of new things even before they begin to happen.” 10 Sing a new song to Jehovah. Sing his praise, all the world! Praise him, you that sail the sea. Praise him, all creatures of the sea! Sing, distant lands and all who live there! 11 Let the desert and its towns praise God. Let the people of Kedar praise him! Let those who live in the city of Sela shout for joy from the tops of the mountains! 12 Let those who live in distant lands give praise and glory to Jehovah! 13 Jehovah goes out to fight like a warrior. He is ready and eager for battle. He gives a war cry, a battle shout and he shows his power against his enemies. 14 “I kept silent for a long time. I did not answer my people. The time to act has come. I cry out like a woman in labor. 15 “I will destroy the hills and mountains and dry up the grass and trees. I will turn the river valleys into deserts and dry up the pools of water. 16 “I will lead my blind people by roads they have never traveled. I will turn their darkness into light and make rough 111 country smooth before them. I will keep my promises without fail.” 17 Those who trust in idols and call images their gods will be humiliated and disgraced. 18 Jehovah says: “Hear, you deaf people! Look closely, you who are blind!” 19 Is anyone more blind than my servant or more deaf than the messenger I send? 20 Israel, you have seen so much, but what has it meant to you? You have ears to hear with, but what have you really heard? 21 Jehovah is a God who is eager to save. He exalted his laws and teachings, and he wanted his people to honor them. 22 Now his people have been plundered. They are locked up in dungeons and hidden away in prisons. They were robbed and plundered, with no one to come to their rescue. 23 Will any of you listen to this? From now on will you listen with care? 24 Who gave Israel up to the looters? It was Jehovah, against whom we sinned! We would not live as he wanted us to live or obey the teachings he gave us. 25 So he made us feel the force of his anger and suffer the violence of war. Like fire his anger burned throughout Israel. Yet we never knew what was happening. We learned nothing at all from it. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *42:8 praise Jehovah: halal/aineo/lauddatio. Praise is an expression of approval and commendation. It is words of homage offered as an act of worship. The Hebrew verb “ha-lal” and the Greek word “ai-ne‟o” each mean praise. (Psalm 113:1) (Isaiah 38:18) (Romans 15:11) The Greek noun “hy‟mnos” translates to the English word hymn. It expresses the thought of praise or a song of praise to God. (Mark 14:26) When we praise God‟s name we praise God Himself. (Psalm 69:30; 135:3; 150:2) (1 Chronicles 16:25, 26) God will never share His praise with lifeless images. (Isaiah 42:8) 112 Isaiah 43 1 Jehovah created Jacob and formed Israel. Jehovah says: “Do not be afraid for I have reclaimed you. I have called you by my name. You are mine. 2 “When you go through the sea, I am with you. When you go through rivers, they will not sweep you away. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and the flames will not harm you. 3 “I AM JEHOVAH YOUR GOD, THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, YOUR SAVIOR. Egypt is the ransom I exchanged for you. Sudan and Seba* are the price I paid for you. 4 “I honor you because you are precious to me and I love you. I will exchange others for you. Nations will be the price I pay for your life. 5 “Do not be afraid for I am with you. I will bring your descendants from the east and gather you from the west. 6 “„I will say to the north, „Give them up,‟ and to the south, „do not keep them. Bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the ends of the earth. 7 “„Bring everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.‟ 8 “Bring the people who are blind but still have eyes, the people who are deaf but still have ears. 9 “„All nations have gathered together, and people have assembled. Who among them could have revealed this? Who among them could have foretold this to us? They should bring their witnesses to prove that they were right. Let the people hear them. Then they will say: „It is the truth.‟” 10 “YOU ARE MY WITNESSES,” DECLARES JEHOVAH! “I have chosen you as my servant so that you can know and believe in me and understand that I am the one who did this. No god was formed before me, and there will be none after me. 11 “I ALONE AM JEHOVAH, AND THERE IS NO SAVIOR* BESIDES ME.” 12 “I have revealed it to you. I have saved you, and I have announced it to you. There was no foreign god among you. You are my witnesses that I am God, declares Jehovah. 113 13 “From the beginning I was the one who did this. No one can rescue people from my power. When I do something, who can undo it?” 14 This is what Jehovah, your redeemer, and the Holy One of Israel, says: “For your sake I will send an army to Babylon. I will bring back all the Babylonian refugees in the ships that they take pride in. 15 “I am Jehovah, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” 16 Jehovah makes a path through the sea and a road through the strong currents. 17 He leads chariots and horses, an army and reinforcements. “They lie down together and do not get up again. They are extinguished and snuffed out like a wick.” This is what Jehovah says: 18 “Forget what happened in the past, and do not dwell on events from long ago. 19 “I am going to do something new. It is already happening. Do you recognize it? I will clear a way in the desert. I will make rivers on dry land. 20 “Wild animals, jackals, and ostriches will honor me. I will provide water in the desert. I will make rivers on the dry land for my chosen people to drink. 21 “I have formed these people for myself. They will praise me. 22 “Jacob, you have not prayed to me. Israel, you have grown tired of me. 23 “You did not bring me sheep for your burnt offerings or honor me with your sacrifices. I did not burden you by requiring grain offerings or trouble you by requiring incense offerings. 24 “You did not buy me any sugar cane with your money or satisfy me with the best part of your sacrifices. Rather, you burdened me with your sins and troubled me with your iniquities. 25 “I alone am the one who is going to wipe away your rebellious actions for my own sake. I will not remember your sins anymore. 26 “Remind me of what happened. Let us argue our case together. State your case so that you can prove you are right. 114 27 “Your first ancestor sinned, and your priests rebelled against me. 28 “That is why I will corrupt the leaders of the holy place. I will claim Jacob for destruction. I will set up Israel for ridicule.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *43:3 Seba: The Sebans were a people of east Africa. Seba is mentioned in conection with Egypt and Ethiopia (Cush). They were given a ransom in place of Jacob. (Isaiah 43:3; 45:14) Seba borderd on or was within the Ethiopian borders. *43:11 savior: Hebrew: yasha (yaw-shah‟). Greek: soter (so-tare‟). Jehovah God is identified as Savior and Deliverer. (Isaiah 43:11; 45:21) (Psalm 106:21) Jesus Christ the Son of God can rightly be called our Savior too. (1 John 4:14) (Titus 1:4) (2 Peter 1:11) The name Jesus means “Jehovah is Salvation.” It points to God, the father of Jesus Christ, as the ultimate source of salvation. Some people mistakenly think that since Jehovah and Jesus are each called savior that that is proof that they are the same person. That is not true. The Jehovah of the Old Testament is not the same as the Jesus Christ of the New Testament. Notice 1 John 4:14 tells us, “the Father sent the Son to be the Savior* of the world.” This shows that they are two different spirit persons. Isaiah 44 1 “Listen, O Jacob, my servant, Listen Israel, whom I have chosen. 2 “„This is what Jehovah says, the one who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: „Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. 3 “„I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground. I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring. I will give blessing to your descendants. 4 “„They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar* trees by flowing streams. 115 5 “„“One person will say: “I belong to Jehovah.” Another person will call himself by the name of Jacob. Still another will write on his hand: “Jehovah‟s.” And he will take the name Israel.‟ 6 “This is what Jehovah, Israel‟s King and Redeemer, Jehovah of Hosts says: „I AM THE FIRST AND I AM THE LASTAPART FROM ME THERE IS NO GOD! 7 “„Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come— yes, let him foretell what will come. 8 “„Do not tremble. Do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses! Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock. There is not one!‟” 9 All who make idols are nothing. The things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind. They are shamefully ignorant. 10 Who shapes a god and casts a useless and good for nothing idol. 11 He and his kind will be put to shame. Craftsmen are merely men. Let them all come together and take their stand for they will be brought down to terror and infamy. 12 The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals. He shapes an idol with hammers; he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength. He drinks no water and grows faint. 13 The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a red chalk* marker. He roughs it out with chisels and marks it with a compass.* He shapes it in the form of man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine. 14 He cut down cedars, or cypress* or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow. 15 It is man‟s fuel for burning so he takes some to warm himself. He kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it. Yes he makes an idol and bows down to it. 116 16 Half of the wood they burn in the fire. Over this half they roast meat that they can eat until they are full. They also warm themselves and say: We are warm. We can see the fire! 17 But the rest of the wood they make into gods, carved statues. They bow to them and worship them. They pray to them and say: “Rescue us, because you are our gods.” 18 They do not know or understand anything. Their eyes are plastered shut and cannot see. Their minds are closed and therefore they cannot understand. 19 No one stops to think. No one has enough knowledge or understanding to say: “I burned half of the wood in the fire. I also baked bread over its coals. I roasted meat and ate it. Now I am making the rest of the wood into a disgusting thing and bowing to a block of wood.” 20 They eat ashes because they are deceived. Their own misguided minds lead them astray. They cannot rescue themselves or ask themselves: “Is what I hold in my right hand a false god?” 21 Jehovah says: “Israel, remember this! Remember that you are my servant. I created you to be my servant, and I will never forget you. 22 “I have swept your sins away like a cloud. Come back to me! I am the one who saves you. 23 “Shout for joy, you heavens! Shout, deep places of the earth! Shout for joy, mountains, and every tree of the forest! Jehovah has shown his greatness by saving his people Israel.” 24 “I am Jehovah, your savior. I am the one who created you. I am Jehovah, the Creator of all things. I alone stretched out the heavens! No one helped me when I made the earth (I was by myself) (Who was with me?). 25 “I make fools of fortunetellers and frustrate the predictions of astrologers. The words of the wise I refute and show that their wisdom is foolishness. 26 “„I make the word of my servant come true. I accomplish the purpose of my messengers. I say of Jerusalem, 'She will be inhabited!‟ And I say to the cities of Judah, 'You will be rebuilt! I will make your ruins raise up.‟ 27 “„I say to the watery deep: „Be a waste and I will dry up your rivers!‟ 117 28 “„I say of Cyrus: „He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please. He will say of Jerusalem, „Let it be rebuilt,‟ and of the Temple, „Let its foundations be laid.‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary *44:4 poplar trees: Hebrew “ara-vim” means popular trees. Poplar and willow trees are common to the Middle East. The poplar tree is plentiful along the banks of the Euphrates River. (Psalm 137:1, 2) They are also found on the banks of rivers and streams in Syria and Palestine. They often form dense thickets near watercourses like the Jordan River valley. (Leviticus 23:40) (Job 40:22) (Isaiah 44:3, 4) *44:13 compass: Hebrew: mechughah. The compass is an instrument used by a carpenter or another craftsman to mark a circle or arc on wood. The only reference to compass is found at Isaiah 44:13. *44:13 chalk: Hebrew: seredh (seh‟-red). The only occurrence of the Hebrew word “seredh” in the Bible is at Isaiah 44:13. It refers to the red chalk used by wood craftsmen for marking purposes. *44:14 Cypress Tree: The English word cypress comes from the Hebrew word “teashshur.” The cypress tree is an evergreen of the cone-bearing family. It has dark green foliage and branches that extend upward. It grows to an average height of 40 or 50 feet. A few grow as high as 80 feet tall. It is commonly found throughout Palestine, Gilead, Edom and Lebanon. (Isaiah 44:14) The Phoenicians, Cretans and Greeks used it in shipbuilding. (Ezekiel 27:6) Isaiah 45 1 This is WHAT JEHOVAH SAYS ABOUT CYRUS, his anointed one: “I have held him by his right hand so he could conquer the nations ahead of him; that he could strip kings of their power, and open doors ahead of him so that the gates would not be shut. 118 2 “I will go ahead of you, Cyrus. I will smooth out the rough places. I will break down the copper doors and cut through the iron bars. 3 “I will give you treasures from dark places and hidden stockpiles. You will know that I, Jehovah the God of Israel, have called you by name. 4 “For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen one, I have called you by name. I have given you a title of honor, although you do not know me. 5 “I AM JEHOVAH AND THERE IS NO OTHER. THERE IS NO OTHER GOD BESIDES ME. I will strengthen you, although you do not know me. 6 “From the east to the west (sunrise to sunset) people will know that there is no God except me. I am Jehovah, and there is no other. 7 “I make light and create darkness. I make blessings and create disasters. I, Jehovah, do all these things. 8 “Rain down from above, you heavens, and pour down righteousness, you skies. Let the earth open. Let salvation and righteousness sprout. Let them spring up for I Jehovah have created them.” 9 “Does a clay pot dare argue with its maker, a pot that is like all the others? Does the clay* ask the potter what he is doing? Does the pot complain that its maker has no skill? 10 “„Do we dare say to our parents: „Why did you make me like this?‟ 11 Jehovah, the Holy God of Israel, the one who shapes the future says: “You have no right to question me about my children or to tell me what I ought to do! 12 “I am the one who made the earth. I created human beings to live there. With my power I stretched out the heavens. I control the sun, the moon, and the stars. 13 “I have stirred Cyrus to action to fulfill my purpose and put things right. I will straighten out every road that he travels. He will rebuild my city, Jerusalem, and set my captive people free. No one has hired him or bribed him to do this.” Jehovah of Hosts has spoken. 14 This is what Jehovah says: “The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and those tall Sabeans* will come over 119 to you and will be yours. They will walk behind you. They will come to you in chains. They will bow down before you and plead with you. They will say: „God is with you and there is no other. There is no other god!‟ 15 Truly you are a God who hides himself, O God and Savior of Israel. 16 The makers of idols will be put to shame and disgraced. They will go off into disgrace together. 17 Jehovah will save Israel with an everlasting salvation. You will never be put to shame or disgraced, to ages everlasting. 18 Jehovah says: “Who created the heavens?* He who is God. He fashioned and made the earth. He founded it and he did not create it to be empty but formed it to be inhabited.” He says: “I am Jehovah, and there is no other. 19 “I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness. I have not said to Jacob‟s descendants: Seek me in vain. I, Jehovah, speak the truth; I declare what is right. 20 “Come here, you refugees from the nations. Ignorant people carry wooden idols and pray to gods that cannot save anyone. 21 “Speak and present your case. Yes, let them consult one another. Who revealed this in the distant past and predicted it long ago? Was it not I, Jehovah? There is no other God except me. There is no other righteous God and Savior besides me. 22 “Turn to me and be saved! Turn to me all who live at the ends of the earth for I am God, and there is no other. 23 “I have bound myself with an oath. A word has gone out from my righteous mouth that will not be recalled. Every knee will bow to me and every tongue will swear allegiance. 24 “It will be said of me: „Certainly, righteousness and strength are found in Jehovah alone. All who are angry with him will come to him and be ashamed. 25 “„All the descendants of Israel will be declared righteous, and they will praise Jehovah.‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary *45:9 clay: chomer (kho‟-mer/pelos (paylos‟)/argilla. Clay is soil that is pliable and a fine-grained 120 material. It is extra pliable when it is wet and becomes hard when dried by fire. The Hebrew word cho‟mer means clay. (Genesis 11:3) (Isaiah 10:6; 41:25) (Job 38:14) The Greek word “pelos” denotes clay. (John 9:6, 11, 14, 15) The Greek word “Keramikos” means vessels made of potter‟s clay. (Revelation 2:27) Man is figuratively likened to clay in the hands of God at Isaiah 45:9 and Job 10:9. *45:14 Sabeans, band of looters: The Sabeans were a band of looters and plunderers who attacked the property of Job in the land of Uz. This band of raiders stole Job‟s livestock and killed all but one of his attendants. (Job 1:14, 15) These lawless men may have been the descendants of several different men named Sheba. Scholars suggest that the Sabeans came through the Sheba who descended from Ham through Cush or Sheba the son of Joktan in Shem‟s line. (Genesis 10:6, 7, 21-29) *45:14 Sabeans, tall people: These Sabeans were tall people from Egypt and Ethiopia. They are recognized by Isaiah as persons who will say to the Israelites: “God is with you, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:14) *45:18 heavens, sky: Hebrew: shamayim shameh, Greek: ouranos means the physical sky. Latin: divum. The sky is the expanse of atmosphere surrounding the earth is called the firmament. The Hebrew: “raqiya” (raw-kee‟-ah) translates to firmament It is usually blue in color exept when clouds form. (Isaiah 45:8) The Bible speaks of the sky as being star-studded at night. (Psalm 89:37) Jehovah God used figurative language in warning Israel not to disobey. He said the skies overhead would become copper and the earth beneath would become iron. (Deuteonomy 28:23, 24) (1 Kings 8:35) Jesus ascended into the clouds in the sky and was caught away from the disciples‟ view. (Acts 1:9-11) Isaiah 46 1 Bel* bows down and Nebo* stoops low. Their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome. They are a burden for the weary. 121 2 They stoop and bow down together. They are unable to rescue the burden and they go off into captivity. 3 “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel. I have upheld you since you were conceived. I have carried you since your birth. 4 Even in your old age with gray hair I am he, I am he who will support you. I have made you and I will bear your burden (take care of you). I will sustain (support) (strengthen) you and I will rescue you (keep you safe). 5 “To whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? 6 “Some pour out gold from their bags and weigh out silver on the scales.* They hire a goldsmith to make it into a god. They bow down and worship it. 7 “They lift it to their shoulders and carry it. They set it up in its place and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Though one cries out to it, it does not answer. It cannot save him from his troubles! 8 “Remember this! Keep it in mind and take it to heart, you rebels. 9 “Remember the former things, the things of long ago. I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is none like me. 10 “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: „My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.‟ 11 I summon a bird of prey from the east. I summon a man to fulfill my purpose from a far off land. What I have said I will bring about. What I have determined (purposed) I will do. 12 “Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are far from righteousness. 13 “I bring near my righteousness. It is not far away. My salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *46:1 Bel: Bel was a Babylonian deity. The title Bel was first applied to the Enlil. The original Sumerian triad of deities 122 included Bel, Anlu and Enki. Jehovah‟s prophets foretold the fall of Bel to coincide with Babylon‟s fall. (Isaiah 46:1) (Jeremiah 50:2; 51:44) The prophets reported that Bel and Nebo would not escape. Jehovah would force Bel to give up what he had captured through his worshipers. (Jeremiah 51:44) *46:1 Nebo: Nebo was a deity worshiped in Babylonia and Assyria. He was identified with the planet Mercury and was regarded as the son of Murduk and Sarpanitu and consort of Tashmitum. The prophet Isaiah said that Nebo would be humiliated at the fall of Babylon at Isaiah 46:1, 2. The Babylonian king Nabonidus called Nebo the administrator of all the upper and nether world with power to lengthen the span of life. *46:6 scales for weighing: A scale is a device used for weighing objects. Ancient scales were simple beam or balance scales consisting of a horizontal bar that pivoted at the center. Each end of the bar had a hook or pan. The object to be weighted was placed on one side and known weights were placed on the other. (Jeremiah 32:10) (Isaiah 46:6) (Genesis 23:15, 16) (Ezekiel 5:1) The rider of the black horse of Revelation 6:5 held a pair of scales for measuring food. Jehovah required honesty and accuracy when using scales. (Leviticus 19:35, 36) (Proverbs 11:1; 16:11) (Ezekiel 45:10) Scales were sometimes used to represent proper measurement in judgement. (Job 31:6) (Daniel 5:27) Isaiah 47 1 “Come down and sit in the dust,* O virgin daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans! For you will no longer be called tender and delicate. 2 “Take the millstones and grind meal. Remove your veil, strip off the skirt; uncover the leg and cross the rivers. 3 “Your nakedness will be uncovered and your shame will be exposed. I will take vengeance. I will not spare a man.” 123 4 Our Redeemer, Jehovah of Hosts is His name, The Holy One of Israel. 5 “Sit silently and go into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans. You will no longer be called the queen of kingdoms. 6 “I was angry with my people. I profaned my heritage and gave them into your hand. You did not show mercy to them. You made your yoke very heavy on the aged. 7 “„You said: „I will be a queen for a very long time!‟ You did not consider these things or remember their outcome. 8 “Hear this you sensual one! You dwell securely and say in your heart: „I am, and there is no one besides me. I will not sit as a widow. I will not lose children.‟ (Revelation 18:2-8) 9 “Two things will come on you suddenly in one day: Loss of children and widowhood. They will come on you in full measure in spite of your abundance of sorceries, in spite of the great power of your spells. 10 “You felt sure of yourself in your evil. You thought that no one could see you. Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray. Then you said to yourself: „I am God! There is no one else like me.‟ 11 “Disaster will come upon you, and none of your magic can stop it. Ruin will come on you suddenly, ruin you never dreamed of! 12 Keep all your magic spells and charms.* You have used them since you were young. Perhaps they will be of some help to you. Perhaps you can frighten your enemies. 13 “You are powerless in spite of the advice you get. Let your astrologers come forward and save you! Let those people who study the stars, who map out the zones of the heavens* tell you from month to month what is going to happen to you. 14 “Surely they are like stubble.* The fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. Here are no coals to warm anyone and no fire to sit by. 15 “That is all they can do for you, these you have labored with and trafficked with since childhood. Each of them goes on in his error. No one can save you. Simplified Bible Dictionary 124 *47:1 dust: aphar/koniortos (kon-ee-or-tos‟)/pulvis. Dust is fine powdery material such as dry earth or pollen. It can easily be blown about by air currents. The most often used Biblical word for dust is the Hebrew word “a-phar.‟” This also means dry earth and clay mortar. (Genesis 26:15) (Leviticus 14:41, 42) Believe it or not, dust is a blessing from our Creator. Atmospheric dust has light scattering properties that adjust the unbearable glare of the sun‟s direct rays. Dust is also needed to influence condensation of moisture in the form of rain, fog or mist that is vital to plant growth. God formed man from the dust of the ground. (Genesis 2:7) (1 Corinthians 15:47, 48) After Adam disobeyed God‟s Law he was sentenced to death when Jehovah God said: “To dust you will return.” God used the term dust to depict large numbers when he told Abraham: “I will make your seed like the dust particles of the earth.” (Genesis 13:14,16) Dust is also used symbolically to represent lowliness such as when God called upon Babylon to come down off her throne and sit down in the dust at Isaiah 47:1. *47:12 spells and charms: Such spiritistic practices as casting spells on people were among the detestable things that God forbad his people to indulge in. (Deuteronomy 18:9-11) The ancient Babylonians, Egyptians, and others put their trust in charms and the casting of spells. (Isaiah 19:3; 47:9, 12) Snake charming was a form of spiritism of the ancient cult of serpent worshipers. By playing music with a flute or pipe the charmer appears to enchante the snake. Psalm 58:4, 5 implies that snakes are able to hear the voice of charmers as well as music. Spiritistic forces appear to be involved in snake charming. (Ecclesiastes 10:11) *47:12 study stars and map zones in heavens, Zodiac: The Zodiac is the band of stars seen from the earth. It is observed on either side of the plane of Earth‟s orbit around the sun. The early Babylonians discovered it. The astronomers noted that different stars and their constellations could be seen from the earth at different season. A Greek 125 astronomer divided the zodiac into twelve equal parts of thirty degrees each. These parts came to be known as the signs of the zodiac. The word zodiac comes from the Greek language. It means circle of animals. This is appropriate since most of the zodiac‟s twelve constellations were designated by the names of animal or marine life. The constellations of the zodiac were made objects of false worship in early Mesopotamia. (2 Kings 23:5) (Deuteronomy 17:2-7) (Job 38:32) (Isaiah 47:12-15) Astrology was a predominant factor of Babylonian worship. Many people believe in the zodiacal signs of false religion today. *47:14 stubble, fuel: Some of the fuels that are mentioned in the Bible include: Charcoal (Isaiah 47:14) (Jeremiah 36:22) (John 18:18; 21:9, 10), sticks (Jeremiah 7:18), rushes (Job 41:20, and wood (Joshua 9:27; Isaiah 44:14-16). Olive oil was used in lanps. (Exodus 27:20; Matthew 25:3, 4) Ezekiel illustrated the severity of Jerusalem‟s siege by using human excrement for fuel. This was an extreamly objectionable practice to the Israelites. And when he objected to this detestable act, Jehovah permitted him to use cattle dung instead. (Ezekiel 4:8, 12-15) Wood was more plentiful in the Mid-East in Ezekiel‟s day than it is today. Isaiah 48 1 Listen to this, people of Israel, you that are descended from Judah. You swear by the name of Jehovah and claim to worship the God of Israel. However you do not mean a word you say. 2 Yet you are proud to say that you are citizens of the holy city and that you depend on Israel's God, whose name is Jehovah of Hosts. 3 Jehovah says to Israel: “Long ago I predicted what would take place. Then suddenly I made it happen. 4 “I knew that you would prove to be stubborn. You were as rigid as iron and unyielding as copper. 5 “I predicted your future long ago. I announced events before they took place, to keep you from claiming that your idols and images made them happen. 126 6 “All I foretold has now taken place. You have to admit my predictions were right. Now I will tell you of new things to come, events that I did not reveal before. 7 They are created now, not in the past. You have not heard about them before today, so you cannot say that you already knew about them. 8 “You have never heard about them. You have never known about them. Your ears have never been open to hear them before. I know that you have acted very treacherously and that you have been called a rebel since you were born. 9 “For my name's sake I will be patient. For my glory's sake I will hold my anger back from you, and not destroy you. 10 “I have been testing you for myself like silver. I have put you through the fire of trouble. 11 “I did it for myself and because of my name. I will not let my name be shamed (profaned). I will not give my glory to another. 12 “Listen to me Jacob and Israel, my loved one. I am he, I am the first and I am the last. 13 “My hand laid the foundation of the earth. My right hand stretched out the heavens. When I call for them, they both stand. 14 “Gather together, all of you, and listen. What idol has revealed such things? Jehovah loves Cyrus. He will carry out Jehovah‟s plan against Babylon. He will use his strength against the Babylonians. 15 “I alone have spoken. I have called him. I will bring him here and he will succeed. 16 “Come here. Listen to this! From the beginning I have spoken nothing in private. From the time it took place, I was there. Now the Lord Jehovah has sent me, and his Spirit. 17 This is what Jehovah your Defender (Redeemer), the Holy One of Israel, says: “I am Jehovah your God. I teach you what is best for you. I lead you where you should go. 18 “If only you had listened to my commandments! Your peace would be like a river that never runs dry. Your righteousness would be like waves on the sea. 127 19 “Your descendants would be like sand. Your children would be like its grains. Their names would not be cut off or wiped out in my presence.” 20 Get out of Babylon! Flee from the Babylonians! Shout for joy as you tell it and announce it. Shout it out to the ends of the earth. Say: “Jehovah has reclaimed his servant Jacob. 21 “They were not thirsty when he led them through the deserts. He made water flow from a rock for them. He split a rock, and water gushed out. 22 “There is no peace for the wicked,” says Jehovah. Isaiah 49 1 Listen to this, you islands! Pay attention you people far away. Jehovah chose me long before I was born. He recorded my name while I was in my mother‟s womb. 2 He made my tongue like a sharp sword. He hid me in the palm of his hand. He made me like a sharpened arrow and hid me in his quiver. 3 He said to me: “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will show my glory.” 4 I said: “I have toiled in vain. I have spent my energy for nothing and vanity. Yet, to be sure, the justice due to me is with Jehovah. My reward is with my God.” 5 Jehovah formed me in the womb to be his servant. I am to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to him. Jehovah honors me. My God has become my strength. 6 He says: “It is a small thing that you are my servant. You will raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the preserved ones of Israel. I will also make you a light to the nations that my salvation will reach to the end of the earth.” 7 Israel‟s Holy God and Savior says to the one who is deeply despised, hated by the nations and is the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you released and will rise to show their respect. Princes will also see it and they will bow low to honor you.” 8 This is what Jehovah says: “In the time of favor I will answer you. I will appoint you as my promise to the people. You will restore the land. You will make them inherit the desolate inheritance.” 128 9 Say to those who are bound: “Go forth, to those in the darkness and show yourselves. They will feed along the roads and their pasture is on all bare heights. 10 “They will never be hungry or thirsty. The sun and the burning hot wind will not strike them. The one who has compassion on them will lead them and guide them to springs. 11 “I will make all my mountains a road. My highways will be raised up. 12 “They will come from far away. They will come from the north and from the west. They will come from the land of Sinim.” 13 Shout for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Break into joyful shouting, O mountains! For Jehovah has comforted his people. He will have compassion on his afflicted. 14 Zion replied: “Jehovah has forsaken me and Jehovah has forgotten me!” 15 Can a woman forget her nursing child? Will she have no compassion on the child from her womb? Although mothers forget, I will not forget you. 16 I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands. Your walls are constantly before me. 17 Your children will hurry back. Those who destroyed you and laid you waste will leave you. 18 Lift up your eyes and look around for they all gather together and come to you. “As I live,” declares Jehovah, “you will certainly wear them like jewels and bind them on like a bride does.” 19 “Even if you are destroyed and demolished, and your land is in ruins, you will be too crowed for your people. Those who devoured you will be long gone. 20 “„The children removed from you will say to you: „This place is too crowed for me. Make room for me to live here.‟ 21 “„You will think in your heart: „Who brought these children to birth? I am barren (sterile) and bereaved of my children. I am an exiled wonderer. Who gave birth to these? From where did these come?‟ 22 “Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations,” said Jehovah. “I will set up my standard for the peoples. They will 129 bring your sons and your daughters in their bosom and carried on their shoulders. 23 “Kings will be your guardians. Their princesses will be your nurses.* They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth. They will lick the dust off your feet. Then you will know that I am Jehovah. Those who hopefully wait for me will not be put to shame. 24 “Can the prey be taken from the strong man? Can the captives be rescued from the tyrant?” 25 Certainly Jehovah says: “The captives of the strong man will be taken away. The prey of the tyrant will be rescued. I will contend with the one who grapples with you and I will save your sons. 26 “I will feed oppressors with their own flesh. They will be intoxicated with their own blood as if by sweet wine. Everyone will know that I am Jehovah, your Savior and Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.” *49:23 nurse: Hebrew: omeneth. The nursing woman. The Hebrew word “meh-ne‟qeth” means a substitute mother for breast feeding an infant. (Genesis 24:59; 35:8) (Exodus 2:7) (2 Kings 11:2) The caretaker nurse, Hebrew “o-me‟neth,” was a person who cared for children and the sick. (Numbers 11:12) (Isaiah 49:23) Isaiah 50 1 This is what Jehovah says: “Where are your mother's divorce papers? Did I give her any to get rid of her? To which of my creditors did I sell you? You were sold because of your sins. I got rid of your mother because of your rebellion. 2 “Why was no one here when I came? Why was no one here to answer when I called? Am I too weak to reclaim you? Do I not have the power to rescue you? I dry up the sea with my command, and I turn rivers into deserts. Their fish stink because there is no water, and people die of thirst. 3 “I clothe the heavens in darkness and cover them with sackcloth.” 130 4 The Lord Jehovah will teach me what to say, so I will know how to encourage tired people. Morning after morning he will wake me to listen like a student. 5 The Lord Jehovah has opened my ears. I will not rebel, nor will I turn away from him. 6 I will offer my back to those who whip me. I will offer my cheeks to those who pluck hairs out of my beard. I will not turn my face away from those who humiliate me and spit on me. 7 The Lord Jehovah helps me. That is why I will not be ashamed. I have set my face like a flint (firm and resolute). I know that I will not be put to shame. 8 The one who pronounces me innocent is near. Who will bring a case against me? Let us confront each other! Who accuses me? Let him draw near to me! 9 The Lord Jehovah helps me. Who will find me guilty? They will all wear out like a garment and moths* will eat them. 10 Who among you respects Jehovah and obeys his servant? Let those who walk in darkness and have no light trust the name of Jehovah and depend upon their God. 11 But all of you light fires and arm yourselves with flaming torches. So walk in your own light and among the torches you have lit. This is what you will receive from me: You will be tormented. Simplified Bible Dictionary *50:9 moth: Hebrew: ash asab (awsh as-ab’) Greek: ses (sace). The moth is a four-winged insect that resembles a butterfly. The moth has feathery shaped feelers not terminated by knobs. Moths are nocturnal and their wings fold back over their bodies. The moths referred to in the Bible are of the Tineola biselliella variety known as the webbing clothes moth. (Job 13:28) (Psalm 39:11) (Isaiah 50:9; 51:8) (Hosea 5:12) (Matthew 6:19, 20) (Luke 12:33) 131 Isaiah 51 1 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek Jehovah. Look to the rock from which you were hewn and to the quarry from which you were dug out. 2 “Look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one. I blessed him and made him many.” 3 Jehovah will surely comfort Zion. He will look with compassion on all her ruins. He will make her deserts like Eden and her wastelands like the garden of Jehovah. Joy and gladness will be found in her along with thanksgiving and the sound of singing. 4 “Listen to me, my people; give ear,* my nation. The law will go out from me. My justice will become a light to the nations. 5 “My righteousness is near. My salvation is on the way and my arm (power) will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm (power). 6 “Lift up your eyes to the heavens. Look at the earth below. The heavens will vanish like smoke and the earth will wear out like a garment. Its inhabitants die like flies (gnats). But my salvation will last forever! My righteousness will never fail. 7 “Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in your hearts. Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults. 8 “The moth will eat them up like a garment. The worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever! My salvation will last through all generations.” 9 Awake, awake! Clothe yourself with strength, O arm of Jehovah. Awake, as in days gone by, as in generations of old. Was it not you who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced that monster through? 10 Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea so that the redeemed might cross over? 11 Jehovah‟s ransomed will return. They will enter Zion with singing! Everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. 12 “I, even I, am the one who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men? The sons of men are like grass! 132 13 “You forget Jehovah your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. Will you live in constant terror of the human oppressor, who is bent on your destruction? Will you fear your enemies from morning until night? 14 “The cowering prisoners will soon be set free. They will not die in their dungeon, nor will they lack bread. 15 “I am Jehovah your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar. Jehovah of Hosts is his name. 16 “I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand (protection of my power, Holy Spirit). I set the heavens in place and laid the foundations of the earth. Yet I say to Zion: „You are my people!”‟ 17 Awake, awake! Rise up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of Jehovah the cup of his wrath, you who have drained to its dregs the goblet that makes men stagger. 18 Of all the sons she bore there was none to guide her; of all the sons she reared there was none to take her by the hand. 19 These double calamities have come upon you. Who can comfort you? You experience ruin and destruction, famine and sword. Who can console you? 20 Your sons have fainted. They lie at the head of every street. They are like antelope caught in a net. They are filled with the rage of Jehovah and the rebuke of your God. 21 Therefore hear this, you afflicted one, made drunk, but not with wine. 22 This is what your Lord Jehovah says, your God, who defends his people: “See, I have taken out of your hand the cup that made you stagger. You will never drink from that cup, that cup of wrath, again. 23 “I will put it into the hands of your tormentors, who said to you: „Lie down that we may walk all over you. You made your back like the ground like a street to be walked over.”‟ Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *51:4 ear: azan (aw-zan’), ozen/ous (oose)/auricula. The ear is the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium. This miraculous feature was designed and created by Jehovah God. 133 (Psalm 94:9) (Proverbs 20:12) The creator of the ear can also hear. The Bible speaks of him as possessing symbolic ears at Numbers 11:18 and Psalms 116:1, 2. When it says: he turns his ear toward me, it means he listens to me. Jehovah pictures himself as having ears that listen to prayers. (Psalms 10:17, 18:6; 34:15; 130:2) (Isaiah 59:1) (1 Peter 3:12) The Bible very effectively uses the word ear in a figurative sense. To have the ears opened means the person receives understanding. (Isaiah 50:5) The expression “give ear” or “incline your ear” means to pay attention. (Psalm 78:1, 86:6) (Isaiah 51:4) Chapter 52 1 Awake, awake, O Zion, put on your strength. Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again. 2 Shake off your dust! Rise up and sit enthroned, O Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion. 3 For this is what Jehovah says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.” 4 The Lord Jehovah says: “At first my people went down to Egypt to live as aliens. Now Assyria has oppressed them.” 5 “What do I have here?” Declares Jehovah. “For my people have been taken away for nothing. Those who rule them mock,” declares Jehovah. “And all day long my name is constantly blasphemed. 6 “Therefore my people will all know my name! In that day they will know that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I!” 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace and who bring good tidings of good things! For they proclaim salvation and say to Zion: “Your God reigns as king!” (Hebrew: Elohiym‟ malak‟: God rules!) 8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices. Together they shout for joy. They will see it with their own eyes when Jehovah returns to Zion. 9 Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem! Jehovah has comforted his people. He has redeemed Jerusalem. 134 10 Jehovah will lay bare his holy arm (show his holy power) in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. 11 Get out of her my people! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry the vessels of Jehovah. 12 You will not leave in haste or go in panic. For Jehovah will go before you. The God of Israel will be your rear guard. 13 My servant will act wisely. He will be raised, lifted up and highly exalted. 14 There were many who were appalled at him and his appearance was disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness. 15 He will startle (amaze) (astonish) many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand. Isaiah 53 1 THIS IS THE PEOPHESY ABOUT THE MESSIAH. Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm (power) of Jehovah been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him. Nothing in his appearance will make us desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men. He was a man of sorrows familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised. We did not consider him to be worth much. 4 He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. We considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced (wounded) for our transgressions! He was bruised (afflicted) for our iniquities! The punishment that brought us peace was upon him. There has been healing for us because of his wounds. 6 We are all like sheep. We have gone astray! Each of us has turned to his own way. Jehovah has caused the iniquity (sin) of all of us to be laid on him. 135 7 He was oppressed and afflicted and yet he did not open his mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. He was silent like sheep ready to be sheared. He did not open his mouth. 8 He was oppressed, judged and taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? He was removed from the land of the living. He was destroyed because of the transgression of my people. 9 He was buried like a criminal in a rich mans grave. He had done no wrong, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 10 It was Jehovah‟s will to allow him to be crushed. Even though Jehovah makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of Jehovah will prosper in his hand. 11 After his suffering he will see the light and be satisfied. By his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many. He will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great. He will divide the spoils with the strong. This is because he poured out his life unto death. He was numbered with the transgressors. He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 54 1 “Sing joyfully, O barren woman, you who never bore a child! Burst into song and shout for joy, you who were never in labor! More are the children of the desolate woman than of the woman, who has a husband,” proclaims Jehovah. 2 “Enlarge the place of your tent. Stretch your tent curtains wide and do not hold back. Lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. 3 “For you will spread out to the right and to the left. Your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. 4 “Do not be afraid. You will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace. You will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.” 136 5 “For your Maker is your husband. Jehovah of Hosts is his name! The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer. He is called the God of all the earth. 6 “Jehovah will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit; a wife, who married young, only to be rejected, says your God. 7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. 8 “In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says Jehovah your Redeemer. 9 “To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. 10 “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says Jehovah. “I have compassion on you.” 11 “O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will build you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires. 12 “I will make your battlements of rubies,* your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones. 13 “Your sons will all be taught by Jehovah. Your sons will have an abundance of peace. 14 “You will be established in righteousness. Tyranny will be far from you. You will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed and it will not come near you. 15 “If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing. Whoever attacks you will surrender to you.” 16 “I created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. I also created the destroyer who will work havoc. 17 “Weapons forged against you will not prevail! You will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of Jehovah and this is their vindication from me,” declares Jehovah. 137 Simplified Bible Dictionary *54:12 ruby: This precious red gemstone is very rare. It is slightly inferior to the diamond in hardness. Yet its value may exceed the diamond of the same size in value. The Ruby was the first stone in the first row of gems on High Priest Aaron‟s breast piece of judgment. (Exodus 28:2, 15, 17, 21; 39:10) Jehovah comforted Zion by describing her beauty by saying: I will make your battlements of rubies, and your gates of fiery glowing stones. (Isaiah 54:5, 6, 11, 12) Isaiah 55 1 Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the water. You, who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. 3 Give ear and come to me; listen to me, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. 4 Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the nations. 5 You will summon nations you do not know. Nations that do not know you will run to you, because of Jehovah your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor. 6 Seek Jehovah while he may be found. Call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to Jehovah, and he will have mercy* on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 8 “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares Jehovah. 9 “As the heavens* are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 “As the rain and the snow* come down from the sky, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower* and bread for the eater, 138 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12 “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 “Instead of the thornbush the pine tree will grow. Instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for Jehovah‟s fame. It will be for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.” Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *55:7 mercy: chesed (kheh’-sed), racham/eleos/clementia. Mercy is the feeling that motivates compassion, kindness and pity. The Hebrew verb “ra-cham” means to glow, to feel warm with tender emotion, to be compassionate. The Greek word “e‟le-os” means to feel pity, divine compassion and mercy. The Hebrew nation frequently strayed from righteousness and became in need of merciful help. If they showed a proper heart attitude and turned to Jehovah, he would express compassion, favor and goodwill. (Deuteronomy 13:17; 30:3) (Psalm 102:13) (Isaiah 54:7-10; 60:10) All who wish to receive God‟s mercy must turn to him with a right heart condition by abandoning wrong ways and harmful thoughts. (Isaiah 55:6, 7) (Psalms 103:13; 119:77, 156, 157) (Luke 1:50) Jesus said: “Blessed are the merciful and compassionate, for they shall receive mercy and compassion.” (Matthew 5:7) *55:10 heaven, earths atmosphere: The context of a Scripture verse usually tells which area of the physical heaven is meant. One important area of the physical heaven is the earth‟s atmosphere where dew and frost form. (Genesis 27:28) (Deuteronomy 4:17) (Job 38:29) (Psalm 78:26) (Proverbs 30:19) (Matthew 6:26) (Luke 17:24) The clouds float and drop moisture from the heavens. (Joshua 10:11) (1 Kings 18:45) (Isaiah 55:10) (Acts 14:17) The heaven known as the sky presents a visual dome or vault forming around the earth. (Matthew 16:1-3) (Acts 1:10, 11) Earth‟s atmosphere is described at Genesis 1:6-8; 2:4, (Exodus 20:11; 31:17) 139 *55:10 snow: Snow consists of white crystals of frozen water. It forms from water vapor in the atmosphere. (Isaiah 55:10, 11) (Job 9:30) Some areas of Palestine rarely receive snow. However, it sometimes falls during January and February in the hill country near Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 23:20) (1 Chronicles 11:22) Mount Hermon and Mount Hauran are snowcapped in season. (Psalm 68:14) (Jeremiah 18:14) God provides snow and controls it. (Job 37:6) (Psalm 147:16) Snow is offered illustratively in the Scriptures to convey the idea of whiteness. (Exodus 4:6) (Numbers 12:10) (2 Kings 5:27) (Daniel 7:9) (Matthew 28:3) (Revelation 1:14) *55:10, 11 sowing seed: zerua (zay-roo’-ah)/speiro (spi’ro)/satus. Sowing or broadcasting is the practice of placing seeds in the ground for future growth. It is also the act of induceing something, such as an idea or belief, into an environment. In ancient times the farmer would carry grain seed in a fold of his garment or in a container. Then he would use long sweeping arm motion to disperse the seed on the earth for growth. Jehovah uses the sowing and growing process to illustrate the sure effectiveness of his word. (Isaiah 55:10, 11) Jesus Christ compare the sowing of seed to preaching the good news of the Kingdom. (John 4:35-38) The apostle Paul emphasized that, “A man will harvest what he sows.” (Galatians 6:4, 7, 8) He was speaking about spiritual things. Isaiah 56 1 Jehovah says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. 2 “Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. 3 “„No foreigner bound to Jehovah should say: „Jehovah will surely exclude (separate) me from his people. No eunuch should complain: I am only a dry tree.‟” 140 4 For Jehovah says: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me. They hold fast to my covenant. 5 “I will give to those within my Temple and its walls a memorial and a name that is better than sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. 6 “Foreigners have become allied with Jehovah, to serve Jehovah, to love the name of Jehovah, and to worship him. They keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and hold fast to my covenant. 7 “I will bring them to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar. My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” 8 The Sovereign Lord Jehovah declares: “He who gathers the exiles of Israel, I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.” 9 Come, all you beasts of the field, come and devour, all you beasts of the forest! 10 Israel‟s watchmen are blind.* They all lack knowledge they are all mute dogs. They cannot bark. They just lie around and dream, they love to sleep. 11 They are dogs with mighty appetites. They never have enough! They are shepherds who lack understanding. They all turn to their own way and each one seeks dishonest (unjust) gain. 12 “Come, each one cries, let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *56:10 blind: avar, ivver, /tuphlos (ty-phlos’)/caecus. The Holy Scriptures speak of blindness in a literal and a figurative sense. (Deuteronomy 27:18) (Isaiah 56:10) (Matthew 15:30) The groping about of the blind offers an illustration of helplessness. (Deuteronomy 28:29) (Isaiah 59:10) (Zepaniah 1:17) (Luke 6:29) The Bible speaks of the importance of spiritual sight. The Pharisees loved spiritual darkness. (John 9:39-41; 3:19, 20) Paul said the Ephesian congregation had 141 the eyes of their heart enlightened. (Ephesians 1:16, 18) (1 John 2:11) (2 Peter 1:5-9) (Revelation 3:17) Isaiah 57 1 The righteous perishes and no man takes it to heart. Merciful men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil. 2 He will enter into peace. The honorable and honest will rest in his bed. 3 “But come here, you sons of the witch, you offspring of the adulterer and the prostitute! 4 With whom are you effeminate (self-indulgent)? With whom do you open wide your mouth and offer your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of falsehood and deceit? 5 Are you inflaming yourselves with gods under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? 6 “Is your portion among the smooth stones of the stream? They indeed are your lot!* Even to them you have poured a drink offering. You have offered a grain offering. Should this give me comfort? 7 “You placed your bed on a lofty and high mountain. Even there you went up to offer sacrifice. 8 “You ordained your memorial behind the doors and their posts. You revealed (uncovered) yourself to those other than me. You went to them. You enlarged your bed and made a covenant with them. You have loved their bed, where you saw their naked manhood. 9 “You went to the king with ointment and much perfume. You sent your messengers far off, and descended even to the grave. 10 “You are wearied because of the length of your trip. Yet you did not say: I give up. There is no hope. You have found the renewal of your strength. Therefore you were not grieved. 11 “Who frightened you? Who made you afraid, that you have lied and not remembered me? You did not take it to your heart. Is it not because I have held my peace from of old that you do not reverence (respect) me? 142 12 “I will declare your righteousness and your works, yet they will not profit you. 13 “When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry them all away. A breath will take them. But he who puts his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain. 14 “„One will say: „Heap it up! Heap it up! Prepare the way; Take the stumbling block out of the way of my people.‟” 15 The High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy, says: „I dwell in the high and holy and also with him who has a contrite and humble spirit. I revive the spirit of the humble, and the heart of the contrite ones.‟ 16 For I will not contend (rebuke) forever! Nor will I always be angry! The spirit would fail before me, and those whom I have made. 17 Because of the iniquity of his covetousness gain I was angry and struck him. I hid and was angry. He went on backsliding in the way of his heart (his heart directed course of life). 18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him. I will also lead him, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners. 19 I create the fruit (praise) of the lips: Peace, peace to the near and the far off, says Jehovah, and I will heal him. 20 But the wicked are like the troubled and restless sea, whose waters* cast up mire and dirt. 21 My God has said: “There is no peace for the wicked.”* *57:6 casting lots: It was the custom in ancient times to decide a question or issue by drawing or casting lots. Pebbles or small tablets of wood or of stone were gathered in the folds of a garment. Sometimes they were placed in a vase. The fold of the garment or the vase was shaken. The one whose lot fell out or was drawn out was the one chosen. The Hebrew word “gohral” is used literally and figuratively with the idea to share or portion something. (Joshua 15:1) (Psalms 16:5; 125:3) (Isaiah 57:6) (Jeremiah 13:25) Proverbs 16:33 says, “The lot is cast into the lap. But every decision is from Jehovah.” Casting lots was done in ancient Israel to decide important things. This practice was not used for gambling. Jehovah commanded that the division of the Promised Land among the 12 tribes be 143 performed by casting lots. (Numbers 26:55, 56) On the other hand the Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus‟ garments. (Psalm 22:18) (Matthew 27:35) When Matthias was chosen to serve as an apostle to replace Judas Iscariot lots were used. (Acts 1:21-26) There is no written evidence that casting lots was used after Pentecost 33 C.E. Simplified Bible Dictionary *57:20 waters: Frequently the word waters in the Holy Scriptures mean people and nations. (Revelation 17:15; 21:1) (Isaiah 57:20) Jesus walked on water. (Matthew 14:22-36) Living water. (John 4:1-15) *57:21 peace is for righteous persons: The angels proclaimed peace to men of goodwill. (Luke 2:14) God does not express goodwill toward all men. He says: There is no peace for the wicked. (Isaiah 57:21) Isaiah 58 1 “Cry aloud! Do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram's horn. Tell my people about their rebellion and the descendants of Jacob about their sins. 2 “They seek me day by day. They delight to know my ways like a nation that has done righteousness and has not forsaken the ordinance of their God. They ask me for justice and delight. They are pleased that God is near. 3 “„Why have we fasted and you do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and you do not notice? Behold, on the day of your fast you find desire, and mistreat all your workers.‟ 4 “You fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist. You do not fast today to make your voice heard on high. 5 “Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it for bowing one's head like a reed (rush) and for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed? Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to Jehovah? 144 6 “Is this not the fast I choose to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke? 7 “Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house? When you see the naked,* should you cover him and not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 “Your light will break out like the dawn. Your recovery will speedily spring forth. Your righteousness will go before you and the glory of Jehovah will be your rear guard. 9 “„Then you will call, and Jehovah will answer! You will cry and he will say: „Here I am.‟ If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, 10 and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will be like midday. 11 Jehovah will continually guide you. He will satisfy your desire in scorched places and give strength to your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. 12 Those among you will rebuild the ancient ruins. You will raise up the age-old foundations. You will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell. 13 “If because of the Sabbath, you turn your foot from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and you call the Sabbath a delight and the holy of Jehovah honorable, and honor it, desisting from your ways, from seeking your own pleasure and speaking your own word, 14 “you will take delight in Jehovah! I will make you ride on the heights of the earth. I will feed you the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of Jehovah has spoken!” 58:7 naked: Hebrew: para (paw-raw), arom (aw-rome’). Greek: gumneteuo (goom-neyt-yoo’-o), gumnos (goom-nos’). This word sometimes means completely naked (without clothes). (Genesis 2:25) (Job 1:20-21) (Ecclesiastes 5:15) (Micah 1:8) It can also mean being poorly clad. (Isaiah 58:7) (James 2:15) Someone who has laid aside his lose outer 145 garment is called naked too, even though he still is covered with under clothing. (1 Samuel 19:24) (Isaiah 47:3) (Mark 14:52) (John 21:7) It can also be used figuratively to mean being discovered or exposed such as Job 26:6 and Hebrews 4:13. Isaiah 59 1 The hand of Jehovah is not too weak to save or his ear too deaf to hear. 2 But your wrongs have separated you from your God. Your sins have made him hide his face so that he does not even hear you. 3 Your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers are desecrated with sin. You speak lies, and you mutter wicked things. 4 No one calls for justice and no one pleads his case truthfully. People trust pointless arguments and speak lies. They conceive trouble and give birth to evil. 5 They hatch viper eggs and weave spider webs. Those who eat their eggs will die. When an egg is crushed, a poisonous snake is hatched. 6 Their webs cannot be used for clothes. They cannot cover themselves with their works for their works are evil. Their hands have committed acts of violence. 7 Their feet run to do evil. They hurry to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil. Ruin and destruction are on their highways. 8 They do not know the way of peace. There is no justice on their highways. They made their paths crooked. Those who walk on them will never know peace. 9 That is why justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light and we walk in darkness. We hope for brightness but we walk in gloom. 10 We grope like blind men along a wall. We grope like people without eyes. We stumble at noon as if it were evening. We are like dead people among the living. 11 We all growl like bears. We coo like doves. We hope for justice, but there is none. We hope for salvation, but it is far from us. 146 12 You are aware of our many rebellious acts. Our sins testify against us. Our rebellious acts are with us. We know our iniquities. 13 We rebelled and denied Jehovah. We turned away from our God. We spoke about oppression and revolt. We conceived and uttered lies in our hearts. 14 Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away. Truth has fallen in the street, and honesty cannot come in. 15 Truth is missing. Those who turn away from evil become victims. Jehovah sees it, and what he saw displeased him because there is no justice. 16 He sees that there is no one to help. He is astounded that there is no one to intercede. So he saves him with his own power. His righteousness supports him. 17 He puts on righteousness like a coat of armor and a helmet of salvation on his head. He wears clothes of vengeance. He wraps himself with zeal as a coat. 18 He will pay them back according to their deeds. He will pay back his opponents with wrath and punish his enemies. He will pay back the people who live on the coastlands. 19 The people from the sunset (the west) will respect the name of Jehovah. Those from the rising of the sun (the east) will reverence his glory. He will come like a rushing stream that the Spirit (wind) (breath) of Jehovah drives. 20 “A Savior will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from sin, declares Jehovah. 21 “This is my promise to them,”says Jehovah. “My Spirit is on you and my words that I put in your mouth will not leave you. They will be with your children and your grandchildren permanently,” says Jehovah Isaiah 60 1 “Arise O woman and shine! Your light has come, and the glory of Jehovah beams on you. 2 “Darkness now covers the earth! Thick darkness overwhelms the nations. But Jehovah shines for you. His glory appears to you. 3 “Nations will come to your light. Kings will come to the brightness of your illumination. 147 4 “Look up, look around, and watch. All of your people assemble and come to you. Your sons come from far away. Your daughters are carried in their arms. 5 “Then you will see this and rejoice. Your heart will shake with joy. The riches of the sea will be brought to you. The wealth of the nations will come to you. 6 “Many camels will cover your land, young camels from Midian and Ephah. Everyone from Sheba will come. They will bring gold and incense. They will sing the praises of Jehovah. 7 “All of the flocks from Kedar will gather and come to you. The rams of Nebaioth will serve you. They will be sacrificed as acceptable offerings on my altar. So I will honor my beautiful Temple. 8 “Who are these people that fly by like clouds and like doves to their nests? 9 “Surely the coastlands wait with hope for me. The ships from Tarshish are the first to bring your children from far away. They bring their silver and their gold with them to honor the name of Jehovah your God, the Holy One of Israel, because he has honored you. 10 “Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. I struck you because of my anger, but in my favor I have compassion on you. 11 “Your gates will always be open. They will never be closed day or night so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations. Even their kings are led as prisoners. 12 “Nations and kingdoms that do not serve you will be destroyed. The nations will definitely be ruined. 13 “Lebanon's glory will come to you: Cedar, fir, and cypress trees will come to beautify my holy place. I will honor the place where my feet rest. 14 “The sons of those who oppress you will bow in front of you. All who loathe you will bow at your feet. They will call you the city of Jehovah, Zion,* the city of the Holy One of Israel. 15 “You have been abandoned and hated. No one has passed through you. But now I will make you a foundation of everlasting pride, a joy for all generations. 148 16 “You will drink milk from other nations and nurse at royal breasts. Then you will know that I am Jehovah, your Savior, the Mighty One of Jacob, and your Defender (Protector). 17 “I will bring gold instead of copper. I will bring silver instead of iron, copper instead of wood, and iron instead of stone. I will appoint peace as your governor and righteousness as your ruler. 18 “You will no longer hear about violence in your land or desolation and destruction within your borders. You will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. 19 “The sun will no longer be your light during the day. The brightness of the moon will not give you light, for Jehovah will be your everlasting light. Your God will be your glory. 20 “Your sun will no longer go down, nor will your moon disappear. Jehovah will be your everlasting light, and your days of sadness will be over. 21 “Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land everlastingly. They will be the seedlings I have planted, the honored work of my hands. 22 “The smallest of them will become a thousand. The weakest of them will become a mighty nation. At the right time I, Jehovah, will make it happen quickly.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *60:14 City of Jehovah, Zion: First known as Salem the City of Peace. The Hebrew meaning of Jerusalem is “Foundation of Twofold Peace.” It was also known as the City of Jehovah (Isaiah 60:14); Zion (Isaiah 33:20) and the Holy City (Matthew 4:5). Isaiah 61 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah is upon me, because Jehovah has anointed me to announce good news to the lowly and meek. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners. 149 2 To proclaim the favorable Year of Jehovah and the day of vengeance of our God. To comfort all who mourn, 3 to present a garland, instead of ashes, to those who mourn in Zion, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. They will be called oaks of righteousness. They are the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified. 4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins. They will raise up the former devastations. And they will repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations. 5 “Strangers will stand and shepherd your flocks. Foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers. 6 “You will be called the priests of Jehovah. You will be spoken of as ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations, you will boast in their riches. 7 “Instead of your shame there will be a double portion. Instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land. Everlasting joy will be theirs. 8 “For I, Jehovah, love justice. I hate robbery in the burnt offering. Therefore I will faithfully give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 “Then their offspring will be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples. All who see them will recognize them because they are the blessed offspring of Jehovah.” 10 I will rejoice greatly in Jehovah. I will exult in my God for he has clothed me with garments of salvation. He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, the Lord Jehovah will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. 150 Isaiah 62 1 For Zion's sake I will not remain silent. For Jerusalem's sake I will not rest until its righteousness shines like the sunrise and its salvation burns brightly like a torch.* 2 “The nations will see your righteousness. All kings will see your glory. You will be given a new name that Jehovah will designate. 3 “You will be a beautiful crown in the hand of Jehovah, a royal crown in the hand of your God. 4 “You will no longer be called “Deserted,” and your land will no longer be called “Destroyed.” You will be named “My Delight.”* Your land will be named “Married”* (owned as a wife). Jehovah is delighted with you, and your land will be married. 5 “Your sons will marry you like a young man marries a woman. Your God will rejoice over the same way a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. 6 “I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem. They will never be silent day or night. Whoever calls on Jehovah, do not allow yourselves any rest, 7 and do not give him any rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it an object of praise throughout the earth.” 8 Jehovah has sworn* with his right hand and with his mighty arm (of power): “I will never again let your enemies eat your grain, nor will foreigners drink the new wine that you produced. 9 “Those who harvest grain will eat it and praise Jehovah. Those who gather grapes will drink wine in my holy courtyards.” 10 Pass through! Pass through the gates! Prepare a way for the people! Build up! Build up the highway! Clear away the stones! Raise a flag (standard) for the people! 11 Jehovah has announced to the ends of the earth: “Tell my people, Zion, your salvation is coming. His reward for us and recompense are with him.‟” 12 They will be called the holy people reclaimed (repurchased) by Jehovah! You will be called “searched for,” a “City Not Deserted.” 151 Simplified Bible Dictionary *62:1 torch: Hebrew: lappid. A torch is a light often carried in the hand. It was often a burning stick of resinous wood or a stick wrapped with material soaked with oil and ignited. (Genesis 15:17) (Judges 7:16, 20; 15:4) (Isaiah 62:1) (Ezekiel 1:13) (John 18:3) *63:4 My Delight: Hebrew: chephtsiy bahh, Hephzibah meaning My Delight. It is a fanciful name for Palestine. Hebrew: Baal. Beu‟lah, Baaloperly translated master, lord. Baal is nslations use Beulah as a woman‟s proper name. However the context of Isaiah chapter sixty-two speaks about a spiritual woman known as Zion. Zion was to be in a desolate state following the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah by the Babylonians. The true God Jehovah prophesied of the restoration and repopulation of the land. He said: “You will be named My Delight. Your land will be named Married (owned as a wife).” (Isaiah 62:4) Isaiah was talking about the land and all of the people and not just a single woman. Zion, or Jerusalem was to be restored to her former splendor. (Isaiah 62) (Isaiah 54:1, 5, 6; 66:8) (Jeremiah 23:5-8; 30:17) (Galatians 4:2631) *62:8 Swearing and Raising Hand: Raising the hand and placing the hand under the thigh was the physical act when taking an oath. God speaks of himself in a symbolic way doing this. (Isaiah 62:8) Daniel saw a vision in which an angel raised both his right hand and his left to utter an oath. (Daniel 12:7) It was the custom for a servent to place one hand under his masters thigh to pledge an oath. (Genesis 47:29-31) Isaiah 63 1 Who is this coming from Bozrah in Edom with his clothes stained bright red? Who is this dressed in splendor, going forward with great strength? It is I, Jehovah! I am coming to announce my victory. I am powerful enough to save you! 2 Why are your clothes red and your garments like those who trample grapes in a winepress? 152 3 “I have trampled alone in the winepress.* No one was with me. In my anger I trampled on people. In my wrath I stomped on them. Their blood splattered my clothes so all my clothing has been stained. 4 “The day of vengeance was in my heart. The year for my reclaiming you has come. 5 “I looked, but there was no help. I was astounded that there was no outside support. So my own arm (power) brought me salvation. My anger supported me. 6 “In my wrath I trampled on people. In my rage I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.” 7 I will acknowledge Jehovah‟s acts of loving-kindness, and sing the praises of Jehovah, because of everything that Jehovah has done for us. He has done many good things for the nation of Israel because of his compassion* and the abundance of his loving-kindness. 8 He said: They are my people, sons who will not lie to me. So he became their Savior. 9 In all their difficulty he was concerned, and he was the messenger who saved them. In his love and compassion he reclaimed (redeemed) them. He always held them and carried them in the past. 10 But they rebelled and grieved (offended and hurt) his Holy Spirit. So he turned against them as their enemy. He fought against them. 11 His people finally remembered Moses and the days of old. Where is the one who brought them out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is the one who put his Holy Spirit in the midst of them? 12 Where is the one who sent his powerful arm to support the right hand of Moses? Where is the one who divided the water in front of them to make an everlasting name for himself? 13 Where is the one who led them through the deep water? Like horses in the wilderness, they did not stumble. 14 Just like animals going down into a valley, they were given rest by Jehovah‟s Spirit. In this way you guided your people to make an honored name for yourself. 15 Look down and see from heaven, from your holy and beautiful dwelling. Where is your determination (zeal) and 153 might? Where is the longing of your heart and your compassion? Do not hold back. 16 You are our Father. Even though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not pay attention to us, O Jehovah, you are our Father. Your name is our Defender From Everlasting. 17 O Jehovah, why do you let us wander from your ways and become so stubborn that we are unable to respect you? Return for the sake of your servants. They are the tribes that belong to you. 18 Your holy people possessed the land for a little while. Our enemies have trampled on your holy place. 19 We have become like those whom you never ruled, like those who are not called by your name. Simplified Bible Dictionary *63:3 press, winepress: A press is a machine used to exert preasure on solids in order to extract liquids. In Bible times the machines were vats in which teams of two to seven people crushed wine or olives with their bare feet or by use of heavy stones. (Numbers 18:27) (2 Kings 6:27) Jehovah refers to Himself as a lone Treader at Isaiah 63:1-3. We read of a figurative winepress at Joel 3:13, 14. The apostle John sees a symbolic winepress in his vision. Here the “Word of God” treads the “great winepress of the anger of God.” (Revelation 14:19, 20; 19:11-16) *63:7 compassion: chamal/sumpatheo/pietos. Compassion is the quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it. The Hebrew word “chamal‟” means compassion. (Exodus 2:6) (Malachi 3:17) (Jeremiah 50:14) The Greek verb “oi-ktei‟ro” means „show compassion‟. God is the most outstanding example of compassion. His dealings with Israel overwhelmingly show this. He finally rescued them out of the hands of their Egypt oppressors and lovingly cared for them in the wilderness. (Isaiah 63:7-9) Again and again God delivered the Israelites out of the hands of their enemies. (Judges 2:11-19) 154 Isaiah 64 1 O that you would split open the heavens and come down! The mountains would quake at your presence. 2 Be like the fire that kindles brushwood and makes water boil. Come down to make your name known to your enemies. The nations may tremble in your presence. 3 When you did awe-inspiring things that we did not expect, you came down and the mountains quaked at your presence. 4 No one has ever heard and no one has paid attention. No one has perceived any god except you. You help those who wait for you. 5 You greeted the one who gladly does right and remembers your ways. You were angry because we sinned. We continued to sin for a long time. Can we still be saved? 6 All of us have become unclean, and all our righteous acts are like permanently stained rags. All of us wither like leaves, and our sins carry us away like the wind. 7 No one calls on your name or tries to hold on to you. You have hidden your face from us. You allowed us be ruined by our sins. 8 But now, Jehovah, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are our potter. We are the work of your hands. 9 Do not be too angry, Jehovah. Do not remember our sin forever. Now look, we are all your people. 10 Your holy cities have become a wilderness. Zion has become a desert. Jerusalem is a wasteland. 11 Our holy and beautiful Temple where our ancestors praised you has been burned to the ground. All that we valued has been ruined. 12 Despite these things, Jehovah, will you restrain yourself? Will you be silent and make us suffer beyond measure? Isaiah 65 1 “I permitted myself to be sought by those who did not ask for me. Those who did not seek me found me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said: „Here I am, here I am.‟ 2 “All day long I held out my hands to an obstinate people,* who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations (thoughts), 155 3 “a people who continually provoke me to my very face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick. 4 “They sit among the graves and spend their nights keeping secret vigil. They eat the flesh of pigs. Their pots are full of unclean meat. 5 “„They say: „Keep away! Do not come near me, for I am too sacred for you! Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day.‟ 6 “See, it stands written before me. I will not keep silent but will pay back in full; I will pay it back into their laps 7 both your sins and the sins of your fathers, says Jehovah. This is because they burned sacrifices on the mountains and defied me on the hills. I will measure into their laps the full payment for their former deeds.” 8 Jehovah says: “As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes and men say, „Do not destroy it, there is yet some good in it,‟ so will I do in behalf of my servants; I will not destroy them all. 9 I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess my mountains. My chosen people will inherit them and my servants will live there. 10 Sharon will be pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for my people who seek me. 11 “But as for you who forsake Jehovah and forget my holy mountain, which spread a table for the God of Fortune (Babylonian diety) and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, 12 “I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter! I called but you did not answer. I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” 13 Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: My servants will eat, but you will go hungry. My servants will drink, but you will go thirsty. My servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame! 14 My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit. 156 15 You will leave your name to my chosen ones as a curse. The Sovereign Lord Jehovah will put you to death, but to his servants he will give another name. 16 Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of (amen, so be it) truth; he who takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes. 17 “Behold! I WILL CREATE A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. 18 “Be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. 19 “I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people. The sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.” 20 “Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years. He who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth. The sinner who reaches a hundred will be considered accursed. 21 “They will build houses and dwell in them. They will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 “No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people. My chosen ones will long enjoy the works of their hands. 23 “They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune. For they will be a people blessed by Jehovah, they and their descendants with them. 24 “Before they call I will answer! While they are still speaking I will hear. 25 “The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the bull, but dust will be the serpent‟s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on my entire holy mountain,” Jehovah proclaims. Simplified Bible Dictionary *65:2 stubborn, obstinate people: Stubbornness is hardness or strength in a bad sense. A stubborn person 157 deliberately refused to comply with God‟s will or commands. (Psalms 78:8; 81:12) (Isaiah 1:23; 65:2) (Jeremiah 3:17; 5:23; 7:23-26; 11:8; 18:12) (Acts 7:51) Disaster and problems happen to those who persist in a stubborn course. (Deuteronomy 29:19, 20) (Nehemiah 9:29, 30) (Proverbs 28:14) (Isaiah 30:1) (Jeremiah 6:28-30) (Daniel 5:20) (Hosea 9:15) (Zechariah 7:9) (Romans 2:5) God is patient and allows individuals and nations to continue to exist even when they are not repentant. (Genesis 15:16) (2 Peter 3:9) Qualifications for being an overseer in the Christian congregation require that the brother be not quarrelsome and contentious, thus not being stubborn and obstinate. Isaiah 66 1 This is what Jehovah says: “Heaven is my throne. Earth is my footstool.* Where can you people build a house or resting place for me? 2 “I have made all these things. That is why all these things have come into being,” declares Jehovah. “I will pay attention to those who are humble and sorry for their sins and who tremble at my word. 3 “Whoever kills a bull is like someone who kills a person. Whoever sacrifices a lamb is like someone who breaks a dog's neck. Whoever offers a grain sacrifice is like someone who offers pig's blood. Whoever burns incense is like someone who worships an idol. People have certainly chosen their own ways, and they delight in detestable things. 4 “Therefore I will choose harsh treatment for them and bring on them what they fear. I called, but no one answered. I spoke, but they did not listen. They did what I consider evil. They chose what I do not like.” 5 “Listen to the word of Jehovah, all who tremble at his word. Your brothers, who hate you, exclude you because of my name. They say: Let Jehovah show his glory and then we will see your joy. But they will be put to shame. 6 “Listen to the uproar from the city. Listen to the sound from the temple. It is the sound of Jehovah paying back his enemies as they deserve. 158 7 “Before a woman goes into labor, she gives birth. Before she has labor pains, she delivers a male child. 8 “Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a country be born in one day? Can a nation be born in a moment? When Zion went into labor, she also gave birth to her sons. 9 “Do I bring a mother to the moment of birth* and not let her deliver?” Asks Jehovah. “Do I cause a mother to deliver and then make her unable to have children?” Asks your God. 10 “All who love Jerusalem, be happy and rejoice with her. All who mourn for her be glad with her. 11 “You will nurse and be satisfied from her comforting breasts. You will nurse and be satisfied at her full breasts.” 12 This is what Jehovah says: “I will offer you peace like a river and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream. You will nurse and be carried in Jerusalem's arms and cuddled on her knees. 13 “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem.” 14 When you see it, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like new grass. The power of Jehovah will be made known to his servants, but he will condemn his enemies. 15 Jehovah will come with fire and with his chariots like a thunderstorm. He will pay them back with his burning anger and punish them with flames of fire. 16 Jehovah will judge with fire, and he will judge all people with his sword. Jehovah will strike many people dead. 17 “People make themselves holy and prepare themselves for their garden rituals. They go into the garden and devour pork, disgusting things, and mice. They will come to an end at the same time, declares Jehovah. 18 “Because of their actions and their thoughts, I am coming to gather the nations of every language. They will come and see my glory. 19 “I will set up a sign among them and send some of their survivors to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Meshech, Rosh, Tubal, Javan, and to the distant coastlands who have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will tell about my glory among the nations. 159 20 They will bring all your brothers from every nation like a grain offering to Jehovah. They will come on horses, in chariots, in wagons, on mules and camels* to my holy mountain, Jerusalem, declares Jehovah. They will come like the people of Israel who bring their grain offerings in clean dishes to Jehovah‟s temple. 21 “I will make some of them priests and Levites, declares Jehovah. 22 “The new heaven and earth that I am about to make will continue in my presence,” declares Jehovah. “So your descendants and your name will also continue in my presence. 23 “From one month to the next and from one week to the next all people will come to worship me,” declares Jehovah. 24 “Then they will go out and look at the corpses of those who have rebelled (sinned) against me. The worms that eat them will not die. The fire that burns them will not go out and they will disgust all humanity.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *66:1 footstool: Hebrew: hadom (had-ome’). Greek: hupopodion (hoop-op-od’-ee-on) A stool designed for rest or support of the feet is called a footstool. (2 Chronicles 9:18) The earth is figuratively referred to as God‟s footstool at Isaiah 66:1. Greek Scripture references to footstool are as follows: Matthew 5:35; Luke 20:43; Acts 2:35; 7:49; Hebrews 1:13; 10:13. This clearly illustrates how immense our God is. *66:9 birth: nephel (neh’-fel), yalad/genete (ghen-etay’)/nativitas. Several Hebrew words translate to the meaning „to give birth.‟ The primary term for birth is “yal-ladh‟”. It means „to give birth and to become father to,‟ (Genesis 4:1, 2; 16:15; 30:39) (1 Chronicles 1:10) The Greek word “gen-na‟o” means, „become father to, become mother to, bring forth, and be born‟. God‟s love for mankind is so great that he gave his “only begotten Son” for the salvation of all who are willing to obey and believe. (John 3:16, 36) The term, „only begotten‟ comes from the Greek word, “mon-og-en-ace.” It means the only born Son. No other spirit being came into existence in 160 this special way. Many Scriptures relate birth in a figurative sense. (Psalm 90:2) (Proverbs 27:1) (Isaiah 66:8, 9) (James 1:15) The intensity and suffering that comes from labor pain is related in a symbolic or figurative way. (Psalm 48:6) (Jeremiah 13:21) (Micah 4:9, 10) (Galatians 4:19) (1 Thessalonians 5:3) Jesus told Nicodemus that one must be born from water and spirit in order to enter the Kingdom. This was a description of spiritual birth. (John 3:1-7) *66:20 camel: Hebrew: “gamal bekher” means young male camel, (Isaiah 60:6); “bikhrah‟” means young she-camel (Jeremiah 2:23); and “ka‟melos” means camel. (Isaiah 66:20) The camel has long served man in desert regions. This is because it is capable of going longer with less water. The Bactrian camel has two humps on its back and is stronger than the Arabian camel. The Arabian camel has only one hump and is most likely the one most often referred to in the Bible. The camel was an unclean animal and was not used by the Israelites for food. (Leviticus 11:4) (Deuteronomy 14:7) New Simplified Bible Research Version JEREMIAH, THE PROPHET, THE BOOK: Jeremiah was called to be a prophet when he was a young man. Jehovah told him: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart for my holy purpose. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5) Jeremiah was a researcher and a historian as well as a prophet. Jehovah made the complaint against Judah and Jeremiah‟s inspired writing expressed it along with prophecy of things to come. The people are admonished: “Be circumcised by Jehovah, and get rid of the foreskins of your hearts.” (Jeremiah 4:4; 7:3-7; 9:25-26) JEREMIAH HIGHLIGHTS: Jeremiah 1 Jeremiah is called to prophesy as a young boy. Jeremiah 2 Jeremiah exposes wickedness in Judah. Jeremiah 21-27 Jehovah‟s judgements are announced. Jeremiah 31 Prophecy of a New Covenant. Jeremiah 20 Jeremiah placed in stocks. 161 JEREMIAH (WRITER: JEREMIAH, MEANS JEHOVAH EXALTS) (580 B.C.E.) (TETRAGRAMMATON: YHWH IS SOMETIMES TRANSLATED JEHOVAH, YAHWEH, YAHOWAH, YAHUWAH, OR LORD DEPENDING ON TRANSLATOR‟S THEOLOGY) Jeremiah 1 1 The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah. He was one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. 2 Jehovah (YHWH*) spoke his word to Jeremiah. This happened when King Josiah, son of Amon, was in his thirteenth year as king of Judah. 3 Jehovah also spoke when Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, was king of Judah. It was during the eleven years that Zedekiah, another son of Josiah, was king of Judah. Jehovah continued to speak to Jeremiah until the people of Jerusalem were taken away into captivity in the fifth month of the year. 4 Jehovah spoke his word to me, Jeremiah, He said: 5 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart for my holy purpose. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.” 6 I, Jeremiah, said: “Lord Jehovah, I do not know how to speak. I am only a child!” 7 Jehovah said to me: “„Do not say, „I am only a child.‟ You must go wherever I send you. You must say whatever I command you to say. 8 “Do not be afraid of people.* I am with you. I will rescue you,” says Jehovah. 9 Then Jehovah stretched out his hand and touched my mouth. Jehovah said to me: “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 “Today I have appointed you in charge of nations and kingdoms. You will uproot and tear down. You will destroy and overthrow. You will build and plant.” 11 Jehovah spoke his word to me again. He asked: “What do you see Jeremiah?” I answered: “I see a branch of an almond tree.” 162 12 Jehovah said: “You are right. For I watch to make sure that my words come true.” 13 Again Jehovah asked: “What do you see?” I answered: “I see a boiling pot, and its top is tilted away from the north.” 14 Jehovah said to me: “Disaster will be poured out from the north on all those who live in the land. 15 “I am going to call every family and kingdom from the north, says Jehovah. They will come, and they will set up their thrones at the entrance of Jerusalem's gates. They will attack all the walls around the city and all the cities of Judah. 16 “I will pronounce judgment against my people because of all their wickedness. They abandoned me. They burned incense to other gods. They worshiped what their hands have made. 17 “Strengthen yourself, Jeremiah! Stand up, and say to them whatever I tell you to say. Do not be terrified in their presence, or I will make you even more terrified in their presence. 18 “Today I have made you like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a copper wall. You will be able to stand up to the whole land. You will be able to stand up to Judah's kings, its officials, its priests, and all the common people. 19 “They will fight you but they will not defeat you. I am with you, and I will rescue you,” declares Jehovah. Simplified Bible Dictionary *1:2 YHWH: Hebrew: YHWH. This four letter word is called the tetregramiton. It is possible that the divine name is Yahowah, Yahuwah, Yahweh, Yahovah or Jehovah. Since this is an English Translation the name Jehovah has been used. Most Bible translators refuse to use any of the above names and therefore resort to the use of the title the LORD about 7,000 times as if it did not exist in the original text. And yet they retain the names of many false gods mentioned in the original text. Included in this list are Baal, Bel, Merodach, and even Satan! *1:8 Do not be afraid: God told Jeremiah, “You must go wherever I send you. You must say whatever I command you to say. Do not be afraid of people. I am with you. I will rescue 163 you.” These words of encouragement apply to everyone who dedicates his or her life to doing God‟s Will. Jeremiah 2 1 Jehovah spoke his word to me: 2 “Go and announce to Jerusalem, „This is what Jehovah says: “I remember the unfailing loyalty of your youth, the love you had for me as a bride. I remember how you followed me into the desert, into a land that was not sown (farmed). 3 “„“Israel was dedicated (consecrated) to Jehovah. It was the best part of the harvest. All who consumed it became guilty, and disaster struck them,”‟” says Jehovah. 4 Listen to the word of Jehovah, offspring of Jacob, all the families in the house of Israel. 5 Jehovah says: “What bad thing (injustice) did your fathers find in me that they went so far away from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless (lead astray) themselves. 6 “They did not ask: „Where is Jehovah who brought us from Egypt? He led us through the desert, through a wasteland and its pits, a land of drought and the shadow of death. No one lives there or travels there.‟ 7 “I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and its produce. You came and made my land unclean. You made my heritage disgusting. 8 “„The priests did not ask: „Where is Jehovah? Those who deal with my Law did not know me. The rulers rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied in the name of Baal and followed things that could not help (profit) them.‟” 9 “That is why I will bring charges against you, proclaims Jehovah, and I will bring charges against your grandchildren. 10 “Go over to the coasts of Cyprus (Kittim), and see. Send someone to Kedar and observe closely. See if there has ever been such a thing as this. 11 “Has any nation ever exchanged gods? Their gods are not really gods. Yet my people have exchanged their glory for something that does not help them. 12 “Be horrified over this, heaven. Be terribly afraid,” declares Jehovah. 164 13 “My people have done two things wrong:* (l) They have abandoned me, the fountain (source) of living waters. (2) They have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. (Revelation 4:11) 14 “Are the people of Israel slaves? Were they born into slavery? Why, then, have they become someone's property? 15 “Young lions have roared at them. Young lions have turned the land into waste. The cities have been destroyed, without inhabitant. 16 “Men from Noph (Memphis, capital city of Egypt) and Tahpanhes have shaved the crown of your head, Israel. 17 “You have done this to yourself by abandoning Jehovah your God when he led you on his way. 18 “Why are you going to Egypt to drink water from the Nile (Shihor*) River? You will not gain anything by going to Assyria to drink water from the Euphrates River. 19 “Your own wickedness will correct you. Your apostasies (unfaithful ways) will punish you! You should know and see how evil and bitter it is for you when you abandon Jehovah your God! You do not respect (reverence) me,” says the Sovereign Lord Jehovah of Hosts. 20 “Long ago you broke off your yoke, tore off your bonds, and said that you would not be a slave. You lay down and acted like a prostitute on every high hill and under every large tree. 21 “I planted you like a choice grapevine from the very best seed. Now you have turned against me and have become a wild vine. 22 “If you wash with detergent and use a lot of soap, I would still see the stains from your wickedness,” says the Lord Jehovah. 23 “How can you say, „I have not been dishonored and have not gone after the Baal gods?‟ “Look how you have behaved in the valley. Acknowledge what you have done. You are like a young camel that swiftly runs here and there. 24 “You are like a wild donkey accustomed to the desert. You sniff at the wind while in heat. All who seek you will not get tired. They will find you during your monthly period. 165 25 “Do not run until your feet are bare and your throats are dry. But you say that it is useless. You love foreign gods and follow them. 26 “As a thief feels ashamed when he is caught, so the nation of Israel will feel ashamed. Their kings, princes, priests, and prophets will also feel ashamed. 27 “You call wood your father. You call stone your mother. You turned your backs, not your faces, to me. But when you are in trouble, you ask me to come and rescue you. 28 “Where are the gods that you made for yourselves? Let them come and rescue you when you have trouble. You have as many gods as you have cities, Judah! 29 “Why do you complain about me? You have rebelled against me,” proclaims Jehovah. 30 “I have punished your children without results. They did not respond to correction. You killed my prophets like a raging lion. 31 “O you people of this generation consider the word of Jehovah! Have I been a wilderness, a land of thick darkness, for Israel? Why do my people say that they are free to wander around and no longer come to me? 32 “A young woman cannot forget her jewelry or a bride her breastband.*Yet, my people have forgotten me for countless days. 33 “You carefully planned ways to look for love. You taught your ways to wicked women. 34 “You have bloodstains from innocent poor people on your clothes. You did not kill them for breaking in to your home. 35 “„After all this you say: „I am innocent. God will turn his anger from me. For I have not sinned.‟” 36 “You change your mind so easily. You will be shamed by Egypt as you were shamed by Assyria. 37 “You will also leave this place with your hands over your head, because Jehovah has rejected those you trust. They will not help you.” Simplified Bible Dictionary 166 *12:13 two things wrong: (l) They have abandoned me, the fountain (source) of living waters. Jesus speaks about liviing water to the woman of Samaria. (John 4:7-15) “Living water will flow from the innermost being of the man who believes in me. This is according to the scriptures.” (John 7:38) “The lamb who is in the middle of the throne will feed them and lead them to living fountains of water. God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17) (Revelation 21:6; 22:1, 17) (2) They have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. (Ecclesiastes 12:6) *2:18 Shihor River: The term Shihor River occurs four times in the Hebrew Scriptures: Joshua 13:3, 1 Chronicles 13:5, Isaiah 23:3 and Jeremiah 2:18. Most experts link it to Egypt and the Nile River. It is most likely the easternmost branch of the Nile River in the Delta region. *2:32 breastband: The breastband was a sash or girdle worn by a bride on her wedding day. Her status as a married woman was represented by her breastband. Speaking as a husband to Israel, Jehovah said, “A young woman cannot forget her jewelry or a bride her breastband (sash) (girdle). Yet, my people have forgotten me for countless days.” (Jeremiah 2:32) Israel had forsaken Jehovah for other gods. Jeremiah 3 1 It is said: “If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him and marries another man, her first husband should not go back to her again.” The land would become completely polluted. “You have behaved like a prostitute who has many lovers. Now you want to come back to me!” Says Jehovah. 2 “Lift up your eyes to the bare hills and see. You have had sex with men in every place. You sat by the roadside waiting for them like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled (corrupted) (profaned) the land with your prostitution and wickedness. 3 “Accordingly the rain has been withheld, and there have been no spring showers. Yet, you have the unashamed 167 (conspicuous) (impudent) look of a prostitute, and you refuse to be ashamed. 4 “„Now you call to me. You say, „Father!‟ “You have been my friend ever since I was young. 5 “Will you hold a grudge forever? Will you always be angry? You have said and done all the evil things that you could.” 6 During the reign of King Josiah, Jehovah asked me: “Did you see what unfaithful Israel did? She went up every high mountain and under every large tree, and she acted like a prostitute there. 7 “I thought that after she had done all this she would come back to me. But she did not come back, and her treacherous (unstable) (unreliable) (false) sister* Judah saw her. 8 “Judah saw that I sent unfaithful Israel away because of her adultery and that I gave Israel her divorce papers. But treacherous Judah, her sister, was not afraid. She also acted like a prostitute. 9 “Because she was not concerned about her prostitution. She polluted the land and committed adultery with stone and wood. 10 “Even after all this, Israel's treacherous sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart. She was deceitful,” says Jehovah. 11 Jehovah said to me: “Treacherous Judah was more reprehensible than unfaithful Israel. 12 “„Go and proclaim this message to the north: „Come back, unfaithful Israel. It is Jehovah speaking. I will no longer frown on you because I am merciful,‟ declares Jehovah. „I will no longer be angry with you. 13 „Admit that you have done wrong! You have rebelled against Jehovah your God. You have given yourself to foreign gods under every large tree. You have not obeyed me,‟ says Jehovah. 14 „Return, you disobedient people, proclaims Jehovah. I am your husband. I will take you, one from every city and two from every family, and bring you to Zion.‟ 15 “I will give you shepherds after my own heart. They will be shepherds who feed (shepherd) (lead) (tend) you with 168 knowledge and understanding (learning) (reasoning) (insight). 16 “In those days you will be fertile, and your population will increase in the land, says Jehovah. Men will no longer talk about the Ark of the Covenant of Jehovah. It will no longer come to mind. They will not remember it, miss it, or make another one. 17 “At that time, they will call Jerusalem the throne of Jehovah. All nations will gather in Jerusalem because the name of Jehovah will be found there. They will no longer follow their own stubborn, evil ways. 18 “Then the nation of Judah will live with the nation of Israel. They will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave their ancestors as their own inheritance. 19 “I wanted to treat you like children and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful property among the nations. I thought you would call me Father and not turn away from me. 20 “But like a wife who is unfaithful to her husband, so you, O house of Israel, were unfaithful me,” says Jehovah. 21 A voice is heard on the bare hills. It is the crying and the pleading of the people of Israel. They are perverted and have forgotten Jehovah their God. 22 “Return you backsliding children, and I will forgive you for being unfaithful. See, we have come to you because you are Jehovah our God. 23 “Truly the sound from the hills and mountains is the noise of false worship. Truly Jehovah our God will be our salvation. 24 “Ever since we were young, the shameful worship of Baal has taken everything our ancestors worked for, their flocks and herds, their sons and daughters. 25 “We must lie down in our shame and let our humiliation cover us. Ever since we were young, we and our fathers have sinned against Jehovah our God. We have not obeyed Jehovah our God.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *3:7 sister: This term is applied to full and half sister. (Genesis 34:1, 27) (1 Chronicles 3:1-9) (Matthew 13:55, 56) 169 (Mark 6:3) Adam‟s sons married their sisters because all humans sprang from Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3:20; 5:4) At that time there was no disgrace attached to marriage to sisters. The term sister also applied to fellow countrywomen of a nation. (Numbers 25:17, 18) (Jeremiah 3:7-10) (Ezekiel 16:46, 48, 49, 55; 23:32, 33) Jesus taught that everyone who does the will of his Father in heaven was his brother or sister. (Matthew 12:50) (Mark 10:29, 30) (Luke 14:26) Women in the Christian congregation are spiritual sisters. (Matthew 19:29) (Mark 10:29, 30) (Luke 14:26) (Romans 16:1) (1 Corinthians 7:15; 9:5) (James 2:15) Figuratively, Proverbs 7:4 says: Say to wisdom: “You are my sister.” Jeremiah 4 1 Jehovah says: “If you come back, Israel, if you come back to me, if you take your disgusting idols out of my sight and you do not stray from me, 2 if you take the oath, as Jehovah lives in an honest, fair, and right way, then the nations will be blessed, and in him they will glory.” 3 Jehovah says to the people of Judah and to Jerusalem: “Break up your unplowed fields, and do not plant among thorns. 4 “Be circumcised by Jehovah, and get rid of the foreskins of your hearts (cleanse your hearts), people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. If you do not, my fury will blaze like a fire. It will burn, and no one will be able to put it out. This is because of the evil you do.” 5 Report this message in Judah. Make it heard in Jerusalem. Say: “Blow the ram's horn throughout the land. Shout loudly and say: „Assemble together! Let us go into the fortified cities.‟ 6 “Raise the flag to signal people to go to Zion. Take cover! Do not just stand there! I am bringing disaster and widespread destruction from the north. 7 “A lion has come out of its lair. A destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his place and is on his way to destroy your land. Your cities will be ruined. No one will live in them. 8 “Dress in sackcloth, beat your breasts (mourn), and cry because Jehovah‟s burning anger has not turned back from us. 170 9 “In that day,” declares Jehovah, “the king and the officials will lose their courage. The priests will be stunned. The prophets will be amazed and astonished.” 10 I said, “Lord Jehovah, you have greatly deceived these people and Jerusalem. You said that everything would go well for them, but a sword is held at their throats (threatens their lives).” 11 Then it will be said to these people and to Jerusalem: “A hot wind from the heights will blow in the desert toward my people. It will not be a wind that winnows or cleanses. 12 “It will be a stronger wind than that. It will come from me. Now, I will pass sentence on them. 13 “The enemy comes up like clouds. His chariots are like a raging wind. His horses are swifter than eagles. How horable it will be for us! We will be destroyed!” 14 “O Jerusalem, wash the evil from your heart so that you may be saved. How long will your wicked thoughts lodge within you? 15 “A message is heard from Dan. A report of disaster comes from the mountains of Ephraim. 16 “Warn the nations about this. Tell it to Jerusalem. Hostile troops are coming from a distant country. They shout battle cries against the cities of Judah.” 17 “They surround Judah like men guarding a field, because Judah has rebelled against me,” declares Jehovah. 18 “You brought this on yourself. This is your punishment. It is bitter. It breaks your heart.” 19 O my anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain. My heart pounds in side of me. My heart is pounding! I cannot keep quiet because I hear a ram's horn sounding the alarm for war. 20 Destruction upon destruction is proclaimed. The whole land is ruined. My tents are suddenly destroyed. Their curtains are torn in an instant. 21 How long must I see the battle flag and hear the sound of rams' horns? 22 “My people are fools. They do not know me. They are stupid people. They do not understand. They are experts in doing wrong, and they do not know how to do good.” 171 23 I see the earth. It is without form and empty. I see the sky. Its lights are gone. 24 I see the mountains. They tremble and the hills sway. 25 I see that there are no people, and every bird has flown away. 26 I see that the fertile land has become a desert. Its cities are torn down because of Jehovah and his burning anger. 27 Jehovah says: “The whole earth will be ruined, although I will not entirely destroy it. 28 “The earth will mourn, and the sky will grow black. I have spoken, and I have determined it. I will not change my plans, and I will not turn back!” 29 All the people in the city will flee at the sound of riders and archers. They will go off into the thickets and climb among the rocks. The entire city will be abandoned. No one will live in it. 30 You are going to be destroyed! What are you going to do? Why do you dress in scarlet (crimson) and put on gold jewelry? Why do you wear eye shadow? You are making yourself beautiful for nothing. Your lovers despise you. They want to kill you. 31 I hear a woman in labor. I hear the woman cry with anguish as she gives birth to her first child. My people Zion gasp for breath. They stretch out their hands and say: “How horrible it is for us! My life is exhausted by the presence of murderers!” Jeremiah 5 1 People of Jerusalem, run through your streets! Look around and see for yourselves! Search the marketplaces! Can you find one person who does what is right and tries to be faithful to God? If you can, Jehovah will forgive Jerusalem. 2 Even though you claim to worship Jehovah, you do not mean what you say. 3 Jehovah looks for faithfulness. He struck you, but you paid no attention. He crushed you, but you refused to learn. You were stubborn and would not turn from your sins. 4 I thought: “These are only the poor and ignorant. They are foolish. They do not know what their God requires, what Jehovah wants them to do. 172 5 “I will go to the great men (leaders) and talk with them. Surely they know what their God requires, what Jehovah wants them to do. But all of them have rejected Jehovah‟s authority and refuse to obey him.” 6 That is why lions from the forest will kill them. Wolves from the desert will tear them to pieces, and leopards will prowl through their towns. If those people go out, they will be torn apart because their sins are numerous and time after time they have turned from God. 7 Jehovah asked: Why should I forgive the sins of my people? They have abandoned me and have worshiped gods that are not real. I fed my people until they were full, but they committed adultery and spent their time with prostitutes. 8 They were like well-fed stallions wild with desire, each lusting for his neighbor's wife. 9 “Why should I not punish the people of Judah?” Says Jehovah, “Should I take retribution (vengeance)?” 10 “Go up through her vineyards and destroy them. But do not execute a complete destruction. Strip away her branches, for they are not Jehovah‟s. 11 “The house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously with me,” says Jehovah. 12 They lied about Jehovah. They said: “It is not he, bad things will not happen to us. We will not see sword or famine.” 13 “The prophets are as wind! The word is not in them. Thus it will be done to them!” 14 Jehovah, the God of hosts says: “Because you have spoken this word and I am making my words fire in your mouth. This people are wood and will be consumed. 15 “I am bringing a nation against you from afar, O house of Israel, declares Jehovah. It is an enduring nation. It is an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know. You cannot understand (comprehend) (make sense of) what they say. 16 “Their quiver is like an open grave. All of them are mighty men. 17 “They will devour your harvest and your food. They will devour your sons and your daughters. They will devour your flocks and your herds. They will devour your vines and your 173 fig trees. They will demolish with the sword your fortified cities in which you trust. 18 “Yet even in those days, says Jehovah, I will not make you a complete destruction. 19 “„They will ask: „Why has Jehovah our God done all this to us?‟ Answer them: “You have abandoned me and served foreign gods in your land. So you will serve foreigners in a land that is not yours.”‟” 20 “Declare this to the house of Jacob, and make this heard in Judah: 21 “„Hear this, you stupid and senseless people! You have eyes, but you cannot see. You have ears, but you cannot hear.‟” 22 “Do you not reverence (respect) me?” Asks Jehovah. “Do you not tremble [with awe] in my presence? I made the sand* a boundary for the sea, a permanent barrier it cannot cross. Although the waves toss continuously, they cannot break through. Although they roar, they cannot cross it. 23 “These people are stubborn and rebellious. They have turned aside and departed from me. 24 “They do not say in their hearts, to themselves: „We should respect Jehovah our God. He sends rain at the right time, the autumn rain and the spring rain. He makes sure that we have harvest seasons.‟” 25 “Your wickedness has turned these things away. Your sins have kept good things away from you. 26 “Wicked men are found among my people. They lie in ambush like bird catchers. They set traps and catch men. 27 “Like cages* filled with birds, their houses are filled with deceit. That is why they become powerful and rich. 28 “They grow big and fat. Their evil deeds have no limits. They have no respect for the rights of others. They have no respect for the rights of orphans. But they still prosper. They do not defend the rights of the poor. 29 “I will punish them for these things,” declares Jehovah. “I will punish these people! 30 “Something horrible and disgusting is happening in the land. 174 31 „Prophets prophesy falsehoods. Priests rule under the prophets' directions, and my people love this. But what will you do when the end comes?‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary *5:22 sand: Sand is loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral. Jehovah God made the sand a boundary for the sea, a permanent barrier that it cannot cross. (Jeremiah 5:22) Is this mere poetic language? Hardly, sand yields and absorbs the waves that pound against it. The force of the raging waves is diffused and dissipated by the sand. Over and over the sand of the sea is used in the Bible to express great abundance, innumerableness or countlessness. (Genesis 22:17; 32:12; 41:49) (Joshua 11:4) (Psalms 78:27; 139:17, 18) (Jeremiah 15:8) (Hebrews 1:12) The number of people misled by Satan following his release from the abyss were said to be as the sand of the sea. It was so great John could not count them in his vision at Revelation 20:8. Job said his anguish was heavier than the sands of the seas. (Job 6:3) 1.3 cubic yards of wet sand weighs 4,200 pounds. That was a very fitting illustration. Jeremiah 6 1 Flee for safety people of Benjamin. Run from the midst of Jerusalem! Blow a ram‟s horn in Tekoa and raise a signal* over Beth-Haccerem.* Evil looks down from the north. There is great destruction. 2 I will destroy the beautiful and luxurious one, the daughter of Zion. 3 Shepherds and their flocks will come to her. They will pitch their tents around her. They will pasture each in his place. 4 Prepare for war against her. “Arise, and let us attack at noon.” “Woe to us, for the day declines (is nearly over), for the shadows of the evening lengthen!” 5 “Arise, and let us attack at night and destroy her palaces!” 6 Jehovah of Hosts says: “Cut down trees and build up a siege against Jerusalem. This city should be punished, for there is only oppression in her. 175 7 “As a well pours out its water, so Jerusalem pours out her wickedness. Violence and destruction are heard in her. Sickness and wounds are ever before me. 8 “Be warned, O Jerusalem, I will be alienated from you. I will make you desolation, a land not inhabited.” 9 Jehovah of Hosts says: “They will thoroughly glean as the vine the remnant of Israel. Pass your hand again like a grape gatherer over the baskets.” 10 “To whom can I speak and give warning that they may hear? Their ears are closed and they cannot listen. Behold, the word of Jehovah has become a reproach to them. They have no delight in it. 11 I am full of the wrath of Jehovah. I am weary with holding it in. Pour it out on the children in the street and on the gathering of young men together. For both husband and wife will be taken, the aged and the very old. 12 “Their houses, their fields and their wives will be turned over to others. I will stretch out my hand (extend my power) against the inhabitants of the land,” declares Jehovah. 13 “From the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain! From the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely! 14 “„Superficially they have healed the brokenness of my people. They declare: „Peace! Peace!‟ “But there is no peace.‟” 15 “Are they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They are not even ashamed! Not at all! They do not even know how to blush. Therefore they will fall among those who fall. When I punish them, they will be cast down,” says Jehovah. 16 Jehovah says: “Stand by the way [of life] and see and ask for the ancient paths. Walk in the good way and you will find rest.” But you said: “We will not walk in it!” 17 “„I set watchmen over you. I said: „Listen to the sound of the trumpet! But they said: „We will not listen!‟” 18 “Therefore hear, O nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. 19 “Hear, O earth: behold, I am bringing disaster on this people as the fruit of their plans. This is because they have not listened to my words, and have rejected my law. 176 20 “What purpose does frankincense come to me from Sheba and the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable and your sacrifices are not pleasing to me.” 21 Therefore, Jehovah says: “I am laying stumbling blocks before this people. They will stumble against them, Fathers and sons together; Neighbors and friends will perish.” 22 Jehovah says: “Behold, a people is coming from the northland! A great nation will be aroused from the remote parts of the earth. 23 “They seize bow and spear. They are cruel and have no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride on horses. They are arrayed as a man for the battle against you, O daughter of Zion!” 24 We have heard the report! Our hands are limp. Anguish has seized us! We have pain like a woman in childbirth. 25 Do not go out into the field. Do not walk on the road. The enemy has a sword and terror is on every side. 26 O my people put on sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn as for an only son, a lamentation most bitter. For suddenly the destroyer will come upon us. 27 “I have made you an assayer and a tester among my people. You will know and assay their course of life.” 28 All of them are stubborn rebels. They go about telling false stories. They are copper and iron. They are all corrupt, all of them! 29 The bellows* blow fiercely and the fire consumes the lead. The refining goes on in vain, but the wicked are not separated. 30 They call them rejected silver, for Jehovah has rejected them. Simplified Bible Dictionary *6:1 signal: The Hebrew Scriptures speak about signals as signals for sending messages such as a smoke signal or fire signal. (Judges 20:38) (Jeremiah 6:1) Some signals or poles stationed on high places served as rallying points for people. (Isaiah 5:26; 13:2; 18:3; 30:17; 31:9) (Jeremiah 4:6, 21; 50:2; 51:12, 27) (Psalm 60:4) The apostle Paul applied the words of 177 Isaiah 11:10 to Jesus Christ at Romans 15:8,12. We read at Isaiah 11:10: “He will stand as a signal for the peoples.” *6:29 bellows: This device is used for giving furnaces a forced draft. A bellows can be expanded and contracted drawing in air first and then forcing it out thru a tube. A bag is mounted on a frame or base and attached to a tube leading to the furnace. Bellows are mentioned only once in the Scriptures at Jeremiah 6:29. Isaiah 54:16 and Ezekiel 22:20, 21 allude to bellows but do not call them by name. *6:1 Beth-Haccherem: The Hebrew word Beth means house of, thus Beth Haccherem means House of Haccherem.. BethHaccherem was a place near the city of Jerusalem at Jeremiah 6:1: “Flee for safety you people of Benjamin. Run from the midst of Jerusalem! Now blow a ram‟s horn in Tekoa and aise a signal over Beth-haccerem. The people were warned to light a signal fire on a high place near Jerusalem. There are a number of places near Jerusalem where large stone mounds are found on the summit of hills that could have been used for signal fires like the fires mentioned by Jeremiah. Jeremiah 7 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah: 2 “Stand at the gate of Jehovah‟s house and proclaim there this word: „Hear the word of Jehovah, all you of Judah who enter by these gates to worship Jehovah! 3 “„Thus says Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel: “Amend (make right) your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place. 4 “„“Do not trust in deceptive words. They say: „This is the Temple of Jehovah, the Temple of Jehovah, and the Temple of Jehovah. 5 “„“For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly practice justice between a man and his neighbor, 6 if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods to your own ruin, 178 7 then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land I gave to your fathers from generation to generation and for a very long time.”‟” 8 “You are trusting in deceptive words that are of no value to you. 9 “Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, offer sacrifices to Baal and walk after other gods that you have not known? 10 “Then come and stand before me in this house. It is called by my name. You say, „We are safe to do all these abominations.‟ 11 “Has this house, called by my name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” declares Jehovah. 12 “But go to my place in Shiloh, where I made my name dwell from the beginning, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel. 13 “For the reason that you did all these things,” says Jehovah, “I spoke to you. I rose up early and spoke. But you did not hear, and I called you but you did not answer. 14 “Consider what I will do to the house that is called by my name. It is the house in which you trust. It is the place I gave you and your fathers, as I did to Shiloh. 15 “I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brothers, all the offspring of Ephraim. 16 “As for you, do not pray for this people. Do not lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with me for I do not hear you. 17 “Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? 18 “The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire. The women knead dough to make cakes for the queen of heaven.* They pour out drink offerings to other gods in order to spite me. 19 “Do they spite me?” Asks Jehovah. “Is it not themselves they spite, to their own shame?” 20 Therefore the Lord Jehovah says: “My anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place, on man and on beast, on the 179 trees of the field and on the fruit of the ground. It will burn and not be quenched.” 21 Thus says Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel: “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat flesh. 22 “For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. 23 “„I gave them this command: „Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. You will walk in all the way that I command you that it may be well with you.‟” 24 “Yet they did not obey or incline their ear. They walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart. They went backward and not forward. 25 “Since the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all my servants the prophets, daily rising early and sending them. 26 “Yet they did not listen to me or incline their ear. Instead they stiffened their neck (became stubborn). They did more evil than their fathers. 27 “You will speak all these words to them. But they will not listen to you. You will call them but they will not answer you. 28 “You will say to them: „This is the nation that did not obey the voice of Jehovah their God or accept correction. Truth has perished and truth has been removed from their mouth. 29 „Cut off your hair and cast it away. Take up a cry of sorrow and grief on the bare heights. Jehovah has rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.‟ 30 “The sons of Judah have done what is evil in my sight,” declares Jehovah. “They placed their detestable things in the house called by my name, to defile it. 31 “They have built the high places of Topheth,* which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire. I did not command this. I would never think of such a thing. (It would not come from my heart.) 32 “Days are coming, says Jehovah, when it will no longer be called Topheth, or the valley of the son of Hinnom (Benhinnom), but the valley of the Slaughter. They will bury in Topheth because there is no other place. 180 33 “The dead bodies of this people will be food for the birds of the sky and for the beasts of the earth. No one will frighten them away. 34 “I will cause the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride to cease from the cities of Judah and from the streets of Jerusalem. The land will become a ruin.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *7:18 Queen of Heaven: The Assyrians worshipped the moon as the receptive power nature. Jeremiah made reference to this and to Ashtoreth the Queen of Heaven. (Jeremiah 7:18; 44:17, 25) (Judges 10:6) (1 Samuel 7:4) (1 Samuel 12:10) *7:18 Queen Goddess: Ishtar was the false queen goddess of the Babylonians. (Jeremiah 7:18; 44:15-29) Is there any possible coincidence that Ishtar sounds much like Easter? There is no Scriptural record of the first century Christians celebrating Easter! The King James Version wrongfully inserted the name Easter in place of Passover at Acts 12:4. It is from the Chaldee word “pascha.” *7:31 Topheth: Topeth was a place outside Jerusalem where apostate Israelites sacrificed children. King Josiah finally put an end to this despicable practice. (2 Kings 23:10) (2 Chronicles 28:3; 33:6) (Jeremiah 7:31-33; 19:3-14; 32:35) Topeth could have been in the eastern part of the Valley of Hinnom near the Gate of the Potsherds. (Jeremiah 19:2, 6, 14) Topeth was used figuratively at Isaiah 30:32, 33 as a place of burning with fire. It represented the destruction that came upon Assyria. Jeremiah 8 1 Jehovah says: “At that time the bones of the kings and the leaders of Judah, the bones of the priests and the prophets, and the bones of the others who lived in Jerusalem will be taken out of their graves. 181 2 “They will be spread out and exposed to the sun, the moon, and all the stars in the sky. These are the things that they had loved, served, gone after, sought, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered or buried, but they will become manure on the ground. 3 “Then the few who remain from these wicked people will want to die rather than live where I will scatter them, declares Jehovah of Hosts. 4 “Say to them: „This is what Jehovah says: “When someone falls, he gets back up. When someone turns away from me, he returns.”‟” 5 “The people of Jerusalem turned away from me without ever returning. They still cling to deceit. They refuse to return. 6 “I paid attention and listened, but they were not honest. They do not turn away from their wickedness. They do not ask: „What have we done?‟ They go their own ways like horses charging into battle.‟” 7 “Even storks know when it is time to return. Mourning doves, swallows (swifts*), and cranes know when it is time to migrate. But my people do not know that I, Jehovah, am urging them to return. 8 “How can you say you are wise and that you have Jehovah‟s Laws? The scribes have used their pens* to spread falsehoods. 9 “Wise people are put to shame, confused, and trapped. They have rejected the word of Jehovah. They do not really have any wisdom. 10 “So I will give their wives to other men. I will give their fields to new owners. From the least even to the greatest everyone is greedy for gain. From the prophet even to the priest everyone is deceitful. 11 “They heal the brokenness of the daughter of my people superficially. They say: „Peace! Peace!‟ But there is no peace. 12 “Were they ashamed because of the abomination they had done? They certainly were not ashamed! And they did not know how to blush. For that reason they will fall among those who fall. At the time of their punishment they will be brought down,” Says Jehovah. 182 13 “„I will surely snatch them away,” declares Jehovah. “There will be no grapes on the vine and no figs on the fig tree. The leaf will wither and what I have given them will pass away.‟” 14 “Why are we sitting still? Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the fortified* (mother) cities. Let us perish there, because Jehovah our God has doomed us. He has given us poisoned water to drink, for we have sinned against Jehovah. 15 We waited for peace, but no good came. We waited for a time of healing, but all we got was terror! 16 From Dan is heard the snorting of his horses. At the sound of the neighing of his stallions the whole land quakes. For they come and devour the land and its fullness, the city and its inhabitants. 17 “I am sending serpents against you, adders, for which there is no charm. They will bite you,” says Jehovah. 18 My sorrow is beyond healing, my heart is faint within me! 19 Behold, listen! The cry of the daughter of my people from a distant land: “Is Jehovah not in Zion? Is her King not within her?” “Why have they provoked me with their graven images, with foreign idols?” 20 “Harvest is past, summer is ended, and we are not saved.” 21 For the brokenness of the daughter of my people I am broken. I mourn and dismay has taken hold of me. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician (healer) there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored? Simplified Bible Dictionary *8:7 swift: The swift is a very fast flying bird capable of flying up to 100 miles per hour or more. It swoops and darts after insect prey. Its feet are not suitable for walking so it catches it food in flight. It even drinks while skimming over the surface of water. The swift‟s cry has a wailing, melancholy sound. Some translators use the word swallow instead of swift since they are similar to the swallow. (Isaiah 38:14) (Jeremiah 8:7) The common barn swallow is abundant in Palestine. (Psalm 84:1-3) (Proverbs 26:2) 183 *8:8 pen, stylus: This writing instrument was used to make impressions on materials such as clay or wax. (Psalm 45:1) (Isaiah 8:1) (Jeremiah 8:8) A stylus or chisel of metal was needed to cut or carve letters into stone or metal. (Job 19:23, 24) Judah‟s sins were written down with an iron stylus or pen. That symbolized indelible records. (Jeremiah 17:1) *8:14 mother cities, dependent towns: Small towns in the neighborhood of a larger town or city were known as dependent towns. This is similar to the suburbs today near the big cities. (1 Chronicles 18:1) Sometimes the bigger towns were called “mother” cities. (Jeremiah 4:5; 8:14) Jeremiah 9 1 Oh that my head were waters and my eyes a fountain of tears. Then I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! 2 I wish I had a dwelling in the desert. I would abandon my people and go away from them. They are all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men. 3 They bend their tongue like their bow. Lies and not truth prevail in the land. They move from evil to evil. “They do not know me,” says Jehovah. 4 “Let everyone be on guard against his neighbor. Do not trust any brother because every brother deals craftily (cunningly), and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. 5 “Everyone deceives his neighbor and does not speak the truth. They have taught their tongue to speak lies. They wear themselves out committing sin. 6 “You live in the middle of deceit. Through deceit they refuse to know me,” says Jehovah. 7 Thus says Jehovah of Hosts: “Behold, I will refine them and assay them. What else can I do, because of the daughter of my people? 184 8 “Their tongue is a deadly arrow. It speaks deceit! With the mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor, but inwardly he sets an ambush* for him.” 9 “I will punish them for these things,” declares Jehovah. “I will punish this nation and I will not be satisfied.” 10 I will cry and weep for the mountains. I will sing a funeral song for the pastures in the wilderness. They are destroyed so that no one can travel through them. No one can hear the sound of cattle. Birds and cattle have fled. They are gone. 11 I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins. It will be a gathering place of jackals. I will make the cities of Judah desolation, without inhabitant. 12 “Who is the wise man that may understand this? Who is he to whom the mouth of Jehovah has spoken? Let him declare it? Why is the land ruined, laid waste like a desert, so that no one passes through?” 13 Jehovah said: “They have forsaken the Law I set before them. They have not obeyed my voice nor walked according to it. 14 “They have walked after the stubbornness of their heart and after the Baals as their fathers taught them. 15 “„Therefore Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel says: „Behold! I will feed this people with wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink.‟ 16 „I will scatter them among the nations, whom neither they nor their fathers have known. I will send the sword (violence and warfare) after them until I have annihilated them.‟ 17 “Jehovah of Hosts says: „Consider the mourning women that they may come. Send for the wailing women that they may come! 18 Let them hurry and take up a wailing for us. Let our eyes shed tears and our eyelids flow with water. 19 A voice of wailing is heard from Zion: “How we are ruined! We are put to great shame for we have left the land, because they have cast down our dwellings.” 20 Listen to the word of Jehovah, you women, and open your ears to hear his words. Teach your daughters how to cry. Teach your neighbors funeral songs. 185 21 Death has come through our windows and entered our palaces. Death has cut down the children in the streets and the young men in the market places. 22 “„This is what Jehovah says: “Dead bodies will fall like manure on the field. They will be like grain that has been cut but not gathered.”‟” 23 This is what Jehovah says: “Do not let wise people brag about their wisdom. Do not let strong people brag about their strength. Do not let rich people brag about their riches.” 24 “If they want to brag, instead let them advocate (glory) (celebrate) that they understand and know me. They should advocate that I, Jehovah, act out of love, righteousness, and justice on the earth. This kind of celebration pleases me,” declares Jehovah. 25 “The days are coming,” proclaims Jehovah, “when I will punish all who are circumcised [only in the flesh]. Yet they are not circumcised [in the heart]. 26 “I will punish Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, and Moab. I will punish all who shave the hair on their foreheads or live in the desert. Even though all these nations are uncircumcised, all Israel has uncircumcised hearts.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *9:8 ambush: An ambush is the act of lying in wait in a concealed place to attack by surprise. The Hebrew word e‟rev means to lie in wait and ambush. (Jeremiah 9:8) (Psalm 10:8) It is also used in describing hunting tactics. (Job 37:8, 38:40) The Hebrew verb a-rav‟ is a figurative description for a prostitute as she waylays men. (Proverbs 7:12; 23:28) Jeremiah 10 1 Listen house of Israel, Hear the word Jehovah speaks to you. 2 This is what Jehovah says: “Do not learn the practices of the nations. Do not be frightened by the signs in the sky because they frighten the nations.” 3 The people‟s customs are erroneous and empty. It is wood cut from the forest. It is the work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool. 186 4 “They decorate it with silver and with gold. They fasten it with nails and with hammers so that it will not tip over. 5 “They are like scarecrows* in cucumber fields. They cannot speak. They must be carried, for they cannot walk! Do not fear them! For they can do no harm and they can do no good.” 6 There is none like you, O Jehovah. You are great and your name is powerful. 7 Who would not respect you, O King of the nations? It is your right! There is none like you among all the wise men of the nations. 8 They are very stupid and foolish. They teach vanity to a tree. Their idol is wood! 9 Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz. It is the work of a craftsman and of the hands of a goldsmith. Violet and purple are their clothing. They are all the work of skilled men. 10 Jehovah* is the true (faithful) (right) God! He is the living God and the everlasting king. The earth quakes at his wrath. The nations cannot endure his indignation. 11 You will say to the idolaters: “The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.” 12 He who made the earth by his power, and established the world by his wisdom; also stretched out the heavens by his understanding. 13 He speaks, and the water in the sky produces a storm. He makes clouds rise* from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning flash with the rain. He brings wind out of his storehouses. 14 Every man is stupid lacking knowledge. Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. His molten images are deceitful. There is no breath in them. 15 They are worthless, a work of mockery. In the time of their punishment they will perish. 16 Jacob‟s share is not like this. For he made everything! Israel is the tribe of his inheritance. Jehovah of Hosts is his name. 17 Pick up your bundle from the ground, you who dwell under siege! 187 18 Jehovah says: “I am evicting the inhabitants of the land at this time. I will cause them distress that they may be found.” 19 Oh, I am wounded! My wound is serious. Then I thought that this is my punishment, and I will bear it. 20 My tent is destroyed. All the ropes are broken. My children have left me and have disappeared. There is no one to set up my tent again or put up my tent curtains. 21 The shepherds are foolish. They do not look to Jehovah for help. That is why they will not succeed and all their flocks will be scattered. 22 The report has arrived. Listen! An incredible uproar is coming from the land of the north. Its army will destroy Judah's cities and make them homes for jackals. 23 O Jehovah, I know that humans are not able to govern their own lives. Humans cannot administer their own steps. 24 Correct me, O Jehovah but please be fair. Do not correct me when you are angry. Otherwise, you will reduce me to nothing. 25 Pour out your fury on the nations who do not know you and on people who do not worship you. They have devoured the descendants of Jacob. They have devoured them completely. They have destroyed their homes. Simplified Bible Dictionary *10:5 scarecrow: Poles or piles of stone are placed in a field and dressed to look like a human figure to form a scarecrow. Its primary function is to frighten away birds or other animals so that they will not eat the crops. Jeremiah depicted the idols of the nations as a scarecrow in a cucumber field. (Jeremiah 10:5) *10:10 freedom: Only Jehovah God, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, has absolute freedom. (Genesis 17:1) (Jeremiah 10:7, 10) (Daniel 4:34, 35) (Revelation 4:11) All creation must act and move within the limitations assigned to them. (Isaiah 45:9) (Romans 6:16) (Romans 9:20, 21) True freedom is 188 allowed within the boundaries of God‟s Law. (Psalm 144:15) (Luke 11:28) (James 1:25) *10:13 clouds rise, mist: Mist is similar to very light rain. When warm humid air rises from the earth and cools, it condenses and causes particles of water to float in the air and then drop. When it takes place near the ground it is fog and high in the sky it is clouds. (Psalm 135:7) (Proverbs 25:14) (Jeremiah 10:13; 51:16) The Bible is in total agreement with scientific finding about rain and mist. (Job 36:27, 28) It is possible that the rain referred to at Genius 2:5, 6 is actually mist because it “watered the whole surface of the ground.” Mist is used figuratively in several places in the Christian Greek Scriptures. (Acts 13:4-11) (2 Peter 2:1, 17-19) James 4:14 compares life to a mist that quickly disappears. Some people believe that demons dwell in mist or fog, but that belief is not substantiated in the Holy Scriptures. Jeremiah 11 1 Jehovah said to me: 2 “Listen to the terms of the covenant. Tell the people of Judah and of Jerusalem: 3 “Jehovah the God of Israel says, „Cursed is everyone who does not obey the terms of this covenant.‟ 4 “It is the covenant I made with their ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt. Egypt was like an iron smelter (furnace) to them. I told them to obey me and to do everything that I commanded. I told them that if they obeyed, they would be my people and I would be their God. 5 “Then I would keep the promise I made to their ancestors that I would give them the rich and fertile land which they now have.‟”‟” I answered: “ Amen (Yes) Jehovah.” 6 Jehovah said to me: “Go to the cities of Judah and to the streets of Jerusalem. Proclaim my message there and tell the people: „Listen to the terms of the covenant and obey them.‟ 7 “I solemnly warned your fathers in the day that I brought them up from the land of Egypt. Even to this day I persistently warned them, saying: „Listen to my voice.‟ 189 8 “Yet they did not obey or incline their ear (pay attention). They walked, each one, in the stubbornness of his evil heart! Therefore I brought on them all the words of the covenant I commanded them to do. But they did not do it.‟” 9 Jehovah said to me: “A conspiracy has been found among the men of Judah and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 10 “They went back to the evil ways of their ancestors and refused to obey my words. They followed other gods and worshiped them. The nations of Israel and Judah have rejected the covenant that I made to their ancestors.” 11 “„Therefore Jehovah says: „I am going to bring a disaster on them that they cannot escape. Although they will cry out to me, I will not listen to them. 12 “„Then the cities of Judah and those who live in Jerusalem will cry to the gods to whom they have been sacrificing. But these gods will never rescue them in a time of distress. 13 “„Judah, you have as many gods as you have cities. You have set up many altars in Jerusalem to sacrifice to Baal. You have as many detestable altars as there are streets in Jerusalem.‟ 14 “Jeremiah, do not pray for these people. Do not cry or pray for them. I will not listen when they call to me for help in times of trouble. 15 “What right do these people I love have to be in my house when they do so many deceitful things? Can the meat from their sacrifices turn tragedy away from them? They exult (celebrate) when they do evil. 16 “Jehovah called you a large olive tree that has fine-looking fruit to look at. He will set fire to you with a mighty lightning storm, and your branches will be broken. 17 “Jehovah of Hosts planted you. He has pronounced disaster on you. This is because of the evil things that Israel and Judah have done. They have made him infuriated by burning incense as an offering to Baal. 18 Jehovah revealed their plot to me so that I would understand. He showed me what they were doing. 19 I was like an unquestioning lamb brought to the slaughter. I did not know that they were plotting against me. They were saying: “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit. Let us cut 190 Jeremiah off from this world of the living so that we will not be reminded of him anymore.” 20 O Jehovah of Hosts, you are a fair judge. You test motives and thoughts. I want to see you take revenge on them. For that reason I presented my case to you. 21 This is what Jehovah says: “The people of Anathoth want to kill you. They say: Do not prophesy in the name of Jehovah, or we will kill you.” 22 This is what Jehovah of Hosts says: “I am going to punish them. The young men will die by the sword because of war. Their sons and daughters will die by famine. 23 “I will bring disaster on the people of Anathoth. It will be a year of punishment. There will be no survivors.” Jeremiah 12 1 Jehovah, if I argued my case with you, you would prove to be right. Indeed, I must question you about matters of justice. Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why do dishonest people succeed with impunity? 2 You plant them, and they take root. They grow and bear fruit. You are near their lips, but far from their mind. 3 But, you know me, Jehovah. You see what I do and how in my heart I love you. Drag them away like sheep to be butchered. Guard them until it is time for them to be slaughtered. 4 How long will our land be dry and the grass in every field be withered? Animals and birds are dying because of the wickedness of our people. These people say: “God does not see what we are doing.” 5 Jehovah says: “Jeremiah, if you get tired racing against people, how can you race against horses? If you cannot even stand up in open country, how will you manage in the thicket by the Jordan?” 6 “Even your relatives, members of your own family, have betrayed you. They join in the attacks against you. Do not trust them, even though they speak friendly words. 7 Jehovah says: “I have abandoned Israel. I have rejected my chosen nation. I have given the people I love into the power of their enemies. 191 8 “My chosen people have turned against me. Like a lion in the forest they have roared at me, and so I hate them. 9 “My chosen people are like a bird attacked from all sides by hawks. Call the wild animals to come and join in the feast! 10 “Many foreign rulers have destroyed my vineyard. They trampled down my fields and turned my beautiful land into a desert. 11 “They made it a wasteland. It lies desolate before me. The whole land has become a desert, and no one cares. 12 “Across the entire desert highlands people have come to plunder. Jehovah has sent war to destroy the entire land. No one can live in peace. 13 “My people planted wheat. They gathered weeds! They worked hard and got nothing for it. Because of my fierce anger their crops have failed.” 14 Jehovah says: “I have something to say about Israel's neighbors who have ruined the land I gave to my people Israel. I will take those wicked people away from their countries like an uprooted plant, and I will rescue Judah from them. 15 “But after I have taken them away I will have mercy on them. I will bring each nation back to its own land and to its own country. 16 “If with all their hearts they will accept the religion of my people and will swear: As Jehovah lives, as they once taught my people to swear by Baal, then they will also be a part of my people and will prosper. 17 “However if any nation will not obey I will completely uproot it and destroy it.” I, Jehovah, have spoken. Jeremiah 13 1 Jehovah told me: “Go and buy a linen belt. Wear it on your hips for a while, but do not put it in any water.” 2 So I bought a belt and put it on my hips. 3 Then Jehovah said: 4 “Take off the linen belt. Go to the Euphrates River and hide the belt in a crack between some large rocks.” 5 And that is what I did, just as Jehovah commanded. 192 6 Some time later Jehovah said: “Go back and get the linen belt.” 7 I went back and dug the belt out of the hiding place, but the cloth had rotted, and the linen belt was ruined. It was good for nothing. 8 Then Jehovah said: 9 “Jeremiah, I will use Babylon to destroy the pride of the people of Judah and Jerusalem. 10 “The people of Judah are evil and stubborn. They do not listen to me. They do whatever they want and even worship other gods. When I am finished with these people, they will be good for nothing, just like this linen belt. 11 “This belt is tight around your waist, and that is how tightly I held onto the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. I wanted them to be my people. I wanted to make them famous, so that other nations would praise and honor me, but they refused to obey me. 12 “Speak this word to them: „Thus says Jehovah, the God of Israel, “Every jug is to be filled with wine. When they say to you, Do we not know that every jug is to be filled with wine? 13 “„“Say to them: Jehovah says I am about to fill all the inhabitants of this land, the kings that sit for David on his throne, the priests, the prophets and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with drunkenness! 14 “„“I will dash them against each other, both the fathers and the sons together, declares Jehovah. „I will not show pity nor be sorry nor have compassion so as not to destroy them.”‟” 15 Listen, give heed and do not be haughty (arrogant). Jehovah has spoken. 16 Give glory to Jehovah your God before he brings darkness and before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You hope for light. He makes it into deep darkness and turns it into gloom. 17 If you will not listen, I will cry secretly over your arrogance. I will cry bitterly, and my eyes will flow with tears because Jehovah‟s flock will be taken captive. 18 Say to the king and his mother: “Come down from your thrones, because your crowns have fallen off your heads.” 193 19 The cities in the Negev will be locked up. There will be no one to reopen them. All the people of Judah will be taken away into captivity. 20 “Look up, and see those who are coming from the north. Where is the flock that was given to you? Where are your beautiful sheep? 21 “What will you say when God makes the people you thought were your friends your new masters? Will pain grip you like a woman in labor? 22 “If you ask yourself: „Why do these things happen to me?‟ It is because you have so many sins. Your clothes have been torn off and your limbs are bare. 23 “Can Ethiopians change the color of their skin or leopards* change their spots? Can you do good when you are taught to do wrong? 24 “I will scatter you like straw* that is blown away by a desert wind. 25 “This is your fate, the destiny I have planned for you,” proclaims Jehovah. “You have forgotten me and trusted in false gods. 26 “I will also tear off your clothes, and expose your shame. 27 “I have seen you commit adultery and scream with delight. I have seen you act like a brazen prostitute on the hills and in the fields. How hideous it will be for you, Jerusalem! Will you ever be clean?” Simplified Bible Dictionary *13:23 leopards: The leopard is a large cat that has a lighttan coat with black spots arranged in broken circles. (Jeremiah 13:23) The average leopard is four feet long not counting the tail. These animals are swift in their movement. (Habakkuk 1:8) The leopard and the kid are depicted as lying down together in peace during Messiah‟s rule. (Isaiah 11:6) The Hebrew word “la‟yish” is translated lion at Job 4:11 and Proverbs 30:30. It is also rendered leopard at Isaiah 30:6. The wild beast seen in vision by the apostle John was basically like a leopard. (Revelation 13:1, 2) Daniel 7:6 features a fourwinged, four headed leopard representing the Grecian World 194 Power that conquered Medo-Persia with the swiftness of a leopard. *13:24 stubble: The grain stalks remaining in the field after the harvest is the stubble. The Israelites had to gather stubble when Egypt‟s Pharaoh deprived them of the straw they needed for making bricks. (Exodus 5:10-12) Stubble is used in a figurative or illustrative way since it is easily blown away by the wind. (Isaiah 40:24; 41:2) (Jeremiah 13:24) The wicked enemies of Jehovah and their evil schemes are compared to stubble. (Exodus 15:7) (Psalm 83:13) (Malachi 4:1) (Isaiah 33:11) The apostle Paul listed stubble as a material that would not withstand the fire test at 1 Corinthians 3:12, Jeremiah 14 1 Jehovah spoke his word about the drought to Jeremiah: 2 Judah mourns and its gates collapse. The people of Judah are filled with bereavement as they sit on the ground. Their cry goes up from Jerusalem. 3 Important people send their assistants out for water. They do not find any water at the cisterns. They return with their containers empty. They cover their heads, because they are ashamed and dishonored. 4 There is no rain in the land and the ground is cracked. The farmers are disappointed. They cover their heads. 5 Even deer in the fields give birth and abandon their young because there is no grass. 6 Wild donkeys stand on the bare hills. They sniff the wind like jackals. Their eyesight fails because they have no green plants. 7 Do something, Jehovah, for the sake of your name, even though our iniquities testify against us. We have been unfaithful (like apostates) and have sinned against you. 8 You are Israel's hope, its savior in times of trouble. Why are you like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who stays only one night? 9 Why are you like someone taken by surprise, like a mighty man who cannot help? You, O Jehovah, are among us. We are called by your name. Do not leave us! 195 10 This is what Jehovah says about these people: “They love to wander. They do not keep their feet where they belong. Therefore Jehovah is not happy with them. He will remember their crimes and punish their sins.” 11 Jehovah said to me: “Do not pray for the good of these people. 12 “Even if they go without food, I will not listen to their cries for help. Even if they sacrifice burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not be pleased with them. But I will destroy these people with wars, famines, and plagues.” 13 I said: “Alas, O Lord Jehovah, prophets are telling them: „You will not see wars or famines, for I will give you lasting peace in this place.” 14 Jehovah then told me: “These are the lies that the prophets are telling in my name: They claim that I sent them. They claim that I commanded them. They claim that I spoke to them. They even dreamed up visions to tell you. Their predictions are worthless! They are the products of their own imagination. 15 “I did not send these prophets. Yet, they prophesy in my name that there will be no wars or famines in this land. So this is what I, Jehovah, say about them: „Wars and famines will bring an end to these prophets. 16 “„The people to whom they prophesy will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem. They will be victims of famines and wars. No one will bury them, their wives, their sons, or their daughters. I will pour on them the destruction that they deserve.‟ 17 “Say this to them: „My eyes flow with tears day and night without stopping because my dear people will suffer massive destruction. It will be a very serious blow. 18 “„If I go to the field, I see those killed because of war. If I go to the city, I see those sick because of famine. Prophets and priests wander through a land they have not heard of.‟” 19 Have you completely rejected Judah? Do you despise Zion? Why have you struck us so hard that we cannot heal? We hope for peace, but no good comes from it. We hope for a time of healing, but there's only terror. 196 20 O Jehovah, we recognize our wickedness and the wrongs done by our ancestors. We have sinned against you. 21 For the sake of your name, do not despise us. Do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your promise to us. Do not break it. 22 The valueless gods of the nations cannot make it rain. The skies cannot give showers by themselves. But you can, O Jehovah our God. We hope in you because you do all these things. Jeremiah 15 1 Jehovah said to me: “I would not feel sorry for these people, even if Moses and Samuel were standing in front of me. Send them away from my presence, and let them go. 2 “When they ask you where they should go, say to them: This is what Jehovah says: Those who are to die will die. Those who are to die in wars will die in wars. Those who are to die in famines will die in famines. Those who are to die in captivity will die in captivity. 3 “I will appoint over them four kinds of punishment, declares Jehovah. I will send swords to kill, dogs to drag away, and birds of the air and animals of the earth to devour and destroy. 4 “I will make these people a horrifying (shocking) sight to all the kingdoms on the earth. This will happen because of what Judah's King Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, did in Jerusalem. 5 “Who will take pity on you, Jerusalem? No one will mourn for you. No one will bother to ask how you are doing. 6 “You left me, declares Jehovah. You turned your back on me. So I will stretch out my hand against you (use my power against you) and destroy you. I am tired of showing compassion to you. 7 “I will separate them with a winnowing shovel at the city gates. I will make them childless. I will destroy my people because they will not change their ways. 8 “Their widows will be more numerous than the grains of sand on the seashore. At noontime I will send a destroyer against the mothers of young men. I will suddenly bring anguish and terror to them. 197 9 “A mother who gives birth to seven sons will grow faint and breathe her last. She will die, ashamed and humiliated, while it is still daylight. I will put survivors from these people to death in the presence of their enemies, says Jehovah. 10 Sadness is mine! Why did my mother bring me into the world? I have to quarrel and argue with everyone in the whole earth. I have not lent any money or borrowed any; yet everyone curses me. 11 Jehovah said: “I will certainly rescue you for a good. I will certainly make your enemies plead with you in times of evil and in times of distress. 12 “Can a man break iron, especially the iron from the north that is mixed with copper? 13 “Jehovah said to me: „I will send enemies to carry away the wealth and treasures of my people. This will punish them for the sins they have committed throughout the land. 14 “I will make them serve their enemies in a land they know nothing about. My anger is like fire, and it will burn forever.” 15 Then I said: “O Jehovah you understand. Remember me and help me. Let me have revenge on those who persecute me. Do not be so patient with them that they succeed in killing me. Remember that it is for your sake that I have suffered reproach. 16 “You spoke to me, and I listened to every word. I belong to you, Lord Jehovah. Your words filled my heart with joy and happiness. 17 “I did not spend my time with other people laughing and having a good time. In obedience to your orders I stayed by myself and was filled with anger. 18 “Why do I suffer constant pain? Why is my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you indeed be to me like a deceptive stream with water that is unreliable?” 19 Therefore Jehovah says: “If you return I will restore you. You will stand before me. If you extract the precious from the worthless, you will become my spokesman. They for their part may turn to you. But you must not turn to them.” 20 “I will make you a fortified wall of copper to these people. Though they fight against you, they will not prevail over you. 198 For I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares Jehovah. 21 “I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked. I will redeem you from the grasp of the cruel.” Jeremiah 16 1 The word of Jehovah also came to me: 2 “You shall not take a wife for yourself nor have sons or daughters in this place. 3 Jehovah says this about the sons and daughters born in this place, and about their mothers who bear them, and their fathers who begot them in this land: 4 “They will die of lethal diseases. They will not be mourned or buried. They will be as dung on the surface of the ground and die by sword and famine (war and starvation). Their carcasses will become food for the birds of the sky and for the animals of the earth.” 5 Jehovah says: “Do not enter a house of mourning, or go to lament or to console them. I have withdrawn my peace from this people,” declares Jehovah, “even my loving kindness and compassion.” 6 “Both great and small men will die in this land. They will not be buried, they will not be lamented, nor will anyone gash himself or shave his head for them. 7 “Men will not break bread in mourning for them in order to comfort anyone for the dead. Nor will they give them a cup of consolation to drink for anyone's father or mother. 8 “Moreover you shall not go into a house of feasting to sit with them to eat and drink.” 9 “This is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: „I am going to put a stop to the sounds of joy and happiness and the sounds of brides and grooms in this place. This will happen in your lifetime, even as you watch.‟” 10 “When you tell the people all these things, they will ask you: „Why does Jehovah threaten us with all these disasters? What have we done wrong? How have we sinned against Jehovah our God?‟” 11 “Tell them: „It is because your ancestors abandoned me,‟ says Jehovah. They followed other gods, served them, 199 worshiped them, and abandoned me. They did not obey my law. 12 “You have done worse than your ancestors. All of you are following your own stubborn, evil ways that keep you from listening (obeying) to me. 13 “Therefore I will throw you out of this land into a land that you and your ancestors have not heard of. There you will serve other gods day and night because I will no longer have pity on you.”‟ 14 “That is why the days are coming,” declares Jehovah, “when people will no longer begin an oath with: „Jehovah brought the people of Israel out of Egypt‟ and „as Jehovah lives.‟ 15 “But they will say: Jehovah brought the people of Israel out of the land of the north and all the lands where he had scattered them. They will say this because I will bring them back to the land that I gave their fathers. 16 “I am going to send for many fishermen,” says Jehovah, “and they will catch the people of Israel. After that, I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt for them on every mountain and hill and even in the cracks in the rocks. 17 “I see everything that they do. They cannot hide anything from me. Their wickedness cannot be hidden; I can see it. 18 “First, I will have them pay twice as much for their wickedness and their sin, because they have polluted my land. They have filled my property with the lifeless statues of their detestable and disgusting idols. 19 Jehovah is my strength and my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Nations come to you from the most distant parts of the world and say: Our ancestors have inherited lies, worthless and unprofitable gods. 20 Can people make gods for themselves? They are not really gods! 21 “That is what I will teach them. This time I will make my power and my strength known to them. THEN THEY WILL KNOW THAT MY NAME IS JEHOVAH.” 200 Jeremiah 17 1 Jehovah says: Judah's sin is written with an iron pen. It is engraved with a diamond point* on the tablet of their hearts and on the horns (strength) (authority) of their altars. 2 Even their children remember their altars and their poles (images) dedicated to the goddess Asherah beside large trees on high hills 3 and on mountains in the open country. I will turn your wealth and all your treasures into loot. I will do this because of your worship sites and your sin throughout all your territory. 4 You will lose the inheritance that I gave you. I will make you serve your enemies in a land that you have not heard of. I will do this because you have stirred up the fire of my anger. It will burn for a very long time. 5 This is what Jehovah says: “Cursed is the person who trusts humans, who makes flesh and blood his strength and whose heart turns away from Jehovah. 6 “He will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes. He will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt without inhabitant. 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in Jehovah, whose refuge and security (confidence and hope) is Jehovah. 8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water. It extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes. Its leaves will be green. It will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit. 9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately corrupt. Who can understand it? 10 “I, Jehovah, search the heart and examine the mind (inner man). I give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds. 11 “A person who gets rich dishonestly is like a partridge* that hatches eggs it did not lay. During his lifetime, he will lose his wealth. In the end, he will be a wicked fool.” 12 From the very beginning our sanctuary was a glorious throne on high. 13 You will put to shame all that forsake you, O Jehovah, the hope of Israel. Those who turn away on earth will be written 201 down, for they have forsaken Jehovah, the fountain of living water. 14 Heal me, O Jehovah, and I will be healed! Save me and I will be saved! For you are my song of praise. 15 Look, they keep saying to me: Where is the word of Jehovah? Let it come now! 16 I have not hurried away from being your shepherd. I have not longed for the day of destruction. You know what I used to say. 17 Do not cause me fear and anxiety. For you are my refuge in the day of disaster. 18 Let those who persecute me be put to shame. Do not let me be put to shame. Let them be dismayed, but let me not be dismayed. Bring on them a day of disaster. Crush them with twofold destruction! 19 Jehovah said to me: “Go and stand in the public gate, through which the kings of Judah come in and go out, as well as in all the gates of Jerusalem. 20 Say to them: “Listen to the word of Jehovah, kings of Judah, and all Judah and all inhabitants of Jerusalem who come in through these gates: 21 “Jehovah says: „Take heed for yourselves, and do not carry any load on the Sabbath day or bring anything in through the gates of Jerusalem. 22 “You shall not bring a load out of your houses on the Sabbath day nor do any work. You should keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your forefathers. 23 “Yet they did not listen or incline their ears. They stiffened their necks in order not to listen or take correction. 24 “But it will come about, if you listen attentively to me, declares Jehovah, to bring no load in through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but to keep the Sabbath day holy by doing no work on it, 25 then there will come in through the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the throne of David. They will ride in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. This city will be inhabited for a very long time. 202 26 “They will come in from the cities of Judah and from the environs of Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the lowland, from the hill country and from the Negev. They will bring burnt offerings, sacrifices, grain offerings and incense. They will also bring sacrifices of thanksgiving to the house of Jehovah. 27 “If you do not listen to me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying a load and coming in through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates and it will devour the palaces of Jerusalem. And it will not be quenched.”‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary *17:1 diamond point: The diamond is a precious stone. It is the hardest natural mineral yet discovered and among the most valuable of gems. Diamonds are usually colorless, however a few have tints of color. Jehovah referred to the hard materials in diamonds when he said: “Judah‟s sin is written with an iron pen. It is engraved with a diamond point on the tablet of their hearts.” (Jeremiah 17:1, 2) *17:11 partridge: The partridge is a chicken like bird. It has a stout body and is smaller than a pheasant. It has a delicate flesh and was hunted for food. (1 Samuel 26:20) (Jeremiah 17:11) Jeremiah 18 1 Jehovah spoke his word to Jeremiah: 2 “Go to the potter's house. There I will give you my message.” 3 I went to the potter's house, and he was working there at his wheel. 4 When a clay pot he was working on was ruined, he would rework it into a new clay pot the way he wanted to make it. 5 Jehovah spoke his word to me. Jehovah asked: 6 “Nation of Israel, can I do with you as this potter does with clay?” Nation of Israel, “You are in my hands like the clay in the potter's hands. 203 7 “At one time I may threaten to tear up, break down, and destroy a nation or a kingdom. 8 “However if the nation that I threatened turns away from doing wrong. Then I will change my plans about the disaster I planned to do to it. 9 “At another time I may promise to build and plant a nation or a kingdom. 10 “If that nation does what I consider evil and does not obey me I will change my mind about the good that I promised to do to it. 11 “Now say to the people of Judah and to those who live in Jerusalem, This is what Jehovah says: „I am going to prepare a disaster and make a plot against you. Turn from your evil ways, change your lives, and do good.‟ 12 “But they will answer, It is useless! We will live the way we want to. We will go our own stubborn, evil ways. 13 “This is what Jehovah says: „Ask among the nations if anyone has ever heard anything like this. The people of Israel have done a very horrible thing. 14 “„Does the snow of Lebanon forsake the rock of the open country? Or is the cold flowing water from a foreign land ever snatched away? 15 “„My people have forgotten me. They burn incense to worthless gods and they have stumbled from their ways. They stray from the ancient paths to walk in pathways and not on a highway. 16 “„They make their land desolation. It becomes an object of perpetual hissing. Everyone who passes by it will be astonished and shake his head. 17 “„Like an east wind I will scatter them before the enemy. I will show them my back and not my face in the day of their calamity.‟” 18 Then they said: “Come and let us devise plans against Jeremiah. Surely the law is not going to be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise man, nor the divine word to the prophet! Come on and let us strike him with our tongue, and let us pay no attention to any of his words.” 19 Do pay close attention to me, O Jehovah! Listen to what my opponents are saying! 204 20 Should good be repaid with evil? For they have dug a pit for me. Remember how I stood before you to speak good on their behalf. I tried to turn away your wrath from them. 21 Therefore, give their children over to famine and deliver them up to the power of the sword. Let their wives become childless and widowed. Let their men also be smitten to death and their young men struck down by the sword in battle. 22 Let an outcry be heard from their houses when you suddenly bring raiders upon them. For they have dug a pit to capture me and hidden snares for my feet. 23 Yet You, O Jehovah, know all their deadly designs against me. Do not forgive their iniquity or blot out their sin from your sight. But may they be overthrown before you. Deal with them in the time of your anger! Jeremiah 19 1 Jehovah says: Go and buy a potter's earthenware jar, and take some of the elders of the people and some of the senior priests. 2 Then go out to the valley of Ben-hinnom (Hinnom Valley), which is by the entrance of the potsherd gate, and proclaim there the words that I tell you. 3 Say: “Hear the word of Jehovah, O kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: thus says Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, “„“Behold I am about to bring adversity upon this place. The ears of everyone who hears of it will quiver with fear. 4 “„“This is because they have forsaken me. They have made this an alien place and have burned sacrifices in it to other gods. These are gods that neither they nor their forefathers nor the kings of Judah had ever known. They have filled this place with the blood of the blameless (innocent).”‟” 5 “„They have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal. This is not something I commanded or spoke of, nor did it ever enter my mind (heart) (conscience).”‟ 6 “„“Therefore days are coming, declares Jehovah, when this place will no longer be called Topheth or the valley of Benhinnom, but rather the valley of Slaughter. 205 7 “I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place. I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies and by the hand of those who seek their life. I will give their carcasses as food for the birds of the sky and the animals of the earth. 8 “I will also make this city a desolation and an object of hissing. Everyone who passes by it will be astonished and hiss because of all its disasters. 9 “I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they will eat one another's flesh in the siege and in the distress with which their enemies and those who seek their life will cause them.”‟ 10 “Then you are to break the jar in the sight of the men who accompany you. 11 “„Say to them: „Jehovah of Hosts says: “Like this I will break this people and this city. It is just like one breaks a potter's vessel that cannot again be repaired. They will bury in Topheth because there is no other place for burial.”‟ 12 “„This is how I will treat this place and its inhabitants,‟declares Jehovah, „I will make this city like Topheth. 13 “„The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will be defiled like Topheth. They burned sacrifices to the heavenly hosts and poured out drink offerings to other gods on the rooftops of all of their houses.‟” 14 Then Jeremiah came from Topheth, where Jehovah had sent him to prophesy. He stood in the court of Jehovah‟s house and said to all the people: 15 “Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel says: „I am about to bring on this city and all its towns the entire disaster that I have declared against it. This is because they have stiffened their necks (vigorously resisted) so as not to heed my words.‟” Jeremiah 20 1 Pashhur* the priest, son of Immer, who was chief officer in the house of Jehovah, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things. 206 2 Pashhur had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put him in the stocks* that were at the upper Benjamin Gate, which was by the house of Jehovah. 3 The next day Pashhur released Jeremiah from the stocks. Jeremiah said to him: “Pashhur is not the name Jehovah has called you. He has called you Magor-missabib. 4 “For Jehovah says: „Behold, I am going to make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends. They will fall by the sword of their enemies while you watch. I will hand over all Judah to the hand (control) of the king of Babylon. He will carry them away as exiles to Babylon and will slay them with the sword. 5 “„I will also hand over all the wealth of this city, all its produce and all its costly things. I will even give all the treasures of the kings of Judah to the hand of their enemies. They will plunder them and take them away to Babylon. 6 “„You, Pashhur, and all who live in your house will go into captivity. You will enter Babylon, and there you will die and be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have falsely prophesied.‟” 7 O Jehovah, You have deceived me. I was deceived! You have overcome me and prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. 8 Each time I speak, I cry aloud. I proclaim violence and destruction! For me the word of Jehovah has resulted in reproach and derision all day long. 9 But if I say: “I will not remember him or speak anymore in his name,” then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in. I cannot endure it. 10 For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror on every side! Denounce him; yes, let us denounce him!” All my trusted friends are watching for my fall. They say: “Perhaps he will be deceived, so that we may prevail against him and take our revenge on him.” 11 Jehovah is with me like a powerful champion. Therefore my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will be utterly ashamed! They have failed with an everlasting disgrace that will not be forgotten. 207 12 Yet, O Jehovah of Hosts you test the righteous. You see the mind and the heart. Let me see your vengeance on them for to you I have revealed my cause. 13 Sing to Jehovah, praise Jehovah! He has delivered the needy one from the hand (domination) of evildoers. 14 Cursed is the day when I was born. Let the day not be blessed when my mother bore me! 15 Cursed is the man who brought the news to my father, saying: “A baby boy has been born to you!” He made him very happy. 16 But let that man be like the cities Jehovah overthrew without relenting. Let him hear an outcry in the morning and a shout of alarm at noon. 17 He did not kill me before birth, so that my mother would have been my grave, and her womb ever pregnant. 18 Why did I ever come forth from the womb to look on trouble and sorrow? My days have been spent in shame! Simplified Bible Dictionary *20:1 Pashur, the priest: This man was the son of Immer, a leading commissioner in the house of Jehovah. Pasher hated Jeremiah‟s prophecies, struck him and put him in the stocks for a day. As a result of this God inspired Jeremiah to foretell the exile and death in Babylon of Pasher. His name was changed in Hebrew to “Maghohr,” meaning “Fright all around.” (Jeremiah 6:25; 20:1-10; 46:5; 49:29) *20:2 stocks: Wrongdoers were locked in stocks and exposed to public scorn. A stock was an ancient instrument used for punishment, consisting of a wooden frame in which a victom‟s feet, head and hands were locked. Paul and Silas were falsely accused of wrongdoing and confined to stocks at Philippi. (2 Chronicles 16:10) (Job 13:27; 33:11) (Jeremiah 20:2, 3; 29:26) (Acts 16:24) Stocks were not prescribed by Gods Law. 208 Jeremiah 21 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah. King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur the son of Malchijah, and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah. The king said to Jeremiah: 2 “Please inquire of Jehovah on our behalf. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is warring against us. Perhaps Jehovah will deal with us with all his wonderful acts, so that the enemy will withdraw from us.” 3 Jeremiah responded to them: “Say the following Zedekiah: 4 „Jehovah the God of Israel says: “Behold, I am about to turn back the weapons of war* you control. The weapons you use to make war against the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who besiege you outside the wall. I will gather them into the center of this city. 5 „“I will war against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm* (with my great power). I will extend my anger, wrath and great indignation. 6 „“I will also strike down the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast. They will die of a great pestilence.”‟ 7 “„“Afterwards,” declares Jehovah: “I will hand over Judah's King Zedekiah, his officials, the people, and everyone else in this city who survives the plague, war, and famine. They will be handed over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and to their enemies who want to kill them. Nebuchadnezzar will kill them with swords. He will not spare them, show them compassion, or care for them.”‟ 8 “Also say to this people, „Jehovah says: “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. 9 “„He who dwells in this city will die by the sword and by famine and by pestilence. He who goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live. He will have his own life as booty.”‟ 10 “„“For I have set my face against this city for harm and not for good, declares Jehovah. It will be surrendered to the king of Babylon and he will burn it with fire.” 11 “„Then say to the household of the king of Judah: „Hear the word of Jehovah, 209 12 “„O house of David, Jehovah says: “Administer justice every morning. Deliver the person who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. That way I may not have to offer my wrath like fire and burn with none to extinguish it, because of the evil of your deeds.”‟ 13 “„I am against you, O valley dweller, O rocky plain,‟ declares Jehovah. „You men say: “Who will come down against us? Or who will enter into our habitations? 14 “„But I will punish you according to the results of your deeds,‟ declares Jehovah. „I will kindle a fire in its forest that will devour all its environs.‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary *21:4 turn back the weapons of war: Jehovah will stop the production of war materials. Jehovah is a loving God. He demands justice and will not tolerate mans warfare forever. *21:5 God‟s arm: mighty arm of power. The Arm of God is God‟s power is the arm of God. (Isaiah 40:10; 53:1) Arm of Flesh: The term arm of flesh means strength and power of man such as an army. The arm of flesh as described in the Bible is unreliable and failing the one trusting it. 2 Chronicles 32:8 “With him (king of Assyria) there is an arm of flesh, but with us there is Jehovah our God to help us and to fight our battles. *21:4, 5 Har-Magedon: The war of the great day of God the Almighty is known as Armageddon. The name Har-Magedon comes from Hebrew. It means Mountain of Megiddo. (Revelation 16:14, 16) There was no literal place called Mountain of Megiddo inside or outside the Promised Land. The term applies to the condition, or situation in which the kings of the entire inhabited earth are involved. They gather in opposition to Jehovah and his King Jesus Christ. (Psalm 2) Revelation 16:16 portrays the combined forces of the kings of the earth gathered to the place that is called in Hebrew Har- 210 Magedon. It is a place in the figurative sense. That‟s right, it is a symbolic place. Megiddo in the hills: Any reasoning person would realize that you could NOT POSITION ALL THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD into one small physical area known as Megiddo in the hills of Palestine. Revelation chapter 19 reveal only the armies of heaven lead by the spirit being Jesus Christ. They fight the war against the evil spirit forces of Satan the Devil and his demons. The physical armies of the world might attempt to fight Jesus Christ and his army of angels, but they would fail completely against these overwhelmingly superior forces. Jeremiah 22 1 This is what Jehovah says: “Go to the palace of the king of Judah, and speak this message there: 2 “„Listen to the word of Jehovah, you officials, you people who come into these gates, and you, king of Judah, the one sitting on David's throne. 3 This is what Jehovah says: “Judge fairly, and do what is right. Rescue those who have been robbed from those who oppress them. Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, or widows, and do not oppress them. Do not kill innocent people in this place. 4 “„If you do what I say, then the kings who sit on David's throne will ride through the gates of this palace in chariots and on horses along with their officials and their people.”‟ 5 “„But if you do not do what I say, I will take an oath on myself,‟ declares Jehovah, „this palace will become a pile of rubble.‟ 6 “Jehovah says concerning the house of the king of Judah: „You are like Gilead to me, like the summit of Lebanon. Most assuredly I will make you like a wilderness, like cities that are not inhabited. 7 “I will set apart destroyers against you, each with his weapons. They will cut down your choicest cedars and throw them on the fire. 8 “Many nations will pass by this city. They will say to one another: Why has Jehovah done thus to this great city? 211 9 “They will answer: „Because they abandoned the covenant of Jehovah their God and bowed down to other gods and served them.”‟ 10 “Do not weep for the dead or mourn for him. Weep continually for the one who goes away. For he will never return or see his native land. 11 “„This is what Jehovah says about King Josiah's son Shallum, who succeeded his father as king of Judah and left this place: „He will never come back here again. 12 “„He will die in the place where they led him captive. He will not see this land again.‟ 13 “Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness and his upper rooms without justice. Woe to him who uses his neighbor's services without pay and does not give him his wages. 14 “„Woe to him who says: „I will build myself a roomy house with spacious upper rooms, and cut out its windows. I will panel it with cedar and paint it bright red (vermilion).‟ 15 Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. 16 He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy. Then it was well. “Is that not what it means to know me?” Says Jehovah. 17 “Your eyes and your heart are intent only upon your own dishonest gain. You are shedding innocent blood and on practicing oppression and extortion.” 18 Therefore Jehovah tells us about Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: “They will not cry for him: „Alas, my brother!‟ And, „Alas, sister!‟ They will not mourn him: „Alas for the master!‟ And, “Alas for his splendor!” 19 He will be buried with a donkey's burial. He will be dragged off and thrown out beyond the gates of Jerusalem. 20 “Go up to Lebanon and cry out! Lift up your voice in Bashan. Cry out also from Abarim, for all your lovers have been crushed. 21 I spoke to you in your prosperity. But you said: „I will not listen!‟ This has been your practice from your youth, that you have not obeyed my voice. 212 22 “The wind will sweep away all your shepherds. Your lovers will go into captivity. Then you will surely be ashamed and humiliated because of all your wickedness. 23 “You who dwell in Lebanon nested in the cedars. How you will groan when pangs come upon you, Pain like a woman in childbirth!” 24 “„As I live,‟ says Jehovah, „even though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were a signet ring on my right hand, yet I would pull you off. 25 “As I live,” says Jehovah, “I will hand you over to those who want to kill you, those you fear, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and the Babylonians. 26 “I will throw you and your mother into another land. You were not born there, but you will die there. 27 “You will want to return to this land, but you will not be allowed to come home. 28 “This Jehoiakin is like a rejected and broken pot that no one wants. Is that why he and his descendants will be thrown out and cast into another land they have never heard of? 29 “O land, land, land! Hear the word of Jehovah. 30 “This is what Jehovah says: „Write this about Jehoiakin: “He will be childless. He will not prosper in his lifetime. None of his descendants will succeed him as king. They will not sit on David's throne and rule Judah again.”‟” Jeremiah 23 1 “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” Says Jehovah. 2 This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says concerning the shepherds who are tending my people: “You have scattered my flock and driven them away. You have not attended to them. I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds,” says Jehovah. 3 “Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture. Then they will be fruitful and multiply. 4 “I will also raise up shepherds over them who will tend them. They will not be afraid any longer, nor be terrified, nor will any be missing, proclaims Jehovah. 213 5 “The days are coming,” declares Jehovah, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch. He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land. 6 “In His days Judah will be saved. Israel will dwell securely. This is his name by which he will be called, Jehovah Is Our Righteousness. 7 “Therefore the days are coming,” declares Jehovah, “when they will no longer say, „As Jehovah lives, the one who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt.‟ 8 “„Instead, „Jehovah lives, the one who brought up and led back the descendants of the household of Israel from the northland and from all the countries where I had driven them.‟ Then they will live on their own soil.‟” 9 CONCERNING THE PROPHETS: My heart is broken within me. All my bones tremble! I have become like a drunken man, even like a man overcome with wine. This is because of Jehovah and because of his holy words. 10 The land is full of adulterers! The land mourns because of the curse. The pastures of the wilderness have dried up. Their course also is evil and their might is not right. 11 “The prophets and priests are godless. Even in my Temple I have found them doing evil,” declares Jehovah. 12 “That is why their own way will become like a slippery path in the dark. They will be chased away, and they will fall down in the dark. I will bring disaster on them. It is time for them to be punished,” proclaims Jehovah. 13 “Say this about the prophets of Samaria: „I saw something disgusting. The prophets of Samaria prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray.‟ 14 “Say this about the prophets of Jerusalem: „I see something horrible. The prophets of Jerusalem commit adultery and live a lie. They support those who do evil so that no one turns back from his wickedness. They are all like Sodom to me, and those who live in Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.‟” 15 This is what Jehovah of Hosts says about the prophets: “I will give them wormwood to eat and poison to drink. The prophets of Jerusalem have spread godlessness throughout the land.” 214 16 This is what Jehovah of Hosts says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are saying to you. They fill you with false hope. They speak about visions that they dreamed up. These visions are not from Jehovah. 17 “They keep saying to those who despise me, Jehovah says: „Everything will go well for you.‟ They tell all who live by their own stubborn ways: „Nothing bad will happen to you.‟” 18 Who is in Jehovah‟s inner circle and sees and hears his word? Who pays attention and listens to his word? 19 The storm of Jehovah vents his wrath. A whirling tempest will swirl down on the head of the wicked. 20 The anger of Jehovah will not turn back until he has performed and carried out the purposes (intent) of his heart. In the last days you will clearly understand it. 21 “I did not send these prophets, but they ran. I did not speak to them, but they prophesied. 22 “If they had stood in my council they would have announced my words to my people. They would have turned them back from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds.” 23 “I am a God who is near,” declares Jehovah. “I am not a God far off!” 24 “Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him?” asks Jehovah. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” Declares Jehovah. 25 “I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy falsely in my name. They say: „I had a dream! I had a dream!” 26 “How long? Is there anything in the hearts of the prophets, who prophesy falsehood, even these prophets of the deception of their own heart? 27 “They think the dreams they tell will make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name and turned to Baal worship. 28 “The prophet who has had a dream should say it is only a dream. The prophet who has heard my message should proclaim that message faithfully.” “What good is chaff compared with wheat?” Says Jehovah. 29 “My message is like a fire and like a hammer* that breaks rocks in pieces. 215 30 “I am against those prophets who take each other's words and proclaim them as my message.” 31 “I am also against those prophets,” says Jehovah, “They speak their own words and claim they came from me!” 32 “Listen to what I, Jehovah, say! I am against the prophets who tell their dreams that are full of lies. They tell these dreams and lead my people astray with their lies and their boasting. I did not send them or order them to go. They are of no help at all to the people. I Jehovah have spoken!” 33 Jehovah said to me: “Jeremiah, when one of my people or a prophet or a priest asks you, what is Jehovah‟s message? You are to say: „You are a burden to Jehovah, and he is going to get rid of you.‟ 34 “If any of my people or a prophet or a priest even uses the words: „Jehovah‟s infallable utterance,‟ I will punish them and their families. 35 “Each one of you should ask your friends and your relatives: What answer has Jehovah given? What has Jehovah said? 36 “So you must no longer use the words: „Jehovah‟s infallable utterance,‟ because if any of you do, I will make my message a real utterance to you. The people have perverted the words of their God, the living God, the Lord Jehovah. 37 “„Jeremiah, ask the prophets: „What answer did Jehovah give you? What did Jehovah say?‟” 38 “„If you disobey my command and use the words: „Jehovah‟s utterance,‟ then hear this. 39 “„“I will certainly pick you up and throw you far away from me, both you and the city that I gave to you and your ancestors. 40 “„“I will bring on you everlasting shame and disgrace that will never be forgotten.”‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary *23:29 hammer: A hammer is a tool used for pounding and driving. It is sometimes called a mallet. Hammers were used for driving in nails and tent pegs. (Jeremiah 10:4) (Judges 4:21) They were also used for splitting stones and for shaping 216 and facing building stones. (1 Kings 6:7) Hammers were applied to metal to make idols. (Isaiah 41:7; 44:12) Hammerheads were made out of stone, metal and wood. (Judges 4:21; 5:26) God‟s word was referred to in a figurative sense as a forge hammer that smashes the crag. (Jeremiah 23:29) Jeremiah 24 1 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon carried away captive Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and the officials of Judah. He also captured the craftsmen and smiths from Jerusalem and brought them to Babylon. Then Jehovah showed me two baskets of figs set before the Temple of Jehovah! 2 One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, and the other basket had very bad figs that could not be eaten because they were rotten. 3 Then Jehovah said to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I said: “Figs. The good figs are very good. The bad figs are very bad. They cannot be eaten because they are rotten.” 4 The word of Jehovah came to me, He said: 5 “Jehovah the God of Israel says: „Like these good figs, so I will regard the captives of Judah as good. I have sent them out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans. 6 “„I will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them to this land again. I will build them up and not overthrow them. I will plant them and not uproot them. 7 “„I will give them a heart (will) (desire) to know me. I am Jehovah! They will be my people, and I will be their God! They will return to me with their whole heart. 8 “„Like the bad figs that cannot be eaten because they are rotten,” says Jehovah, “so I will abandon Zedekiah king of Judah and his officials, and the remnant of Jerusalem who remain in this land and the ones who dwell in the land of Egypt. 9 “„“I will make them a horrifying sight to all the kingdoms of the earth. They will be a disgrace and an example. They will become something ridiculed and cursed wherever I scatter them. 217 10 “„“I will send wars, famines, and plagues until they disappear from the land that I gave to them and their ancestors.”‟” Jeremiah 25 1 Jehovah spoke his word to Jeremiah about all the people of Judah when Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, was in his fourth year as king. This was the first year that Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon. 2 The prophet Jeremiah spoke to all the people of Judah and to everyone who lived in Jerusalem. He said: 3 “Jehovah continued to speak his word to me for twentythree years. This covered the time from when Josiah, son of Amon, was in his thirteenth year as king of Judah until today. I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened. 4 “Jehovah has sent all his servants the prophets to you. Yet, you have not listened or paid attention to them.” 5 The prophets said: “Turn from your evil ways and the evil you have done, and live in the land that Jehovah permanently gave to you and your ancestors. 6 “Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them. Do not make me furious about the idols your hands have shaped. Then I will not harm you.” 7 “„You have not listened to me,‟ declares Jehovah. „You have made me furious about the idols your hands have shaped. You have brought harm upon yourselves.‟ 8 “This is what Jehovah of Hosts says: „“You did not listen to my words, 9 so I am going to send for all the families from the north. I will also send for my servant King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon,” says Jehovah. “I will bring the families from the north to attack this land, its people, and all these surrounding nations. I am going to destroy them and turn them into something terrible, something ridiculed, and something permanently ruined. 10 “I will take from them the sounds of joy and happiness, the sounds of brides and grooms, the sound of mills, and the light of lamps. 218 11 “This whole land will be ruined and become a wasteland. These nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.”‟* 12 “„When the seventy years are over, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation for their crimes,‟ declares Jehovah. „I will turn Babylon into a permanent wasteland. 13 “„I will bring on that land all the disasters I threatened to do to it, everything that Jeremiah prophesied against all the nations, everything written in this book. 14 “„Many nations and great kings will make slaves of the people of Babylon. I will pay them back for what they have done.‟” 15 “This is what Jehovah the God of Israel said to me: „Take from my hand this cup filled with the wine of my fury, and make all the nations to whom I am sending you drink from it. 16 “„When they drink from it, they will stagger and go insane because of the wars that I am going to send them.‟” 17 So I took the cup from Jehovah‟s hand. I made all the nations to whom Jehovah sent me drink from it. 18 Jerusalem and the cities of Judah as well as its kings and officials drank from it. When they drank from it, they became wastelands and ruins, something ridiculed and cursed, until today. 19 I also made these people drink from it: Pharaoh king of Egypt, his servants, officials, all his people, 20 and all the foreign people living among them; all the kings of the land of Uz; all the kings of Philistia, those from the cities of Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron, and the people left in Ashdod; 21 Edom, Moab, and the people of Ammon; 22 all the kings of Tyre and Sidon,* and the kings on the seacoast; 23 Dedan, Tema, Buz,* and all who shave the hair on their foreheads; 24 all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the foreign people living in the desert; 25 all the kings of Zimri, all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of Media; 219 26 all the kings of the north, near and far, one after another-all the kingdoms of the earth. Last of all, the king of Sheshach* will drink from the cup. 27 “Jehovah said: „Say to them, This is what Jehovah of Hosts, “the God of Israel, says: „Drink, get drunk, vomit, fall down, and do not get up because of the wars that I am going to send you.”‟ 28 “„If they refuse to take the cup from your hand and drink from it, say to them: „This is what Jehovah of Hosts says: “You must drink from it! 29 “„I am going to bring disaster on the city that is named after me. Do you think you will go unpunished? You will not go unpunished! I am declaring war on all those who live on earth,‟ declares Jehovah of Hosts. 30 “That is why you will prophecy all these things to them and say: Jehovah roars from above. He thunders from his holy dwelling place. He roars against his land. He shouts like those who stomp grapes. He shouts against all those who live on earth. 31 “„The sound is echoing to the ends of the earth because Jehovah has brought charges against the nations.* He will judge all humans. He will kill the wicked,‟ declares Jehovah. 32 “This is what Jehovah of Hosts says: „Disaster is spreading from nation to nation. A great storm is brewing from the distant corners of the earth. 33 “„On that day those killed by Jehovah will stretch from one end of the earth to the other. They will not be mourned, taken away, or buried. They will become like manure on the ground.‟ 34 “Mourn, you shepherds, and cry. Roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock. The time has come for you to be slaughtered. The time has come for you to be scattered, and you will break like fine pottery. 35 “There will be no place for the shepherds to flee, no escape for the leaders of the flock. 36 “The shepherds are crying and the leaders of the flock are mourning because Jehovah is stripping their pasture. 37 “The peaceful pastures are destroyed by Jehovah‟s burning anger. 220 38 “He has left his lair like a lion. Their land has been ruined because of the heat of the oppressor, because of the fury of his anger.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *25:11, 12 captive: A captive is someone in bondage, exile, or confinement. (Numbers 21:1) When enemy nations attacked the Israelites, Jehovah sometimes allowed his people to be carried off, captive because they had been unfaithful to him. (2 Chronicles 21:16, 17; 28:5, 17; 29:9) Biblical History is filled with records of captivity. (Numbers 21:29) (Isaiah 46:2) (Ezekiel 30:17, 18) (Daniel 11:33) (Nahum 3:10) (Revelation 13:10) In general the term “the captivity” refers to the exile of the Jews from the Promised Land in the eighth and seventh centuries B.C.E. Jeremiah and Ezekiel warned the Jews of this exile. (Jeremiah 15:2; 20:6) (Ezekiel 12:10, 11) The root cause leading to the captivity and exile was the abandonment of true worship of Jehovah in favor of the worship of false gods. (Deuteronomy 28:15, 62-68) (2 Kings 17:7-18; 21:10-15) Both the northern ten-tribe kingdom of Israel and the southern two-tribe kingdom of Judah fell to this sin. (Jer 3:610) Jeremiah and Daniel gave the correct desolation of Jerusalem and Judah as 70 years. (Jeremiah 25:11, 12; 29:1014; 30:3, 18) (Daniel 9:1, 2) *25:22 Sidon: Sidon was Canaan‟s firstborn son and the progenitor of the Sidonians. The seaport town of Sidon was named after Sidon. Tyre, a town about 22 miles south of Sidon , was colonized by the Sidonians. Tyre and Sidon are mentioned together in prophecy. (Jeremiah 25:22; 27:2; 47:4) (Joel 3:4) (Zechariah 9:2) The Sidonians were depraved and lewd people. They performed detestable sex orgies in connection with the goddess Ashtoreth as part of their worship. (Judges 10:6, 7, 11-13) Jehovah‟s prophets pronounced destruction on the Sidonians and later the Babylonians and others carried out the prophecy. (Isaiah 23:4, 12) (Jeremiah 25:17, 22; 27:1-8; 47:4) (Ezekiel 28:20-24; 32:30) (Joel 3:4-8) (Zechariah 9:1-4) 221 *25:23 Buz, destined for doom: Jeremiah foretold the impending doom on this place in Arabia. (Jeremiah 25:17, 23) *25:26 Sheshach: Sheshach was a symbolic name for Babylon. (Jeremiah 25:26; 51:41) According to Jewish tradition, Sheshach is a code word for the Hebrew name Babel, or Babylon. The name Sheshach was representative of the humiliation that was due Babylon. (Jeremiah 25:26) *25:31 charges against the nations: Holy Scriptures counsel against becoming involved in quarrels or disputes without cause. (Proverbs 3:30) A quarrel is a controversy or case at law. (Deuteronomy 17:8) (Jeremiah 25:31) Jeremiah 26 1 Shortly after Jehoiakim son of Josiah became king of Judah, 2 Jehovah said to me: “Stand in the court of the Temple and proclaim all I have commanded you to say to the people who come from the towns of Judah to worship there. Do not omit anything. 3 “Perhaps the people will listen and give up their evil ways. If they do I will change my mind about the destruction I plan to bring on them for all their wicked deeds. 4 “„Jehovah told me to say to the people: „I Jehovah said that you must obey me by following the teaching that I gave you. 5 “„“You are to pay attention to the words of my servants, the prophets, whom I kept sending to you. You have never obeyed what they said. 6 If you continue to disobey I will do to this Temple what I did to Shiloh, and all the nations of the world will use the name of this city as a curse.‟”‟” 7 The priests, the prophets, and all the people heard me saying these things in the Temple. 8 As soon as I had finished saying all that Jehovah commanded me to say, they grabbed me and shouted: “You ought to be killed for this! 222 9 “Why have you said in Jehovah‟s name that this Temple will become like Shiloh and that this city will be destroyed and no one will live in it?‟” Then the people crowded around me. 10 When the leaders of Judah heard what had happened, they hurried from the royal palace to the Temple and took their places at the New Gate. 11 The priests and the prophets said to the leaders and to the people: “This man deserves to be sentenced to death because he has spoken against our city. You heard him with your own ears.” 12 Then I Jeremiah said: “Jehovah sent me to proclaim everything that you heard me say against this Temple and against this city. 13 “You must change the way you are living and the things you are doing. You must obey Jehovah your God. If you do, he will change his mind about the destruction that he said he would bring on you. 14 “I am in your hand (power)! Do with me whatever you think is fair and right. 15 “But if you put me to death, you and everyone else in Jerusalem will be guilty of murdering an innocent man. This is because everything I spoke came from Jehovah.” 16 The judges and the other people told the priests and prophets: “Since Jeremiah only told us what Jehovah our God had said, we do not think he deserves to die.” 17 Then some of the leaders from other towns stepped forward. They told the crowd: 18 “Years ago when Hezekiah was king of Judah, a prophet named Micah from the town of Moresheth said: „Jehovah of Hosts says, “Jerusalem will be plowed under and left in ruins. Thorns will cover the mountain where the Temple now stands.”‟ 19 Then the leaders continued: “No one put Micah to death for saying that. Instead, King Hezekiah prayed to Jehovah with reverence and trembling and asked him to have mercy. Then Jehovah decided not to destroy Jerusalem, even though he had already said he would. People of Judah, if Jeremiah is killed we will bring a terrible disaster on ourselves. 223 20 “There was another man prophesying in the name of Jehovah. His name was Uriah,* son of Shemaiah, from Kiriath Jearim. He prophesied against this city and this land as Jeremiah did. 21 “When King Jehoiakim and all his personal troops and officials heard what Uriah said the king wanted to put him to death. But Uriah heard about it and fled in fear to Egypt. 22 “King Jehoiakim sent soldiers to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor and other soldiers along with him. 23 “They brought Uriah from Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim. The king executed Uriah and threw his body into the burial ground for the common people.” 24 Ahikam,* son of Shaphan, supported Jeremiah. So Jeremiah was not handed over to the people to be put to death. Simplified Bible Dictionary *26:20 Uriah: This son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim was a prophet of Jehovah during the reign of Jehoiakim. Urijah prophesied against Judah and Jerusalem the same as Jeremiah did. Urijah fled to Egypt, Jehoiakim had him brought back and slain. His body was thrown into a comon graveyard. (Jeremiah 26:20-23) *26::24 Ahikam: This man was the son of Shaphan the royal secretary during Josiah‟s reign. He is noted for his efforts to save the life of Jeremiah. Ahikam supported Jeremiah so he was not turned over to be put to death. (Jeremiah 26:24) Ahikam‟s son Gedaliah was governor of Judah after Jerusalem‟s destruction in 607 B.C.E. (2 Kings 22:12-14) (2 Chronicles 34:20-22) ( 2 Kings 25:22) (Jeremiah 40:5) Jeremiah 27 1 Jehovah spoke his word to Jeremiah when Zedekiah, son of King Josiah of Judah, began to rule. 2 This is what Jehovah said to me: “Make leather straps and a wooden yoke, and strap the yoke on your neck. 224 3 “Then send messages to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon, with messengers who have come to King Zedekiah of Judah in Jerusalem. 4 “Give them an order for their masters: This is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Say this to your masters, 5 “I used my great strength and my powerful arm to make the earth along with the people and the animals on it. I give it to anyone I please. 6 “Now I have handed all these countries over to my servant King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. I have even made wild animals serve him. 7 “All nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until Babylon is defeated. Then many nations and great kings will make him their slave. 8 “Suppose nations or kingdoms will not serve or surrender to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. I will punish those nations by wars, famines, and plagues, until I have put an end to them by Nebuchadnezzar's power,” says Jehovah. 9 “Do not listen to prophets, mediums, and interpreters of dreams, fortunetellers, or sorcerers who tell you, „You will never serve the king of Babylon.‟ 10 “They prophesy lies to you. They will cause you to be taken far from your lands. I will scatter you, and you will die. 11 “If a nation surrender to the king of Babylon and serve him I will let it stay in its own land. People will farm the land and live on it,” says Jehovah.”‟” 12 I spoke the same message to King Zedekiah of Judah: “Surrender to the king of Babylon, serve him and his people, and you will stay alive. 13 “Why should you and your people die in wars, famines, and plagues? Jehovah has threatened the nations that do not serve the king of Babylon. 14 “Do not listen to the prophets who tell you, „You will never serve the king of Babylon.‟ They prophesy lies to you. 15 “I did not send them,” declares Jehovah. “They prophesy lies in my name. So I will scatter you, and you and the prophets will die.‟” 16 I also spoke this message to the priests and all the people. This is what Jehovah said to me: “Do not listen to the 225 prophets who tell you that the utensils of Jehovah‟s Temple will be brought back from Babylon soon. They prophesy lies to you.” 17 “Do not listen to them. Instead, serve the king of Babylon, and live. Why should this city be turned into rubble? 18 “If they are prophets and Jehovah is speaking to them, they should beg Jehovah of Hosts not to allow the utensils that are left in Jehovah‟s Temple, in the royal palace of Judah, and in Jerusalem to be taken away to Babylon. 19 “Jehovah of Host reports concerning the pillars, concerning the sea, concerning the stands and concerning the rest of the vessels that are left in this city, 20 which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take when he carried into exile Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem. 21 „“Thus says Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that are left in the House of Jehovah and in the house of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem, 22 “They will be carried to Babylon and they will be there until the day I visit them,” declares Jehovah. “Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.”‟” Jeremiah 28 1 That same year, in the fifth month of the fourth year that Zedekiah was king, Hananiah* son of Azzur, a prophet from the town of Gibeon, spoke to me in the Temple. In the presence of the priests and of the people he told me 2 that the Lord Jehovah, the God of Israel, said: “I have broken the power of the king of Babylon. 3 “Within two years I will bring back to this place all the temple treasures that King Nebuchadnezzar took to Babylon.‟” 4 “„I will also bring back the king of Judah, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, along with all of the people of Judah who went into exile in Babylon. I will break the power of the king of Babylon.‟ I Jehovah have spoken!‟” 5 In the presence of the priests and of all the people who were standing in the Temple, I said to Hananiah: 226 6 “Amen! I hope Jehovah will do this! I certainly hope he will make the prophecy come true and will bring back from Babylon all the Temple treasures and all the people who were taken away as prisoners. 7 “But listen to what I say to you and to the people. 8 “The prophets who spoke long ago before my time and yours predicted that war, starvation, and disease would come to many nations and powerful kingdoms. 9 “A prophet who predicts peace can only be recognized as a prophet whom Jehovah has truly sent when that prophet's predictions come true.” 10 Hananiah took the yoke off my neck and broke it in pieces. 11 He said in the presence of all the people: “Jehovah said that this is how he will break the yoke that King Nebuchadnezzar has put on the neck of all the nations. He will do this within two years.” Then I left. 12 Some time after this Jehovah told me: 13 “Go and tell Hananiah: „Jehovah has said, “You may be able to break a wooden yoke, but he will replace it with an iron yoke.” 14 “The Lord Jehovah, the God of Israel, said: „He will put an iron yoke on all these nations and that they will serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Jehovah said that he would make even the wild animals serve Nebuchadnezzar.”‟” 15 Then Jeremiah the prophet told the prophet Hananiah: “Listen, Hananiah! Jehovah did not send you. You are making these people believe a lie. 16 “Because of this, Jehovah says: „I am going to get rid of you. Before this year is over you will die because you have told the people to rebel against Jehovah.‟” 17 Hananiah died in the seventh month of that same year. Simplified Bible Dictionary *28:1 Hananiah: Hananiah was the son of Azzur. He was a false prophet who lived at the Benjamite city of Gibeon. He openly opposed Jehovah‟s prophet Jeremiah. Hananiah prophesied that Babylon‟s power would be broken in two years and that the Jewish exiles would be released. Jehovah 227 commanded Jeremiah to tell Hananiah that Babylon‟s power would strengthen and that Hananiah the false prophet would die. He died that same year. (Jeremiah 27:12-14) (Jeremiah 28) Jeremiah 29 1 The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter from Jerusalem to the rest of the leaders among the captives. He also sent it to the priests, the prophets, and all the people that Nebuchadnezzar took away as captives from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 This was after King Jehoiakin and his mother, the court officials, the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and metal workers left Jerusalem. 3 He sent the letter with Shaphan's son Elasah* and Hilkiah's son Gemariah, whom King Zedekiah of Judah had sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. The letter said: 4 “This is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says to all those who were taken captive from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 „Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 „Get married and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons and let your daughters get married so they can have sons and daughters. Grow in number there and do not decrease. 7 „Work for the good of the city where I have taken you as captives. Pray to Jehovah for that city. When it prospers, you will also prosper. 8 “This is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: „Do not let the prophets or the mediums among you trick you. Do not even listen to your own dreams. 9 „These people prophesy lies to you in my name. I did not send them,‟ declares Jehovah. 10 “This is what Jehovah says: „When Babylon's seventy years are over I will come to you. I will keep my promise to you and bring you back to this place. 11 „I know the plans (intentions) (thoughts) that I have for you, says Jehovah. They are plans (intentions) for peace and not disaster. They are intentions to give you a future filled with hope. 228 12 „Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me and I will hear you. 13 „When you look for me, you will find me. When you wholeheartedly seek me, 14 „I will let you find me, declares Jehovah. I will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have scattered you,‟ declares Jehovah. „I will bring you back from the place where you are being held captive.‟ 15 “You said, „Jehovah gave us prophets in Babylon.‟ 16 “This is what Jehovah says about the king who sits on David's throne. And this is what he says about all the people who live in this city, the people who are your relatives and who were not taken away as captives: 17 „Jehovah of Hosts says: “I am going to send them wars, famines, and plagues. These people are like rotten figs to me, figs that are so bad that they cannot be eaten. 18 “„I will chase them with wars, famines, and plagues. I will make them a terror to all the kingdoms on the earth. They will become something cursed, ridiculed, and hissed at, and they will be a disgrace among all the nations where I scatter them. 19 „They did not listen to me,‟ says Jehovah. „I sent them my servants the prophets again and again, but they refused to listen,‟ says Jehovah. 20 “Therefore listen to the word of Jehovah, all you captives who were sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon. 21 “This is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says about Kolaiah's son Ahab and about Maaseiah's son Zedekiah, who prophesy lies to you in my name: „I am going to hand them over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. I will kill them as you watch. 22 „Because of them, all the captives from Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: “May Jehovah curse you as he cursed Zedekiah* and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon burned to death.” 23 They have done scandalous and disgraceful things in Israel. They committed adultery with their neighbors' wives and spoke lies in my name. I did not command them to do this. “„“I know what they have done. I am a witness,” says Jehovah.‟” 229 24 Jehovah says: “Say to Shemaiah from Nehelam, 25 „This is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “You sent letters in your own name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah, son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests. These letters said: 26 „Jehovah made you priest instead of Jehoiada so that there would be officials for Jehovah‟s temple. You should put every madman who acts like a prophet in prison and in shackles.* 27 „Why have you not arrested Jeremiah from Anathoth? After all, he acts like a prophet among you. 28 „That is why Jeremiah sent this message to us in Babylon: You will be captives a long time. Build houses, and live in them. Plant gardens, and eat what they produce,--‟”‟”” 29 The priest Zephaniah read this letter to the prophet Jeremiah. 30 Then Jehovah spoke his word to Jeremiah. He said: 31 “Send this message to all the captives. This is what Jehovah says about Shemaiah from Nehelam: “Shemaiah prophesied to you, but I did not send him. He has made you believe a lie. 32 “Jehovah says: „I will punish Shemaiah from Nehelam. I will also punish his descendants. No one from his family will be left alive. He will not see the blessings that I am going to send my people,‟ declares Jehovah, „because he has encouraged rebellion against Jehovah.‟”‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary *29:3 Elasah: Zedekiah sent Elasah to Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. The prophet Jeremiah sent his letter to the exiles in Babylon. It was written by the hand of Elasah and Gemariah. (Jeremiah 29:1-3) Elasah was the son of Shaphan. *29:22 Zedekiah: This Zedekiah was the son of Maaseiah. He was an adulterous, lying prophet who lived among the exiles in Babylon. The true prophet of God, Jeremiah told that King Nebuchadnezzar would roast Zedekiah in the fire. (Jeremiah 29:21-23) 230 *29:26 pillory shacles:The pillory was a device for confining the neck and arms. It was used to punish offenders by exposing them to public ridicule. The term pillory is used in association with the term stocks at Jeremiah 29:26. Some translators use the terms iron collar, shackles or chains. Jeremiah 30 1 Jehovah spoke his word to Jeremiah: 2 This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: “Write in a book everything that I tell you. 3 “The days are coming,” says Jehovah, “when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity. I will bring them back to the land that I gave their ancestors, and they will take possession of it.”‟ 4 These are the words Jehovah spoke about Israel and Judah: 5 Jehovah said: “We hear cries of fear. We hear cries of panic. But we do not hear cries of peace. 6 “Ask now and see: Can a man give birth to a child? Why, then, do I see every strong man holding his stomach in pain like a woman giving birth to a child? Why has every face turned pale? 7 “How terrible that day will be! There will be no other day like it. It will be a time of calamity for the descendants of Jacob, but they will be rescued from it.” 8 “On that day,” declares Jehovah of Hosts, “I will break the yokes off your necks and tear off your ropes. Foreigners will no longer make you serve them. 9 “You will serve Jehovah your God and David your king. I will establish him for you.” 10 “Do not be afraid, my servant Jacob,” proclaims Jehovah. “Do not be terrified, Israel. I am going to rescue you from a faraway place. I am going to rescue your descendants from where they are captives. The descendants of Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will frighten them.” 11 “I am with you. I will rescue you,” declares Jehovah. “I will completely destroy all the nations where I scattered you, but I will not completely destroy you. I will correct you with justice. I will not let you go entirely unpunished.” 231 12 This is what Jehovah says: “Your wound is incurable. Your injury is beyond healing. 13 “No one argues that you should be healed. But no medicine will heal you. 14 “All your lovers have forgotten you, and they do not want you anymore. I have punished you as an enemy would. I have corrected you as a cruel person would. You are very wicked, and you have many sins. 15 “Why do you cry about your wound, your injury that cannot be cured? I have done this to you. You are very wicked, and you have many sins. 16 “That is why everyone who devours you will be devoured, and all your enemies will be taken away as captives. Those who looted you will be looted. Those who stole from you in war will have things stolen from them.” 17 “I will restore your health and heal your wounds,” proclaims Jehovah. “People call you an outcast: „Zion, no one cares for you.‟” 18 “This is what Jehovah says: “I am going to bring the captives back to Jacob's tents and show compassion on their homes. Cities will be built on the ruins, and fortified palaces will be built in their rightful place. 19 “The people who live there will sing songs of praise. The sound of laughter will be heard from there. I will make them numerous, and their number will not decrease. I will bring them honor, and they will not be considered unimportant. 20 “Their children will be like they were long ago. Their community will be established in my presence, and I will punish everyone who oppresses them. 21 “Their leader will be someone from their own people. Their ruler will come from among them. I will bring him near, and he will come close to me. Who would dare to come near me?” Declares Jehovah. 22 “You will be my people, and I will be your God.” 23 The storm of Jehovah will come with his anger. Like a driving wind, it will swirl* down on the heads of the wicked. 24 Jehovah‟s burning rage will not turn back until he has done everything he intends to do. You will understand this clearly in the last days. 232 Simplified Bible Dictionary *30:23 dance, dancing: Dancing is a series of rhythmical steps and movements offered in time to music. Most ancient races of people employed dance as a way to express their emotions. It was a religious expression. Hebrew: the verb chul means whirl, turn, dance. (Judges 21:21) (Jeremiah 30:23) (Lamentations 4:6) The noun “machohl” and “mecholah” refer to dance and circle dance. (Jeremiah 31:4) (Psalm 150:4) (Judges 21:21) Jesus likened his generation to young children playing and dancing in the marketplace at Matthew 11:16-19 and Luke 7:31-35. Jeremiah 31 1 Jehovah proclaims: “At that time I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.” 2 Jehovah says: “The people who survived the sword (war) found favor in the wilderness. Israel went to find its rest.” 3 Jehovah appeared to him from afar, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore I have drawn you with loving-kindness. 4 “I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You will take up your tambourines and go to the dances of the merrymakers. 5 “You will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria. The planters will plant and will enjoy them. 6 “There will be a day when watchmen on the hills of Ephraim call out: „Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to Jehovah our God.‟” 7 Jehovah says: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations.” Proclaim! Give praise and say, O Jehovah, save your people, the remnant of Israel. 8 I am bringing them from the North Country. I will gather them from the remote parts of the earth. Among them are the blind and the lame, the woman with child and she who is in labor with child. As a great company they will return here. 9 With weeping they will come. By supplication I will lead them. I will make them walk by streams of waters on a straight 233 path in which they will not stumble. For I am a father to Israel and Ephraim is my firstborn. 10 Hear the word of Jehovah, O nations. Declare in the coastlands afar off. Say: “He who scattered Israel will gather him and keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock. 11 “Jehovah will free the descendants of Jacob and reclaim them from those who are stronger than they are. 12 “They will come and shout for joy on top of Mount Zion. They will stream to it to enjoy Jehovah‟s blessings: fresh grain, new wine, olive oil, lambs and calves. Their lives will be like well-watered gardens, and they will never suffer again.” 13 “Then young women will rejoice and dance along with young men and old men. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them. I will replace their sorrow with joy. 14 “I will satisfy the priests with rich food. My people will be filled with my blessings,” proclaims Jehovah. 15 “This is what Jehovah says: „A sound is heard in Ramah, the sound of crying in bitter grief. Rachel is crying for her children. She refuses to be comforted, because they are dead.‟” 16 This is what Jehovah says: “„Stop your crying, and wipe away your tears. You will be rewarded for your work,‟ declares Jehovah. „You will return from the land of the enemy.‟ 17 “„Your future is filled with hope,‟ says Jehovah. „Your children will return to their own territory.‟ 18 “I hear the people of Israel say in grief, „Jehovah, we were like an untamed animal, but you taught us to obey. Bring us back for we are ready to return to you, Jehovah our God. 19 “„We turned away from you. But soon we wanted to return. After you had punished us we hung our heads in grief. We were ashamed and disgraced because we sinned when we were young.‟” 20 “Ephraim, O Ephraim my dear delightful son! Indeed, as often as I have spoken against him, I certainly still remember him. My heart yearns for him. I will surely have mercy on him,” declares Jehovah. 21 “Set up road marks. Place guideposts! Direct your mind to the highway, the way by which you went. Return, O virgin of Israel. Return to these your cities. 234 22 “How long will you go here and there, O faithless daughter? For Jehovah has created a new thing in the earth. A woman will protect a man.” 23 Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel says: “Once again they will speak this word in the land of Judah and in its cities when I restore their prosperity. They will say: „Jehovah bless you, O abode of righteousness, O holy mountain!‟ 24 “Judah and all its cities will dwell together in it, the farmer and the shepherds with the flocks. 25 “For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone filled with sorrow.” 26 At this, I woke up and looked around. My sleep had been pleasant. 27 Jehovah says: “The time is coming when I will plant the nations of Israel and Judah with people and animals.” 28 “I watched over them to uproot them and tear them down, to ruin and hurt them. Now I will watch over them to build them up. I will plant them,” says Jehovah. 29 “When that time comes people will no longer say: „The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and their children‟s teeth are set on edge.‟ 30 “Each person will die for his own sin. Whoever eats sour grapes will have his own teeth set on edge.” 31 “The time is coming,” proclaims Jehovah, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 “It will not be like the promise that I made to their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of Egypt. They rejected that promise, although I was a husband to them,” says Jehovah. 33 “This is the covenant (agreement) that I will make with Israel after those days,” declares Jehovah. “I will put my teachings (Law) inside them. I will write those teachings (Law) on their hearts (inner man) (mind) (will) (conscience) (understanding). I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 34 “No longer will each person teach his neighbors or his relatives by saying: „Know Jehovah.‟ “All of them, from the least important to the most important, will know me,” 235 declares Jehovah. “I will forgive their wickedness and I will no longer hold (remember) their sins against them.” 35 Jehovah provides the sun to be a light during the day. He orders the moon* and stars to be lights during the night. He stirs up the sea so that its waves roar. His name is Jehovah of Hosts. This is what Jehovah says: 36 “Only if this covenant is removed,” declares Jehovah, “will Israel's descendants stop being a nation in my presence.” 37 This is what Jehovah says: “„If the heavens could be measured or the foundations of the earth could be searched, I would reject all of Israel's descendants because of everything that they have done,‟ declares Jehovah.” 38 “The time is coming,” declares Jehovah, “when the city will be rebuilt for me from the Tower of Hananel to Corner Gate. 39 “A measuring line will stretch from there straight to the Hill of Gareb,* and then it will turn to Goah.* 40 “The whole valley is filled with its dead bodies and ashes. The entire area to the Kidron Valley,* as far as the corner of Horse Gate in the east, will be holy to Jehovah. It will never be uprooted or torn down again.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *31:35 moon: “God made two great lights. The sun was to govern the day. The mood was to govern the night.” (Genesis 1:16) The moon was provided by God to mark the appointed times. (Psalms 104:19) (Jeremiah 31:35) (1 Corinthians 15:41) The Hebrew word for moon was “ya-re‟ach.” It was closely related to “ye‟rach” meaning lunar month. The lunar month always began with the new moon, Hebrew: “cho‟dhesh.” Therefore the new moon came to mean the same as month. (Genesis 7:11) (Exodus 12:2) (Isaiah 66:23) The Greek word “se-le‟ne” is translated moon. *31:39 Garb: Gareb was a hill named in a restoration prophecy found in Jeremiah 31:39. This hill was designated at the western limits of the rebuilt city of Jerusalem. 236 *31:39 Goah: When talking about the rebuilding of Jerusalem, Jeremiah named Goah along with the hill of Gareb when describing a measuring line that: “will stretch from there straight to the Hill of Gareb, and then it will turn to Goah.” (Jeremiah 31:38, 39) *31:40 Kidron Valley: This valley separates Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. It starts north of Jerusalem and runs south southeastward along the city. It is a dry area except for an occasional heavy rain. Jeremiah offered prophesy that pointed to a time when the terraces as far as the Kidron Valley would be holy to Jehovah at Jeremiah 31:40. Jeremiah 32 1 Jehovah spoke his word to Jeremiah during Zedekiah's tenth year as king of Judah. This was Nebuchadnezzar's eighteenth year as king. 2 At that time the army of the king of Babylon was blockading Jerusalem. The prophet Jeremiah was locked up in the courtyard of the prison. This prison was in the palace of the king of Judah. 3 When King Zedekiah of Judah locked up Jeremiah, Zedekiah asked him: “Why are you prophesying? You are saying, „this is what Jehovah says: “I am going to hand this city over to the king of Babylon, and he will capture it. 4 “King Zedekiah of Judah will not escape from the Babylonians. He will certainly be handed over to the king of Babylon. He will talk to Nebuchadnezzar in person and look him in the eye. 5 “Nebuchadnezzar will take Zedekiah to Babylon, and Zedekiah will stay there until I deal with him,” declares Jehovah. “When you fight the Babylonians, you will not win.”‟” 6 Jeremiah said: “The word of Jehovah came to me. He said: 7 „Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle is coming to you. He says: “Buy for yourself my field at Anathoth, for you have the right of redemption to buy it.‟” 8 “Then Hanamel my uncle's son came to me in the court of the guard according to the word of Jehovah and said to me: „Buy my field, please, that is at Anathoth, which is in the land 237 of Benjamin. You have the right of possession and the redemption is yours. Buy it for yourself.‟ “Then I knew that this was the word of Jehovah. 9 “I bought the field at Anathoth from Hanamel my uncle's son. I weighed out the silver for him, seventeen shekels of silver. 10 “I signed and sealed the deed,* and called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales.* 11 “I took the deeds of purchase, both the sealed copy containing the terms and conditions and the open copy. 12 “I gave the deed of purchase to Baruch* the son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of Hanamel my uncle's son and in the sight of the witnesses who signed the deed of purchase, before all the Jews who were sitting in the court of the guard. 13 “I commanded Baruch in their presence, saying: 14 „Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel says: “Take these deeds, this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware jar, that they may be preserved a long time.” 15 „Jehovah of Host, the God of Israel says: “Houses and fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.‟” 16 “After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah I prayed to Jehovah: 17 „Ah Lord Jehovah! You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for you. 18 “You show loving kindness to thousands, but repay the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children after them. O great and mighty God. Jehovah of Hosts is his name. 19 “You are great in counsel and mighty in deed. Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men. You give to everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds. 20 “You set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. Even to this day both in Israel and among mankind you have made a name for yourself. 21 “You brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt using signs and wonders. You did this with a strong hand, with an outstretched arm and with great terror. 238 22 “You gave them this land. You swore to their forefathers to give them a land flowing with milk and honey. 23 “They came in and took possession of it. But they did not obey your voice or walk in your Law. They have done nothing of all that you commanded them to do. Therefore you made this calamity come upon them. 24 “The siege ramps have reached the city to take it. The city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans who fight against it, because of the sword, the famine and the pestilence. You brought all this disaster on them. 25 “Yet you, Lord Jehovah, told me to buy a field with money and get witnesses to confirm it, although the city was handed over to the Babylonians.” 26 Jehovah continued to speak his word to Jeremiah: 27 “Behold! I am Jehovah the God of all humanity. Nothing is too hard for me. 28 “This is what Jehovah says: „I am going to hand this city over to the Babylonians and King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. They will capture it. 29 „The Babylonians who are attacking this city will break in, set this city on fire, and burn it down. They will burn down the houses of people who made me furious by going up to the roofs to burn incense to Baal and to pour out wine offerings to other gods.‟ 30 “„Ever since they were young, the people of Israel and Judah have done what I consider evil. The people of Israel have made me furious by what they have done,‟ says Jehovah. 31 „The people in this city have made me so angry and furious from the day they built it to this day. So now I must remove this city from my presence. 32 The people of Israel and Judah have made me furious because they are evil. The people, their kings and officials, their priests and prophets, and the Judeans and those who live in Jerusalem 33 have turned their backs, not their faces to me. I taught them again and again, but they refused to listen and learn. 34 They set up their detestable idols in the Temple that is called by my name, and they dishonored it. 239 35 In the valley of Ben Hinnom they built worship sites for Baal to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech.* I did not ask them to do this. It never entered my heart (mind). I did not make Judah sin.‟ 36 “You have said this about the city: Because of wars, famines, and plagues it will be handed over to the king of Babylon. Jehovah the God of Israel says: 37 „I am going to gather the people from all the lands where I scattered them in my anger, fury, and terrifying wrath. I will bring them back to this place and make them live here securely. 38 “They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39 “I will give them the same attitude and the same purpose so that they will respect and reverence me as long as they live. This will be for their good and for the good of their children. 40 “I will make an eternal promise to them that I will never stop blessing them. I will make them respect me so that they will never turn away from me. 41 “I will enjoy blessing them. With all my heart and all my being I will faithfully plant them in this land.‟” 42 “This is what Jehovah says: „As I brought all these disasters on these people, so I will bring on them all these blessings that I have promised them. 43 “Fields will be bought in this land of which you say: It is desolation, without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.”‟ 44 “„Men will buy fields for money, sign and seal deeds, and call in witnesses in the land of Benjamin, in the environs of Jerusalem, in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the lowland and in the cities of the Negev. I will restore their prosperity,” declares Jehovah. Simplified Bible Dictionary *32:10 deed: A deed is a written agreement containing legal terms to accomplish the intended purpose of transferring real estate. (Jeremiah 32:6-15) 240 *32:10 scales for weighing: A scale is a device used for weighing objects. Ancient scales were simple beam or balance scales consisting of a horizontal bar that pivoted at the center. Each end of the bar had a hook or pan. The object to be weighted was placed on one side and known weights were placed on the other. (Jeremiah 32:10) (Isaiah 46:6) (Genesis 23:15, 16) (Ezekiel 5:1) The rider of the black horse of Revelation 6:5 held a pair of scales for measuring food. Jehovah required honesty and accuracy when using scales. (Leviticus 19:35, 36) (Proverbs 11:1; 16:11) (Ezekiel 45:10) Scales were sometimes used to represent proper measurement in judgement. (Job 31:6) (Daniel 5:27) *32:12 Baruch: Baruch was Jeremiah‟s scribal secretary. He was the son of Neriah and brother of Seraiah, Zedekiah‟s quartermaster who read Jeremiah‟s scroll alongside the Euphrates River. (Jeremiah 32:12; 51:59-64) Baruch wrote the prophetic message about Jerusalem‟s doom as Jeremiah dictated it. It was the fourth year of King Jehoiakim‟s rule in the year 625 B.C.E. Baruch read the scroll aloud to the people at the entrance of Jehovah‟s house. When King Jehoiakim heard the denunciation he burned the scroll and commanded that Baruch and Jeremiah be brought before him. Jehovah God concealed them and Jeremiah then dictated while Baruch wrote another scroll like the first but with even more words from the mouth of Jehovah. (Jeremiah 32:1, 9-16) *32:35 Molech: Molech was an Ammonite deity. (1 Kings 11:5, 7, 33) Molech was probably the same as Moloch and Milcom. (Acts 7:43) (Amos 5:27) According to Jeremiah 32:35 there could be some connection between Molech and Baal. So it is possible that the name Molech may have been applied to more than one god. God‟s Law to Israel required the death penalty for anyone who gave his offspring to Molech. (Leviticus 20:2-5) The term passing offspring through the fire meant devoting or dedicating children to Molech. (2 Kings 17:17, 18) (Ezekiel 23:4, 36-39) 241 Jeremiah 33 1 The word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah the second time, while he was still confined in the court of the guard: 2 “Jehovah (YHWH*) is the maker of the earth. Jehovah is the one who formed and established it. Jehovah is His name. 3 „Call to me and I will answer you. I will tell you grand and impressive things, things you do not know.‟” 4 “The houses in this city and the palaces of the kings of Judah have been torn down. They are used against the dirt ramps and weapons of the Babylonians. This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says about this: 5 “The people of Israel fought the Babylonians. Now their houses are filled with the bodies of their own people I killed in my anger and my fury. I will hide my face* from this city because of its wickedness. 6 “However I will heal this city and restore it to health. I will heal its people, and I will give them peace and security. 7 “I will restore Judah and Israel and rebuild them as they were before. 8 “I will cleanse them from all the sins that they have committed against me. I will forgive them for all the sins that they have committed against me and for rebelling against me. 9 “Jerusalem will be my source of joy, praise, and honor. All the nations on earth will hear about all the blessings that I will give to Jerusalem. They will be afraid and tremble because of all the prosperity that I will provide for it.‟” 10 “This is what Jehovah says: „You have said that this place is ruined and that no people or animals live in it. It is true! The cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem are deserted. No people or animals live there. But once again you will hear, 11 “Yes, you will hear the sounds of joy* and happiness and the sounds of brides and grooms. You will hear those who bring thank offerings to Jehovah‟s Temple.”‟ “„They will say: Give thanks to Jehovah of Hosts because Jehovah is good, because his mercy* endures forever. I will restore the prosperity of the land to what they were before,”‟ says Jehovah. 12 “Jehovah of Hosts said: „In this land that is like a desert and where no people or animals live, there will once again be pastures where shepherds can take their sheep.‟ 242 13 “„In mountain towns, in the foothills, and in southern Judah, in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, and in the towns of Judah, shepherds will once again count their sheep.‟* I Jehovah have spoken.” 14 “„Jehovah said: „The time is coming when I will fulfill the promise that I made to the people of Israel and Judah. 15 “At that time I will choose as king a righteous descendant of David. That king will do what is right and just throughout the land. 16 “The people of Judah and of Jerusalem* will be rescued and will live in safety. The city will be called Jehovah is Our Righteousness.‟” 17 “I Jehovah promise that there will always be a descendant of David to be king of Israel 18 and that there will always be priests from the tribe of Levi to serve me and to offer burnt offerings, grain offerings, and sacrifices.‟” 19 Jehovah continued to speak to me: 20 “If you break my covenant of the day and my covenant of the night, so that day and night will not be at their appointed time, 21 then my covenant may also be broken with David my servant so that he will not have a son to reign on his throne, with the Levitical priests as my ministers. 22 “„I will increase the descendants of my servant David and the Levites who serve me in the same way as the stars of heaven that cannot be counted and the sand on the seashore that cannot be measured.‟” 23 The word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah: 24 “Have you not observed what this people have said. They say, „The two families Jehovah chose, he has rejected?‟ Thus they despise my people, no longer are they as a nation in their sight. 25 “Jehovah says: „If My covenant for day and night do not stand and I have not established the fixed patterns of heaven and earth, 26 then I would reject the descendants of Jacob and David my servant. And I would not take from his descendants rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But I will 243 restore their prosperity and will show them love* and compassion.‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *33:2 YHWH: Hebrew: YHWH. This four letter word is called the tetregramiton. It is possible that the divine name is Yahowah, Yahuwah, Yahweh or Jehovah. Since this is an English Translation the name Jehovah has been used. Most Bible translators refuse to use any of the above names and therefore resort to the use of the title the LORD about 7,000 times as if it did not exist in the original text. And yet they retain the names of many false gods mentioned in the original text. Included in this list are Baal, Bel, Merodach, and even Satan! *33:5 hide my face: Hebrew: “paneh” and Greek: “pro’sopon” mean the literal face, the front part of the head. (Matthew 6:16-17) (James 1:23) It can also mean the figurative face. (Luke 12:56) Searching for the “face of God” means to seek audience with him and implore favorable attention from him. (Psalm 24:6) When Jehovah hides his face it means he refuses to let someone draw near to him. In verses where it enhances the meaning, the New Simplified Bible spells out what the reference to face represents. A good example of this is found at Luke 9:51 where older translations state that Jesus “firmly set his face to go to Jerusalem.” The New Simplified Bible states: “he was determined to go to Jerusalem.” *33:11 joy: simchah (sim-khah’)/chara (khara)/gaudium. There are several Hebrew words that translate to Joy. Joy is one of the fruits of God‟s Holy Spirit listed in chapter five of Pauls letter to the Galatians. (Galatians 5:22-23) It is an emotion similar to happiness and exultation. Joy is a quality of the heart and can affect the entire body for good. (Proverbs 15:13; 17:22) The word joy can be found more than 60 times in the Christian Greek Scriptures. 244 *33:11 mercy: racham/eleeo/clementia. Mercy is the feeling that motivates compassion, kindness and pity. The Hebrew verb “ra-cham” means to glow, to feel warm with tender emotion, to be compassionate. The Greek word “e‟leos” means to feel pity, divine compassion and mercy. The Hebrew nation frequently strayed from righteousness and became in need of merciful help. If they showed a proper heart attitude and turned to Jehovah, he would express compassion, favor and goodwill. (Deuteronomy 13:17; 30:3) (Psalm 102:13) (Isaiah 54:7-10; 60:10) All who wish to receive God‟s mercy must turn to him with a right heart condition by abandoning wrong ways and harmful thoughts. (Isaiah 55:6, 7) (Psalms 103:13; 119:77, 156, 157) (Luke 1:50) Jesus said: “Blessed are the merciful and compassionate, for they shall receive mercy and compassion.” (Matthew 5:7) *33:13 sheep: tson teson/probaton/agnus. Sheep are referred to in a prophetic and figurative way in the Scriptures. (2 Samuel 24:17) (Psalm 44:11, 22; 95:7; 119:176) (Matthew 10:6, 16) (John 21:16, 17) (Romans 8:36) Jesus‟ sheep follow his lead and are wellcared for. (Luke 12:32) (John 10:4, 14, 16) (Revelation 7:16, 17) Sheep are cud chewing domestic animals that graze in pastures. (Genesis 24:35; 26:14) Men of great wealth usually had thousands of sheep. (Job 1:3, 16; 42:12) Domestic sheep are helpless and fearful creatures. They get lost and scattered and are easy prey for their enemies. (Numbers 27:16, 17) (Jeremiah 23:4) (Ezekiel 34:5, 6, 8) (Micah 5:8) Sheep need a shepherd. They faithfully follow their shepherds and are easily led. (John 10:2-5) *33:16 Jerusalem: Hebrew: Yahrushalayim. Titles for Jerusalem include: Jehovah is Our Righteousness, First known as Salem the City of Peace. The Hebrew meaning of Jerusalem is “Foundation of Twofold Peace.” It was also known as the City of Jehovah (Isaiah 60:14); Zion (Isaiah 33:20) and the Holy City (Matthew 4:5). *33:26 love: ahava/agape/amor. The Greek word “aga‟pe” means love guided by principle. It may or may not include affection and fondness. Love is an emotion meaning feelings such as fondness, affection, personal attachment and strong liking. God is the only one who can adequately describe the kind of love required 245 of a Christian. This description is found at 1 Corinthians chapter 13. Jesus said: “The father loves the Son.” (John 3:35) This love (aga‟pe) is both principle-love and affection (phi-le‟o). John 5:20 verifies this, where Jesus said: The Father has affection for the Son.” Jesus said: “My Father will love the person who loves me. I will love him and disclose myself to him.” (John 14:21) Again, this is both principle-love and affection. Jesus commanded: “Love your enemies” at Matthew 5:44. This requires principle-love and might not be accompanied by warmth and affection. We learn at 1 John 4:8 that “God is love.” Love is his dominant quality and that is why we are attracted to him. (John 3:16) Jeremiah 34 1 Jehovah spoke his word to Jeremiah when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, his entire army, and all the kingdoms and people that he ruled were attacking Jerusalem and all its cities. This is what he said: 2 “This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: „Go to King Zedekiah of Judah, and tell him, Jehovah says: “I am going to hand this city over to the king of Babylon. He will burn it down. 3 “You will not escape from him. You will certainly be captured and handed over to him. You will see the king of Babylon with your own eyes, and he will talk to you face to face. Then you will go to Babylon. 4 “Listen to the word of Jehovah, King Zedekiah of Judah. This is what Jehovah says about you: „You will not die in war. 5 „You will die peacefully. People will burn funeral fires for you as they did for your ancestors, the kings who lived before you.‟ They will say: “Oh, master, as they mourn for you. I have spoken my word, declares Jehovah.”‟”‟” 6 The prophet Jeremiah told all these things to King Zedekiah of Judah in Jerusalem. 7 He did this when the army of the king of Babylon was attacking Jerusalem and the cities of Lachish and Azekah. These were the only fortified cities of Judah that were left. 8 Jehovah spoke his word to Jeremiah after King Zedekiah and all the people in Jerusalem promised to free their slaves. 246 9 Everyone was supposed to free his Hebrew slaves, both male and female. No one was supposed to keep another Jew as a slave. 10 All the officials and all the people agreed and promised to free their male and female slaves and not to keep them as slaves anymore. So they set them free. 11 Later they changed their minds and took back the men and women they had freed and made them their slaves again. 12 Jehovah continued to speak his word to Jeremiah: 13 “This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: „I put a condition on the covenant I made to your ancestors when I brought them from Egypt, where they were slaves. I said: 14 “Every seven years each of you must free any Hebrews who sold themselves to you. When they have served you for six years, you must set them free. But your ancestors refused to obey me or listen to me. 15 “You changed and did what I consider right. You agreed to free your neighbors, and you made a covenant in my presence, in the Temple that is called by my name. 16 “Now you have changed again and dishonored me. You brought back the male and females slaves that you had set free to live their own lives. You have forced them to be your male and female slaves again.‟ 17 “This is what Jehovah says: „You did not obey me. You have not freed your relatives and neighbors. Now I am going to free you,‟ declares Jehovah. „I will free you to die in wars, plagues, and famines. I will make all the kingdoms of the world horrified at the thought of you. 18 I will hand over the people who have rejected my covenant. They have not kept the terms of the covenant they made in my presence when they cut a calf in two and passed between its pieces. 19 I will hand over the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the palace officials, the priests, and all the common people who passed between the pieces of the calf. 20 I will hand them over to their enemies who want to kill them. Their corpses will be food for birds and wild animals. 247 21 I will hand King Zedekiah of Judah and his officials over to their enemies who want to kill them and to the army of the king of Babylon, the army that has withdrawn from you.‟ 22 “„I am going to give a command,‟ declares Jehovah. „I will bring that army back to this city to attack it, capture it, and burn it down. I will destroy the cities of Judah so that no one will live there.‟” Jeremiah 35 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, in the days of Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, king of Judah: 2 “Go into the house of the Rechabites and talk to them. Take them into the House of Jehovah, into one of the rooms, and give them wine.” 3 I took Jaazaniah, the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habazziniah, and his brothers and all his sons and all the Rechabites. 4 I took them into the House of Jehovah, into the room of the sons of Hanan, the son of Igdaliah, the man of God. This was near the rulers' room, over the room of Maaseiah, the son of Shallum, the keeper of the door. 5 I set out some large bowls full of wine together with some cups. Then I said to the Rechabites: “Have some wine!” 6 But they answered: “No! The ancestor of our clan, Jonadab* son of Rechab, made a rule that we must obey. He said: „Do not ever drink wine 7 or build houses or plant crops and vineyards. Instead, you must always live in tents and move from place to place. If you obey this command, you will live a long time.‟ 8 “We have obeyed all the instructions that Jonadab gave us. We never drink wine, and neither do our wives, our sons, or our daughters. 9 “We do not build houses for homes for we live in tents. We own no vineyards, fields, or grain. We have fully obeyed everything that our ancestor Jonadab commanded us. 10 “We live in tents, and we have obeyed everything our ancestor Jonadab ordered us to do. 248 11 “But when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invaded this land, we said: „Let's go to Jerusalem to escape the Babylonian and Aramean armies. That is why we are living in Jerusalem.‟” 12 Then Jehovah spoke his word to Jeremiah. He said: 13 “This is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: „Tell the people of Judah and those who live in Jerusalem, Will you ever learn your lesson and obey my words?” Declares Jehovah. 14 “Jonadab, Rechab's son, ordered his descendants not to drink wine. This order has been carried out. His descendants have not drunk any wine to this day, because they have obeyed their ancestor's order. I have spoken to you again and again, but you have refused to listen to me. 15 “I have sent all my servants the prophets to you again and again. They said: Turn from your evil ways, do what is right, and do not follow other gods in order to serve them. Then you will live in the land that I gave you and your ancestors. However, you refused to listen to me or obey me. 16 “The descendants of Jonadab, Rechab's son, have carried out the orders of their ancestor, but you refuse to listen to me.”‟” 17 “This is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: „I am going to bring on Judah and on all those who live in Jerusalem all the disasters that I threatened. I have spoken to them, but they did not listen. I called to them, but they did not answer.‟” 18 Then Jeremiah said to the family of Rechab: “This is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: „You obeyed the order of your ancestor Jonadab, followed all his instructions, and did exactly what he told you to do. 19 So this is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “A descendant of Jonadab, Rechab's son, will always serve me.”‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary *35:6 Jehonadab, Jonadab, son of Rechab: Jehonadab was companion of King Jehu. He traveled to Samaria with King Jehu. All the worshipers of Baal were assembled there. Jehonadab remained by the king‟s side during the slaughter of 249 the worshipers of the false god. (2 Kings 10:15-28) Jehonadab‟s descendants, the Rechabites, were used as an example of faithfulness. Jeremiah wrote about the disobedient people of Judah and Jerusalem. Jehonadab instructed the Rechabites to live in tents, sow no seed, plant no vineyards, and drink no wine and three hundred years later they were still faithful to that pledge. (Jeremiah 35:1-19) Jeremiah 36 1 In the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, son of King Josiah of Judah, Jehovah spoke his word to Jeremiah: 2 “Take a scroll, and write on it everything that I have dictated to you about Israel, Judah, and all the other nations from the time I spoke to you during the reign of Josiah until today. 3 “Maybe the nation of Judah will hear about all the disasters that I devise to bring on them, and they will turn from their wicked ways. Then I will forgive their wickedness and their sins.” 4 Then Jeremiah called Baruch, son of Neriah. Jeremiah dictated everything that Jehovah told him. Baruch wrote it all down on a scroll. 5 Jeremiah told Baruch: “I am no longer allowed to go to Jehovah‟s Temple. 6 “On a day of fasting, you must read from the scroll Jehovah‟s message that you wrote as I dictated. You must read it to the people in Jehovah‟s Temple. You must also read it to all the people of Judah when they come from their cities. 7 “Maybe their prayers will come into Jehovah‟s presence, and they will turn from their evil ways. Jehovah has threatened these people with his terrifying anger and fury.” 8 Baruch, son of Neriah, did as the prophet Jeremiah commanded him. In Jehovah‟s Temple he read from the scroll everything that Jehovah had said. 9 In the ninth month of the fifth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, son of King Josiah of Judah, a time for fasting was called. It was a time for all the people in Jerusalem and for everyone who was coming from any city in Judah to Jerusalem to fast in Jehovah‟s presence. 250 10 Then Baruch read the scroll containing the words of Jeremiah. Baruch read it to all the people in Jehovah‟s temple in the room of the scribe Gemariah, son of Shaphan, in the upper courtyard at the entrance of New Gate of Jehovah‟s Temple. 11 Micaiah, who was the son of Gemariah and the grandson of Shaphan, heard Baruch read from the scroll everything Jehovah had said. 12 Then he went down to the scribe's room in the king's palace where all the scribes were sitting. The scribe Elishama, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Achbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the other officials were there. 13 Micaiah told them everything he heard Baruch read from the scroll publicly. 14 Then all the officials sent Jehudi,* who was the son of Nethaniah, the grandson of Shelemiah, and the greatgrandson of Cushi,* to Baruch. Jehudi said to Baruch: “Bring the scroll that you read publicly, and come with me.” Baruch, son of Neriah, took the scroll and went with him to see the officers. 15 They said to Baruch: “Please sit down, and read it to us.” So Baruch read it to them. 16 When they heard everything, they turned to each other in terror. They said to Baruch: “We must tell the king everything.” 17 They asked Baruch: “Please tell us how you wrote all this. Did Jeremiah dictate it to you?” 18 Baruch answered: “He dictated everything to me, and I wrote it on the scroll in ink.” 19 The officials said to Baruch: “You and Jeremiah must hide. Do not let anyone know where you are.” 20 After they put the scroll in the side room of the scribe Elishama, they went to the king in the courtyard and told him everything. 21 Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll. He took the scroll from the side room of the scribe Elishama. Jehudi read it to the king and all the officials standing by the king. 251 22 It was the ninth month, and the king was in his winter house sitting in front of the fire in the fireplace. 23 As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a scribe's knife and throw them into the fire in the fireplace. He did this until the whole scroll was burned up. 24 The king and all his attendants did not show any fear or tear their clothes in fear when they heard everything being read. 25 Even when Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he refused to listen to them. 26 The king commanded Jerahmeel the king's son, Seraiah son of Azriel, and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest the scribe Baruch and the prophet Jeremiah. But Jehovah had hidden Baruch and Jeremiah. 27 After the king burned up the scroll that Baruch had written and that Jeremiah had dictated, Jehovah spoke his word to Jeremiah: 28 “Take another scroll, and write on it everything that was written on the scroll that King Jehoiakim of Judah burned. 29 “Say about King Jehoiakim of Judah: „This is what Jehovah says: You burned this scroll, and you asked Jeremiah: “Why did you write that the king of Babylon would certainly come to destroy this land and take away people and animals?”‟” 30 “„This is what Jehovah says about King Jehoiakim of Judah: „He will have no one to sit on David's throne, and his own corpse will be thrown out and exposed to the heat of day and the cold of night. 31 „“„“I will punish him, his descendants, and his attendants for their wickedness. They refused to listen. So I will bring on them, on those who live in Jerusalem, and on the people of Judah all the disasters that I have threatened.‟”‟” 32 Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to the scribe* Baruch, son of Neriah. As Jeremiah dictated, Baruch wrote on it everything that was on the scroll* that King Jehoiakim of Judah had burned. They added many similar messages. Simplified Bible Dictionary 252 *36:14 Cushi: Cushi was the forefather of Jeremiah‟s secretary, Baruch Jehudi. (Jeremiah 36:14) *36:14 Jehudi: He was an officer of King Jehoiakim. The princes of Judah sent him to bring Baruch and Jeremiah‟s scroll to them. When Jehudi read the scroll to Jehoiakim, the king cut it up and burned it. (Jeremiah 36:14, 21-23, 27, 32) *36:32 copyist: A copyist was a transcriber, a person who made copies of written Holy Scriptures. The Hebrew word for copyist is “sopher‟”. It deals with counting and recording. These are also duties of a good secretary or scribe. (Jeremiah 36:32; Ezekiel 9:2,3) Shaphan and the priest Ezra were identified as scribes and copyists in the Bible. (Ezra 7:6, 7, 11) The psalmist, concerning God‟s Messianic King, said: “Like the pen of a skillful writer (copyist) my tongue is ready with a poem.” (Psalm 45:1-5) The psalmist observed that his tongue would function efficiently, like the pen in the hand of a trained and skilful writer and copyist. *36:32 scribe, secretary: The Hebrew word so-pher‟ means scribe and copyist. A secretary is person who is skilled in writing and keeping records. Israel had trusted court officials called „the secretary of the king.‟ (2 Chronicles 24:11) (2 Kings 19:2) Sometimes the secretary of the king took care of financial matters. (2 Kings 12:10, 11) Baruch was a secretary for Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 36:32) Jeremiah 37 1 King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon appointed Zedekiah, son of Josiah, to be king of Judah. Zedekiah* succeeded Jehoiakin, son of Jehoiakim. 2 Zedekiah, his administrators, and the common people did not listen to what Jehovah spoke through the prophet Jeremiah. 3 King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to the prophet Jeremiah. They asked him: “Please pray to Jehovah our God for us.” 253 4 Jeremiah was still free to come and go among the people. The people of Jerusalem had not put him in prison yet. 5 Pharaoh's army came from Egypt. When the Babylonians who were blockading Jerusalem heard this news, they retreated from Jerusalem. 6 Jehovah spoke his word to the prophet Jeremiah: 7 “This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: „Say this to the king of Judah, who sent you to get advice from me: “Pharaoh's army has come out to help you. But it will go back to Egypt, its own land. 8 “Then the Babylonians will return. They will attack the city, capture it, and burn it down.” 9 “Jehovah says: „Do not deceive yourselves by thinking that the Babylonians will leave you. They will not leave you. 10 “Even if you would defeat the entire Babylonian army so that they had only a few badly wounded men left in their tents, they would get up and burn down this city!”‟” 11 The Babylonian army retreated from Jerusalem because Pharaoh's army was coming. 12 Jeremiah wanted to leave Jerusalem and go to the territory of Benjamin to take possession of his property there among the people. 13 When he came to Benjamin Gate, the captain of the guard there, whose name was Irijah, son of Shelemiah and grandson of Hananiah, arrested the prophet Jeremiah. He said: “You are deserting to the Babylonians!” 14 Jeremiah answered: “That is not true! I am not deserting to the Babylonians.” But Irijah would not listen to him. Irijah arrested Jeremiah and took him to the officials. 15 The officials were so angry with Jeremiah that they beat him and put him in prison in the scribe Jonathan's house, which had been turned into a prison. 16 Jeremiah went into a prison cell, and he stayed there a long time. 17 Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah, and the king asked him privately in the palace: “Is there any message from Jehovah? Jeremiah answered: Yes! There is a message from Jehovah. You will be handed over to the king of Babylon.” 254 18 Then Jeremiah asked King Zedekiah: “What crime have I committed against you, your administrators, or these people? Why have you put me in prison? 19 “Where are the prophets who told you that the king of Babylon would not attack you and this land? 20 “Your Majesty, please listen, and accept my plea for mercy. Do not return me to the scribe Jonathan's house, or I will die there.” 21 King Zedekiah gave the command to have Jeremiah put in the courtyard of the prison. He gave him a loaf of bread every day from the bakers' street until all the bread in the city was gone. So Jeremiah stayed in the courtyard of the prison. Simplified Bible Dictionary *37:1: Zedekiah, last King of Judah: Zedekiah was son of Josiah. He was the last of the kings of Judah to reign at Jerusalem. During the 11 years he ruled, Zedekiah did what was bad in Jehovah‟s eyes. (2 Kings 24:17-19) (2 Chronicles 36:10-12) (Jeremiah 37:1; 52:1, 2) Jeremiah 38 1 Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur,* Jehucal* son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malchiah heard what I was telling the people. 2 “Jehovah says: „Whoever stays on in the city will die in war or of starvation or disease. But those who go out and surrender to the Babylonians will not be killed. They will at least escape with their life.‟ 3 “I also told them that Jehovah said: „I am going to give the city to the Babylonian army, and they will capture it.‟” 4 The officials went to the king and said: “This man must be put to death. By talking like this he is making the soldiers in the city lose their courage. He is doing the same thing to everyone else left in the city. He is not trying to help the people. He only wants to hurt them.” 5 King Zedekiah answered: “Very well, then, do what you want to with him. I cannot stop you.” 255 6 So they took me and let me down by ropes into Prince Malchiah's well, which was in the palace courtyard. There was no water in the well, only mud, and I sank down in it. 7 Ebedmelech* the Ethiopian, a eunuch (officer) who worked in the royal palace, heard that they had put me in the well. At that time the king was holding court at the Benjamin Gate. 8 So Ebedmelech went there and said to the king: 9 “Your Majesty, what these men have done is wrong. They have put Jeremiah in the well, where he is sure to die of starvation, since there is no more food in the city.” 10 Then the king ordered Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, “Take with you three men and to pull him out of the well before he dies.” 11 So Ebedmelech went with the men to the palace storeroom and got some worn-out clothing which he let down to me by ropes. 12 He told me to put the rags under my arms, so that the ropes would not hurt me. I did this. 13 So they pulled me up out of the well. After that I was kept in the courtyard. 14 On another occasion King Zedekiah had me brought to him at the third entrance to the temple. He said: “I am going to ask you a question, and I want you to tell me the whole truth.” 15 I answered: “If I tell you the truth, you will put me to death, and if I give you advice, you will not pay any attention.” 16 So King Zedekiah promised me in secret: “I swear by the living God, the God who gave us life, that I will not put you to death or hand you over to the men who want to kill you.” 17 Then I told Zedekiah that Jehovah, the God of Israel said: “If you surrender to the king of Babylon‟s officers, your life will be spared, and this city will not be burned down. Both you and your family will be spared. 18 “But if you do not surrender, then this city will be handed over to the Babylonians. They will burn it down, and you will not escape from them.” 19 The king answered: “I am afraid of our own people who have deserted to the Babylonians. I may be handed over to them and tortured.” 256 20 I said: “You will not be handed over to them. I beg you to obey Jehovah‟s message. Then all will go well with you, and your life will be spared. 21 “Jehovah has shown me in a vision what will happen if you refuse to surrender. 22 “In it I saw all the women left in Judah's royal palace being led out to the king of Babylonia's officers. Listen to what they were saying as they went. The king's best friends misled him, they overruled him. And now that his feet have sunk in the mud, his friends have left him.” 23 Then I added: “All your women and children will be taken out to the Babylonians. You will not escape from them. You will be taken prisoner by the king of Babylonia. And this city will be burned to the ground.” 24 Zedekiah replied: “Do not let anyone know about this conversation, and your life will not be in danger. 25 “If the officials hear that I have talked with you, they will come and ask you what we said. They will promise not to put you to death if you tell them everything. 26 “Just tell them you were begging me not to send you back to prison to die there.” 27 Then all the officials came and questioned me. I told them exactly what the king had told me to say. There was nothing else they could do, because no one had overheard the conversation. 28 I was kept in the palace courtyard until the day Jerusalem was captured. Simplified Bible Dictionary *38:1 Jehucal: Jehucal was the son of Shelemiah. He was one of the princes of Judah who asked that the prophet Jeremiah be executed. They claimed that Jeremiah weakend the efforts and power of the warriors. (Jeremiah 38:1-4) *38:1 Pashhur, father of Gedaliah: Pashhur was the father of Gedaliah. Jeremiah told Pashhur and the other princes what he was telling the people of Judah. He warned them that “Jehovah says: „Whoever stays in the city will die in 257 war or of starvation or disease. But those who surrender to the Babylonians will not be killed.‟” Pashhur and the other officials went to the king and said: “This man must be put to death.” The king told them to do what they wanted. So they took Jeremiah and lowered him down by ropes into Prince Malchiah‟s well in the palace courtyard. (Jeremiah 38:1, 4, 6) *38:7 Ebedmelech: Ebedmelech was an Ethiopian eunuch from the house of King Zedekiah. The princes of Judah falsely charge Jeremiah with sedition. Zedekiah surrendered the prophet into their hands. These evil princes threw Jeremiah into the miry cistern of Malchijah in the Courtyard of the Guard. They intended that he should die there without food. (Jeremiah 38:4-6) Ebed-Melech publicly approached the king and courageously appealed in behalf of Jeremiah. Zedekiah responded favorably so Ebed-Melech took 30 men to the cistern and let down ropes and pieces of cloth for Jeremiah to place under his armpits in order to bring him out of the cistern. (Jeremiah 38:7-13) Jeremiah 39 1 In the tenth month of the ninth year that Zedekiah was king of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia came with his whole army and attacked Jerusalem. 2 On the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah's eleventh year as king, the city walls were broken through. 3 When Jerusalem was captured, all the high officials of the king of Babylon came and took their places at the Middle Gate, including Nergal Sharezer, Samgar Nebo,* Sarsechim, and another Nergal Sharezer.* 4 When King Zedekiah and all his soldiers saw what was happening, they tried to escape from the city during the night. They left by way of the royal garden, went through the gateway connecting the two walls, and escaped in the direction of the Jordan Valley. 5 But the Babylonian army pursued them and captured Zedekiah in the plains near Jericho. Then they took him to King Nebuchadnezzar, who was in the city of Riblah in the 258 territory of Hamath, and there Nebuchadnezzar passed sentence on him. 6 At Riblah he put Zedekiah's sons to death while Zedekiah was looking on, and he also had the officials of Judah executed. 7 After that, he had Zedekiah's eyes put out and had him placed in chains to be taken to Babylon. 8 The Babylonians burned down the royal palace and the houses of the people and tore down the walls of Jerusalem. 9 Finally Nebuzaradan, the commanding officer, took away as prisoners to Babylon the people who were left in the city, together with those who had deserted to him. 10 He left in the land of Judah some of the poorest people, who owned no property, and he gave them vineyards and fields. 11 But King Nebuchadnezzar commanded Nebuzaradan, the commanding officer, to give the following order: 12 Go and find Jeremiah and take good care of him. Do not harm him, but do for him whatever he wants. 13 So Nebuzaradan,* together with the high officials Nebushazban* and Nergal Sharezer and all the other officers of the king of Babylon, 14 had me brought from the palace courtyard. They put me under the care of Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, who was to see that I got home safely. Thus I stayed there among the people. 15 While I was still imprisoned in the palace courtyard, Jehovah told me: 16 “Tell Ebedmelech the Ethiopian that Jehovah, the God of Israel, said: „Just as I said I would, I am going to bring upon this city destruction and not prosperity. When this happens, you will be there to see it. 17 “„I Jehovah will protect you, and you will not be handed over to the people you are afraid of. 18 “„I will keep you safe, and you will not be put to death. You will escape with your life because you have put your trust in me. I Jehovah have spoken!‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary 259 *39:3 Samgar-Nebo: Samgar-Nebo was the title of one of the Babylonian princes who entered Jerusalem after a breach was opened in its walls in the summer of 607 B.E.C. (Jeremiah 39:3) *39:3 Nergal: Nergal was a Babylonian deity worshiped at Cuthah. History verifies that Cuthah was a city dedicated to Nergal. (2 Kings 17:24, 30, 33) Some scholars believe that Nergal associated with fire, the heat of the sun, war and hunting. *39:3 Nergal Sharezer: Nergal Sharezer the Rabmag, one of King Nebuchadnezzar‟s princes, was probably named after the Babylonian god Nergal. (Jeremiah 39:3, 13) Nebuzaradan: Nebuzaradan was the chief of the bodyguard and principal figure in Nebuchadnezzar‟s forces at the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. Jerusalem was conquered and King Zedekiah was blinded and brought to Babylon. (1 Kings 25:2-8) (Jeremiah 39:2, 3; 52:6-11) *39:13 Nebushazban: Nebushazban was the chief court official for Nebuchadnezzar when Jerusalem was destroyed in 607 B.C.E. He was one of several princes that directed the release of Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 39:13, 14) Jeremiah 40 1 Jehovah spoke his word to Jeremiah after Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, let him go at Ramah.* Nebuzaradan found Jeremiah in chains along with the captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were being taken to Babylon. 2 The captain of the guard took Jeremiah aside and said to him: “Jehovah your God threatened to bring this disaster on this place. 3 “He has carried out his threat. Jehovah did as he promised because you Israelites have sinned against him and refused to obey him. That is why this has happened to you. 260 4 “Today, I am removing the chains from your hands. If you would like to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you. But if you do not want to come with me to Babylon, do not come. The whole land is yours. Go wherever you want.” 5 If you wish to remain, then go back to Gedaliah, son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon appointed to govern the cities of Judah. Live among the people with him, or go anywhere you want. The captain of the guard gave Jeremiah some food and a present and let him go. 6 Jeremiah went to Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, at Mizpah and lived with him among the people who were left in the land. 7 All the army commanders and their men who were in the field heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, to govern the country and some of the country's poorest men, women, and children who had not been taken away to Babylon. 8 These are the commanders who went with their men to Gedaliah at Mizpah: Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth,* the sons of Ephai from Netophah, and Jezaniah, who was the son of a man from Maacah. 9 Gedaliah, son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, swore an oath to them and their men. He said: “Do not be afraid to serve the Babylonians. Live in this country, serve the king of Babylon, and you will prosper. 10 “I am going to live in Mizpah and represent you when the Babylonians come to us. Gather grapes, summer fruit, and olive oil, and put them in storage jars. Live in the cities you have taken over.” 11 All the Jews who were in Moab, Ammon, Edom, and in all the other countries heard that the king of Babylon had left a few survivors in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah, son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, to govern them. 12 So all the Jews returned from all the places where they had been scattered. They came to Judah and to Gedaliah at Mizpah. They gathered a large harvest of grapes and summer fruit. 261 13 Kareah's son Johanan and all the army commanders who were still in the country came to Gedaliah at Mizpah. 14 They asked him: “Do you know that King Baalis* of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael, Nethaniah's son, to kill you?” However, Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, did not believe them. 15 Then Johanan, Kareah's son, secretly asked Gedaliah at Mizpah: “Let me kill Ishmael, Nethaniah's son. No one will know about it. Why should he kill you? All the Jews who have gathered around you would scatter. What is left of Judah would disappear.” 16 Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, told Johanan, Kareah's son: “Do not do that! What you are saying about Ishmael is a lie.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *40:1 Ramah, of Benjamin: Ramah was a city in the territory of Benjamin. It was located south of Ephraim near Bethel. (Joshua 18:25) (Judges 4:5) The Jews taken captive to Babylon were gathered at Ramah. (Jeremiah 40:1) This gave rise to the saying: “A sound is heard in Ramah, the sound of crying in bitter grief. Rachel is crying for her children. She refuses to be comforted, because they are dead.” (Jeremiah 31:15,16) Rachel was the mother of Benjamin. Jeremiah further explained that there was still hope, for the exiles would return. *40:8 Tanhumeth: Tanhumeth was the Netophathite father of Seraiah, a military leader of the Jews. He was left in Jerusalem after the deportation to Babylon. (2 Kings 25:23) (Jeremiah 40:8) *40:14 Baalis: Baalis was the king of Ammon. It has been said that he sent Ishmael to murder Governor Gedaliah of Judah in 607 B.C.E. The Greek Septuagint spells his name “Belisa.” (Jeremiah 40:14) Jeremiah 41 1 In the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah and grandson of Elishama, a descendant of the royal family and of 262 the king's officers went with ten men to Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, at Mizpah. They ate together at Mizpah. 2 Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, and the ten men who were with him got up, drew their swords, and killed Gedaliah, son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan. So they assassinated the man whom the king of Babylon had appointed to govern the land. 3 Ishmael also killed all the Jews who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah as well as the Babylonian soldiers that he found there. 4 The day after the murder of Gedaliah, before anyone knew about it, 5 Eighty men arrived from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria. Their beards were shaved off, their clothes were torn, and cuts were on their bodies. They brought grain offerings and incense to Jehovah‟s Temple. 6 Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, left Mizpah to meet them. He was crying as he went. When he met them, he said to them: “Come to Gedaliah, son of Ahikam.” 7 When they came into the city, Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, and his men slaughtered them and threw them into a cistern. 8 Ten men from the group pleaded with Ishmael: “Do not kill us! We have wheat, barley, olive oil, and honey hidden in the country.” So he left them alone and did not kill them along with the others. 9 The cistern where Ishmael threw all the bodies of the men he had killed was the same one that King Asa made as a part of his defense against King Baasha of Israel. Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, filled it with the bodies. 10 Then Ishmael took captive the rest of the people who were at Mizpah. He captured the king's daughters and all the other people who had been left at Mizpah.* They were the people whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had put under the control of Gedaliah son of Ahikam. Ishmael son of Nethaniah took them captive and left for Ammon. 11 When Kareah's son Johanan and all the army commanders who were with him heard about all the crimes Ishmael son of Nethaniah did, 12 they took all their men and went to fight Ishmael. They caught up with him at the large pool in Gibeon. 263 13 When all the people who were with Ishmael saw Kareah's son Johanan and all the army commanders who were with him, they were glad. 14 Then all the people Ishmael had taken captive at Mizpah turned and ran to Kareah's son Johanan. 15 Ishmael and eight of his men escaped from Johanan and fled to Ammon. 16 Then Kareah's son Johanan and all the army commanders who were with him brought back the rest of the people of Mizpah whom he had rescued from Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, after Ishmael had killed Gedaliah, son of Ahikam. Johanan brought back men, women, children, soldiers, and commanders from Gibeon. 17 When they left Gibeon, they stayed near Bethlehem at Geruth Kimham* on their way to Egypt. 18 They were afraid of the Babylonians because Ishmael had killed Gedaliah whom the king of Babylon had appointed to govern the land. Simplified Bible Dictionary *41:10 Mizpah, A Region: Mizpah was a Hivite region on Mount Hermon. It was known as the land of Mizpah and the Mizpeh Valley. (Joshua 11:3, 8) It could have been the area south of Mount Hermon. *41:10 Mizpah, city of Benjamin: This city in the territory of Benjamin was about 5 miles northwest of Jerusalem. All the fighting men of Israel assembled at Mizpah to take action against the perpetrators of the sex crime at Gibeah of Benjamin. (Judges 20:1-48) *41:17 Kimham, Chimham: It is believed that Chimham was a son of Barzillai. When the aged Barzillai declined the invitation to become part of King David‟s court he recommended that Chimham go in his place. (2 Samuel 19:33, 37-40) Chimham must have remained in the royal court for a 264 long time since David‟s final instructions to Soloman refer to the place of Chimham near Bethlehem. (1 Kings 2:7) (Jeremiah 41:17) Jeremiah 42 1 All the army leaders, including Johanan son of Kareah and Azariah son of Hoshaiah, came with people of every class. 2 They said to me: “Please do what we ask you! Pray to Jehovah our God for us. Pray for all of us who have survived. Once there were many of us. Now there are only a few of us left, as you can see. 3 “Pray that Jehovah our God will show us the way we should go and what we should do.” 4 I answered: “Very well, then. I will pray to Jehovah our God, just as you have asked. I will tell you what he says. I will not keep back anything from you.” 5 Then they said to me: “May Jehovah be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not obey all the commandments that Jehovah our God gives you for us. 6 “Whether it pleases us or not, we will obey Jehovah our God, to whom we are asking you to pray. All will go well with us if we obey him.” 7 Ten days later Jehovah spoke to me. 8 I called together Johanan, all the army leaders who were with him, and all the other people. 9 I said to them, “Jehovah, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me with your request said: 10 „If you are willing to go on living in this land I will build you up and not tear you down. I will plant you and not uproot you. The destruction I brought on you has caused me great sorrow. 11 „Stop being afraid of the king of Babylon. I am with you. I will rescue you from his power.‟ 12 For the reason that I am merciful, I will make him have mercy on you and let you go back home. I Jehovah have spoken. 13 “„If you say: “We will not stay in this land, and you disobey Jehovah your God.” 265 14 Then you say: “We will go to Egypt, where we will not have to see war, hear the sound of a ram's horn, or be hungry. We will stay there.” 15 Listen to the word of Jehovah, you people who are left in Judah. This is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Suppose you are determined to go to Egypt, and you go and live there. 16 “Then the war that you fear will overtake you, and the hunger you dread will follow you, and you will die there in Egypt. 17 “All the people who are determined to go and live in Egypt will die either in war or of starvation or disease. Not one of them will survive, not one will escape the disaster that I am going to bring on them.”‟ 18 “Jehovah, the God of Israel, says: „Just as my anger and fury were poured out on the people of Jerusalem, so my fury will be poured out on you if you go to Egypt. You will be a horrifying sight. People will make fun of you and use your name as a curse. You will never see this place again.‟ 19 “Then I continued: Jehovah has told you people who are left in Judah not to go to Egypt. And so I warn you now. 20 “You are making a fatal mistake. You asked me to pray to Jehovah our God for you, and you promised that you would do everything that he commands. 21 “Now I have told you, but you are disobeying everything that Jehovah our God sent me to tell you. 22 “So then, remember this: you will die in war or of starvation or disease in the land where you want to go and live.” Jeremiah 43 1 As soon as Jeremiah, whom Jehovah their God had sent, had finished telling all the people all the words of Jehovah their God, that is, all these words, 2 Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the arrogant (egotistical) men said to Jeremiah: “You are telling a lie! Jehovah our God has not sent you to say: „You are not to enter Egypt to reside there.” 266 3 Baruch the son of Neriah is inciting you against us to give us over into the hand of the Chaldeans. They will put us to death or exile us to Babylon. 4 So Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces, and all the people, did not obey the voice of Jehovah and stay in the land of Judah. 5 But Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces took the entire remnant of Judah who had returned from all the nations to which they had been driven away, in order to reside in the land of Judah. 6 They took men, women, children, and the king's daughters. They took every person whom Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, had left with Gedaliah, son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, including the prophet Jeremiah and Baruch, son of Neriah. 7 They did not listen to Jehovah. They went to Egypt. They went as far as Tahpanhes. 8 Then Jehovah spoke his word to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes. He said: 9 “Take some large stones, and bury them under the brick pavement at the entrance to the Pharaoh's palace in Tahpanhes. Do this while the people of Judah watch you. 10 “Say to them: „This is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I am going to send for my servant King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. I will set his throne over these stones that I buried, and I will spread his royal canopy above them. 11 “He will defeat Egypt. He will bring death to those who are supposed to die. He will capture those who are supposed to be captured. He will kill in battle those who are supposed to be killed in battle. 12 “He will set fire to the temples of Egypt's gods. He will burn down the temples and take their gods captive. Nebuchadnezzar will put on Egypt as his coat as a shepherd puts on his coat. He will leave Egypt peacefully. 13 “At Beth Shemesh* he will break the monuments in Egypt and burn down the temples of Egypt's gods.”‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary 267 *43:13 Beth-Shemesh, city in Egypt: Jeremiah prophecied about coming devastation upon Egypt and Bethshemesh. It is considered to be the Heliopolis on the northeast edge of Cairo. It is known as “the City of the Sun.” (Jeremiah 43:13) Jeremiah 44 1 Jehovah spoke to me concerning all the Israelites living in Egypt, in the cities of Migdol, Tahpanhes, and Memphis, and in the southern part of the country” 2 “Jehovah, the God of Israel, said: „You have seen the destruction I brought on Jerusalem and all the other cities of Judah. Even now they are still in ruins, and no one lives in them. 3 “„This is because their people had done evil and had made me angry. They offered sacrifices to other gods and served gods that neither they nor you nor your ancestors ever worshiped. 4 “„I kept sending you my servants the prophets, who told you not to do this terrible thing that I hate. 5 “„But you would not listen or pay any attention. You would not give up your evil practice of sacrificing to other gods. 6 “„I poured out my anger and fury on the towns of Judah and on the streets of Jerusalem. I set them on fire. They were left in ruins and became a horrifying sight, as they are today.‟” 7 “I Jehovah, the God of Israel, says: „Now ask why you are doing such an evil thing to yourselves. Do you want to bring destruction on men and women, children and babies, so that none of your people will be left? 8 “„Why do you make me angry by worshiping idols and by sacrificing to other gods here in Egypt, where you have come to live? Are you doing this just to destroy yourselves, so that every nation on earth will make fun of you and use your name as a curse? 9 “„Have you forgotten all the wicked things that have been done in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem by your ancestors, by the kings of Judah and their wives, and by you and your wives? 268 10 “„You have not humbled yourselves to this very day. You have not honored me or lived according to all the laws that I gave you and your ancestors.‟” 11 “I Jehovah, the God of Israel, will turn against you and destroy all Judah. 12 “As for the people of Judah who are left and are determined to go and live in Egypt, I will see to it that all of them are destroyed. All of them, great and small will die in Egypt, either in war or of starvation. They will be a horrifying sight. People will make fun of them and use their name as a curse. 13 “I will punish those who live in Egypt, just as I punished Jerusalem with the sword (war), starvation, and disease. 14 “None of the people of Judah who are left and have come to Egypt to live will escape or survive. Not one of them will return to Judah, where they long to live once again. No one will return except a few refugees.‟” 15 Then all the men who knew that their wives offered sacrifices to other gods, and all the women who were standing there, including the Israelites who lived in southern Egypt, a large crowd in all said to me: 16 “We refuse to listen to what you have told us in the name of Jehovah. 17 “We will do everything that we said we would. We will offer sacrifices to our goddess, the Queen of Heaven, and we will pour out wine offerings to her, just as our ancestors, our king and our leaders, and we used to do in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. Then we had plenty of food, we were prosperous, and had no troubles. 18 “Ever since we stopped sacrificing to the Queen of Heaven and stopped pouring out wine offerings to her, we have had nothing, and our people have died in war and of starvation. 19 “The women added: „When we baked cakes shaped like the Queen of Heaven, offered sacrifices to her, and poured out wine offerings to her, our husbands approved of what we were doing.‟” 20 Then I said to all the men and the women who had answered me in this way: 21 “About the sacrifices you and your ancestors, your kings and your leaders, and the people of the land offered in the 269 towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem: do you think that Jehovah did not know about them or that he forgot them? 22 “This very day your land lies in ruins and no one lives in it. It has become a horrifying sight. People use its name as a curse because Jehovah could no longer endure your wicked and evil practices. 23 “This present disaster has come on you because you offered sacrifices to other gods and sinned against Jehovah by not obeying all his commandments.” 24 “I told all the people, especially the women, what Jehovah, the God of Israel, was saying to the people of Judah living in Egypt. 25 “Both you and your wives have made solemn promises to the Queen of Heaven. You promised that you would offer sacrifices to her and pour out wine offerings to her, and you have kept your promises. Very well, then! Keep your promises! Carry out your vows! 26 “But now listen to the vow that I, Jehovah, have made in my mighty name to all you in Judah and in Egypt: „Never again will I let any of you use my name to make a vow by saying: “I swear by the living God, Jehovah!‟” 27 “I will see to it that you will not prosper, but will be destroyed. All of you will die! You will die in war or of disease, until not one of you is left. 28 “But a few of you will escape death and return from Egypt to Judah. Then the survivors will know whose words have come true, mine or theirs. 29 “„I Jehovah will give you proof that I will punish you in this place and that my promise to bring destruction on you will come true. 30 “Jehovah says, „I will hand over King Hophra* of Egypt to his enemies who want to kill him, just as I handed over King Zedekiah of Judah to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who was his enemy and wanted to kill him.”‟” *44:30 Hophra: Hophra was Pharaoh of Egypt. He reigned about 19 to 25 years. He was so arrogant that he claimed that not even a god could depose him from his throne. Never the 270 less he was taken prisoner and finally killed. Jehovah said through Jeremiah, “I will hand over King Hophra of Egypt to his enemies who want to kill him.” (Jeremiah 44:1-30) Jeremiah 45 1 This is the message that the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Baruch, son of Neriah. Baruch wrote these things on a scroll (book) as Jeremiah dictated them during the fourth year that Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, was king of Judah. Jeremiah said: 2 “This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says to you, Baruch: 3 You said: “I am so miserable! Jehovah has added grief to my pain. I am worn out from groaning. I cannot find any rest.” 4 “Say this to Baruch: „This is what Jehovah says: “I will tear down what I have built. I will uproot what I have planted throughout the earth. 5 “Are you looking for great things for yourself? Do not look for them.” “I am going to bring disaster on all people!” Declares Jehovah, “But wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.” Jeremiah 46 1 Jehovah spoke this message to the prophet Jeremiah about the nations. 2 This is the message about EGYPT, about the army of Pharaoh Neco,* king of Egypt. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeated his army at Carchemish along the Euphrates River during the fourth year that Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, was king of Judah. 3 “Get your large and small shields ready and advance into battle. 4 “Harness your horses. Mount up, you horsemen. Take your positions, and put on your helmets. Polish your spears. Put on your armor. 5 “What do I see in them? They are terrified. They are retreating. Their warriors are defeated. They flee without looking back. Terror is all around them!” declares Jehovah. 6 The infantry cannot flee. The warriors cannot escape. They stumble and fall in the north by the Euphrates River. 271 7 Who is this, rising like the Nile River, like streams that flow swiftly? 8 Egypt is like the rising Nile River, like a river quickly overflowing its banks. Egypt says: “I will rise. I will cover the earth. I will destroy cities and the people in them.” 9 Go into battle, you horsemen. Drive wildly, you chariot drivers. March into battle, you warriors, you warriors from Sudan and Put who carry shields, you warriors from Lydia who use bows and arrows. 10 That day belongs to Jehovah of Hosts. It is a day of vengeance when he will take revenge on his enemies. His sword will devour until it has had enough, and it will drink their blood until it is full. The Almighty Jehovah of Hosts will offer them as sacrifices in the north by the Euphrates River. 11 Go to Gilead, and get medicine, dear people of Egypt. You have used many medicines without results and cannot be cured. 12 The nations have heard of your shame. Your cry fills the earth. One warrior will stumble over another, and both will fall together. 13 Jehovah spoke this message to the prophet Jeremiah about the coming of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who will defeat Egypt. 14 “Tell this in Egypt. Announce this in Migdol.* Make it known in Memphis and in Tahpanhes. Say: „Take your positions, and get ready. Swords will kill those around you. 15 “Why should your soldiers be cut down? They cannot stand because Jehovah will push them down. 16”They have repeatedly stumbled and now they have fallen. They say to each other: „Get up! Let us go back to our people, to the land where we were born and escape our enemy's sword.‟” 17 “There they will cry: „Pharaoh, king of Egypt, is a big windbag. He has missed his chance.‟ 18 “„As I live,‟ declares the king, whose name is Jehovah of Hosts; „someone who is like Mount Tabor among the mountains will come. Someone who is like Mount Carmel by the sea will come. 272 19 “„Pack your bags* inhabitants of Egypt, because you will be taken away as captives. Memphis will become a dreary wasteland, a pile of rubble where no one lives. 20 “„Egypt is like a beautiful cow, but a horsefly (distruction) from the north will attack it. 21 “„Egypt's hired soldiers are like fattened calves. They will turn and run away together. They will not stand their ground. The day of destruction is coming. At that time they will be punished.‟ 22 “„Egypt will hiss like a snake as it slithers away. Its enemies will come with full force. They will attack it with axes like those who chop wood. 23 “„They will cut down the forest,‟ declares Jehovah, „since Egypt cannot be found. They are more numerous than locusts. They cannot be counted. 24 “„The people of Egypt will be put to shame. They will be handed over to the people from the north.‟ 25 “Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: „I am going to punish Amon, who is the god of Thebes.* I will also punish Pharaoh, Egypt, its gods, its kings, and whoever trusts Pharaoh.‟ 26 “„I will hand them over to those who want to kill them, to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and his officers. Afterward, they will live in peace as they did long ago,‟declares Jehovah. 27 “„Do not be afraid, my servant Jacob. Do not be terrified, Israel. I am going to rescue you and your descendants from a faraway land, from the land where you are captives. Then Jacob's descendants will again have undisturbed peace, and no one will make them afraid. 28 “„Do not be afraid, my servant Jacob,” declares Jehovah. “I am with you. I will completely destroy all the nations where I scattered you, but I will not completely destroy you. I will correct you with justice. I will not let you go entirely unpunished.‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary *46:2 Necho: Necho was a pharaoh and king of Egypt at the time of the Judean King Josiah. Necho was the son of 273 Psammetichus and he succeeded his father as ruler of Egypt. King Necho initiated construction work on a canal linking the Nile with the Red Sea, but he did not complete this project. He also sent a fleet of ships on a voyage around Africa successfully. The voyage was completed in three years. King Necho imposed heavy fines on the kingdom of Judah. (2 Chronicles 35:20-36:4) (2 Kings 23:29-35) The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar defeated Necho‟s forces. (Jeremiah 46:2) *46:14 Migdol: Migdol was an Egyptian site mentioned by the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel nine hundred years after the Exodus. The prophet Ezekiel told of a devastation that would come upon Egypt, likely from Babylon. He said it would strike from Migdol to Syene and to the boundary of Ethiopia. (Ezekiel 29:10; 30:6) When Jerusalem fell in 607 B.C.E. Jewish refugees settled in Migdol. (Jeremiah 44:1; 46:13, 14) *46:19 bags, luggage: The Hebrew word keli‟ means luggage or bags. When traveling people usually pack their personal things such as clothing in luggage. (1 Samuel 10:21, 22) (Jeremiah 46:13, 19) (Ezekiel 12:1-4, 7-11) *46:25 Amon, god of Thebes: Sometimes refered to as NoAmon, this god became the “king of god” under the name “Amon-Ra.” A large part of Egypt‟s spoils of war was placed into the treasury of Amon. The Amon priesthood became very powerful and wealthy. (Jeremiah 46:25, 26) *46:25 No-Amon, Amon, Thebes: This prominent city in Egypt was at onetime the capital of Egypt. It is located on both banks of the Nile River about 330 miles south of Cairo. The Greeks called it Thebes and that is the name used today. Old Egyptian textbooks called it “the City of Amon.” It was the principle center of worship of the god Amon. At one time the god Amon was the most important god of the nation of Egypt. The temple of Amon at Karnak is considered to be the largest columnar structure ever build. It‟s massive columns measure 274 twelve feet in diameter. (Nahum 3:7-10) (Jeremiah 46:25, 26) (Ezekiel 30:10, 14, 15) Jeremiah 47 1 That which came as the word of Jehovah to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the PHILISTINES, before Pharaoh conquered Gaza. 2 Jehovah says: “Behold! Waters are going to rise from the north and become an overflowing torrent. They will overflow (flood) the land and all its fullness, the city and those who live in it and the men will cry out. Every inhabitant of the land will wail. 3 “They will hear the sound of galloping warhorses, the rattling of enemy chariots, and the rumbling of their wheels. Fathers who lack courage abandon their children. 4 The time has come to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon any Philistine who might have escaped to get help. Jehovah will destroy the Philistines and anyone who is left from the island of Crete. 5 “Gaza will shave its head* in mourning. Ashkelon will be destroyed. How long will you cut yourselves, you people left on the plains? 6 “You cry out: Sword of Jehovah, how long will you keep on fighting? Go back into your sheath. Stay there and rest! 7 “How can the sword of Jehovah rest? Jehovah has ordered it to attack Ashkelon and the coast. He has assigned it to be there.” (Ezekiel 21:3, 30) (Revelation 19:15, 16) Simplified Bible Dictionary *47:5 bald, shave head: The absence of hair on the head is called baldness. The Bible mentions baldness at Leviticus 13:41-44 and 21:5. Some people believe baldness interferes with personal attractiveness. It was considered a shameful and distressful condition. (Isaiah 3:24; 15:2) (Jeremiah 47:5) (Ezekiel 27:31) (Micah 1:16) 275 Jeremiah 48 1 This is what the Lord Jehovah said about MOAB: “Pity the people of Nebo. Their town is destroyed! Kiriathaim is captured, its mighty fortress torn down, and its people put to shame. 2 “The splendor of Moab is gone. The enemy has captured Heshbon and plot to destroy the nation of Moab. The town of Madmen will be silenced. Armies will march against it. 3 “The people of Horonaim cry out: “Violence! Destruction!” 4 Moab has been destroyed! Listen to the children crying. 5 Hear the sound of their sobs along the road up to Luhith,* the cries of distress on the way down to Horonaim. 6 “Quick, run for your lives!” They say. “Run like a wild desert donkey!” 7 Moab, you trusted in your strength and your wealth, but now even you will be conquered. Your god Chemosh will go into exile, along with his princes and priests. 8 Not a town will escape the destruction. Both valley and plain will be ruined. I Jehovah have spoken. 9 “Set up a tombstone for Moab. It will soon be destroyed. Its towns will be left in ruins, and no one will live there again. 10 “Curse those who do not do Jehovah‟s work with all their heart! Curse those who do not slash and kill! 11 Jehovah said: “Moab has always lived secure and has never been taken into exile. Moab is like wine left to settle undisturbed and never poured from jar to jar. Its flavor has never been ruined, and it tastes as good as ever. 12 “„So now, the time is coming when I will send people to pour Moab out like wine. They will empty its wine jars and break them in pieces. 13 “Then the Moabites will be disillusioned with their god Chemosh. The same as the Israelites were disillusioned with Bethel, their trusted god. 14 “„Men of Moab, why do you claim to be heroes, brave soldiers tested in war?‟” 15 “„Moab and its cities are destroyed. Its finest young men have been slaughtered. „I am the king, the Lord Jehovah, and I have spoken! 16 “Moab's doom approaches. Its ruin is coming soon. 276 17 “Mourn for that nation, you that live nearby, all of you that know its fame. Say: „Its powerful rule has been broken. Its glory and might are no more.‟ 18 “You that live in Dibon* come down from your place of honor and sit on the ground in the dust. Moab's destroyer is here and has left its forts in ruins. 19 “You that live in Aroer stand by the road and wait. Ask those who are running away, say, „What has happened?‟ 20 “Moab has fallen, they will answer; weep for it because it is disgraced. Announce along the Arnon River that Moab is destroyed! 21 “Judgment has come on the cities of the plateau: on Holon, Jahzah, Mephaath, 22 “Dibon, Nebo, Beth Diblathaim,* 23 “Kiriathaim, Bethgamul, Bethmeon, 24 “Kerioth,* and Bozrah. Judgment has come on all the cities of Moab, far and near. 25 “„Moab's might has been crushed. Its power has been destroyed. I Jehovah have spoken. 26 “„Jehovah said: „Make Moab drunk, because it has rebelled against me. Moab will roll in its own vomit and people will laugh. 27 “„Moab, remember how you made fun of the people of Israel? You treated them as though they had been caught with a gang of robbers. 28 “„You people who live in Moab, leave your towns! Go and live on the cliffs! Be like the dove that makes its nest in the sides of a ravine.‟” 29 “Moab is very proud! I have heard how proud, arrogant, and conceited the people are, how much they think of themselves.” 30. “„Jehovah says: „I know Moab‟s great pride, but it is of no use. Moab‟s bragging gains nothing. 31. “„I cry with sadness for Moab, yes for everyone in Moab. I moan for the people from the town of Kir-Hareseth. 32. “„I weep with the people of the town of Jazer. And what of the grapevines of the town of Sibmah? In the past your vines spread all the way to the sea, as far as the sea of Jazer. But the destroyer has taken over your fruit and grapes. 277 33.”„Joy and gladness are taken from the fruitful orchards and fields and from the land of Moab. I have stopped the flow of wine from the wine presses. No one walks on the grapes with shouts of joy. There are shouts, but they are not shouts of joy. 34 “„Their crying can be heard from Moabite towns. It can be heard from Heshbon to Elealeh and Jahaz, from Zoar as far away as Horonaim and Eglath Shelishiyah (three year old heifer). Even the waters of Nimrim* are dried up. 35 “„I will stop Moab from making burnt offerings at the places of worship. I will stop Moab from burning incense to their gods, says Jehovah. 36 “„My heart cries sadly for Moab like a flute playing a funeral song. It cries like a flute for the people from Kir Hareseth. The money they made has all been taken away. 37 “„They have all shaved their heads and cut off their beards. They have all made gashes on their hands, and everyone is wearing sackcloth.‟” 38 “„People are weeping on every roof in Moab and in every public square. There is only sadness, because I have broken Moab like a jar no one wants,‟ say Jehovah. 39 „Moab has been shattered! Cry out! Moab has been disgraced. It is in ruins and all the surrounding nations make fun of it.‟ I Jehovah have spoken. 40 “This is what Jehovah says: „Look! Someone is coming like an eagle diving down from the sky and spreading its wings over Moab. 41 “The towns of Moab will be captured. The strong walled cities will be defeated. Then Moab‟s warriors will be frightened like a woman who is giving birth.‟” 42 “„The nation of Moab will be destroyed. This is because they thought they were greater than Jehovah. 43 “„Fear, deep pits, and traps wait for you people of Moab,‟ says Jehovah. 44 “„People will run out of fear, but they will fall into the pits. Those who climb out of the pits will be caught in the traps.‟ “I will bring the year of punishment to Moab,” says Jehovah. 278 45 „Helpless people have run to find protection in Heshbon, the city that King Sihon once ruled, but it is in flames. It has burned up leaders of Moab and destroyed those proud people.‟ 46 “„Pity the people of Moab! The people who worshiped Chemosh have been destroyed. Their sons and daughters have been taken away as prisoners. 47 “„In the future, however, I will make good things happen to Moab. It will be prosperous again,‟ says Jehovah. As of now the judgement of Moab.‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary *48:5 Luhith: When Jehovah pronounces doom against Moab he speaks about the road to Luhith. (Isaiah 15:1, 5) (Jeremiah 48:5) Some scholars think that Luhith was a Moabite city located on a hill. Others believe that Luhith was not a city but only the name of the hill used by the fleeing Moabite refugees. (Numbers 34:4) *48:18 Dibon: Dibon was a city east of the Dead Sea. It was captured from the Moabites by Sihon the Amorite. Later it was taken from him by Israel when the Israelites entered the land under the direction of Moses. (Numbers 21:25-30) The tribe of Gad lived there and rebuilt Dibon. It was then given the name Dibon-gad. (Numbers 32:34; 33:45, 46) Later in history Dibon became a Moabite city again. (Isaiah 15:2) Jeremiah prophesied that Dibon would “sit on the ground in the dust.” (Jeremiah 48:18. After the fall of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. Nebuchadnezzar thoroughly devistated *48:22 Beth-Diblathen: This city was in Moab. A city called Beth-diblathen is mentioned in the inscription of the Moabite Stone. It was build by Moab‟s King Mesha. (Jeremiah 48:22) *48:24 Kerioth: Kerioth was a place mentioned in two prophecies against Moab. (Jeremiah 48:24) (Amos 2:2) It appears to be a city made up of several smaller towns. The 279 Moabite Stone does not tell its location, but it does indicate that the god Chemosh had a sanctuary there. *48:34 Nimrim: The Brook of Nimrim is believed by some to be the Wadi Nimrim, whose waters flow into the Jordan north of the Dead Sea. Others think the location is south of Moab, such as the Wadi en-Numeirah, which flows into the southeast end of the Dead Sea. Isaiah and Jeremiah refer to the “waters” or Brook of Nimrim in the prophecies directed against Moab. (Isaiah 15:5-9) (Jeremiah 48:34,35) Jeremiah 49 1 This is what Jehovah says about the people of AMMON: “Does Israel not have any children? Does it not have any heirs? Why has the god Milcom taken over the inheritance of Gad's descendants? Why do Milcom's people live in Gad's cities?” 2 “„That is why the days are coming,‟ declares Jehovah, „when I will sound the battle cry against Rabbah, where the people of Ammon live. It will become a pile of rubble. Its villages will be burned down.‟ “„Then Israel will take possession of its inheritance,‟ says Jehovah. 3 “„Cry loudly, Heshbon, because Ai is destroyed. Cry, people of Rabbah, put on your sackcloth, and mourn. Run back and forth between the walls. Milcom will be taken away into captivity with its priests and officials. 4 Why do you brag about your valleys, your fertile valleys, you unfaithful people? You trust your treasures. You think: “Who would attack me?” 5 “I will bring terror on you from all around,” proclaims Jehovah of Hosts. “Everyone will be scattered. No one will gather the refugees.‟” 6 “„Afterward, I will return the captives of Ammon,‟ declares Jehovah.” 7 This is what Jehovah of Hosts says about Edom: “Is there no longer any wisdom in Teman? Has wisdom disappeared from your people? Has their wisdom vanished? 280 8 “Turn and run, take cover in deep places inhabitants of Dedan. When I punish them, I will bring disaster on the descendants of Esau. 9 “If people come to pick your grapes, will they not leave a few grapes behind? If thieves come during the night, will they steal only until they have had enough? 10 “Yet, I will strip the descendants of Esau. I will find their hiding places. They will not be able to hide. Their children and relatives will be destroyed. None of their neighbors will say: 11 “Abandon your orphans, and I will keep them alive. Your widows can trust me.” 12 This is what Jehovah says: “If those who do not deserve to drink from the cup still drink from it, why should you go unpunished? You will not go unpunished. You must drink from it.” 13 “I take an oath on myself,” says Jehovah, “that Bozrah will become a pile of rubble. It will become something horrifying, ridiculed, ruined, and cursed. All its cities will lie in ruins permanently.” 14 I heard a message from Jehovah. A messenger was sent among the nations to say: “Assemble and attack Edom. Get ready for battle.” 15 “Edom, I will make you the smallest of nations and despised among humanity. 16 “You have frightened other people. Your arrogance has deceived you. You live on rocky cliffs and occupy the highest places in the hills. Even though you build your nest as high as an eagle, I will bring you down from there,” proclaims Jehovah. 17 Jehovah said: “The destruction that will come on Edom will be so terrible that everyone who passes by will be shocked and terrified. 18 “The same thing will happen to Edom that happened to Sodom and Gomorrah, when they and the nearby towns were destroyed. No one will ever live there again. I Jehovah have spoken. 19 “Like a lion coming out of the thick woods along the Jordan River up to the green pastureland, I will come and make the Edomites run away suddenly from their country. Then the 281 leader I choose will rule the nation. Who can be compared to me? Who would dare challenge me? What ruler could oppose me?” 20 Hear that which I have determined against the people of Edom, and to what I intend to do to the people of the city of Teman. Even their children will be dragged off, and everyone will be horrified. 21 When Edom falls, there will be such a noise that the entire earth will shake. The cries of alarm will be heard as far away as the Gulf of Aqaba. 22 The enemy will attack Bozrah like an eagle swooping down with outspread wings. On that day Edom's soldiers will be as frightened as a woman in labor. 23 This is what Jehovah said about Damascus: The people in the cities of Hamath and Arpad are worried and troubled because they have heard bad news. Anxiety rolls over them like a sea, and they cannot rest. 24 “The people of Damascus are weak and have fled in terror. They are in pain and misery like a woman in labor. 25 “I once was pleased with your famous city. But now I warn you: Escape while you still can! 26 “Soon, even your best soldiers will lie dead in your streets. I the all-powerful Jehovah have spoken. 27 “I will set fire to your city walls and burn down the fortresses King Benhadad built.” 28 This is what Jehovah says about the Kedar tribe and the desert villages that were conquered by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia: “Listen, you people of Kedar and the other tribes of the eastern* desert. I have told Nebuchadnezzar to attack and destroy you. 29 “His fearsome army will surround you. They will take your tents and possessions, your sheep and camels. 30 “Run and hide, you people of the desert who live in villages! Nebuchadnezzar has big plans for you. 31 “You have no city walls and no neighbors to help. You think you are safe. Therefore I told him to attack. 32 “Your camels and large herds will be yours no longer. People of the Arabian Desert, disaster will strike you from every side, and you will be scattered everywhere on earth. 282 33 “Hazor will be a place where only jackals live. It will become a permanent wasteland. No one will live there. No human will stay there.” 34 Early in the rule of King Zedekiah of Judah, Jehovah spoke his word to the prophet Jeremiah about Elam. 35 “This is what Jehovah of Hosts says: „I am going to break the bows of Elam's archers, the most important weapon of their strength. 36 “„I will bring the four winds from the four corners of heaven against Elam and scatter its people in every direction. There will not be a nation where Elam's refugees will not go. 37 “„I will defeat the people of Elam in the presence of their enemies, in the presence of those who want to kill them. I will bring disaster with my burning anger,‟ declares Jehovah. „I will send armies after them until I put an end to them. 38 “„I will set my throne in Elam and destroy its king and officials,‟declares Jehovah. 39 “„Afterward, I will return the captives of Elam,‟” declares Jehovah. Simplified Bible Dictionary *49:28 eastern desert, orientals: The people who lived beyond the boundary of Israel to the east, northeast and southeast including Arabia were considered by the Hebrew writers as Orientals. (Genesis 25:6) (Jeremiah 49:28) Job is considered “the greatest (richest) of all the Orientals.” (Job 1:3) The Orientals were noted for their wisdom. Jeremiah 50 1 The word Jehovah spoke concerning BABYLON, the land of the Chaldeans, through Jeremiah the prophet: 2 “Declare and proclaim among the nations. Proclaim it and lift up a standard. Do not conceal it but say: „Babylon has been captured. Bel has been put to shame. Marduk* has been shattered! Her images have been put to shame and her idols have been shattered.‟ 283 3 “A nation has come up against her out of the north. It will make her land an object of horror. There will be no inhabitant in it. Both man and beast wander off. They have gone away! 4 “In those days and at that time,” declares Jehovah, “the sons of Israel will come. Both they and the sons of Judah will go along weeping as they go. They will seek Jehovah their God. 5 “They will ask for the way to Zion turning their faces in its direction. They will come to join themselves to Jehovah in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten. 6 “My people have become lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray. They have made them turn aside on the mountains. They have gone along from mountain to hill and have forgotten their resting place. 7 “All who came upon them have devoured them. Their adversaries said: „We are not guilty. They have sinned against Jehovah who is the habitation of righteousness, Even Jehovah, the hope of their fathers.‟ 8 “Wander away from the midst of Babylon. Go forth from the land of the Chaldeans. Be also like male goats at the head of the flock. 9 “I am going to stir up an alliance of strong nations from the north and bring it against Babylon. Those nations will take up positions against Babylon. Babylon will be captured from the north. Its enemy's arrows will be like skilled soldiers who don't come back empty-handed. 10 “The Babylonians will become the prize. All who loot them will get everything they want,” declares Jehovah. 11 “You are happy and excited. You have looted the people who belong to me. You dance around like calves on the grass and neigh like stallions. 12 “But your mother will be greatly ashamed. The woman who gave birth to you will be disgraced. Babylon, you will be the least important nation. You will become a parched desert. 13 “No one will live in Babylon because of Jehovah‟s anger. It will be completely abandoned. Everyone who passes by Babylon will be horrified and hiss at all its wounds. 284 14 “Take up your positions around Babylon, all you archers with bows. Shoot at it and do not save any arrows. For the people of Babylon have sinned against Jehovah. 15 “Shout a war cry against them on every side. They will surrender. Their towers will fall and their walls will be torn down. Since this is Jehovah‟s vengeance, take revenge against them. Do to them what they did to others. 16 “Do not allow anyone in Babylon to plant or harvest. Everyone will turn to his own people and flee to his own homeland because of the enemies' swords. 17 “The people of Israel are like scattered sheep that lions have chased. The first to devour them was the king of Assyria. The last to gnaw at their bones was King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. 18 “This is what Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: „I am going to punish the king of Babylon and his land as I punished the king of Assyria. 19 “„I will bring the people of Israel back to their pastures. They will eat on Mount Carmel and Mount Bashan. They will eat until they are full on the mountains of Ephraim and Gilead. 20 “„In those days and at that time,” says Jehovah, “people will look for Israel's crimes, but they will find none. They will look for Judah's sins, but none will be found. I will forgive the faithful few whom I have spared. 21 “Attack the land of Merathaim* and the people who live in Pekod. Claim them for me by killing them with a sword, says Jehovah. Do everything I commanded you. 22 “The noise of battle and great destruction fills the land. 23 “The hammer of the whole earth is broken and shattered. See how desolate Babylon is of all the nations! 24 “I will set traps for you, Babylon. You will be caught, but you will not know it. You will be found and captured because you have opposed Jehovah.” 25 Jehovah will open his armory and bring out the weapons of his fury, because Jehovah of Hosts has a job to do in the land of the Babylonians. 285 26 Attack them from a distance, open their storehouses, pile up their corpses like piles of grain, claim them for me by destroying them, and do not leave anyone behind. 27 Kill all their young bulls. Let them go to be slaughtered. How horrible it will be for them when their time has come, the time for them to be punished. 28 Fugitives and refugees from Babylon are coming to Zion to tell about the vengeance of Jehovah our God, the vengeance for his temple. 29 “Call together the archers, the soldiers with bows, against Babylon. Set up blockades around it. Do not let anyone escape. Pay the people of Babylon back for what they have done. Do to them what they did to others. They have disobeyed Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel. 30 “That is why their young men will die in the streets, and all their soldiers will be silenced that day, declares Jehovah. 31 “I am against you, you arrogant city, declares the Lord Jehovah of Hosts. “Your day has come, the time when I will punish you. 32 “Those prideful people will stumble and fall, and there will be no one to help them get up. I will light a fire in their cities that will burn up everything around them.” 33 Jehovah of Hosts says: “All the people of Israel and Judah are oppressed. All their enemies have captured them. They refuse to let them go. 34 “Their defender is strong. His name is Jehovah of Hosts. He will certainly take up their cause in order to bring rest to the land of Israel and unrest to the people who live in Babylon. 35 “A sword will kill the Babylonians and everyone who lives in Babylon,” declares Jehovah. “A sword will kill their officials and their wise men. 36 “A sword will kill the false prophets. They will become fools. A sword will kill their soldiers and defeat them. 37 “A sword will kill their horses, their chariots, and all the foreigners within their ranks. They will become women. A sword will destroy their treasures, and they will be looted. 38 “A drought will diminish their water supply, and it will dry up. Babylon is a land of idols, statues that will go crazy with fear. 286 39 “That is why desert animals will live with hyenas. Desert owls will also live there. It will no longer be inhabited or lived in for generations. 40 “Babylon will be like Sodom and Gomorrah, and their neighboring cities when I, God, destroyed them. No one will live there. No human will stay there, proclaims Jehovah. 41 “People are going to come from the north. A great nation and many kings will rise from the ends of the earth. 42 “They will take hold of bows and spears. They will be cruel and have no compassion. They will sound like the sea when it roars. They will ride horses. They are ready for war, ready to attack you, people of Babylon. 43 “The king of Babylon has heard reports about them, and he loses courage. Anguish will grip him as pain grips a woman in labor. 44 “I will suddenly chase them from their places like a lion coming out of the jungle along the Jordan River into pastureland. I will appoint over Babylon whomever I choose. Who is like me? Who can challenge me? Is there any leader who can stand up to me?” 45 Listen to what Jehovah is going to do against Babylon and the things he intends to do to the land of the Babylonians. He will surely drag away the little ones of the flock. He will surely destroy the pasture because of the Babylonians. 46 The earth will quake at the news, “Babylon has been captured!” Its cry will be heard among the nations. Simplified Bible Dictionary *50:2 Merdach, Marduk: Merodach is the Hebrew spelling for the most important Babylonian god, Marduk. Marduk was shattered at the time of Babylon‟s downfall. (Jeremiah 50:2) The son of the king of Babylon was named Merodach-Baladan after this god. (Isaiah 39:1) (2 Kings 25:27) The kings of Babylon venerated the image of Merodach at his temple. They were not installed by coronation but became kings by taking hold of the hand of Merodach. They repeated the ceremony each year at the New Year‟s festival. The prophet Jeremiah 287 foretold that Merodach (Marduk) would be shattered and it happened as the Babylonian empire lost power and dignity. *50:21 Merathaim: The term Merathaim applies to Babylon or a territory in Babylonia. (Jeremiah 50: 21, 23, 24 0 It may also apply to the area on the Persian Gulf where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers enter into it. It comes from the Hebrew word “ma-rah‟” and means be rebellious. The word Merathaim may call attention to the intensity of Babylon‟s rebellion. Its founder Nimrod put Babylon on an openly rebellious course against God. (Genesis 10:8-10) Jeremiah 51 1 Jehovah says: “I am bringing a destructive wind against Babylon and its people. 2 “I will send foreigners to destroy Babylon like a wind that blows straw away. When that day of destruction comes, they will attack from every side and leave the land bare. 3 “Do not give its soldiers time to shoot their arrows or to put on their armor. Do not spare the young men! Destroy the whole army! 4 “They will be wounded and die in the streets of their cities. 5 I, the Lord Jehovah, have not abandoned Israel and Judah, even though they have sinned against me, the Holy One of Israel. 6 “Run away from Babylon! Run for your lives! Do not be killed because of Babylon's sin. I am now taking my revenge. I am punishing it as it deserves. 7 “Babylon was like a gold cup in my hand, making the whole world drunk. The nations drank its wine and went out of their minds. 8 “Babylon has suddenly fallen and is destroyed! Mourn over it! Get medicine for its wounds, and maybe it can be healed.” 9 “Foreigners living there said: „We tried to help Babylon, but it was too late. Let us leave now and go back home. God has punished Babylon with all his might and has destroyed it completely.‟” 288 10 Jehovah says: “My people shout, Jehovah has shown that we are in the right. Let us go and tell the people in Jerusalem what Jehovah our God has done.” 11 “Jehovah has stirred up the kings of Media, because he intends to destroy Babylon. That is how he will take revenge for the destruction of his Temple. The attacking officers command: Sharpen your arrows! Get your shields ready! 12 “Give the signal to attack Babylon's walls.* Strengthen the guard!* Post the sentries! Place troops in ambush! Jehovah has done what he said he would do to the people of Babylon.” 13 “That country has many rivers and rich treasures. Yet its time is up, and its thread of life is cut. 14 Jehovah has sworn by his own life: “I will bring many men to attack Babylon like a swarm of locusts, and they will shout with victory.” 15 Jehovah made the earth by his power. By his wisdom he created the world and stretched out the heavens. 16 When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens. He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses. 17 All mankind is stupid and devoid of knowledge. Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. His molten images are deceitful, and there is no breath in them. 18 They are worthless, a work of mockery. In the time of their punishment they will perish. 19 The portion of Jacob is not like these. He is the maker of all and of the tribe of his inheritance. Jehovah of Hosts is his name. 20 He says: “You are my war-club, my weapon of war. I shatter nations with you and with you I destroy kingdoms. 21 “I will use you to crush horses and their riders. I will use you to crush chariots and their drivers. 22 “I will use you to crush men and women. I will use you to crush the old and the young. I will use you to crush young men and women. 23 “I will use you to crush shepherds and their flocks. I will use you to crush farmers and their oxen. I will use you to crush governors and officials. 289 24 “In your presence I will pay back Babylon and all the people who live in Babylon for all the evil things that they did in Zion,” proclaims Jehovah. 25 “I am against you, Babylon, you destructive mountain. You have destroyed the whole earth,” declares Jehovah. “I will use my power against you and roll you off the cliffs, and make you a scorched mountain. 26 “People will not find any stones in you to use as a cornerstone. They will not find any stones in you to use for a foundation. You will become permanent ruins,” declares Jehovah. 27 Raise your battle flag throughout the world. Blow the ram's horn among the nations. Prepare nations to attack Babylon. Tell the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni,* and Ashkenaz* to attack it. Appoint a commander to lead the attack. Bring up horses like a swarm of locusts. 28 Prepare nations to attack Babylon. Prepare the king of the Medes, their governors, all their deputies, and all the countries that they rule. 29 The earth trembles and writhes in pain. Jehovah carries out his plans against Babylon to make Babylon a wasteland so that no one will live there. 30 The warriors of Babylon have stopped fighting. They stay in their fortified cities. Their strength has failed. They have become women. Their buildings are set on fire. The bars across their gates are broken. 31 Runners* run to meet runners. Messengers* follow messengers. They inform the king of Babylon that his entire city is captured. 32 The river crossings have been taken. The enemy has burned its marshes, and its soldiers are terrified. 33 “I am the All-Powerful Jehovah, the God of Israel, and I make this promise: Soon Babylon will be leveled and packed down like a threshing place at harvest time. 34 “The people of Jerusalem say: King Nebuchadnezzar made us panic. That monster (big snake*) filled up with our treasures, leaving us empty. He gobbled down what he wanted and spit out the rest. 290 35 “The people of Babylon harmed some of us and killed others. Now Jehovah will make them pay. 36 Therefore Jehovah says: “I am going to plead your case and exact full vengeance for you. I will dry up her sea and make her fountain dry. 37 “Babylon will become a heap of ruins, a haunt of jackals, an object of horror and hissing, without inhabitants. 38 “They will roar together like young lions. They will growl like lions' cubs. 39 “When they become heated up, I will serve them their banquet and make them drunk, that they may become jubilant. Then they may sleep a perpetual sleep and not wake up, declares Jehovah. 40 “I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams together with male goats. 41 “How Sheshak has been captured, and the praise of the whole earth been seized! How Babylon has become an object of horror among the nations! 42 “The sea has come up over Babylon. She has been engulfed with its tumultuous waves. 43 “Her cities have become an object of horror, a parched land and a desert, a land in which no man lives and through which no son of man passes. 44 “I will punish Bel in Babylon. I will make Bel spit out everything that it has swallowed. Nations will no longer stream to Babylon. Its walls will fall. 45 “Get out of her, my people! Run for your lives! Run from the burning anger of Jehovah. 46 “Do not lose courage or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land. One rumor comes one year; another rumor comes the next year. Rumors of violence are in the land. Rumors that one ruler will fight against another are in the land. 47 That is why the days are coming when I will punish Babylon's idols. The whole country will be put to shame, and all its soldiers will lie dead. 48 “Then heaven and earth and everything in them will rejoice over Babylon. Destroyers from the north will attack it,” declares Jehovah. 291 49 Because the people of Babylon have killed many Israelites and because they have killed many people throughout the earth, Babylon must fall. 50 You people escaped from the sword. Now leave! Do not just stand there. Remember Jehovah in a distant land and think about Jerusalem. 51 We have been put to shame. We have been disgraced. Shame covers our faces, because foreigners have gone into the holy places of Jehovah‟s temple. 52 “That is why the days are coming,” declares Jehovah, “when I will punish their idols, and those who are wounded will moan everywhere in the land. 53 “The people of Babylon might go up to heaven. They might fortify their strongholds. But destroyers will still come from me against them,” declares Jehovah. 54 Cries of agony are heard from Babylon. Sounds of terrible destruction are heard from the land of the Babylonians. 55 Jehovah will destroy Babylon. He will silence the loud noise coming from it. Waves of enemies will come roaring in like raging water. The noise will be heard everywhere. 56 A destroyer will attack Babylon, its soldiers will be captured, and their bows and arrows will be broken. I Jehovah am a God who punishes evil. I will certainly punish them. 57 “I will make their officials and wise men drunk, along with their governors,* officers, and soldiers. They will fall into a deep sleep and never wake up,” proclaims the king, whose name is Jehovah of Hosts. 58 This is what Jehovah of Hosts says: The thick walls of Babylon will be leveled, and its high gates will be set on fire. People exhaust themselves for nothing. The nations wear themselves out only to have a fire. 59 This is the message that the prophet Jeremiah gave to Seraiah, son of Neriah and grandson of Mahseiah, when Seraiah went to Babylon with King Zedekiah of Judah in the fourth year of Zedekiah's rule. Seraiah was the quartermaster. 60 Jeremiah wrote on a scroll all the disasters that would happen to Babylon. He wrote all these things that have been written about Babylon. 292 61 Jeremiah said to Seraiah: “When you come to Babylon, see that you read all this. 62 Then says: „Jehovah, you have threatened to destroy this place so that no person or animal will live here. It will become a permanent ruin.‟ 63 “When you finish reading this scroll, tie a stone to it and throw it into the middle of the Euphrates River. 64 “Say: „Babylon will sink like this scroll. It will never rise again because of the disasters that I will bring on it.‟” The words of Jeremiah end here. Simplified Bible Dictionary *51:12 watchman: A watchman is a guard who keeps watch against possible harm to persons or property. In military service a watchman is call a guard or sentry. (Jeremiah 51:12) (Acts 12:6; 28:16) Watchmen were usually stationed on the city walls and towers. (2 Samuel 18:24-27) (2 Kings 9:17-20) Christians are sometimes compared to watchmen who are required to warn others of impending dangers that could lead to spiritual death. (Ezekiel Chapter 9, 18) *51:12 watchtower: Watchtowers were lookout posts built above city walls. Watchmen stationed themselves there to watch for trouble and warn the people. (2 Chronicles 20:24) (Isaiah 21:8; 32:14) *51:27 Ashkenaz, the kingdom: Three kingdoms were instructed to ally themselve together to do battle with Babylon at the time of her downfall in 539 B.C.E. They were Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz.. (Jeremiah 51:27) Ashkenaz was located north of the area between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. *51:27 Minni: This ancient kingdom was divinely summoned to fight against Babylon. Minni was allied with the Ararat and Ashkenaz kingdoms under control of Cyrus. (Jeremiah 51:2729) 293 *51:31 courier, messenger, runner: A courier or runner was someone who was selected to deliver royal decrees and other urgent correspondence from a king to distant areas. The Hebrew word ra-tsim‟ means runner. (2 Chronicles 30:6, 10) (Jeremiah 51:31) Fast horses were used to carry messages in the Persian Empire. (Esther 3:13-15; 8:10, 14) *51:31 God‟s Angels, Messengers: A messenger is a person, human or spirit being, who delivers a message. The message can be written or oral. (Genesis 32:3-6) (Judges 6:34, 35) (2 Samuel 5:11) (1 Kings 19:2) (Luke 7:18-24; 9:52) Runners often served as messengers. (2 Chronicles 30:6-10) (Jeremiah 51:31) Messengers were also dispatched on horses. (2 Kings 9:17-19) (Esther 8:10-14) The Hebrew and the Greek words for messenger refer to spirit messengers such as angels. (Psalm 104:4) (John 1:51) Jesus Christ is identified as the messenger of the covenant. (Matthew 11:10, 11) (Mark 1:1-4) (Luke 7:27, 28) It is very likely that Jesus Christ was the messenger of the Abrahamic covenant. That would explain why he preached to the Jews first, since they were beneficiaries of that covenant. (Matthew 10:5-7; 15:24; 21:31) (Luke 1:69-75) (Acts 3:12, 19-26) *51:34 big snake, great monster: The Hebrew word “tannin‟” is generally translated sea monster or great monster. (Ezekiel 29:3; 32:2) It is call big snake when not mentioned with the sea or water. (Jeremiah 51:34) (Exodus 4:2, 3; 7:9, 12) The term is also used in reference to Rahab, Egypt and Pharaoh. (Psalms 74:13) (Isaiah 30:7; 51:9) (Ezekiel 29:3; 32:2) *51:57 governors: Most of the major powers of Bible times had rulers similar to governors. They were either local native rulers or governors who controlled occupied territories. Nations that had governors included: Syria, 1 Kings 20:24; Assyria, Ezekiel 23:5,6, 12, 23; Persia, Ezra 8:36, Nehemiah 2:7, 9; Babylon, Jeremiah 51:57; and Rome, Luke 3:1. Judea was an imperial province under Roman rule. The governors there were responsible to the emperor for their actions. Pilate 294 was the fifth of the line of governors of Judea. (Matthew 27:2) (Luke 3:1) The Roman governors were authorized to order capital punishment. This was the case with Pilate, who judged Jesus Christ. (Matthew 27:11-14) (John 19:10) Christians are to show relative subjection to the rulers of the land. (Romans 13:1-7) (Titus 3:1) (1 Peter 2:13, 14) (Acts 4:19, 20) Jeremiah 52 1 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to rule. He ruled for eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal,* daughter of Jeremiah from Libnah. 2 Zedekiah did what Jehovah considered evil, as Jehoiakim had done. 3 Jehovah became angry at Jerusalem and Judah and threw the people out of his sight. Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 4 On the tenth day of the tenth month of the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked Jerusalem with his entire army. They set up camp and built dirt ramps around the city walls. 5 The blockade of the city lasted until Zedekiah's eleventh year as king. 6 On the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city became so severe that the common people had no food. 7 The enemy broke through the city walls, and all Judah's soldiers fled. They left the city at night through the gate between the two walls beside the king's garden. While the Babylonians were attacking the city from all sides, they took the road to the plain of Jericho. 8 The Babylonian army pursued King Zedekiah and caught up with him in the plain of Jericho. His entire army had deserted him. 9 The Babylonians captured the king and brought him to the king of Babylon at Riblah* in Hamath. The king of Babylon passed sentence on him there. 10 The king of Babylon slaughtered Zedekiah's sons as Zedekiah watched. He also slaughtered all the officials of Judah at Riblah. 295 11 Then he blinded Zedekiah and put him in bronze shackles. The king of Babylon took him to Babylon and put him in a prison, where he stayed until he died. 12 On the tenth day of the fifth month of Nebuchadnezzar's nineteenth year as king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan, who was the captain of the guard and an officer of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. 13 He burned down Jehovah‟s Temple, the royal palace, and all the houses in Jerusalem. Every important building was burned down. 14 The entire Babylonian army that was with the captain of the guard tore down the walls around Jerusalem. 15 Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, captured the few people left in the city, those who surrendered to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the population. 16 Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, left some of the poorest people in the land to work in the vineyards and on the farms. 17 The Babylonians broke apart the copper pillars of Jehovah‟s Temple, the stands, and the copper pool in Jehovah‟s Temple. They shipped all the copper to Babylon. 18 they took the pots, shovels, snuffers,* bowls, dishes, and all the copper utensils used in the Temple service. 19 The captain of the guard also took pans, incense burners, bowls, pots, lamp stands, dishes, and the bowls used for wine offerings. The captain of the guard took all of the trays and bowls that were made of gold or silver. 20 The copper from the two pillars, the pool, and the twelve copper bulls under the stands that King Solomon had made for Jehovah‟s Temple could not be weighed. 21 One pillar was twenty-seven feet high and eighteen feet in circumference. It was three inches thick and hollow. 22 The crown that was on it was seven and one half feet high with filigree and pomegranates around it. They were all made of copper. The second pillar was the same. It also had pomegranates. 23 There were ninety-six pomegranates on the sides. The total number of pomegranates on the surrounding filigree was one hundred. 296 24 The captain of the guard took the chief priest Seraiah, the second priest Zephaniah, and the three doorkeepers. 25 From the city he also took an army commander, seven men who had access to the king whom he found in the city, the scribe who was in charge of the militia, and sixty common people whom he found in the city. 26 Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. 27 The king of Babylon executed them at Riblah in the territory of Hamath. So the people of Judah were captives as they left their land. 28 These are the people whom Nebuchadnezzar took captive: In his seventh year as king, he took three thousand and twenty-three Jews. 29 In his eighteenth year, Nebuchadnezzar took eight hundred and thirty-two people from Jerusalem. 30 In Nebuchadnezzar's twenty-third year as king, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, took away seven hundred and forty-five Jews. In all, four thousand six hundred people were taken away. 31 On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month of the thirtyseventh year of the imprisonment of King Jehoiakin of Judah, King Evil Merodach of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, freed King Jehoiakin of Judah and released him from prison. 32 He treated him well and gave him a special position higher than the other kings who were with him in Babylon. 33 Jehoiakin no longer wore prison clothes, and he ate his meals in the king's presence as long as he lived. 34 The king of Babylon gave him a daily food allowance as long as he lived. Simplified Bible Dictionary *52:1 Hamutal: This lady was the daughter of Jeremiah from Libnah. She was the wife of King Josiah and both of her sons, Jehoahaz and Mattaniah (Zedekiah) reigned as kings over Judah. (2 Kings 23:30, 31; 24:17, 18) (Jeremiah 52:1) 297 *52:9 Riblah: This town was in northern Israel in the “land of Hamath.” (Jeremiah 52:9) There are ruins near modern Ribleh along the east bank of the Orontes River that could be the location of the old town of Riblah. A number of Bible scholars conclude that the “Diblah” at Ezekiel 6:14 should read “Riblah.” The Riblah on the eastern boundary of Canaan is an unidentified location. (Numbers 34:2, 10, 11) *52:18 snuffers: The Hebrew word mezam-me‟reth means snuffer and trimmer. It was a tool made of gold or copper that was used in connection with the services at the temple. It wqas used to snuff out the flame on candles. (Exodus 25:37, 38) (Numbers 4:9) (1 Kings 7:50) (2 Kings 12:13; 25:14) (2 Chronicles 4:22) (Jeremiah 52:18) New Simplified Bible Research Version LAMENTATIONS: A lamentation is a cry of sorrow and grief. The Book of Lamentations is just that, a cry of sorrow. Septuagint translators called the book “Threnoi” meaning dirges. Jerome‟s Latin Vulgate calls it Lamentationes, which is the root for the English name Lamentations LAMENTATIONS (WRITER: JEREMIAH) (607 B.C.E.) (TETRAGRAMMATON: YHWH IS SOMETIMES TRANSLATED JEHOVAH, YAHWEH, YAHOWAH, YAHUWAH, OR LORD DEPENDING ON TRANSLATOR‟S THEOLOGY) Lamentations 1 1 She sits alone. She was a town full of people! Once great among the nations she has become like a widow! She who was a princess among the countries has come under the yoke of forced labor! 2 She weeps bitterly in the night. Her cheeks are wet from crying. Her lovers offer no comfort. Her friends have been false to her. They have become her enemies. 298 3 Judah has been taken away as a prisoner because of trouble and hard work. She dwells among the nations. There is no rest for her. Her attackers have overtaken her in the midst of her distress. 4 The roads to Zion are sad. No one comes to the holy meeting. All her doorways are desolate. Her priests are sighing out of sorrow. Her virgins are troubled, and it is bitter for her. 5 Her enemies are at ease and her foes have become her masters. Jehovah (YHWH) sends her sorrow because of the great number of her sins. Young children have gone away as prisoners before the attacker. 6 Glory has gone from the daughter of Zion! Her rulers are like stags with no place to eat. They flee without strength from their attacker. 7 Jerusalem remembers in her days of sorrow and of her wanderings, all the desired things that were hers in the past. When her people were captive to the power of her adversary she had no helper. Her attackers desired her and made fun of her in her destruction. 8 Great is the sin of Jerusalem! For this cause she has become an unclean thing. Those who gave her honor are looking down on her. They see her shame. Now truly, sighing out grief, she turns back. 9 In her skirts were her unclean ways. She did not think of the future. Her fall has been a wonder. She has no comforter: “See her sorrow, O Jehovah, for the enemy is lifted up.” 10 The hand of her enemies is stretched out over all her desired things. She sees the nations come into her holy place. Whom you gave orders that they were not to come into the meeting of your people. 11 Her people are sighing and looking for bread. They have given their desired things for something to eat to give them life. “See, O Jehovah, and take note. She has become a thing of shame.” 12 “Come to me all you who go by, keep your eyes on me! See if there is any pain like the pain of my wound. For Jehovah has sent it to me in the day of his burning anger. 299 13 “He sends fire into my bones from on high. It overcomes them. His net is stretched out for my feet. He turns me back. He made me waste and feeble all the day. 14 “He keeps watch on my sins. They are joined together by his hand, they have come on to my neck; he makes my strength give way. Jehovah gives me into the hands of those against whom I have no power. 15 “Jehovah makes fun of my men of war. He gathers men against me to send destruction on my young men. The virgin daughter of Judah has been crushed like grapes under the feet of Jehovah. 16 “For these things I weep. My eye streams with water because the comforter who might give me new life is far from me. My children are desolate because the enemy is strong.” 17 Zion‟s hands are outstretched. She has no comforter. Jehovah gave orders to the attackers of Jacob round about him: Jerusalem is an unclean (abhorrent) thing among them. 18 “Jehovah is upright. I have rebelled against him. Listen all you people and see my pain. My virgins and my young men are taken away as prisoners. 19 “I sent for my lovers, but they were false to me. My priests and my responsible men are dying. They look for food to give them new life. 20 “See, O Jehovah, I am in trouble. The inmost parts of my body are deeply moved. My heart is turned in me for I have been rebellious. Outside the children are put to the sword, and in the house there is death. 21 Listen to the voice of my grief. I have no comforter. All my enemies have news of my troubles. They are glad because you did it. Let the day come when they will be like me. 22 “Let all their badness come before you. Do to them as you have done to me for all my sins: for loud is the sound of my grief, and the strength of my heart is gone.” Lamentations 2 1 In his anger Jehovah covered Zion with clouds of darkness. He changed its heavenly splendor into ruins. On the day of his anger he abandoned even his footstool. 300 2 Without mercy Jehovah destroyed every village in Judah. He tore down the forts that defended the land. He brought disgrace on the kingdom and its rulers. 3 In his burning anger he cut down every horn (strength) (power) of Israel. He turned his right hand back from before the enemy. He has put a fire in Jacob devouring and destroying all around. 4 He bends his bow for the attack. He takes his place with his hand ready. In his hate he puts to death all those pleasing to the eye in the tent of the daughter of Zion. He poured out his rage just like fire. 5 Jehovah has become like an enemy fighting against her, sending destruction on Israel. He has sent destruction on all her great houses, turning his strong places into waste. He increases the grief and the sorrow of the daughter of Judah. 6 He violently takes away his tent, as from a garden. And he lays waste his meeting-place. Jehovah has taken away the memory of feast and Sabbath in Zion. In the passion of his wrath he is against king and priest. 7 Jehovah rejected his altar and disowned his holy place. He gave up into the hands of the attacker the walls of her great houses. Their voices have been loud in the house of Jehovah as in the day of a holy meeting. 8 It is Jehovah‟s purpose to turn the wall of the daughter of Zion into waste. His line has been stretched out. He has not kept back his hand from destruction. He has sent sorrow on tower and wall. They have become feeble together. 9 Her gates have gone down into the earth. He destroyed her locks and bars. Her king and her princes are among the nations where there is no law. Her prophets have had no vision from Jehovah. 10 The elders of the daughter of Zion are seated on the earth and keep silent. They throw dust on their heads. They are clothed in sackcloth. The heads of the virgins of Jerusalem are brought down to the earth. 11 My eyes fail from weeping. I am in torment. My heart is pulled out of me to the ground because my people are destroyed. Because of the young children and babies at the 301 breast who are falling without strength in the open squares of the town. 12 They say to their mothers: “Where is grain and wine?” When they are falling like the wounded in the open squares of the town. Their life is drained out while on their mother‟s breast. 13 What example am I to give you? What comparison am I to make for you, O daughter of Jerusalem? What am I to make equal to you, so that I may give you comfort, O virgin daughter of Zion? Your destruction is great like the sea. Who is able to make you well? 14 The visions your prophets have seen for you are false and foolish! They have not made you fully aware of your sin so your fate might be changed. They have seen for you false words, driving you away. 15 All who go by make a noise with their hands at you. They make hisses, shaking their heads at the daughter of Jerusalem. They say: “Is this the town that was the crown of everything beautiful, the joy of all the earth?” 16 All your enemies are opening their mouths wide against you. They hiss and whistle through their teeth and say: “We have made a meal of her. Certainly this is the day we have been looking for. It has come and we see it.” 17 Jehovah accomplished his purpose. He accomplished what he said he would with the orders he gave in the days that are past. He tore down and shows no compassion. He causes your enemies to rejoice. He lifted up the horn (power) of your adversaries. 18 Let your cry go up to Jehovah: “O wall of the daughter of Zion let your weeping be flowing down like a stream day and night. Give yourself no rest. Do not let your eyes hold back the drops of sorrow. 19 “Rise up! Cry out in the night at the beginning of the night watches. Let your heart be flowing out like water before the face of Jehovah. Lift up your hands to him for the life of your young children who are falling down starving in every street.” 20 Look, O Jehovah! Why are you punishing us like this? Women are eating the bodies of the children they loved! Priests and prophets are killed in the Temple! 302 21 Both young and old lie dead in the streets. Enemy swords kill young men and women. You slaughtered them without mercy on the day of your anger. 22 You invited my enemies to hold a festival of terror all around me. No one could escape on that day of your anger. They murdered my children, whom I had raised and loved. Lamentations 3 1 I am the man who has seen trouble by the rod of his fury. 2 By him I have been made to go in the dark and not in the light. 3 Truly against me his hand has been turned again and again all day long. 4 My flesh and my skin have been used up by him and my bones broken. 5 He built a wall against me, shutting me in with hardship and bitter sorrow. 6 He kept me in dark places, like those who have been dead a long time. 7 He built a wall around me so that I am unable to go out. He made a heavy chain for me. 8 Even when I send up a cry for help, he shuts out my prayer. 9 He blocked my way with cut stones. He twisted my roadways. 10 He is like a bear waiting for me, like a lion in secret places. 11 He has turned me on one side. I have been pulled to bits and lay desolate. 12 With his bow bent, he made me the target for his arrows. 13 He has let fly his arrows into the inmost parts of my body. 14 I have become the laughingstock of all the peoples. I am their mocking song all the day. 15 He has made my life nothing but pain. He gives me bitterness in full measure. 16 He broke my teeth with crushed stones. I am bent low in the dust. 17 Peace has been removed far away from me. I do not remember what good is. 18 I said: “My strength is cut off, and my hope from Jehovah.” 303 19 Remember my trouble and my wandering, the bitterroot and the poison. 20 Remember and bow (bend) (come down to my level) down deep within me. 21 I remember this and I have hope. 22 We have not come to destruction because of Jehovah‟s loving kindness. His mercies are without end. 23 They are new every morning. Your faithfulness is abundant. 24 I said to myself, “Jehovah is my heritage. For this reason I will hope in him.” 25 Jehovah is good to those who are waiting for him, to the person seeking him. 26 It is good to go on hoping and quietly waiting for the salvation of Jehovah. 27 It is good for a man to carry the yoke when he is young. 28 Let him sit by himself and keep silent because he has laid it on him. 29 Let him put his mouth in the dust for perhaps there exists hope. 30 Let his face be turned to him who gives him blows; let him be full of shame. 31 Jehovah does not give a man up for a very long time. 32 For though he sends grief, still he will have pity in the full measure of his love. 33 He takes no pleasure in troubling and causing grief to the children of men, it is not within his heart. 34 A man crushes under his feet all the prisoners of the earth. 35 He turns away the judgment of a man before the face of the Most High. 36 Jehovah would not seek to deprive a man of justice. 37 Who is able to say something should occur if Jehovah has not ordered it. 38 Do not calamities and good things come from the mouth of the Most High? 39 What protest may a living man make? Can a man protest about the punishment for his sin? 40 Let us search and put our ways to the test. Let us turn again to Jehovah. 304 41 Let us lift up our hearts along with our hands to God in heaven. 42 For we have done wrong. We have rebelled against your law. We have not received your forgiveness. 43 You blocked our approach to you with anger. You have slain us without compassion. 44 You covered yourself with a cloud, so that prayer may not pass through. 45 You made us like waste and that for which there is no use, among the peoples. 46 The mouths of all our enemies are open wide against us. 47 Fear and deep waters have come on us with devastation and destruction. 48 Rivers of water run down from my eyes because pf the destruction of the daughter of my people. 49 My eyes stream without stopping. They have no rest. 50 Jehovah looks down and sees from heaven. 51 My eyes bring me pain because of all the daughters of my town. 52 My enemies hunt for me just as if I was a bird. 53 They sentence my life to prison and keep hurling stones at me. 54 Waters were flowing over my head; I said: “I am cut off.” 55 I called out your name in prayer, O Jehovah, out of the lowest prison. 56 My voice came to you, “Do not shut your ear to my relief, to my cry!” 57 You came near in the day when I offered my prayer to you. You said: “Have no fear.” 58 O Jehovah, you have taken up my cause. You made my life safe. 59 O Jehovah, you saw the wrong done to me. Do conduct the judgment for me! 60 You saw all the evil they did to me and all their designs against me. 61 Their bitter words have come to your ears, O Jehovah, and all their designs against me. 62 You saw the lips of those who came up against me, and their thoughts against me all the day. 305 63 Take note of them when they are seated and when they get up. I am their mockery of song. 64 You will give them their reward, O Jehovah. Answer the work of their hands. 65 You will cover their hearts with your curse on them. 66 You will go after them in anger and annihilate them from under the heavens of Jehovah. Lamentations 4 1 How dark the gold has become! How changed is the best gold! The stones of the holy place are dropping out at the top of every street. 2 The valued sons of Zion are valued like the best gold. They are looked on as vessels of earth, the work of the hands of the potter! 3 Even the jackals of the wasteland have full breasts and give milk to their young ones. The daughter of my people has become cruel like the ostriches in the wasteland. 4 The tongue of the child at the breast is fixed to the roof of his mouth for need of drink. The young children cry out for bread, and no man gives it to them. 5 Those used to feasting on delicate food are wasted in the streets. Those who as children were dressed in purple are stretched out on the dust. 6 The punishment of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of Sodom, which was overturned suddenly without a hand lifted to help her. 7 Her holy ones were cleaner than snow. They were whiter than milk. Their bodies were redder than corals. Their form was like the sapphire. 8 Their face is blacker than night. In the streets no one has knowledge of them. Their skin is hanging on their bones, and they are dry, they have become like wood. 9 Those killed by the sword are better off than those who died of starvation. For these die slowly and waste away from lack of food from the field. 10 The hands of compassionate women have boiled their own children. They were their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people. 306 11 Jehovah has given full vent to his rage. He has poured out his burning anger. He set a fire in Zion causing the destruction of its foundation. 12 To the kings of the earth and to all the people of the world it did not seem possible that the attackers and the enemy would enter the gates of Jerusalem. 13 It is because of the sins of her prophets and the evil doing of her priests. They have drained the blood of the upright out from her. 14 They are wandering like blind men in the streets. They are polluted with blood. Men may not touch their robes. 15 “Get away! Unclean!” They were cried out to them, “Away! Away! Let no one touch.” They went away in flight and wandering, men said among the nations, “There is no further resting-place for them.” 16 Jehovah has sent them in all directions. He will no longer take care of them. They had no respect for the priests and gave no honor to the elders. 17 Our eyes are still wasting away in looking for our false help. We watch for a nation unable to give salvation. 18 They go after our steps so that we may not go in our streets. Our end is near. Our days are numbered. Our end has come. 19 Those who went after us were quicker than the eagles of the heaven. They drive us before them on the mountains. They wait secretly for us in the wasteland. 20 The breath of our nostrils, Jehovah‟s anointed have been captured in their pits.” We said, “Under the shadow we live among the nations.” 21 Have joy and be glad, O daughter of Edom, living in the land of Uz. The cup will be given to you in your turn, and you will be overcome with wine and your shame will be seen. 22 The punishment of your evil doing is complete, O daughter of Zion; never again will he take you away as a prisoner. He has turned his attention to your error, O daughter of Edom. He has uncovered your sin. Lamentations 5 1 Keep in mind, O Jehovah, what has come to us. Take note and see our shame. 307 2 Our heritage is turned over to men of strange lands, our houses to those who are not our countrymen. 3 We are children without fathers. Our mothers are like widows. 4 We give money for a drink of water. We get our wood for a price. 5 Our attackers are on our necks. We are overcome with weariness and we have no rest. 6 We have given our hands to the Egyptians and to the Assyrians so that we might have enough bread. 7 Our fathers were sinners and are dead. The weight of their evil deeds is on us. 8 Servants rule over us, and there is no one to free us from their hands. 9 We risk our lives to get food, because of the sword of the wasteland. 10 Our skin is heated like an oven because of our burning heat from the need of food. 11 They took by force the women in Zion, the virgins in the towns of Judah. 12 They put princes to death by hanging. The elders are not honored. 13 The young men crushed the grain, and the boys fell under the wood. 14 The old men are no longer seated in the doorway. The music of the young men has come to an end. 15 The joy of our hearts has ended; our dancing is changed into sorrow. 16 The crown has been taken from our head. Sorrow is ours, for we are sinners. 17 Because of this our hearts are feeble. For these things our eyes are dark. 18 The mountain of Zion is a waste. So jackals go there. 19 You, O Jehovah, are seated as King forever. The seat of your power is eternal. 20 Why have we gone from your memory forever? Why have you turned away from us for so long? 21 Make us come back to you, O Jehovah, and let us be restored. Make our days new again as in the past. 308 22 But you have rejected us. You are full of wrath against us! New Simplified Bible Research Version EZEKIEL, THE BOOK: Ezekiel was the writer of the Book of Ezekiel. He was a prophet during the time the Jews were in exile by the Babylonians in the year 591 B.C.E. (Ezekiel 1:1-3) His famous vision of the dry bones is found at Ezekiel 37:1-14. Ezekiel Chapters 7, 8, and 9 vividly depict the detestable practices of the people in Judah. The reader is reminded of the detestable practices going on in our society and our modern religions today! Over 90 times in his book, Ezekiel is referred to as the “son of man.” The Divine Name “Jehovah” is highlighted throughout the book. There are more than 60 occurrences of the expression: “Then you (or they) will know that I am Jehovah” (Ezekiel 6:7) An interesting point of information about the name Ezekiel is that it is only found twice in the Holy Scriptures at Ezekiel 1:3 and 24:24. That‟s right, and yet the prophecies found in this large book are earthshaking in stature! EZEKIEL (WRITER: EZEKIEL, MEANS GOD STRENGTHENS)(590 B.C.E.)(BABYLON) (TETRAGRAMMATON: YHWH IS SOMETIMES TRANSLATED JEHOVAH, YAHWEH, YAHOWAH, YAHUWAH, OR LORD DEPENDING ON TRANSLATOR‟S THEOLOGY) Ezekiel 1 1 I was living among the exiles by the Chebar River.* On the fifth day of the fourth month in the thirtieth year the [figurative] heaven opened and I saw visions from God. 2 On the fifth day of the month during the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiakin, 3 The word of Jehovah (YHWH*) spoke to Ezekiel the priest, son of Buzi. It was in Babylon by the Chebar River. The power of Jehovah came upon him. 4 I saw a storm coming from the north. There was an immense cloud with flashing lightning surrounded by a bright light. The center of the lightning looked like glowing metal. 5 In the center of the cloud I saw what looked like four living creatures. They were shaped like humans. 6 Each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight. Their feet were like those of calves and they glittered like polished copper. 8 They had human hands under their wings on each of their four sides. All four of them had faces and wings. 9 Their wings touched each other. The creatures went straight ahead and they did not turn as they moved. 10 Their faces looked like this: From the front, each creature had the face of a human. From the right side, each one had the face of a lion. From the left, each one had the face of a bull. And from the back, each one had the face of an eagle. 11 That is what their faces looked like. Their wings were spread out and pointed upward. Each creature had two wings with which they touched each other. The other two wings covered their bodies. 12 Each of the creatures went straight ahead. They went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn as they moved. 13 The living creatures looked like burning coals and torches. Fire moved back and forth between the living creatures. The fire was bright and lightning came out of the fire. 14 The living creatures ran back and forth like lightning. 15 As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each of them, with its four faces. 16 This is how the wheels looked and how they were made: They looked like beryl (chrysolite) (precious stones). All four 310 wheels looked the same. They looked like a wheel within a wheel. 17 When they moved, they moved in any of the four directions without turning as they moved. 18 The rims of the wheels were large and frightening. They were covered with eyes. 19 When the living creatures moved the wheels moved with them. When the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels also rose. 20 Wherever the spirit wanted to go the creatures went. The wheels rose with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21 When the creatures moved, the wheels moved. When the creatures stood still, the wheels stood still. And when the creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose with them. This is because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 22 Something like a dome was spread over the heads of the living creatures. It looked like dazzling crystal. 23 Under the dome, each creature had two wings that were stretched out straight, touching one another. Each creature had two wings that covered its body. 24 When the creatures moved I heard the sound of their wings. The sound was like the noise of rushing water. It was like the thunder (voice) of the Almighty. It was like the commotion in an army camp. When the creatures stood still, they lowered their wings. 25 A voice came from above the dome over their heads as they stood still with their wings lowered. 26 Above the dome over their heads was something that looked like a throne made of sapphire. On the throne was a figure that looked like a human. 27 Then I saw what he looked like from the waist up. He looked like glowing copper* with fire all around it. From the waist down he looked like fire. A bright light surrounded him. 28 The brightness all around him looked like a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day. It was the likeness of Jehovah‟s glory. When I saw it I immediately fell down with my face to the ground. I heard someone speaking. Simplified Bible Dictionary 311 *1:1 Chebar River: The Chebar River was located in the land of the Chaldeans where the Jews were exiled. (Ezekiel 1:1-3; 3:15) The Hebrew word “nahar‟‟ means river. The corresponding Babylonian word describes both river and canal. The actual location of the Chebar River is unknown. Perhaps it was actually the Grand Canal known then as Naru Kabaru. The River Chebar is mentioned at Ezekiel 1:1-3:21. A later vision recalls the Chebar River. (Ezekiel 10:15, 20, 22, 43:3) *1:3 YHWH: Hebrew: YHWH. This four letter word is called the tetregramiton. It is possible that the divine name is Yahowah, Yahuwah, Yahweh or Jehovah. Since this is an English Translation the name Jehovah has been used. Most Bible translators refuse to use any of the above names and therefore resort to the use of the title the LORD about 7,000 times as if it did not exist in the original text. And yet they retain the names of many false gods mentioned in the original text. Included in this list are Baal, Bel, Merodach, and even Satan! *1:27 glowing copper with fire all around, electrum: The shining alloy of gold and silver is electrum. It glows a brilliant yellow when heated in a furnace. (Ezekiel 1:4, 27; 8:2) Ezekiel 2 1 He said to me: “Son of man, stand up, and I will speak to you.” 2 The Spirit entered me when he spoke to me. He stood me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. 3 He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the people of Israel. They are people from a nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this day. 4 “I am sending you to these defiant and stubborn children.” Tell them: „This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: 5 „Whether these rebellious people listen or not, they will realize that a prophet has been among them. 312 6 “Son of man, do not be afraid of them or the things they say. Do not be afraid, even though thorns and thistles are around you and you live among scorpions. Do not let the things they say frighten you. Do not be terrified in their presence even though they are rebellious people. 7 “Speak my words to them whether they listen or not, because they are rebellious. 8 “But you, son of man, listen to what I say. Do not be rebellious like those rebellious people. Open your mouth and eat what I give you.” 9 As I looked, I saw a hand stretched out toward me. In it was a scroll. 10 He slowly spread the scroll in front of me. There was writing on the front and back. There were funeral songs (dirges*), songs of mourning and horrible things written on it. Simplified Bible Dictionary *2:10 dirges: A dirge is a lamentation, a mournful composition, lyrical or musical expression of deep sorrow. It was often expressed over the death of a close friend or loved one. The Hebrew word “qi-nah” is translated mournful lamentation or a dirge. (2 Chronicles 35:25) (Ezekiel 2:10) (Amos 8:10) The book of Lamentations is a dirge written by Jeremiah. It expresses grief over the desolation and destruction of Jerusalem at Babylonian hands in 607 B.C.E. Prophetic dirges were raised up against Tyre and its king as well as against Pharaoh and Egypt. (Ezekiel 26:17; 27:1, 2; 28:11-19; 32:2-16) The New Simplified Bible uses the words dirge and lamentation interchangeably. Ezekiel 3 1 Jehovah said to me: “Son of man, eat what you find. Eat this scroll. Then speak to the people of Israel.” 2 I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. 3 He said: “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you, and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. 4 He then said to me: “Son of man, go to the people of Israel and speak my words to them. 313 5 “I am not sending you to people whose language is hard to understand or difficult to speak. I am sending you to Israel. 6 “I am not sending you to nations whose language is hard to understand, difficult to speak, or whose words you cannot understand. If I send you to those nations they will certainly listen to you. 7 “But the people of Israel will refuse to listen to you because they refuse to listen to me. All the people of Israel are very stubborn and hardheaded. 8 “Yet, I will make you as stubborn and as hardheaded as they are. 9 “I will make you as hard as a diamond, harder than flint stone.* Do not be afraid of them. Do not be terrified in their presence, even though they are rebellious people.” 10 He also said: “Son of man, take to heart everything I have spoken to you, and listen closely. 11 “Go to the exiles, to your people. Whether they listen or not, tell them: This is what the Lord Jehovah says.” 12 Then the Spirit lifted me, and behind me I heard a loud thundering voice say: “Blessed is Jehovah‟s glory from this place.” 13 I also heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures touching one another and the noise of the wheels beside them as well as a loud rumbling. 14 The Spirit lifted me and took me away. I went away feeling bitter and angry. The strong power of Jehovah came over me. 15 I went to Tel Abib,* to the exiles that lived by the Chebar River. I sat there among them for seven days. I was stunned among them. 16 After seven days Jehovah spoke his word to me: 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman over the people of Israel. Listen to what I say, and warn them for me. 18 “When I tell a wicked man that he will surely die, but you do not warn him or speak out so that he can change his wicked way in order to save his life; that wicked man will die because of his sin. I will hold you responsible for his death. 19 “When you warn the wicked man, and he does not turn from his wicked way; he will die because of his sin, but you will save yourself. 314 20 “If righteous people turn from living the right way and do wrong, I will make them stumble and they will die. If you do not warn them, they will die because of their sin. The right things they did will not be remembered. I will hold you responsible for their deaths. 21 “If you warn righteous people not to sin, and they do not sin, they will certainly live because they listened to the warning and you will save yourself.” 22 The power of Jehovah came over me. He said: “Get up, and go to the plain. I will speak to you there.” 23 I got up and went to the plain. Jehovah‟s glory was standing there like the glory I saw by the Chebar River. So I immediately bowed down. 24 The Spirit entered me and stood me on my feet. He talked to me. He said: “Go shut yourself in your home. 25 “People will tie you up with ropes, son of man, so that you cannot go outside. 26 “I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you cannot talk or criticize them, even though they are rebellious people. 27 “But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth. You will tell them: „This is what the Lord Jehovah says.‟ Some will listen and some will refuse to listen for they are a rebellious people. Simplified Bible Dictionary *3:9 harder than flint: This stone is harder than steel. It is so hard that when two pieces are struck together a fire can be started from the spark. The Bible uses flint in a figurative way at Isaiah 5:28, Isaiah 50:7 and Ezekiel 3:9. From early times knives, axheads, chisels, spearheads, arrowheads, and other tools have been fashioned out of flint. (Exodus 4:25) (Joshua 4:19; 5:2, 3, 8, 9) *3:15 Telabib: Telabib was a place by the Chebar River in the land of the Chaldeans where Ezekiel and other Jews were exiled. (Ezekiel 1:1-3; 3:15) 315 Ezekiel 4 1 “Son of man, take a clay tablet and put it in front of you. Draw the city of Jerusalem on it. 2 “Then lay siege to it. Erect siege works* against it. Build a ramp up to it. Set up camps against it and put battering rams* around it. 3 “Take an iron pan and place it as an iron wall between you and the city. Then turn your face toward it. It will be under siege, and you shall besiege it. This will be a sign to the house of Israel. 4 “Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the house of Israel upon yourself. You are to bear their sin for the number of days you lie on your side. 5 “I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin. So for three hundred and ninety days you will bear the sin of the house of Israel. 6 “After you have finished this lie down again. This time lie on your right side, and bear the sin of the house of Judah. I have assigned you forty days, a day for each year.* 7 “Turn your face toward the siege of Jerusalem and with bared arm prophesy against her. 8 “I will tie you up with ropes so that you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have finished the days of your siege. 9 “Take wheat and barley, beans* and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself. You are to eat it during the three hundred and ninety days you lie on your side. 10 “Weigh out eight ounces of food for each day and eat it at set times. 11 “You will also have a limited amount of water to drink, two cups a day. 12 “You are to build a fire out of dried human excrement, bake bread on the fire, and eat it where everyone can see you.” 13 Jehovah said: “This represents the way the Israelites will have to eat food which the Law forbids when I scatter them to foreign countries.” 14 But I replied: “No, O Lord Jehovah! I have never defiled myself. From childhood on I have never eaten meat from any 316 animal that died a natural death or was killed by wild animals. I have never eaten any food considered unclean.” 15 So God said: “Very well. I will let you use cow dung instead. You can bake your bread on that.” 16 And he added: “Mortal man, I am going to cut off the supply of bread for Jerusalem. The people there will be distressed and anxious as they measure out the food they eat and the water they drink. 17 “They will run out of bread and water. They will be in despair. They will waste away because of their sins. Simplified Bible Dictionary *4:2 battering ram: This instrument of war was used to break down the gates and walls of a city or fortress. It had a heavy beam of timber with an iron tip that was use to ram the obsticle. (Ezekiel 4:1, 2; 21:22) The defending soldiers would drop firebrands on the battering rams or catch them with chains and grapnels to put them out of action. *4:2 siege work: This is a mound of earth or stones or a wall used as fortification around a place. Sometimes in the Bible it is called a siege rampart or siege mound. (2 Samuel 20:15) (2 Kings 19:32) (Ezekiel 4:1, 2) God gives the divine help of salvation as the rampart for the faithful. (Isaiah 26:1) *4:6 day for a year: (Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34) A prophetic formula applied at Daniel 4:16, 23 and Daniel 9:2426. *4:9 beans: The Hebrew term “pohl” means bean. It could be the annual plant cultivated in Syria and Palestine known as the broad bean. They were aksi cultivated in Egypt and Arabia. The plant reaches a height of 3 feet. The ripe pods are large and thick and the beans are brown or black in color. The pods may be boiled as a vegetable and the ripe beans are often cooked with oil and meat. (2 Samuel 17:24-29) Beans were an ingredient in the bread Ezekiel was commanded to bake. (Ezekiel 4:9) 317 Ezekiel 5 1 “As for you, son of man, take a sharp sword. Take and use it as a barber's razor to shave your head and beard. Then take scales for weighing and divide the hair. 2 “You should burn one-third of the hair in the fire at the center of the city when the siege is over. Take one third and strike it with the sword all around the city. The remaining one third you shall scatter to the wind. I will unsheathe a sword behind them. 3 “Take also a few strands of hair from them and bind them in the edges of your robes. 4 “Take again some of them and throw them into the fire and burn them in the fire. Fire will spread from there to all the house of Israel. 5 “This is what the Lord Jehovah says: This is Jerusalem. I have set her at the center of the nations with countries all around her. 6 “She has rebelled against my ordinances more wickedly than the nations and against my statutes more than the lands that surround her. My people have rejected my ordinances and have not walked in my statutes. 7 “Therefore, Jehovah says: „You have more turmoil than the nations that surround you. You have not walked in my statutes, nor observed my ordinances, nor observed the ordinances of the nations that surround you.‟ 8 “Therefore, the Lord Jehovah says: „Behold, I, even I, am against you! I will execute judgments against you in the sight of the nations. 9 „“Because of all your abominations, I will do among you what I have not done before, and the like of which I will never do again. 10 „“Fathers will eat their sons among you and sons will eat their fathers. I will execute judgments against you and scatter your entire remnant to every wind.‟” 11 „“As I live, declares the Lord Jehovah,‟ „because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your detestable idols and with all your abominations I will withdraw, and my eye will have no pity and I will not spare you. 318 12 „“One third of your people will die by plague or be consumed by famine! One third will fall by the sword! One third I will scatter to every wind! I will unsheathe a sword behind them (war will follow them). 13 „“I will unleash my anger. I will use my fury against you, and I will get revenge. When my fury is unleashed against you, you will know that I, Jehovah, spoke to you with all my zeal. 14 „“I will turn you into a wasteland and an object of ridicule among the nations around you and in the presence of everyone who passes by you. 15 „“The nations that are around you will ridicule you and laugh at you. When I punish you because of my anger, fury, and fierce revenge, you will become something ridiculed and something horrible. I, Jehovah, have spoken. 16 „“When I shoot my destructive arrows of famine at you, I will shoot to kill you. I will bring more and more famine into your land. I will cut off your food supply. 17 „“I will send famine and wild animals against you. They will rob you of your children. I will send plagues, violence, and wars to kill you. I, Jehovah, have spoken!‟” Ezekiel 6 1 Jehovah continued to speak his word to me: 2 “Son of man, look toward the mountains of Israel and prophesy against them. 3 “Say this: „You mountains of Israel listen to the word of the Lord Jehovah! This is what the Lord Jehovah says to the mountains and hills and to the ravines and valleys: “I am going to attack you with a sword and destroy your worship sites. 4 „“Your altars will be destroyed! Your incense burners will be smashed. I will kill your people in front of your idols. 5 „“I will lay the dead bodies of the people of Israel in front of your idols. I will even scatter their bones around your altars. 6 „“Your dwelling places in the cities will be ruined, and the worship sites will be wrecked. Your altars will be ruined and demolished. Your idols will be smashed and completely destroyed. Your incense burners will be cut down. Everything you have done will be wiped out. 319 7 „“Your people will be killed and they will fall among you. Then you will know that I am Jehovah. 8 „“However, I will let some people live. Some people will escape the battle among the nations and be scattered throughout the countries. 9 “Then those who escape will remember me among the nations where they are taken captive. I was hurt by their adulterous hearts, which turned away from me, and by their eyes, which lusted after idols. They will hate themselves for the evil and disgusting things that they have done. 10 “Then you will know that I am Jehovah and that the disaster I promised was not an empty threat.”‟ 11 “The Lord Jehovah says: „Clap your hands, stomp your feet, and say, „How sad!‟ The people of Israel have done evil and disgusting things. So they will die in wars, famines, and plagues. 12 „“Plagues will kill those who are far away. Those who are near will die in wars. Anyone who is left and has escaped will die of famine. This is how I will unleash my rage. 13 “Then you will know that I am Jehovah. Those who are killed will lie beside the idols around their altars. They will lie on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, and under every large tree and every leafy oak. These are the places where they made offerings to their disgusting idols. 14 „“I will stretch out my hand (use my power) against them and destroy the land from the desert to Diblah. THEN THEY WILL KNOW THAT I AM JEHOVAH! (YHWH)‟” Ezekiel 7 1 The word of Jehovah came to me: 2 “Son of man, the Lord Jehovah says to the land of Israel: „The end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land. 3 „“The end is now upon you and I will unleash my anger against you. I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices. 4 „“I will not look on you with pity or spare you. I will repay you for your conduct and the detestable practices among you. THEN YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM JEHOVAH.‟ 5 “The Lord Jehovah says: „Disaster! An unheard-of disaster is coming. 320 6 „“The end has come! The end has come! It has become active against you. It has come! 7 „“Doom has come upon you who dwell in the land. The time has come, the day is near. There is panic, not joy, upon the mountains. 8 „“I am about to pour out my wrath on you and spend my anger against you. I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices. 9 „“I will not look on you with pity or spare you (my eye will not feel sorry for you). I will repay you in accordance with your conduct and the detestable practices among you. Then you will know that it is I, Jehovah, who strikes the blow. 10 „“The day is here! It has come! Doom has burst forth. The rod has budded, and arrogance has blossomed! 11 „“Violence has grown into a weapon for punishing wickedness. None of the people will be left. None of that crowd, none of their wealth, and nothing of value will be left. 12 „“The time is coming. The day is near. Buyers will not rejoice, and sellers will not mourn, because my fury will be against the whole crowd. 13 „“Sellers will not live long enough to buy back what they have sold. The visions against that crowd will not change. Because of their sins, none of the people will live. 14 „“They have blown a ram's horn and everything is ready. But no one will go into battle, because my fury is against their whole crowd. 15 „“Outside are swords and inside are plagues and famines. He who is in a field will die in battle. He who is in the city will be devoured by famines and plagues. 16 „“Some will escape to the mountains like doves frightened from the valleys. All of them will moan over their sins. 17 „“Everyone‟s hands will be weak, and their knees will shake and they will drip from sweat. 18 „“They will put on sackcloth and they will tremble all over. Their heads will be shaved, and they will all be disgraced. 19 „“They will throw their gold and silver away in the streets like garbage (like an abhorrent thing), because neither silver nor gold can save them when Jehovah pours out his fury. They cannot use it to satisfy their desires or fill their stomachs. Gold and silver led them into sin. 321 20 „“Once they were proud of their beautiful jewels, but they used them to make disgusting idols. That is why Jehovah has made their wealth repulsive to them. 21 „“I will hand it all over as plunder to foreigners and as loot to the wicked of the earth, and they will defile it. 22 „“I will turn my face away from them. They will desecrate my treasured place. Robbers will enter it and desecrate it. 23 „“Prepare chains for the land is full of bloodshed and the city full of violence. 24 „“I will bring the wicked of the nations to take possession of their houses. I will put an end to the pride of the mighty, and their sanctuaries will be desecrated. 25 „“When terror comes they will seek peace, but there will be none. 26 „“Calamity upon calamity will come, and rumor upon rumor. They will try to get a vision from the prophet. The teaching of the law by the priest will be lost, as will the counsel of the elders. 27 „“The king will mourn. The prince will be clothed with despair and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. I will deal with them according to their conduct. By their own standards I will judge them. Then they will know that I am Jehovah.‟” Ezekiel 8 1 On the fifth day of the sixth month in the sixth year, I was sitting in my home. Judah's older men were sitting in front of me. The power of the Lord Jehovah came over me. 2 As I looked, I saw something that looked like a human. From the waist down its body looked like fire, and from the waist up its body looked like bright glowing metal.* 3 It stretched out what looked like a hand and grabbed me by the hair on my head. In these visions from God, the Spirit carried me between heaven and earth. He took me in vision to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the idol of jealousy,* which provokes to jealousy, was located. 4 There I saw the glory of Israel's God as I did in the vision that I saw in the valley. 322 5 God said to me: “Son of man, look toward the north.” So I looked toward the north. There in the entrance to the north gate beside the altar, I saw the idol that provokes jealousy and stirs up God's anger. 6 He asked me: “Son of man, do you see what the people of Israel are doing? The people of Israel are doing very disgusting things here, things that will force me to go far away from my holy place. But you will see even more disgusting things.” 7 Then he took me to the entrance of the courtyard. As I looked, I saw a hole in the wall. 8 He said to me: “Son of man, dig through the wall. So I dug through the wall, and I saw a door.” 9 He said: “Go in and see the wicked abominations (abhorrences) that they are committing here.” 10 So I entered and looked, and behold, every form of creeping things and beasts and detestable things. There were all the idols of the house of Israel. They were carved on the wall all around. 11 Standing in front of them were seventy elders of the house of Israel. Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan stood among them. Each man had his censer in his hand and the fragrance of the cloud of incense was rising. 12 Then he said: “Son of man, do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are committing in the dark, each man in the room of his carved images? For they say: „Jehovah does not see us! Jehovah has forsaken the land!‟” 13 He said: “Yet you will see still greater abominations* that they are committing.” 14 Then he brought me to the entrance of the gate of Jehovah‟s house toward the north; and I saw women sitting there weeping for Tammuz* (the god). 15 He said to me: “Do you see this, son of man? Yet you will see still greater abominations than these.” 16 So he took me to the inner courtyard of the Temple. There near the entrance of the sanctuary, between the altar and the porch, were about twenty-five men. They turned their backs to the sanctuary and were bowing low toward the east, worshiping the rising sun. 323 17 Jehovah said to me: “Mortal man, do you see that? These people of Judah are not satisfied with merely doing all the disgusting things you have seen here and with spreading violence throughout the country. No, they must come and do them right here in the Temple and make me even angrier. Look how they insult me in the most offensive way possible by thrusting the shoot to my nose!* 18 “They will feel all the force of my anger. I will not spare them or show them any mercy (my eye will not feel sorry). They will shout prayers to me as loud as they can. But I will not listen to them” Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *8:2 glowing burning metal, electrum: The shining alloy of gold and silver is electrum. It glows a brilliant yellow when heated in a furnace. (Ezekiel 1:4, 27; 8:2) *8:3 idol (image) of jealousy: image: tselen, pesel/eikon/imago. jealousy: qinah, parazeloo/invidia. Jealousy is a form of idolatry. It is demonic in origin and it breeds envy and strife. The Bible repeatedly warns against it. Jealousy affects the heart in a very bad way. (Proverbs 14:30) Jesus‟ half brother James wrote: “If you have bitter jealousy (envy) and greedy ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and lie against the truth. This wisdom is not a wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and devilish. For where jealousy and selfishness are, there is confusion and every vile (evil) deed.” (James 3:14-16) *8:13 abominations: toebah/bdelugma/abominato. This is a terrible thing, something disgusting and abhorrent. It is hate coupled with disgust, an action that is vicious or vile. *8:14 Tammuz: The false god Tammuz was called Dumuzi in ancient Sumerian texts. The apostate Hebrew women in Jerusalem were weeping over him in the prophet Ezekiel‟s vision recorded at Ezekiel 8:1, 3, 14. Tammuz was the lover of the fertility goddess Inanna (Babylonian Ishtar). Some 324 Sumerian texts show him to be a king who was deified after his death. *8:17 shoot to my nose: Thrusting the shoot to my nose means an obsene reference or jesture was made to God. Ezekiel 9 1 God shouted with a loud voice: “Come here, you men who are going to punish the city. Bring your weapons with you!” 2 Six men came from the direction of the upper gate that faces north. Each had his shattering weapon in his hand. Among them was a certain man clothed in linen with a writing case* (secretary‟s inkhorn*) at his side. They went in and stood beside the copper altar. 3 Then the dazzling light of the presence of the God of Israel rose up from the winged creatures where it had been. It moved to the entrance of the Temple. Jehovah called to the man dressed in linen: 4 “Go through the whole city of Jerusalem and put a mark* (signature) on the forehead* of everyone who is distressed and troubled because of all the disgusting things being done in the city.” 5 I heard God say to the other men: “Follow him through the city and kill. Spare no one! Have mercy on no one. 6 “Kill the old men, young men, young women, mothers, and children. But do not touch anyone who has the mark on his forehead. Start here at my Temple.” So they began with the elders who were standing there at the Temple. 7 He said to them: “Dishonor the Temple! Fill its courtyards with dead people, and then leave.” So they went out and killed the people in the city. 8 While they were killing people, I was left alone. So I immediately bowed down. I cried: “Help me O Lord Jehovah. Will you destroy everyone who is left in Israel while you pour out your anger on Jerusalem?” 9 He answered me: “The wickedness of the nations of Israel and Judah is terrible! The land is filled with murder, and the city is filled with wrongdoing. They think that Jehovah has abandoned the land and that he does not see. 325 10 “But (my eye will not feel sorry) I will not have compassion or feel sorry. I will do to them what they have done to others.” 11 Then the person dressed in linen who was carrying the writing case reported: “I did everything you commanded.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *9:2 writing case (inkhorn): Hebrew: qeseth. Inkstand, cup, inkhorn. The inkhorn was a container that held the secretary‟s supply of ink. He often wore it around his waist. (Ezekiel 9:2) Today a secretary would carry a writing case containing pens and pencils or perhaps a computer. *9:2 secretary‟s inkhorn: The secretary‟s inkhorn of Ezekiel 9:2, 3, 11 is the secretary‟s writing case. The man in linen responsible to mark individuals on the forehead has a writing case at his hips. It was a narrow case made out of wood with slots for reed pens a small cake of dried ink. The secretary would press the moistened end of his pen to the ink to prepare to write. *9:4 mark,brand: Animals and slaves of the non-Israelites were branded with a mark as evidence of ownership. These property marks were placed on a conspicuous part of the body, such as the forehead. Worshipers of false gods identified themselves by having the mark of their deity on their forehead. Any mark on a true believer had to be a figurative mark since God‟s law prohibited such disfiguring tattoo marks. (Leviticus 19:28) Ezekiel saw a vision in which a man with a secretary‟s inkhorn was commissioned to go through Jerusalem and put a mark on “everyone who is distressed and troubled because of all the disgusting things being done in the city.” (Ezekiel 9:4) (2 Peter 2:6-8) This figurative mark was to protect the right hearted ones from being destroyed. Another mark, this time a mark identifying the opposers of God is announced in John‟s vision when he reveals the mark of the beast. (Revelation 13:1, 2, 16-18; 14:9, 10; 16:1, 2; 20:4) 326 *9:4 forehead: The forehead is the part of the face above the eyes. (Deuteronomy 14:1) It is one of the most prominent features of people. A figurative, symbolic mark was placed on the foreheads of those sighing and groaning over all the detestable things being done in Jerusalem. (Ezekiel 9:3-6) The mark was to show God‟s executioners who to save. All others were to be destroyed. Christians today receive a figurative mark in the forehead showing their loving Christian personalities and life-saving faith in Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. Followers of Satan the Devil‟s political and religious world receive the mark of the symbolic beast portrayed at Revelation 13:16, 17. This identifies them as being against the true God of the Bible, Jehovah. Ezekiel 10 1 I looked at the dome over the heads of the angels. And I saw something that looked like a throne made of sapphire. 2 Jehovah said to the person dressed in linen: “Go between the wheels under the angels and fill your hands with burning coals. Then scatter them over the city.” So he went between the wheels as I watched. 3 The angels (cherubs) were standing on the south side of the Temple as the person went. A cloud filled the inner courtyard. 4 Jehovah‟s glory rose from the angels to the entrance of the Temple. The cloud filled the Temple, and the brightness of Jehovah‟s glory filled the courtyard. 5 The sound of the angels' wings was heard as far as the outer courtyard. It was like the sound of the Almighty God when he speaks. 6 After Jehovah had commanded the person dressed in linen to take burning coals from between the wheels beside the angels, the person went in and stood beside one of the wheels. 7 One of the angels reached into the fire that was between the angels and took out some coals. This angel put them in the hands of the person dressed in linen. The person took them and left. 8 I saw that each creature had what looked like a human hand under each of its wings. 327 9 Then I looked, and behold, four wheels beside the angels. There was one wheel beside each angel. The appearance of the wheels was like the gleam of a chrysolite stone. 10 All four of them had the same likeness in appearance, as if one wheel was within another wheel. 11 When they moved, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went. They followed in the direction that they faced, without turning as they went. 12 Their whole body, their backs, their hands, their wings and the wheels were full of eyes all around. The wheels belonged to all four of them. 13 The wheels were called in my hearing, the whirling wheels. 14 Each one had four faces. The first face was the face of a cherub angel, the second face was the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. 15 The angels rose. These were the living creatures that I saw at the Chebar River. 16 When the angels moved, the wheels moved beside them. When the angels lifted their wings to rise from the ground, the wheels did not leave their side. 17 When the angels stood still, the wheels stood still. When the angels rose, the wheels rose with them. The spirit of the living creatures was in them (the wheels). 18 Then the glory of Jehovah left the Temple's entrance and stood over the angels. 19 The angels lifted their wings and rose from the ground. I was watching them as they left with the wheels beside them. The angels stood at the door to the east gate of Jehovah‟s Temple, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them. 20 These are the living creatures that I saw under the God of Israel at the Chebar River. I realized that they were angels (cherubs). 21 Each had four faces and four wings, and under their wings were what looked like human hands. 22 Their faces looked exactly like the faces that I saw by the Chebar River. Each one went straight ahead. 328 Ezekiel 11 1 The Spirit lifted me and took me to the east gate of Jehovah‟s Temple. It is the gate that faces east. Twenty-five men were at the entrance of the gate. I saw among them Azzur's son Jaazaniah and Benaiah's son Pelatiah.* They were leaders of the people. 2 Jehovah said to me: “Son of man, these are the men who plan evil and give bad advice in this city (Jerusalem). 3 “They say: „It is almost time to rebuild houses. This city is a cooking pot, and we are the meat.‟ 4 “So prophesy against them. Prophesy, son of man.” 5 Jehovah‟s Spirit came to me and told me to say: “This is what Jehovah says: „You are saying these things, nation of Israel. But I know what is going through your mind. 6 „“You have killed many people in this city and have filled its streets with corpses.”‟ 7 “I, the Lord Jehovah, say to you: „This city is a cooking pot all right, but what is the meat? The corpses of those you have killed! You will not be here. I will throw you out of the city!‟” 8 „“Are you afraid of swords? I will bring soldiers with swords to attack you,‟ is the utterance of Jehovah. 9 „I will take you out of the city and hand you over to foreigners. I will execute judgments against you. 10 „“You will be killed in battle in your own country. I will judge you on the border of Israel. Then everyone will know that I am Jehovah. 11 „“This city will not protect you the way a cooking pot protects the meat in it. I will punish you wherever you may be in the land of Israel. 12 „“You will know that I am Jehovah! While you were keeping the laws of the neighboring nations, you were breaking my laws and disobeying my commands.‟” 13 “It happened while I prophesied, that Pelatiah son of Benaiah died. Then I fell on my face and cried out with a loud voice and said: Alas, O Lord Jehovah! Will you bring the remnant of Israel to a complete end?” 14 Then the word of Jehovah came to me, He said: 15 “Son of man, your brothers, your relatives, your fellow exiles and the whole house of Israel, all of them are those to 329 whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said: „Go far from Jehovah. This land has been given us as a possession.‟ 16 “Therefore say: „Thus says the Lord Jehovah: “Though I had removed them far away among the nations and though I had scattered them among the countries, yet I was a sanctuary (holy place) (shelter) (protection) for them a little while in the countries where they had gone.”‟ 17 “Therefore say, „The Lord Jehovah says: “I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries among which you have been scattered. I will give you the land of Israel. 18 „“When they come there, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations from it. 19 „“I will give them one (united) heart, and put a new spirit within them. I will take the heart of stone (unkind attitude) out of them and give them a heart of flesh (loving disposition). 20 „“In this way they may walk in my statutes and obey my ordinances. Then they will be my people, and I will be their God. 21 „“Concerning those whose hearts go after their detestable things and abominations, I will bring their conduct down on their heads, declares the Lord Jehovah.‟” 22 Then the cherubim (angels) lifted up their wings with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel hovered over them. 23 The glory of Jehovah went up from within the city and stood over the mountain that is east of the city. 24 The Spirit lifted me up and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God to the exiles in Chaldea. So the vision that I had seen left me. 25 Then I told the exiles all the things that Jehovah had shown me. Simplified Bible Dictionary *11:1 Pelatiah: Pelatiah was the son of Benaiah. Ezekiel saw this prince of Israel in vision in the vision that Jehovah told Ezekiel. It pronounced that Pelatiah and Jaazaniah were the “men who plan evil and give bad advice in this city (Jerusalem).” Ezekiel was inspired to utter a prophecy against 330 the people of Israel. After uttering the prophecy Ezekiel reports that Pelatiah died. (Ezekiel 11:1-13) Ezekiel 12 1 Jehovah continued to speak his word to me, He said: 2 “Son of man, you are living among rebellious people. They have eyes, but they cannot see. They have ears, but they cannot hear because they are rebellious people. 3 “Son of man, pack your bags as if you were going into exile. Let the people see you leave in the daylight. March like a captive from your place to another place as they watch. Maybe they will understand, even though they are a rebellious people (house). 4 “Bring out your bags as if you were going into exile. Let them see this in the daylight. In the evening let them see you leave like a captive going into exile. 5 “Dig a hole through the wall of your house, as they watch, and leave through it. 6 “Let them see you put your bags on your shoulders and carry them out in the dark. Cover your face so that you won't see the land. I have made you a sign to warn the nation of Israel.” 7 I did what I was ordered to do. During the day I brought out bags as if I were going into exile. In the evening I dug a hole through the wall. I brought out my bags in the dark. I let the people see me as I carried my bags on my shoulders. 8 The next morning Jehovah spoke his word to me, He said: 9 “Son of man, did the rebellious nation of Israel ask you what you were doing? 10 “Tell them: This is what the Lord Jehovah says: „This is the divine revelation about the prince from Jerusalem and about all the people of Israel who live there.‟” 11 “Tell them: „I am your warning sign. What I have done will happen to you. You will go into exile and into captivity. 12 „“The prince who is among you will put his bags on his shoulders in the dark and leave. People will dig holes in the wall to go through. The prince will cover his face so that he cannot see the land.‟” 13 “I will also spread my net over him, and he will be caught in my snare. And I will bring him to Babylon in the land of the Chaldeans. Yet he will not see it, though he will die there. 331 14 “I will scatter to every wind all who are around him, his helpers and all his troops. I will draw out a sword after them. 15 “So they will know that I am Jehovah when I scatter them among the nations and spread them among the countries. 16 “I will spare a few of them from the sword, the famine and the pestilence that they may tell all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am Jehovah.” 17 Moreover, the word of Jehovah came to me, He said: 18 “Son of man, eat your bread with trembling and drink your water with quivering and anxiety. 19 “Then say to the people of the land: „The Lord Jehovah says concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel, They will eat their bread with anxiety and drink their water with horror, because their land will be stripped of its fullness on account of the violence of all who live in it. 20 „“The inhabited cities will be laid waste and the land will be a desolation. So you will know that I am Jehovah.”‟ 21 Then the word of Jehovah came to me: 22 “Son of man, what is this proverb you people have concerning the land of Israel. You say: „The days are long and every vision fails?‟ 23 “Therefore say to them: „The Lord Jehovah says: „I will make this proverb cease so that they will no longer use it as a proverb in Israel. Tell them: „The days draw near as well as the fulfillment of every vision.‟ 24 “There will no longer be any false visions or flattering fortune telling to the people. 25 “I Jehovah will speak. Everything that I say will happen without any more delay. I will say something, and it will happen during your rebellious lifetime,” declares the Almighty God Jehovah. 26 Jehovah continued to speak his word to me: 27 “Son of man, the people of Israel are saying, „The vision that Ezekiel sees will not happen for a long time. What he prophecies will happen in the distant future.‟ 28 “Tell them: „This is what the Lord Jehovah says:‟ “Everything that I say will no longer be delayed. Whatever I say will happen, declares the Lord Jehovah.”‟” 332 Ezekiel 13 1 The word of Jehovah continued to come to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy from their own heart (inspiration): „Listen to the word of Jehovah! 3 „The Lord Jehovah said: “Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing. 4 „“O Israel, your prophets have been like foxes among ruins. 5 „“You have not gone up into the gaps (broken places) of the wall around the house of Israel. You did not build the wall to stand in the battle on the day of Jehovah.” 6 “They see falsehood and lying divination. They are saying: „Jehovah declares,‟ when Jehovah has not sent them. Yet they hope for the fulfillment of their word. 7 „“Did you not see a false vision and speak a lying divination when you said „Jehovah declares,‟ but it is not I who has spoken?”‟ 8 „“Therefore, the Lord Jehovah says: „“Because you have spoken falsehood and seen a lie, therefore behold, I am against you,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah.” 9 „“My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will have no place in the council of my people. They will not be written down in the register of the house of Israel. And they will not enter the land of Israel, that you may know that I am the Lord Jehovah. 10 „“It is definitely because they have misled my people by saying, “Peace!” When there is no peace. And when anyone builds a wall they plaster it over with whitewash.‟ 11 “So tell those who plaster it over with whitewash, that it will fall. A flooding rain will come, and you, O hailstones, will fall; and a violent wind will break out. 12 “When the wall has fallen, will you not be asked: Where is the plaster (morter*) with which you plastered it?‟ 13 “This is what the Lord Jehovah says: „In my fury I will cause a storm to break out. In my anger rain will pour down, and hailstones will destroy the wall. 14 „“I will tear down the wall that the prophets covered up with whitewash. I will level it and expose its foundation. When the wall falls, they will be destroyed by it. Then you will know that I am Jehovah.‟ 333 15 „“I will unleash my rage on the wall and on those who covered it up with paint. Then I will say to you: The wall is gone, and so are those who painted it. 16 „“The prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem are gone. Those who said that everything was all right, when it was not all right, are gone, declares the Lord Jehovah. 17 “Son of man, look at the women among your people who make up prophesies, and prophesy against them. 18 “Tell them, „This is what the Lord Jehovah says: “How horrible it will be for women who sew magic charms for people's wrists and make magic veils of every size for people's heads. You want to trap people. You want to control the lives of my people for your own profit. 19 „“You dishonor me in front of my people for a few handfuls of barley and a few pieces of bread. You kill people who should not die. You spare the lives of people who should not live. You lie to my people who are willing to listen.”‟ 20 “This is what the Lord Jehovah says: „I am against the magic charms that you use to trap people like birds. I will tear them from your arms and free the people that you have trapped. 21 „“I will tear off your magic veils and rescue my people from your power so that they will no longer be under your control. Then you will know that I am Jehovah. 22 „“You have discouraged righteous people with your lies, even though I had not brought them any grief. You encouraged wicked people not to turn from their wicked ways to save their lives. 23 „“That is why you will no longer see false visions or make predictions. I will rescue my people from your power. Then you will know that I am Jehovah.‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary *morter, building material: Mortar is a building material used as a bond in masonry or for covering a wall. It is applied between bricks and stones to cement them together. (Leviticus 14:42, 45) (1 Chronicles 29:2) (Isaiah 54:11) (Jeremiah 43:9) This weather resistant mixture was made of lime, sand, and water. It was used in the construction of the finer homes in 334 ancient Palestine. Sometimes oil was added to the mixture or coated on the outside of the wall to produce a nearly waterproof surface. (Genesis 11:3) (Exodus 1:14) (Ezekiel 13:11-16) Ezekiel 14 1 Some of Israel's elders came to me and sat down in front of me. 2 Jehovah then spoke his word to me: 3 “Son of man, these people are devoted to their idols. They allow themselves to sin. Should they be allowed to ask me for anything? 4 “Speak to them. Tell them, „This is what Jehovah says: Suppose an Israelite is devoted to idols and allows himself to sin. Suppose he goes to a prophet to ask for my help. I, Jehovah, will give that Israelite an answer, the answer that his many idolaters deserve. 5 “„I will do this to recapture the hearts of the nation of Israel. They have deserted me because of their disgusting idols.‟” 6 “Therefore tell the nation of Israel: This is what the Lord Jehovah says: “Change the way you think and act! (Repent!) Turn away from your idols, and do not return to any of your disgusting things. 7 „“Suppose an Israelite or a foreigner who lives in Israel deserts me by devoting himself to idols and by allowing himself to sin. If he goes to a prophet to ask for my help, I, Jehovah, will give him an answer. 8 „“I will set my face against him (reject him), and I will make an example of him. I will exclude him from my people. Then you will know that I am Jehovah.‟” 9 “„If a prophet is tricked into giving a prophecy, it is I, Jehovah, who tricked the prophet. I will use my power against you and destroy you from among my people Israel. 10 „“Both of you will suffer for your sins. The prophet will be as guilty as you are when you ask for his help. 11 „“The people of Israel will no longer wander away from me. They will no longer dishonor me with all their sins. Then they will be my people, and I will be their God, declares the Lord Jehovah.” 12 Jehovah continued to speak his word to me, He said: 335 13 “Son of man, suppose a country sins against me by being unfaithful to me. I will stretch out my hand (use my power) against it, cut off its food supply, send a famine to it, and destroy its people and animals.” 14 „“Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in that country, they would, by their righteousness, rescue only themselves,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah.” 15 „“If I send wild animals through that country and they make it childless and turn it into such a wasteland that no one travels through it because of the animals. 16 „“As I live, declares the Lord Jehovah, „not even Noah, Daniel, and Job could rescue their own sons or daughters. They could rescue only themselves and the country would become a wasteland.‟” 17 „“What if I bring a war against that country by saying I will let a war go throughout this country. And then I destroy the people and the animals in it. 18 „“As I am alive, declares the Lord Jehovah, not even Noah, Daniel, and Job could rescue their sons or daughters. They alone would be saved.‟” 19 „“Let us say I send a plague into that country or pour out my fury on it by killing people and destroying animals. 20 As I am alive, declares the Lord Jehovah, not even Noah, Daniel, and Job could, by their righteousness, rescue their sons or daughters. They could rescue only themselves.”‟ 21 „“This is what the Lord Jehovah says: „I will surely send four terrible punishments against Jerusalem. I will send wars, famines, wild animals, and plagues. They will destroy people and animals. 22 „“And yet some people will survive. Some of your sons and daughters will be brought out. When they come out to you, you will see how they live. Then you will be comforted after the disasters that I will bring on Jerusalem, after every disaster that I will bring against it.‟” 23 „“You will be comforted when you see how they live. Then you will know that everything I have done was done for a reason,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah.‟” Ezekiel 15 1 Jehovah continued to speak his word to me: 336 2 “Son of man, how is the wood of the vine better than any wood of a branch among the trees of the forest? 3 “Can wood be taken from it to make anything? Can men take a peg from it on which to hang any vessel? 4 “After it has been put into the fire for fuel, and the fire has consumed both of its ends and its middle part has been charred, is it then useful for anything? 5 “While it is intact, it is not made into anything. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it still be made into anything?” 6 “Therefore, the Lord Jehovah says: „Just like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given as fuel for the fire, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 7 I will set my face against them (turn against them). Though they have come out of the fire, yet the fire will consume them. Then you will know that I am Jehovah, when I set my face against them.‟” 8 „“I will make the land desolate, because they have acted unfaithfully,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah.” Ezekiel 16 1 The word of Jehovah came to me: 2 “Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her detestable practices. 3 “Say this, „The Lord Jehovah says this to Jerusalem: “Your ancestry and birth were in the land of the Canaanites. Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite. 4 “„“On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths. 5 “„“No one looked on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Instead, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised. 6 “„“When I passed by you and saw you squirming in your blood, I said to you while you were in your blood, „Live!‟ Yes, I said to you while you were in your blood, „Live!‟ 7 “„I made you numerous like plants of the field. You grew up, became tall and reached the age for fine ornaments. Your 337 breasts were formed and your hair had grown. Yet you were naked and bare.”‟ 8 “„Then I passed by you and saw that you were at the time for love. So I spread my skirt over you and covered your nakedness. I also swore to you and entered into a covenant with you so that you became mine, declares the Lord Jehovah. 9 “„Then I bathed you with water, washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil. 10 “„I also clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of porpoise skin on your feet. I wrapped you with fine linen and covered you with silk. 11 “„I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your hands and a necklace around your neck.‟” 12 “„I also put a ring in your nostril, earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. 13 “„You were adorned with gold and silver. Your dress was of fine linen, silk and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour, honey and oil; so you were exceedingly beautiful and advanced to royalty. 14 “„You became famous in every nation because of your beauty. Your beauty was perfect because I gave you my glory,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah.” 15 “„But you trusted your beauty. You used your fame to become a prostitute. You had sex with everyone who walked by. 16 “„You took some of your clothes and made your worship sites colorful. This is where you acted like a prostitute. Such things should not happen. They should not occur. 17 “„You took your beautiful gold and silver jewelry that I had given you and made male idols for yourself. Then you committed adultery with them. 18 “„You took off your embroidered clothes and covered the idols with them. You offered my olive oil and incense in their presence. 19 “„You also offered them sweet and fragrant sacrifices. You gave flour, olive oil, and honey-all the food that I gave you to eat. This is what happened,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah.” 20 “„You took your sons and daughters, who belonged to me, and you sacrificed them as food to idols. Was your prostitution not enough? 338 21 “„You slaughtered my children and presented them as burnt offerings to idols. 22 “„During your disgusting life as a prostitute you never once remembered your childhood, when you were naked, squirming in your own blood.‟” 23 The Lord Jehovah said: “You are doomed! Doomed! You did all that evil, and then 24 by the side of every road you built places to worship idols and practice prostitution. 25 “You dragged your beauty through the mud. You offered yourself to everyone who came by, and you were more of a prostitute every day. 26 “You let your lustful neighbors, the Egyptians, go to bed with you, and you used your prostitution to make me angry. 27 “Now I have raised my hand to punish you and to take away your share of my blessing. I have handed you over to the Philistines, who hate you. They are also disgusted with your immoral actions. 28 “The others did not satisfy you so you ran after the Assyrians. You were their prostitute, but they did not satisfy you either. 29 “You were also a prostitute for the Babylonians, that nation of merchants, but they did not satisfy you either. 30 “I, the Lord Jehovah am furious with you. You were so disgusting that you would have done anything to get what you wanted. 31 “You had sex on every street corner, and when you finished, you refused to accept money. That is worse than being a prostitute! 32 “You are an unfaithful wife who would rather have sex with strangers than with your own husband. 33 “Prostitutes* accept money for having sex, but you bribe men from everywhere to have sex with you. 34 “You are not like other prostitutes. Men do not ask you for sex. You offer to pay them! 35 “Jerusalem, you prostitute, listen to the word of Jehovah. 36 “You chased after lovers, then took off your clothes and had sex. You even worshiped disgusting idols and sacrificed your own children as offerings to them. 339 37 “So I, the Lord Jehovah, will gather every one of your lovers, those you liked and those you hated. They will stand around you, and I will rip off your clothes and let all of those lovers stare at your nakedness. 38 “I will judge you like women who commit adultery or shed blood are judged. I will bring on you the blood of wrath and jealousy. 39 “I will also give you into the hands of your lovers. They will tear down your shrines, demolish your high places, strip you of your clothing, take away your jewels, and will leave you naked and bare. 40 “They will incite a crowd against you and they will stone you and cut you to pieces with their swords. 41 “They will burn your houses with fire and execute judgments on you in the sight of many women. Then I will stop you from playing the harlot. You will also no longer pay your lovers. 42 “I will calm my fury against you and my indignation will depart from you. I will be pacified and angry no more. 43 „“You have not remembered the days of your youth but have enraged me by all these things. I will therefore bring your conduct down on your own head,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah. „That way you will not commit this lewdness on top of all your other abominations. 44 „“Everyone who quotes proverbs will quote this proverb concerning you: “Like mother, like daughter.” 45 „“You are the daughter of your mother, who loathed her husband and children. You are also the sister of your sisters, who loathed their husbands and children. Your mother was a Hittite and your father an Amorite. 46 „“Now your older sister is Samaria, who lives north of you with her daughters. Your younger sister, who lives south of you, is Sodom with her daughters. 47 „“Yet you have not merely walked in their ways or done according to their abominations; but, as if that were too little, you acted more corruptly in all your conduct than they. 48 „“As I am alive,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah, „Sodom, your sister and her daughters have not done as you and your daughters have done. 340 49 „“This was the guilt of your sister Sodom. She and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. 50 „“They were arrogant and did disgusting things in front of me. So I did away with them when I saw this. 51 „“Samaria did not commit half the sins you did. You have done many more disgusting things than they ever did. Because of all the disgusting things that you have done, you make your sisters look innocent. 52 „“You will have to suffer disgrace because you accused your sisters. Yet, your sins are more disgusting than theirs. They look like they are innocent compared to you. Be ashamed of yourself and suffer disgrace, because you have made your sisters look like they are innocent.‟ 53 „“I will restore the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters, and Samaria and her daughters. I will also restore your fortune along with theirs. 54 „“You will have to suffer disgrace and be ashamed of everything you have done, including comforting them. 55 „“When Sodom and her daughters and Samaria and her daughters return to what they once were, you and your daughters will return to what you once were. 56 „“You did not mention your sister Sodom when you were arrogant. 57 „“You did not mention her before your wickedness was revealed. Now the daughters of Aram and their neighbors despise you. The daughters of the Philistines also despise you. Those around you hate you. 58 „“You must suffer because of all the crude and disgusting things you have done,‟ declares Jehovah.” 59 “The Lord Jehovah says: „I will treat you the way you deserve, because you ignored your promises and broke the covenant. 60 „“I will honor the covenant I made with you when you were young. I will make a covenant with you that will last forever. 61 „“You will remember how you have acted, and be ashamed of it when you get your older sister and your younger sister back. I will let them be like daughters to you, even though this was not part of my covenant with you.‟ 341 62 „“I will renew my covenant with you, and you will know that I am Jehovah. 63 „“I will forgive all the wrongs you have done, but you will remember them and be too ashamed to open your mouth.‟ The Lord Jehovah has spoken.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *16:33 prostitute: A prostitute is a person who engages in sexual intercourse for money. A prostitute is sometimes called a harlot. The Hebrew word for prostitute is “zoh-nah” and the Greek word for prostitute is “por‟ne.” Jehovah God‟s Law forbids prostitution, adultery and fornication. The penalty for such behavior was death and by extension spiritual death could apply today. (Exodus 20:14; 22:16, 17) (Leviticus 19:29) (Deuteronomy 5:18; 22:13-24) In a figurative sense a person, nation or congregation who makes alliances with the world or false gods is called in the Bible a prostitute. (Isaiah 54:5, 6) (Ezekiel 16:33, 34; 23:1-49) (Revelation 17:5) Ezekiel 17 1 Jehovah continued to speak his word to me: 2 “Son of man, tell this riddle. Give this illustration to the nation of Israel. 3 „Say The Lord Jehovah says: “A large eagle came to Lebanon. It had large wings with long, colorful feathers. It took hold of the top of a cedar tree. 4 “„“It broke off the highest twig and carried it to a country of merchants. It planted the twig in a city of merchants. 5 “„“Then it took a seedling from that country and planted the seedling in fertile soil. The eagle planted the seedling like a willow where there was plenty of water. 6 “„“The plant sprouted and grew into a low vine that spread over the ground. Its branches turned upward toward the eagle. Its roots grew downward. Thus it became a vine, producing branches and growing shoots. 7 “„“There was another large eagle with large wings and many feathers. Now, the vine stretched its roots toward this eagle and sent its branches toward the eagle so that the eagle could 342 water it. The vine turned away from the garden where it was planted. 8 “„“It was planted in good soil beside plenty of water so that it could grow branches, bear fruit, and become a wonderful vine.”‟ 9 “Say, „The Lord Jehovah says: “Will it thrive? Will he not pull up its roots and cut off its fruit, so that it and all its sprouting leaves wither? And neither by great strength nor by many people can it be raised from its roots again. 10 “„“Though it is transplanted, will it thrive? Will it not completely wither as soon as the east wind strikes it, wither on the beds where it grew?”‟” 11 Moreover, the word of Jehovah came to me: 12 “Say now to the rebellious house: Do you not know what these things mean? Say, Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, took its king and princes and brought them to him in Babylon. 13 “He took one of the royal family and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath. He also took away the mighty of the land, 14 that the kingdom might be in subjection, not exalting itself, but keeping his covenant that it might continue. 15 “But he rebelled against him! He sent his envoys to Egypt that they might give him horses and many troops. Will he succeed? Will he who does such things escape? Can he indeed break the covenant and escape?‟ 16 “„“As I am alive,‟ says the Lord Jehovah, „this king will die in Babylon because he broke his oath and the treaty with the one who put him on the throne the king of Babylon. 17 „“Even the powerful army of the king of Egypt will not be able to help him fight when the Babylonians build earthworks and dig trenches in order to kill many people. 18 „“He broke his oath and the treaty he had made. He did all these things, and now he will not escape.”‟ 19 „“The Lord Jehovah says: “As surely as I am the living God, I will punish him for breaking the treaty that he swore in my name to keep. 20 „“I will spread out a hunter's net and catch him in it. I will take him to Babylon and punish him there, because he was unfaithful to me. 343 21 „“His best troops will be killed in battle, and the survivors will be scattered in every direction. I Jehovah have spoken.”‟ 22 “„Someday, I, Jehovah, will cut a tender twig from the top of a cedar tree. I will then plant it on the peak of Israel's tallest mountain, where it will grow strong branches and produce large fruit. 23 “„All kinds of birds will find shelter under the tree, and they will rest in the shade of its branches. 24 „“Every tree in the forest will know that I, Jehovah, can bring down tall trees and help short ones grow. I dry up green trees and make dry ones green. I, Jehovah, have spoken, and I will keep my word.”‟” Ezekiel 18 1 Jehovah‟s word continued to come to me: 2 “What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel: „The fathers eat sour grapes, but the children's teeth are set on edge?‟ 3 „“As I live, declares the Lord Jehovah: „You are surely not going to use this proverb in Israel anymore. 4 „“The life of every person belongs to me. The life of the father as well as the life of the son is mine. The person who sins will die. 5 „“If a man is righteous and practices justice and righteousness, 6 and does not eat at the mountain shrines or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, or defile his neighbor's wife or approach a woman during her menstrual period; 7 „“if a man does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. 8 „“If he does not lend money on interest or take increase, if he keeps his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between man and man, 9 „“if he lives by my rules and obeys my laws faithfully this person is righteous. He will certainly live,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah. 10 „“Suppose this person has a son who robs and murders. The son does all these other things 344 11 that his father never did. He eats at the illegal mountain worship sites. He dishonors his neighbor's wife. 12 „“He oppresses the poor and needy. He robs. He does not return the security for a loan. He looks to idols for help. He does disgusting things. 13 „“He lends money for interest and makes excessive profits. Will this person live? He will not live. He has done all these disgusting things. So he must die, and he will be responsible for his own death. 14 „“Now suppose this son has a son. The son sees all the sins that his father does. He is afraid, so he does not do such things. 15 „“He does not eat at the illegal mountain worship sites or look for help from the idols of the nation of Israel. He does not dishonor his neighbor's wife. 16 „“He does not oppress anyone. He does not keep the security for a loan. He does not rob anyone. He gives food to people who are hungry, and he gives clothes to those who are naked. 17 „“He keeps his hand from the poor and does not take interest or increase, but executes my ordinances, and walks in my statutes. He will not die for his father's iniquity. He will surely live. 18 „“As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was not good among his people, he will die for his iniquity. 19 „“Yet you say: “Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity?” When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has observed all my statutes and done them, he shall surely live. 20 „“The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity. The righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself. And the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself. 21 „“If the wicked man turns from all his sins and observes all my statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall live; he shall not die. 345 22 „“All his transgressions he has committed will not be remembered against him. He will live because of his righteousness he has practiced.‟ 23 „“Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord Jehovah, that he should turn from his ways and live? 24 „“But suppose a righteous person turns away from doing right and he does evil things. He does all the disgusting things that the wicked person did. Will he live? All the right things that he has done will not be remembered because of his unfaithfulness and because of his sin. He will die because of them. 25 „“But you say: “Jehovah‟s way is unfair.” Listen, nation of Israel, is my way fair? Is it your ways that are unfair? 26 „“When a righteous person turns away from doing right and does evil things, he will die. He will die because of the evil things he has done. 27 „“When a wicked person turns away from the wicked things that he has done and does what is fair and right, he will live. 28 „“He realized what he was doing and turned away from all the rebellious things that he had done. He will certainly live. He will not die. 29 „“But the nation of Israel says: Jehovah‟s way is unfair. Is my way not fair, nation of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unfair? 30 „“That is why I will judge each of you by what you have done, people of Israel, declares the Lord Jehovah. Change the way you think and act. (Repent!) Turn away from all the rebellious things that you have done so that you will not fall into sin. 31 „“Give up all the evil you have been doing. Get yourselves new minds and hearts. Why do you Israelites want to die? 32 „“I do not want anyone to die,‟ says the Lord Jehovah. „Turn away from (repent of) your sins and live.‟” Ezekiel 19 1 “Take up a song of grief concerning the princes of Israel. 2 “Say: „What a lioness was your mother among the lions! She lay down among the young lions and reared her cubs. 346 3 „“She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a strong lion. He learned to tear the prey and he devoured men. 4 The nations heard about him. He was trapped in their pit. They led him with hooks to the land of Egypt. 5 „“When she saw her hope unfulfilled, her expectation gone, she took another of her cubs and made him a strong lion. 6 „“He prowled among the lions, for he was now a strong lion. He learned to tear the prey and he devoured men. 7 „“He broke down their strongholds and devastated their towns. His roaring terrified the residents of the land. 8 „“Then the nations came against him, those from regions round about. They spread their net for him, and he was trapped in their pit. 9 „“With hooks they pulled him into a cage and brought him to the king of Babylon. They put him in prison. Therefore his roar was heard no longer on the mountains of Israel. 10 „“Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard planted by the water. It was fruitful and full of branches because of abundant water. 11 „“Its branches were strong and fit for a ruler‟s scepter. It towered high above the thick foliage, conspicuous for its height and for its many branches. 12 „“It was uprooted in fury and thrown to the ground. The east wind made it shrivel. It was stripped of its fruit. Its strong branches withered and fire consumed them. 13 „“Now it is planted in the desert, in a dry and thirsty land. 14 „“Fire spread from one of its main branches and consumed its fruit. No strong branch is left on it fit for a ruler‟s scepter. This is a song of grief and is to be used as a song of grief.‟” Ezekiel 20 1 Seven years after King Jehoiachin and the rest of us had been led away as prisoners to Babylon, some of Israel's leaders came to me on the tenth day of the fifth month. They sat down and asked for a message from Jehovah. 2 Just then, Jehovah said: 3 “Son of man, these elders have come to find out what I want them to do. As surely as I live, I will not give them an answer of any kind. 347 4 “Are you willing to warn them, Ezekiel? Then remind them of the disgusting sins of their ancestors. 5 “Tell them what the Lord Jehovah said: „When I chose Israel, I made them a promise. I revealed myself to them in Egypt and told them: „I am Jehovah your God.‟ 6 “It was then that I promised to take them out of Egypt and lead them to a land I had chosen for them, a rich and fertile land, the finest land of all. 7 “I told them to throw away the disgusting idols they loved and not to make themselves unclean with the false gods of Egypt.* I am Jehovah their God. 8 „““They defied me and refused to listen. They did not throw away their disgusting idols or give up the Egyptian gods. I was ready to let them feel the full force of my anger there in Egypt. 9 “„“But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name. In the presence of the people among whom they were living I had announced to Israel that I was going to lead them out of Egypt. 10 „““So I led them out of Egypt into the desert. 11 „““I gave them my laws and made my rules known to them. If people obey them they will live. 12 „““I also gave them certain days to worship me as a sign between us so that they would know that I, Jehovah, made them holy. 13 „““But the people of Israel rebelled against me in the desert. They did not live by my laws. They rejected my rules. If people obey them, they will live. They dishonored the days to worship me. So I was going to pour out my fury on them in the desert and completely wipe them out. 14 „““I acted so that my name would not be dishonored among the nations who had watched me bring the Israelites out of Egypt. 15 „““I also swore an oath to them in the desert. I swore that I would not bring them into the land that I had promised to give them. This land is the most beautiful land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 16 „““They rejected my rules. They did not live by my laws. They dishonored the days to worship me, because their hearts chased disgusting idols. 348 17 „““But I had compassion on them. I did not destroy them or completely wipe them out in the desert. 18 „““I said to their children in the desert: Do not live by the laws of your ancestors. Do not obey their rules or dishonor yourselves with their disgusting idols. 19 „““I am Jehovah your God! Walk in my statutes and obey my ordinances. 20 „““Sanctify my Sabbaths. They shall be a sign between you, and me that you may know that I am Jehovah your God.‟ 21 „““But the children rebelled against me. They did not walk in my statutes. They were not careful to obey my ordinances. If a man obeys them, he will live. They profaned my Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness. 22 „““But I withdrew my hand (assistance) and acted for the sake of my name. That way it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out. 23 “I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them among the lands. 24 “I did this because they had rejected my commands, broken my laws, profaned the Sabbath, and worshiped the same idols their ancestors had served. 25 “Then I gave them laws that are not good and commandments that do not bring life. 26 “I let them defile themselves with their own offerings, and I let them sacrifice their first-born sons. This was to punish them and show them that I am Jehovah.”‟ 27 “Now then, son of man, tell the Israelites what I, the Lord Jehovah, am saying to them. This is another way their ancestors insulted me by their unfaithfulness. 28 “I brought them to the land I had promised to give them. When they saw the high hills and green trees, they offered sacrifices at all of them. They made me angry by the sacrifices they burned and by the wine they brought as offerings. 29 “Then I asked them: „What is this worship site you are going to? So it is still called a worship site today.‟” 30 “Tell the nation of Israel: „This is what the Lord Jehovah says: “Will you dishonor yourselves the way your ancestors did? Will you chase their detestable idols like a prostitute? 349 31 „“You offer your children as sacrifices by burning them alive. You dishonor yourselves with all your disgusting idols to this day. Should you be allowed to ask me for help, nation of Israel? As I am alive, declares the Lord Jehovah, you will not be allowed to ask me for help.”‟ 32 „“What you have in mind (heart) will never happen. You think that you want to be like other nations, like the different people in other countries. You want to serve wood and stone.”‟ 33 „“As I am alive,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah, „I will rule you with a mighty hand and a powerful arm. I will pour out my fury. 34 „“I will bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where I have scattered you with my mighty hand and powerful arm. I will pour out my fury. 35 „“I will bring you into the wilderness of the nations. There I will put you on trial face to face. 36 I will now condemn you just as I condemned your ancestors in the Sinai Desert,‟ says the Lord Jehovah. 37 „I will take firm control of you and make you obey my covenant. 38 „I will take away from among you those who are rebellious and sinful. I will take them out of the lands where they are living now, but I will not let them return to the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am Jehovah.‟ 39 “The Lord Jehovah says: „The Lord Jehovah tells all you Israelites to suit yourselves! Go on and serve your idols! But I warn you that after this you will have to obey me and stop dishonoring my holy name by offering gifts to your idols.‟ 40 “There in the land, on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, all you people of Israel will worship me. I will be pleased with you and will expect you to bring me your sacrifices, your best offerings, and your holy gifts. 41 „After I bring you out of the countries where you have been scattered and gather you together, I will accept the sacrifices that you burn, and the nations will see that I am holy.‟ 42 „“When I bring you back to Israel, the land that I promised I would give to your ancestors, you will know that I am Jehovah. 350 43 „“There you will remember the way you lived and everything you did to dishonor yourselves. You will be disgusted by every wrong thing that you did. 44‟“You will know that I am Jehovah, because I will deal with you for the sake of my name. I will not deal with you based on the evil and corrupt things that you have done, O nation of Israel, declares the Lord Jehovah! 45 Jehovah spoke his word to me, He said: 46 “Son of man, turn to the south, preach against the south, and prophesy against the forest in the Negev. 47 “Tell the forest in the Negev: „Listen to the word of Jehovah. This is what the Lord Jehovah says: “I am about to set fire to you to destroy all your green trees and all your dry trees. The blazing fire will not be put out. It will burn the whole land from the south to the north. 48 “Then everyone will know that I, Jehovah, started the fire. It will never be put out.”‟” 49 Then I said: Oh no! Lord Jehovah, no! The people already say that I am only telling stories (a figure of speech or a parable). Simplified Bible Dictionary *20:7 Egypt, false gods of Egypt: Egypt is designated by the Hebrew name Mizraim in the Hebrew Scriptures. (Genesis 50:11) The terms Egypt and Egyptian are found 700 times in the Bible. It is called the land of Ham in certain Psalms. (Psalm 105:23, 27; 106:21-22) Egypt lives along the Nile River, and would not survive without the water from the river. Memphis, one of the capitals, is near the Delta of the Nile River. (Genesis 46:20) (Jeremiah 46:19) (Hosea 9:6) Polytheism (belief in multiple gods) was prevalent in Egypt. Every city and town had its own local deity. A list containing the names of 740 gods was found in the tomb of Thutmose III. (Exodus 12:12) Dealing with all those gods must have enboldened Pharaoh to disdainfully question Moses and Aaron: “Who is Jehovah, that I should obey his voice to let Israil go?” (Exodus 5:2) The Egyptians practiced the most degrading idolatry of all when they worshiped animals. Jehovah instructed the Israelites to throw away “the 351 disgusting idols they loved and not to make themselves unclean with the false gods of Egypt.” But “they did not throw away their disgusting idols. (Ezekiel 20:7, 8) Ezekiel 21 1 Jehovah continued to speak his word to me: 2 “Son of man, turn to Jerusalem and preach against the holy places. Prophesy against the land of Israel. 3 “Tell the land of Israel: „This is what Jehovah says: “I am against you. I will take my sword out of its sheath and kill the righteous people and the wicked people among you. 4 „“I am going to kill the righteous people and the wicked people among you. That is why my sword will come out of its sheath to be used against everyone from the south to the north. 5 „“Then everyone will know that I, Jehovah, have taken my sword from its sheath, and I will not put it back again.”‟ 6 “So, son of man, groan with a breaking heart and with bitter crying while the people watch you. 7 “When they ask why you are groaning tell this: „News has come that will discourage everyone. People's hands will hang limp, their hearts will lose courage, and their knees will become as weak as water. It is coming! It will surely take place!‟ Declares the Lord Jehovah.” 8 Jehovah continued to speak to Ezekiel: 9 “Son of man, prophecy and say, „this is what Jehovah says: “A sword, a sword is sharpened and also polished! 10 „“„It is sharpened to make a slaughter and polished to flash like lightning! Shall we rejoice in the rod of my son despising every tree?‟”‟” 11 „“The sword was given to be polished, that it might be handled. The sword is sharpened and polished, to give it into the hand of the slayer. 12 „“Cry out and wail, son of man, for it is against my people; it is against all the officials of Israel. They are delivered over to the sword with my people. Therefore strike your thigh. 13 „“For there is testing. And what if even the rod that despises will be no more?” Declares the Lord Jehovah. 14 “You therefore, son of man, prophesy and clap your hands together. Let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword 352 for the slain. It is the sword for the great one slain, which surrounds them, 15 that their hearts may melt (lose their courage), and many fall at all their gates. I have given the glittering sword. Ah! It is made for striking like lightning. It is wrapped up in readiness for slaughter. 16 “Show yourself sharp, go to the right, set yourself, go to the left, wherever your edge is appointed. 17 “Clap your hands and I will bring my anger to rest. Jehovah has spoken.” 18 Jehovah‟s word came to me: 19 “Son of man, mark two roads that the king of Babylon and his sword can take. Both of these roads should start from the same country. Make a signpost and put it at the fork of the roads that go toward the cities. 20 “Mark the road that the king and his sword can take to the Ammonite city of Rabbah. Then mark the road that leads to Judah and the fortified city of Jerusalem. 21 “The king of Babylon will stand where the roads branch off, at the fork in the road. Then he will look for omens. The king will stand at the branch of the roads where he will use divination. He will shake the arrows and ask the teraphim and look into the liver.* 22 “The divination (omens) will indicate that he should go to the right, to Jerusalem. So he will set up his battering rams there, and give the order to kill. He will raise a battle cry and aim the battering rams against the city gates. He will put up ramps and set up blockades (siege walls). 23 “The people will think it is false divination and not believe this because they have made treaties with other nations. But the king of Babylon will remind them of their sins, and they will be captured. 24 “This is what the Lord Jehovah says: „People remember how sinful you are because you openly do wrong. You show your sins in everything you do. Because of this you will be taken captive. 25 “You dishonest and wicked prince of Israel, the time for your final punishment has come. 26 “I, the Lord Jehovah, have spoken. Take off your crown and your turban. Nothing will be the same again. Raise the poor to 353 power! Bring down those who are ruling! Bring low the high one. 27 “A ruin, a ruin, a ruin! Yes, I will make the city a ruin. But this will not happen until the one comes whom I have chosen* and who has the legal right to punish the city. To him I will give it. 28 “O son of man, prophesy. Announce what I, the Lord Jehovah, am saying to the Ammonites, who are insulting Israel. Say to them: A sword is ready to destroy. It is polished to kill and to flash like lightning. 29 “The visions that you see are false. The predictions you make are lies. You are wicked and evil. Your day is coming, the day of your final punishment. The sword is going to fall on your necks. 30 “Put up the sword (return it to its sheath)! I will judge you in the place where you were created, in the land where you were born. 31 “You will feel my anger when I turn it loose on you like a blazing fire. And I will hand you over to brutal men, experts at destruction. 32 “You will be destroyed by fire. Your blood will be shed in your own country. No one will remember you any more. Jehovah has spoken!‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary *21:21 liver: The liver is a large organ found in vertebrate animals. In man it aids in digestion and blood chemistry and is the largest of the glands. The Hebrew word for liver is “kavedh.” It means be heavy. The livers of animals that are prepared for sacrifice are mentioned in the Scriptures. (Exodus 29:13, 22) (Leviticus 3:4, 10, 15) Medical doctors have found that bacterial organisms overwhelm the liver during the advanced stages of syphilis and many other diseases. This may explain the statement at Proverbs 7:21-23, “a dart strikes through his liver.” King Solomon was evidently describing the fatal effects of disease as the result of illicit sex. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon looked into the liver of an animal as a form of divination. (Ezekiel 21:21) 354 821:27 Shiloh: He to Whom It Belongs…The Messiah. Jesus Christ is the only descendant of David to whom the kingship was promised. (Ezekiel 21:26-27) (Luke 1:32-33) Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of David spoken of at Revelation 5:5. Ezekiel 22 1 Jehovah continued to speak his word to me: 2 Son of man will you judge? Will you judge the city of murderers (the bloodguilty)? Then tell it about all the disgusting things that it has done. 3 “Tell it: „This is what the Lord Jehovah says: “Jerusalem, you are the city that murders people who live in you. Your time has come. You dishonor yourself with disgusting idols. 4 “„“You are guilty because of the blood you have shed (people you have killed). You are unclean (dishonored) because of the disgusting idols you have made. You have brought an end to your days, and you have come to the end of your years. That is why I will make you a disgrace to the nations and a joke in every land. 5 “„“Those near and those far away will mock you. Your name will be dishonored, and you will be filled with confusion. 6 “„“See how all the princes of Israel who live in you have used their power to shed blood (murder people). 7 “„“People in you hate their fathers and mothers. They oppress foreigners in you. They oppress orphans and widows in you.”‟” 8 “You have despised my holy things and dishonored (profaned the Sabbath) the day to worship me. 9 “Your people tell lies about others in order to have them put to death. They eat sacrifices offered to idols. They always satisfy their lusts. 10 “Some of them sleep with their father's wife. Some force women to have intercourse with them during their period.* 11 “Some commit adultery, and others seduce their daughtersin-law or their half sisters. 12 “Some of your people murder for pay. Some charge interest on the loans they make to other Israelites and get rich by taking advantage of them. They have forgotten me. The Lord Jehovah has spoken. 355 13 „“I strike my fist at your dishonest gain and your acts of bloodshed. 14 „“Can your heart endure? Will your hands be strong in the days that I will deal with you? I, Jehovah, have spoken and will act. 15 „“I will scatter you among the nations and I will disperse you through the lands, and I will consume your uncleanness from you. 16 „“You will profane yourself in the sight of the nations, and you will know that I am Jehovah.”‟ 17 Jehovah‟s word came to me, He said: 18 “Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me. All of them are the copper, tin,* iron and lead in the furnace. They are the dross of silver. 19 “Therefore, the Lord Jehovah says: „I am going to gather you into Jerusalem. This is because all of you have become dross (impure)(worthless). 20 „“As they gather silver* and copper and iron and lead and tin into the furnace to blow* fire on it in order to melt it, so I will gather you in my anger and in my wrath and I will lay you there and melt (liquefy) you. 21 „“I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of my wrath. You will be melted in the midst of it. 22 „“As silver is melted in the furnace, you will be melted in the midst of her. You will know that I, Jehovah, have poured out my wrath on you.”‟ 23 Jehovah continued to speak his word to me, He said: 24 “Son of man, say to her: „You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation (outrage) (revulsion). 25 „“There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured lives. They have taken treasure and precious things. They have made many widows in the midst of her. 26 „“Her priests have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the profane. They have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean. They hide their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. 356 27 „“Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain. 28 „“Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them. They see false visions and divine lies for them. They say: “This is what the Lord Jehovah says, when Jehovah has not spoken.” 29 „“The people of the land have practiced oppression and committed robbery. They have wronged the poor and needy and have oppressed the sojourner without justice.‟ 30 „“I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. 31 „“Therefore I have poured out my indignation on them! I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath (intense anger). Their way I have brought upon their heads,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *22:10 menstration, period: Menstration is the monthly discharge of blood, fluid, and some tissue debris from a woman‟s uterus. This is usually a monthly experience. Girls begin menstruating at puberty. This function continues until menopause. Each menstrual flow lasts about three to five days. The Scriptures associate menstration with impurity and uncleanness and therefore sexual intercourse was forbidden at that time. (Leviticus 12:2; 15:1-33) (Ezekiel 22:10; 36:17) *22:18 tin: Tin is a bluish white metal that is very malleable. Tin has a very low melting point of 449 degrees Fahrenheit. (Numbers 31:22) (Ezekiel 22:18, 21; 27:12) *22:20 silver: Silver is a, soft white, precious metallic element. It is use in coins, jewelery, silverware, and photography. The ore has to be smelted and purified to release the silver and separate it from the dross, scummy foreign matter, and other metals. (Psalm 12:6) (Proverbs 27:21) (Ezekiel 22:20-22) (Malachi 3:3) The Hebrew word “keseph” is sometimes rendered “money.” The Greek word “argyrion” is 357 translated “silver money.” (Genesis 17:12) Refined silver was used to measure wealth and as a medium of exchange. (Genesis 13:2; 23:15-18; 24:53; 44:2) (Exodus 11:11:2; 12:35) King Solomon was inspired to contrast material wealth of silver and gold with the more valuable spiritual wealth of wisdom, discipline, and understanding received from Jehovah. (Proverbs 3:13, 14; 8:10, 19; 16:16) (Ecclesiastes 12:6) (Isaiah 60:17) (Daniel 2:32) (1 Corinthians 3:12) *22:20 bellows: This device is used for giving furnaces a forced draft. A bellows can be expanded and contracted drawing in air first and then forcing it out thru a tube. A bag is mounted on a frame or base and attached to a tube leading to the furnace. Bellows are mentioned only once in the Scriptures at Jeremiah 6:29. Isaiah 54:16 and Ezekiel 22:20, 21 allude to bellows but do not call them by name. Ezekiel 23 1 Jehovah spoke his word to me again: 2 “Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother. 3 “They played the prostitute in Egypt. They played the prostitute in their youth. There their breasts were pressed and there their virgin bosom was handled. 4 “Their names were Oholah* the elder and Oholibah* her sister. They became mine, and they bore sons and daughters. As for their names, Samaria is Oholah and Jerusalem is Oholibah. 5 “Oholah played the prostitute while she was mine; and she lusted after her lovers, after the Assyrians, her neighbors. 6 “The Assyrians were clothed in purple, governors and officials, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding on horses. 7 “She gave her acts of fornication to them, all of whom were the choicest men of Assyria; and with all whom she lusted after, with all their idols she defiled herself. 8 “She did not forsake her acts of fornication from the time in Egypt. In her youth men had lain with her. They handled her virgin bosom and poured out their lust on her. 358 9 “Therefore, I gave her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, after whom she lusted. 10 “They uncovered her nakedness. They took her sons and her daughters, but they killed her with the sword. Thus she became a byword among women, and they executed judgments on her. 11 “Now her sister Oholibah saw this, yet she was more corrupt in her lust than she. Her prostitution was more than the fornication of her sister. 12 “She lusted after the Assyrians, governors and officials, the ones near, magnificently dressed, horsemen riding on horses, all of them desirable young men. 13 “I saw that she had defiled herself and that they both went the same way. 14 “So she increased her acts of fornication. And she saw men portrayed on the wall, images of the Chaldeans portrayed with vermilion (reddish-orange color), 15 girded with belts on their loins, with flowing turbans on their heads, all of them looking like officers, like the Babylonians in Chaldea, the land of their birth. 16 “When she saw them she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea. 17 “The Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and defiled her with their acts of prostitution. When they had defiled her, she became disgusted with them. 18 “She uncovered her acts if prostitution and uncovered her nakedness. I became disgusted with her, as I had become disgusted with her sister. 19 “Yet she multiplied her acts of prostitution. She remembered the days of her youth, when she prostituted herself in the land of Egypt. 20 “She lusted after their paramours, whose flesh is like the flesh of donkeys and whose genital organ is like the genital organ of horses. 21 “Thus you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when the Egyptians handled your bosom because of the breasts of your youth. 22 “Therefore, O Oholibah, the Lord Jehovah says: „Behold I will arouse your lovers against you, from whom you were alienated. I will bring them against you from every side: 359 23 the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod* and Shoa and Koa,* and all the Assyrians with them, desirable young men, governors and officials all of them, officers and men of renown, all of them riding on horses. 24 „“They will come against you with weapons, chariots and wagons, and with a company of peoples. They will set themselves against you on every side with buckler and shield and helmet. I will commit the judgment to them, and they will judge you according to their customs. 25 „“I will set my jealousy against you, that they may deal with you in wrath. They will remove your nose and your ears. Your survivors will fall by the sword. They will take your sons and your daughters. The fire will consume your survivors. 26 „“They will also strip you of your clothes and take away your beautiful jewels. 27 „“I will make your lewdness and your fornication brought from the land of Egypt to cease from you, so that you will not lift up your eyes to them or remember Egypt anymore.‟ 28 “The Lord Jehovah says: „Behold, I will give you into the hand of those whom you hate, into the hand of those from whom you were alienated. 29 “They will deal with you in hatred, take all your property, and leave you naked and bare. And the nakedness of your fornications will be uncovered, both your lewdness and your acts of prostitution. 30 “These things will be done to you because you have played the prostitute with the nations, because you have defiled yourself with their idols. 31 “You have walked in the way of your sister. Therefore I will give her cup into your hand. 32 “The Lord Jehovah says this: „You will drink your sister's cup, which is deep and wide. You will be laughed at and held in derision; it contains much. 33 „“You will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, the cup of horror and desolation, the cup of your sister Samaria. 34 „“You will drink it and drain it. Then you will gnaw its fragments and tear your breasts. “I have spoken,” declares the Lord Jehovah.‟ 360 35 “Therefore, the Lord Jehovah says: „Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, bear now the punishment of your lewdness and your acts of prostitution.‟” 36 Jehovah said to me: “Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then declare to them their abominations. 37 “For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. Thus they have committed adultery with their idols and even caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass through the fire to them as food.* 38 “Again, they have done this to me: they have defiled my sanctuary on the same day and have profaned my Sabbaths. 39 “For when they had slaughtered their children for their idols, they entered my sanctuary on the same day to profane it. Then they did within my house. 40 “Furthermore, they have even sent for men who come from afar, to whom a messenger was sent. They came and you bathed, painted your eyes and decorated yourselves with ornaments for them. 41 “You sat on a splendid couch with a table arranged before it on which you had set my incense and my oil. 42 “The sound of a carefree multitude was with her. Drunkards were brought from the wilderness with men of the common sort. And they put bracelets on the hands of the women and beautiful crowns on their heads. 43 “Then I said concerning her who was worn out by adultery: “Will they now commit adultery with her when she is thus? 44 “But they went into her as they would go into a prostitute. Thus they went into Oholah and into Oholibah, the lewd women. 45 “But they, righteous men, will judge them with the judgment of adulteresses and with the judgment of women who shed blood, because they are adulteresses and blood is on their hands. 46 “The Lord Jehovah says: „Bring up a company against them and give them over to terror and plunder. 47 „“The company will stone them with stones and cut them down with their swords. They will slay their sons and their daughters and burn their houses with fire. 361 48‟“Thus I will make lewdness cease from the land. All women will be admonished and not commit lewdness as you have done. 49 „“Your lewdness will be repaid upon you. You will bear the penalty of worshiping your idols. You will know that I am the Lord Jehovah!‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary *Chapter 23, Oholah, Oholibah: Ezekiel Chapter 23 expresses the following: Samaria represents the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel. The prostitute, Oholah, the older sister of Oholibah, represents Jerusalem, the kingdom of Judah. Her spiritual prostitution began in Egypt and continued in the Promised Land. Later she sought favors of the Assyrians and thus engaged in degrading idolatrous practices, including child sacrifice. As punishment for her unfaithfulness to him, Jehovah delivered Oholah into the hands of the Assyrians. *23:23 Pekod: The geographic area known as Pekod was near Babylon. The military forces used to execute Jehovah God‟s judgment on unfaithful Jerusalem included men from Pekod. (Ezekiel 23:4, 22-26) According to Jeremiah 50:21 Pekod was to be devoted to destruction. Pekod is identified with the Puqudu of Assyrian inscriptions. Puqudu (Pekod) was under the control of Babylon. Therefore, it makes sense to believe that when Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians, Pekod must also have fallen. *23:23 Koa: There is a KOA in the Bible, but it‟s not a campground. Koa was a territory in Mesopotamia, a region of Babylon east of the Tigras River, on the border of Elam and Media. Ezekiel prophesied that the people of Koa would supply some of the enemy forces that would assault unfaithful Jerusalem and Judah. (Ezekiel 23:23) *23:37 passing offspring through the fire, Molech: Molech was an Ammonite deity. (1 Kings 11:5, 7, 33) Molech was probably the same as Moloch and Milcom. (Acts 7:43) (Amos 5:27) According to Jeremiah 32:35 there could be some 362 connection between Molech and Baal. So it is possible that the name Molech may have been applied to more than one god. God‟s Law to Israel required the death penalty for anyone who gave his offspring to Molech. (Leviticus 20:2-5) The term passing offspring through the fire meant devoting or dedicating children to Molech. (2 Kings 17:17, 18) (Ezekiel 23:4, 36-39) Ezekiel 24 1 The word of Jehovah came to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth of the month, He said: 2 “Son of man, write the name of the day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day. 3 “Speak a parable to the rebellious house. Say to them: The Lord Jehovah says, “Put on the cooking pot, put it on and also pour water in it. 4 “Put in it the pieces, every good piece, the thigh and the shoulder. Fill it with choice bones. 5 “Take the choicest of the flock. Also pile wood under the pot. Make it boil vigorously. Also boil its bones in it.”‟” 6 “Therefore, the Lord Jehovah says: „Woe to the bloody city, To the cooking pot in which there is rust and whose rust has not gone out of it! Take out of it piece after piece, without making a choice. 7 ““Her blood is in her midst. She placed it on the bare rock. She did not pour it on the ground to cover it with dust. 8 „“That it may cause wrath to come up to take vengeance, I have put her blood on the bare rock, that it may not be covered.‟ 9 “The Lord Jehovah says: „Woe to the bloody city! I also will make the pile great. 10 „“Heap on the wood and kindle the fire. Boil the flesh well and mix in the spices and let the bones be burned. 11 „“Then set it empty on its coals so that it may be hot and its copper may glow and its filthiness may be melted in it. Let its rust be consumed. 12 „“She has made me tire with toil, yet her great rust has not gone from her. Let her rust be in the fire!‟ 363 13 „“In your filthiness is lewdness. Because I would have cleansed you, yet you are not clean. You will not be cleansed from your filthiness again until I have spent my anger on you. 14 „“I, Jehovah, have spoken. It is coming and I will act. I will not relent, and I will not pity and I will not be sorry! I will judge you according to your ways and according to your deeds.‟ This is a declaration of the Lord Jehovah.” 15 Jehovah continued to speak his word to me: 16 “Son of man, behold, I am about to take from you the desire of your eyes with a blow. You will, however, not mourn and you will not weep, and your tears will not come. 17 “Groan silently; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban and put your shoes on your feet. Do not cover your mustache and do not eat the bread of men.” 18 “So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And in the morning I did as I was commanded. 19 “The people said to me: “Will you not tell us what these things that you are doing mean for us?” 20 Then I said to them: “The word of Jehovah came to me, and He said: 21 “Speak to the house of Israel. Tell them Jehovah says: „I am about to profane my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes and your delight. Your sons and your daughters whom you have left behind will fall by the sword. 22 „“You will do as I have done. You will not cover your mustache and you will not eat the bread of men. 23 „”‟Your turbans will be on your heads and your shoes on your feet. You will not mourn and you will not weep. You will rot away in your iniquities and you will groan to one another. 24 „“„So Ezekiel will be a sign to you. You will do according to all that he has done. Then you will know that I am the Lord Jehovah.‟”‟ 25 “As for you, O son of man, will it not be on the day when I take from them their stronghold, the joy of their pride, the desire of their eyes and their heart's delight, their sons and their daughters, 26 that on that day he who escapes will come to you with information for your ears? 364 27 “On that day your mouth will be opened to him who escaped. You will speak and be mute no longer. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am Jehovah.” Ezekiel 25 1 Jehovah continued to speak his word to me: 2 “Son of man set your face (give attention) toward the Ammonites and prophesy against them. 3 “Tell the Ammonites: „Hear the word of the Lord Jehovah! The Lord Jehovah says: “Because you said, Aha! Against My sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel when it was made desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into exile, 4 “„“I am going to give you to the sons of the east for a possession. They will set their encampments among you and make their dwellings among you. They will eat your fruit and drink your milk. 5 “„“I will make Rabbah a pasture for camels and the Ammonites a resting place for flocks. So you will know that I am Jehovah.”‟” 6 “The Lord Jehovah says: „Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced in your scorn against the land of Israel, 7 „“I have stretched out my hand against you and I will give you for spoil to the nations. I will cut you off from the peoples and make you perish from the lands. I will destroy you. Therefore, you will know that I am Jehovah.‟ 8 “The Lord Jehovah says: „Because Moab and Seir say, “Behold, the house of Judah is like all the nations, 9 therefore, I am going to deprive the flank of Moab of its cities, of its cities which are on its frontiers, the glory of the land, Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon and Kiriathaim, 10 and I will give it for a possession along with the Ammonites to the sons of the east, so that the Ammonites will not be remembered among the nations. 11 “„“Thus I will execute judgments on Moab, and they will know that I am Jehovah.‟ 12 “The Lord Jehovah says: „Because Edom has acted against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has incurred grievous guilt, and avenged themselves upon them, 365 13 therefore the Lord Jehovah says: „I will also stretch out my hand (exert my power) against Edom and cut off man and beast from it. I will lay it waste! From Teman even to Dedan they will fall by the sword. 14 „I will lay my vengeance on Edom by the hand of my people Israel. Therefore, they will act in Edom according to my anger and according to my wrath. They will know my vengeance, declares the Lord Jehovah.”‟ 15 “The Lord Jehovah says: Because the Philistines have acted in revenge and scorn and have taken vengeance to destroy with everlasting enmity, 16 therefore the Lord Jehovah says: „I will stretch out my hand (exert power) against the Philistines. I will even cut off the Cherethites* and destroy the remnant of the seacoast. 17 “„“I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. They will know that I am Jehovah when I lay my vengeance on them.”‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary *25:16 Cherethites: The Cherethites were people who connected with the Philistines. (Ezekiel 25:16) (Zephaniah 2:5) Most scholars conclude that the Cherethites and Philistines were the same people. Some believe that they were a pricipal Philistien tribe. (2 Samuel 8:18; 20:23) (1 Chronicles 18:17) (1 Samuel 30:14, 16) Ezekiel 26 1 Now in the eleventh year, on the first of the month, the word of Jehovah came to me: 2 “Son of man, because Tyre has said concerning Jerusalem, „Aha, the gateway of the peoples is broken; it has opened to me. I will be filled, now that she is laid waste.‟ 3 “Therefore the Lord Jehovah says: „I am against you, O Tyre, and I will bring up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves. 4 “„They will destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers. I will scrape her debris from her and make her a bare rock. 366 5 “„She will be a place for the spreading of nets in the middle of the sea. I have spoken, declares the Lord Jehovah. She will become spoil for the nations.‟ 6 “„Her daughters on the mainland will be killed by the sword. They will know that I am Jehovah.‟ 7 “The Lord Jehovah says: „I will bring upon Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He is king of kings. He has many horses, chariots, cavalry and a great army. 8 „“He will slay your daughters on the mainland with the sword. He will make siege walls against you, cast up a ramp against you and raise up a large shield against you. 9 “„He will direct the blow of his battering rams against your walls. He will break down your towers with his axes. 10 “„Dust raised by the vast number of his horses will cover you. The noise of cavalry, wagons and chariots will shake your walls. He will enter your gates as men enter a city that is breached. 11 “„The hoofs of his horses will trample all your streets. He will slay your people with the sword and your strong pillars will come down to the ground. 12 “„They will make a spoil of your riches and a prey of your merchandise. They will break down your walls and destroy your pleasant houses. They will throw your stones and your timbers and your debris into the water.‟* 13 “„So I will silence the sound of your songs, and the sound of your harps will be heard no more. 14 “„I will make you a bare rock. You will be a place for the spreading of nets. You will be built no more, for I Jehovah have spoken,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah. 15 “The Lord Jehovah says to Tyre: „Will not the coastlands shake at the sound of your fall when the wounded groan, when the slaughter occurs in your midst? 16 „“Then all the princes of the sea will go down from their thrones and remove their robes and strip off their embroidered garments. They will clothe themselves with trembling. They will sit on the ground, tremble every moment and be appalled at you. 17 „“They will take up a lamentation over you and say to you: “„“How you have perished, O inhabited one, from the seas, O 367 renowned city. You were mighty on the sea. She and her inhabitants imposed her terror on all her inhabitants! 18 “„“Now the coastlands will tremble on the day of your fall. Yes, the coastlands by the sea will be terrified at your passing.”‟ 19 “The Lord Jehovah says: „When I make you a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited, when I bring up the deep over you and the great waters cover you, 20 then I will bring you down with those who go down to the pit (grave), to the people of old, and I will make you dwell in the lower parts of the earth. It will be like the ancient waste places, with those who go down to the pit (grave), so that you will not be inhabited; but I will set glory in the land of the living. 21 “I will bring terrors on you and you will be no more. Though you will be sought, you will never be found again,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *26:12 Alexander the Great: Alexander the Great was the son of Philip II of Macedonia, Greece. His mother Olympias gave birth to him in 356 B.C.E. Alexander the Great is not named in the Holy Scriptures, but his great military feats are identified in prophecy. He became king after his father was assassinated and he immediately set out to conquer the world. (Ezekiel 26:4, 12) (Jeremiah 50:35-40; 51:26) (Daniel 8:5-8, 20-22; 11:4) King Alexander founded the city of Alexandria. It became a great seat of learning where the Greek Septuagint was later written. Daniel foretold the demise of Alexander predicting that he was to be cut down and broken in death and this happened at age 32, in the prime of life, he suddenly died of malarial fever. Four kingdoms were established out of the one kingdom that Alexander ruled over and four of Alexander‟s generals became their rulers. (Daniel 8:22) Ezekiel 27 1 Jehovah‟s word continued to come to me: 2 “You, son of man, take up a lamentation over Tyre. 368 3 Say to Tyre, who dwells at the entrance to the sea, merchant of the peoples to many coastlands, thus says the Lord Jehovah: “„O Tyre, you have said, „I am perfect in beauty.‟ 4 “Your borders are in the heart of the seas. Your builders have perfected your beauty. 5 “They have made all your planks of fir trees from Senir.* They have taken a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you. 6 “Of oaks from Bashan they have made your oars. With ivory they have inlaid your deck with cypress wood from the coastlands of Cyprus. 7 “Your sail was of fine embroidered linen from Egypt. It became your distinguishing mark. Your awning was blue and purple from the coastlands of Elishah. 8 “„“The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad* were your rowers. Your wise men, O Tyre, were aboard. They were your pilots. 9 “„“The elders of Gebal* and her wise men were with you repairing your seams. All the ships of the sea and their sailors* were with you in order to deal in your merchandise. 10 “„“Persia and Lud and Put were in your army, your men of war. They hung shield and helmet in you. They set forth your splendor. 11 “„“People from Arvad and Helech were tower guards all around your walls. They made your beauty perfect. 12 People from Tarshish traded with you because you were so very rich. They exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise. 13 “„“Japan, Tubal and Meshech* were your traders. They paid for your merchandise with the lives of men and vessels of bronze. 14 “„“Those from Beth-togarmah gave horses and warhorses and mules for your wares. 15 “„“The sons of Dedan were your traders. Many coastlands were your market; ivory tusks and ebony* they brought as your payment. 16 “„“Aram was your customer because of the abundance of your goods. They paid for your wares with emeralds, purple, embroidered work, fine linen, coral and rubies. 369 17 “„“Judah and the land of Israel were your traders. They traded with the wheat of Minnith. Cakes, honey, oil and balm were paid for your merchandise. 18 “„“Damascus was your customer because of the abundance of your goods, because of the abundance of all kinds of wealth, because of the wine of Helbon* and white wool. 19 “„“Vedan* and Javan paid for your wares from Uzal. Wrought iron, cassia and sweet cane were among your merchandise. 20 “„“Dedan traded with you in saddlecloths for riding. 21 “„“Arabia* and all the princes of Kedar were your customers for lambs, rams and goats. 22 “„“The traders of Sheba and Raamah traded with you. They paid for your wares with the best of all kinds of spices, and with all kinds of precious stones and gold. 23 “„“Haran, Canneh,* Eden, the traders of Sheba, Asshur and Chilmad traded with you. 24 “„“They traded with you in choice garments, in clothes of blue and embroidered work, and in carpets of many colors and tightly wound cords, which were among your merchandise. 25 “„“The ships* of Tarshish* were the carriers for your merchandise. And you were filled and were very glorious in the heart of the seas. 26 “„“Your rowers have brought you into great waters. The east wind has broken you in the heart of the seas. 27 “„“Your wealth, your wares, your merchandise, your sailors and your pilots, your repairers of seams, your dealers in merchandise and all your men of war who are in you, with all your company that is in your midst, will fall into the heart of the seas on the day of your overthrow. 28 “„“The pasturelands will shake at the sound of the cry of your pilots. 29 “„“All who handle the oars, the sailors and all the pilots of the sea will come down from their ships. They will stand on the land, 30 “„“And they will make their voice heard over you and will cry bitterly. They will cast dust on their heads and wallow in ashes. 370 31 “„“They will make themselves bald for you and gird themselves with sackcloth. They will weep for you in bitterness and with painful mourning. 32 “„“In their wailing they will take up a lamentation for you and lament over you: Who is like Tyre, Like her who is silent in the midst of the sea? 33 “„“When your wares went out from the seas, you satisfied many peoples. With the abundance of your wealth and your merchandise you enriched the kings of earth. 34 “„“In the very depths of the waters, you are broken by the sea. Your merchandise and all your company have fallen in the midst of you. 35 “„“All the inhabitants of the coastlands are appalled at you. Their kings are horribly afraid. They are troubled in countenance. 36 “„“The merchants among the peoples hiss at you. You have become terrified and you will cease to be forever.”‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary *27:5 Senior: Senir is the Amorite name for Mount Hermon. It may also have been used as a name for part of the Hermon Range. After all 1 Chronicles 5:23 mentions Senir and Mount Hermon.” (De 3:9) It was a source of lumber. (Ezekiel 27:5) *27:8 Arvad: Arvad is the place referenced in Ezekiel‟s prophetic dirge about Tyre. He said the men from Arvad served as skilled rowers in Tyre‟s navy and as warriors in her army. Arvad is the small rocky island 116 miles northeast of Tyre. It‟s inhabitants were descendants of Canaan. (Genesis 10:15, 18) (Ezekiel 27:8, 11) This island is known today as Arwad. *27:9 Gebal, Gebalites: Gebal was a Phoenician city siturated along the Mediteranean seacoast. It is identified with modern Jebeil, about 17 miles northeast of Beirut. Historians believe Gebal to be the Greek town of Byblos. It is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East. The Gebalites helped Solomon in the 11th century Before Common Era to prepare the 371 materials for the temple construction. (Joshua 13:1-7; 23:12, 13) (1 Kings 5:18) (Ezekiel 27:9) *27:9 Mariner, sailer: A mariner is the person who navigates or assists in the operation of a ship. A sailor or seaman is a mariner. (1 Kings 9:26, 27) (Ezekiel 27:8, 9) (Revelation 18:17-19) Life as an ancient mariner was filled with danger. They were practically helpless in a storm tossed sea. Acts 27:15-19 offers a vivid account of the measures taken by mariners during a storm. *27:13 Meshech aggressive and barbarous: Meshech was the son of Japheth. Japheth was the son of Noah. (Genesis 10:2) (1 Chronicles 1:5) Ezekiel the prophet mentions Meshech and Tubal from northern Palestine. They exported slaves and copper to Tyre and were very warlike. They were considered allies or subjects of “Gog of Magog” in this prophecy. (Ezekiel 27:13; 32:26; 39:2, 3; 39:1, 2) Meshech is also found at Psalm 120:5 representing aggressive and barbarous people. *27:15 ebony: Ebony is the wood that comes from the Diospyros ebenum tree. The tree grows tall and it has soft white outer wood. The inner heartwood is very hard, close grained, black or dark brown in color. It shines or polishes to a high gloss and is very desirable for ornamental articles. Ebony is mentioned only once in the Holy Scriptures at Ezekiel 27:15. *27:18 Helbon: Helbon was a place popular for its fine wine, highly valued by the city of Tyre. (Ezekiel 27:18) In ancient times Assyria, Babylonia, Persia and Tyre obtained the wine of Helbon. *27:19 Vedan: Vedan was one of the places where Tyre carried on commerce. (Ezekiel 27:19) *27:21 Arabia: The Arabian Peninsula is in the southwest corner of the continent of Asia. The Persian Gulf is on the east border and the Red Sea on the west. Mesopotamia, Syria and Israel are on its north border. Its land surface is about one third the land surface of the continental United States. The 372 vast majority of the land is arid desert. However, sufficient rainfall occurs in the western mountain range and central plateau to produce crops of millet, wheat, barley, and corn. Date palms also grow there. (Exodus 15:27) Arabian horses are beautiful and strong. (Job 39:19-25) Much of the life there is the same as it was in Bible times. (Ezekiel 27:21) (2 Chronicles 17:11) (Judges 6:5) (Job 39:5-8, 26, 27) (Isaiah 60:7; 34:13) *27:23 Canneh: Canneh was mentioned as a place being among the traders of ancient Tyre. (Ezekiel 27:23) It was associated with Haran and Eden, located along the Euphrates River in northern Mesopotamia. *27:25 ship: A ship is a large sea going vessel. The Bible makes reference to ships in several places. Ships were plying the seas in the time of Moses. Jehovah warned the Israelites that if they disobeyed they would be brought “back to Egypt by ships” at Deuteronomy 28:68. (Ezekiel 27:27) The Phoenicians were skilled sailors who sailed great distances. (1 Kings 22:48) (Psalm 48:7) (Isaiah 2:16) (Ezekiel 27:25) It is possible that Jonah fled on a ship like this. (Jonah 1:3, 5) As a prisoner Paul sailed from Caesarea to Myra. (Acts 21:1-6; 27:2-5) The Gospels frequently spoke about boats on the Sea of Galilee. These were primarily used for fishing with nets. (Matthew 4:18-22) (Luke 5:2) (John 21:2-6) The apostle Paul featured the ships “anchor” in a figurative way when he spoke to the Hebrews. He said our hope is a “sure and steadfast anchor of life.” (Hebrews 6:19) Ephesians 4:13 and James 1:6 each uses this same nautical theme. *27:25 Tarshish by the sea: Tarshish was the region where the offspring of Tarshish son of Javan settled. It must have been a Mediterranean seaport since the Scriptures mention “the ships of Tarshish,” at Ezekiel 27:25, 26, (Psalms 48:7) (Jonah 2:3) Tarshish was a major market for the merchants of the city of Tyre. (Jeremiah 10:9) (Ezekiel 27:3, 12) It is mentioned many time in the Holy Scriptures. 373 Ezekiel 28 1 Jehovah continued to speak to me: 2 “Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre: „This is what the Lord Jehovah says: “„“In your arrogance you say, „I am a god (strong deity). I sit on God's throne in the sea.‟ But you are only human and not a god, although you think you are a god. (2 Thes 2:4) 3 „“You think that you are wiser than Daniel and that no secret can be hidden from you. 4 „“Because you are wise and understanding, you have made yourself rich. You saved gold and silver in your treasuries. 5 „“Because of your great skill in trading, you have made yourself very wealthy. You have become arrogant because of your wealth.‟” 6 „“Therefore the Lord Jehovah says: Because you have made your heart like (consider yourself to be like) the heart of God, 7 „“I will bring strangers, ruthless nations, upon you. They will draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom and defile your splendor. 8 „“They will throw you into a pit. You will die a violent death in the sea. 9 „“You will no longer say that you are a god when you face those who kill you. You will be a human, not a god, in the hands of those who kill you.”‟ 10 „“You will die at the hands of foreigners like a godless person.‟ I have spoken, declares Jehovah.” 11 Jehovah continued to speak his word to me: 12 “Son of man, sing a funeral song for the ruler of Tyre. Tell him: „This is what the Lord Jehovah says: “„“You were the perfect example, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 “„“You were in Eden, God's garden.* You were covered with every kind of precious stone: red quartz, topaz, crystal, beryl, jade, onyx, gray quartz, sapphire, turquoise,* and emerald. Your settings and your sockets were made of gold when you were created. 14 “„“I appointed an angel to guard you. You were on God's holy mountain. You walked among fiery stones. 15 “„“Your behavior was perfect from the time you were created, until evil was found in you. 374 16 “„“By the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. Therefore I have cast you as profane from the mountain of God. I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 “„“Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty. You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I cast you to the ground. I put you before kings, that they may see you. 18 “„“By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade you profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought fire from the midst of you. It has consumed you. I have turned you to ashes on the earth in the eyes of all who see you. 19 “„“All who know you among the peoples are appalled at you. You have become terrified. You will cease to be forever.”‟” 20 The word of Jehovah came to me, He said: 21 “Son of man, set your face (pay attention) toward Sidon, prophesy against her. 22 “You must say, ,The Lord Jehovah says: “I am against you, O Sidon! I will be glorified in your midst. Then they will know that I am Jehovah when I execute judgments in her. I will manifest my holiness in her. 23 “„For I will send pestilence to her and blood to her streets. The wounded will fall in her midst by the sword upon her on every side. Then they will know that I am Jehovah. 24 “„There will be no more prickling brier or a painful thorn for the house of Israel from any round about them who scorned them. Then they will know that I am the Lord Jehovah. 25 “„The Lord Jehovah says: “When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, I will make known my holiness in them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their land that I gave to my servant Jacob. 26 “„“They will live in it securely. They will build houses, plant vineyards and live securely when I execute judgments upon all who scorn them round about them. Then they will know that I am Jehovah their God!”‟” Simplified Bible Dictionary 375 *28:13 Eden, Garden of: Jehovah God created the Garden of Eden as a home for Adam and Eve. (Genesis 2:83:24) (Joel 2:3) Genesis 2:15 says: “Jehovah God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Ezekiel 28:13 states: “You were in Eden, God‟s garden.” Isaiah 51:3 reads in part: “Jehovah will surely comfort Zion…He will make her deserts like Eden and her wastelands like the Garden of Jehovah.” *28:13 Turquoise: Turquoise is a semiprecious gemstone ranging in color from light blue to dull green. It contains hydrous phosphate of aluminum with traces of copper and iron. When the blue stones are heated or exposed to the weather they turn green. The high priest Aaron wore an engraved turquoise stone on his breast piece of judgment. One of the names of Israel‟s twelve tribes was inscribe upon it. (Exodus 28:2, 15, 18, 21) (Ezekiel 27:2, 16; 28:12, 13) Ezekiel 29 1 In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth of the month, the word of Jehovah came to me: 2 “Son of man set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt and prophesy against him and against all Egypt. 3 “Say this, „The Lord Jehovah says: “I am against you Pharaoh, king of Egypt, the great monster* (Egypt) (Psalm 74:13,14) that lies in the midst of his rivers. You have said: „My Nile is mine! I have made it!‟” 4 “I will put hooks in your jaws and make the fish of your rivers cling to your scales. I will bring you up out of the midst of your rivers. All the fish of your rivers will cling to your scales. 5 “I will abandon you to the wilderness and all the fish of your rivers. You will fall on the open field. You will not be brought together or gathered. I have given you for food to the beasts of the earth and to the birds of the sky. 6 “Then all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Jehovah. This is because they have been only a staff made of reed* to the house of Israel. 376 7 “When they took hold of you with the hand, you broke and tore all their hands. When they leaned on you, you broke and made all their loins quake.” 8 “„Therefore the Lord Jehovah says: “I will bring upon you a sword and I will cut off from you man and beast. 9 “„The land of Egypt will become a desolation and waste. Then they will know that I am Jehovah. Because you said: „The Nile is mine, and I have made it.‟ 10 “I am against you and against your rivers. I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from Migdol* to Syene* and even to the border of Ethiopia. 11 “A man's foot will not pass through it, and the foot of a beast will not pass through it, and it will not be inhabited for forty years. 12 “So I will make the land of Egypt desolation in the midst of desolated lands. And her cities, in the midst of cities that are laid waste, will be desolate forty years. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them among the lands.” 13 “„The Lord Jehovah says: “At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples among whom they were scattered. 14 ““„I will turn the fortunes of Egypt and make them return to the land of Pathros,* to the land of their origin. They will be a lowly kingdom. 15 ““„It will be the lowest of the kingdoms, and it will never again lift itself up above the nations. I will make them so small that they will not rule over the nations. 16 “„“It will never again be the confidence of the house of Israel, bringing to mind the iniquity of their having turned to Egypt. Then they will know that I am the Lord Jehovah.”‟” 17 Now in the twenty-seventh year, in the first month, on the first of the month, the word of Jehovah came to me. He said: 18 “Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made his army labor hard against Tyre. Every head was made bald and every shoulder was rubbed bare. But he and his army had no wages from Tyre for the labor that he had performed against it. 19 “The Lord Jehovah says: „I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He will carry off her wealth 377 and capture her spoil and seize her plunder. It will serve as wages for his army. 20 “„I have given him the land of Egypt for the labor he performed, because they acted for me,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah. 21 “On that day I will make a horn sprout for the house of Israel (make the people of Israel strong again), and I give you, Ezekiel, something to say among them. Then they will know that I am Jehovah.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *29:2 set your face: Hebrew: sum siym paniym (soom seem paw-neem’). Make it your purpose, present yourself, stedfastly take action. *29:3 great monster, sea monster: The Hebrew word “tan-nin‟” is generally translated sea monster or great monster. (Ezekiel 29:3; 32:2) It is called big snake when not mentioned with the sea or water. (Jeremiah 51:34) (Exodus 4:2, 3; 7:9, 12) The term is also used in reference to Rahab, Egypt and Pharaoh. (Psalms 74:13) (Isaiah 30:7; 51:9) (Ezekiel 29:3; 32:2) *29:6, 7 reed: Hebrew: qa-neh. Greek: ka’la-mos. mean reed. They refer to numerous reed-like plants commonly growing in wet places. (Job 40:1) (Psalm 68:30) (Isaiah 19:6; 35:7) Roman soldiers placed a reed in Jesus‟ right hand. This was to represent a royal scepter. Later they hit him with it. A sponge soaked in sour wine was lifted to the impaled Jesus. (Matthew 27:29, 30, 48) (John 19:29) The book of Ezekiel speaks about a measuring reed that was six cubits long. (Ezekiel 40:5) (Revelation 11:1; 21:15,16) Bible writers use the reed to represent instability and frailty. (1 Kings 14:15) (2 Kings 18:21) (Isaiah 36:6; 42:3) (Ezekiel 29:6, 7) (Matthew 11:7; 12:10-14, 20) (Matthew 23:4) (Mark 6:34) *29:10 Migdol: Migdol was an Egyptian site mentioned by the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel nine hundred years after the Exodus. The prophet Ezekiel told of a devastation that 378 would come upon Egypt, likely from Babylon. He said it would strike from Migdol to Syene and to the boundary of Ethiopia. (Ezekiel 29:10; 30:6) When Jerusalem fell in 607 B.C.E. Jewish refugees settled in Migdol. (Jeremiah 44:1; 46:13, 14) *29:10 Syene: Syene was a city in southern Egypt that served as a market or trading post. (Ezekiel 29:10; 30:6) It is identified with Aswan, 430 miles south of Cairo. *29:14 Pathros: This area of Egypt is called the “Land of the South.” (Ezekiel 30:13, 14) Evidently this means the area of Upper Egypt. Isaiah 11:11 foretell the return of Israelite exiles from Egypt, Pathros and Cush. Again verifying that Pathros is somewhere in Upper Egypt. Ezekiel declared that Pathros is “the land of the Egyptians origin.” (Ezekiel 29:14) Ezekiel 30 1 Jehovah continued to speak his word to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy. Say, „The Lord Jehovah says: “Cry for that day! 3 “„The day is near. The Day of Jehovah is near. It will be a gloomy day, a time of trouble for the nations. 4 “„There will be war in Egypt and anguish in Ethiopia. Many Egyptians will fall dead. People will take away Egypt's wealth, and its foundations will be torn down. 5 “„Sudan, Put, Lud, all the Arabs, the Libyans, and people from the promised land will die in battle.‟” 6 “This is what Jehovah says: „All Egypt's allies will die. Egypt's strength will disappear. People will die in war from Migdol to Syene, declares the Lord Jehovah!‟ 7 “„Egypt will become the most desolate country in the world! Egypt's cities will lie in ruins. They will be ruined more than other cities. 8 “„Then they will know that I am Jehovah, because I will set fire to Egypt and all her defenders will be killed. 9 “„On that day I will send messengers in ships to terrify those who live in safety in Sudan. The people of Sudan will be in anguish when Egypt is in trouble. That day is coming!‟ 379 10 “This is what the Lord Jehovah says: I will use King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to bring an end to Egypt. 11 “He and his troops, the most ruthless troops among the nations, will be brought to destroy the land. They will draw their swords to attack Egypt and fill the land with dead bodies. 12 “I will dry up the Nile River and sell the land to wicked people. I will have foreigners destroy the land and everything in it. I, Jehovah, have spoken.‟ 13 “This is what the Lord Jehovah says: „I will destroy the statues and put an end to the idols in Memphis. A prince will never rise again in Egypt. I will spread fear throughout Egypt. 14 “„I will destroy Pathros, set fire to Zoan and bring punishment on Thebes. 15 “„I will pour out my fury on Sin, Egypt's fortress, and I will kill many people in Thebes. 16 “„I will set fire to Egypt. Sin will be in much pain. Thebes will be broken into pieces, and Memphis will be in trouble every day. 17 “„The young men from Heliopolis (Aven) and Bubastis (Pibeseth*) will die in battle, and people from these cities will go into exile. 18 “„At Tahpanhes the day will turn dark when I break Egypt's power. Egypt's strong army will be defeated. Clouds will cover Egypt, and people from its villages will go into exile.‟” 19 “„Then they will know that I am Jehovah, because I will bring punishment on Egypt. 20 On the seventh day of the first month in the eleventh year, Jehovah spoke his word to me: 21 “Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. His arm is not bandaged, so it cannot heal and be strong enough to hold a sword.” 22 “The Lord Jehovah says: „I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt. I will break his arms, both the strong and the broken. I will make the sword fall from his hand. 23 „“I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them among the lands. 24 „“For I will strengthen the arms (the power) of the king of Babylon and put my sword in his hand. I will break the arms of Pharaoh. He will groan before him with the groanings of a wounded man. 380 25 „“I will strengthen the arms (the power) of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh will fall. Then they will know that I am Jehovah, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he stretches it out against the land of Egypt. 26 „“When I scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them among the lands, then they will know that I am Jehovah.‟” *30:17 Pibeseth: Pibeseth was the city mentioned at Ezekiel 30:17. It was a prophecy directed against Egypt. It was the seat of false worship of the goddess Bastet, a feline goddess represented with the head of a cat. There was a large burial ground for cats near the city. There was an annual festival to honor Bastet.Ezekiel‟s prophecy is about the Babylonian conquest of Egyupt when Pibeseth would be captured. Later the Persians destroyed the city. (1 Kings 11:40; 14:25, 26) Ezekiel 31 1 In the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first of the month, the word of Jehovah came to me: 2 “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes: “„Who are you like in your greatness? 3 “„Assyria was a cedar* in Lebanon with beautiful branches and forest shade, and very high, and its top was among the clouds. 4 “„The waters made it grow, the deep made it high. With its rivers it continually extended all around its planting place, and sent out its channels to all the trees of the field. 5 Therefore its height was loftier than all the trees of the field. „”Its boughs became many and its branches long because of many waters as it spread them out. 6 “„All the birds of the heavens nested in its boughs. Under its branches all the beasts of the field gave birth and all great nations lived under its shade. 7 “„So it was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches; for its roots extended to many waters. 8 “„The cedars in God's garden could not match it. The cypresses could not compare with its boughs. The plane trees* 381 could not match its branches. No tree in God's garden could compare with it in its beauty. 9 “„I made it beautiful with the multitude of its branches. All the trees of Eden in the garden of God were jealous of it.‟ 10 “The Lord Jehovah says: „Because it is high in stature and has set its top among the clouds, and its heart is haughty in its loftiness, 11 “„I will give it into the hand of a despot of the nations. He will thoroughly deal with it. According to its wickedness I have driven it away. 12 “„Alien tyrants of the nations have cut it down and left it. On the mountains and in all the valleys its branches have fallen and its boughs have been broken in all the ravines of the land. All the peoples of the earth have gone down from its shade and left it. 13 “„On its ruin all the birds of the heavens will dwell. All the beasts of the field will be on its fallen branches 14 so that all the trees by the waters may not be exalted in their stature, nor set their top among the clouds, nor their well-watered mighty ones stand erect in their height. For they have all been given over to death, to the earth beneath, among the sons of men, with those who go down to the pit.‟ 15 “The Lord Jehovah says: „On the day when it went down to the grave I caused cries of sorrow. I closed the deep over it and held back its rivers. Its many waters were stopped up, and I made Lebanon mourn for it. All the trees of the field wilted away on account of it. 16 “„I made the nations quake at the sound of its fall when I made it go down to the grave with those who go down to the pit. All the well-watered trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, were comforted in the earth beneath. 17 “„They also went down with it to the grave to those who were slain by the sword. Those who were its strength lived under its shade among the nations.‟ 18 “„Which of the trees of Eden are you equal to in glory and greatness? Yet you will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the earth beneath. You will lie in the midst of the uncircumcised, with those who were slain by the sword. So is Pharaoh and all his hordes!‟ Declares the Lord Jehovah.”‟ 382 Simplified Bible Dictionary *31:3 cedar tree: The cedar tree of Lebanon is a majestic tree of massive proportions, with deep, strong roots. It can grow to a height of 120 feet tall with a circumference of 40 feet. Solomon used many cedar trees in the construction of the Temple. (1 Kings 6:9, 20) The mountains of Lebanon once were covered with these splendid trees. Today only a few groves remain because of indiscriminate use, the ravages of war and a lack of conservation and replenishment. (Isa 14:5-8; SS 5:15) These stately trees were used figuratively to represent stateliness, loftiness and strength. (Ezekiel 31:2-14) (Amos 2:9) (Zechariah 11:1, 2) *31:8 Plane Tree: The plane tree is a stately tree growing as high as seventy feet. It‟s branches spread out to allow it‟s dark green vine like leaves to offer splendid shade. The name comes from the Hebrew verb “a-rah” meaning lay bare or uncover. This is because every year the tree peels off it‟s outer bark in strips or sections, exposing smooth white inner bark beneath. (Zephaniah 2:14) (Isaiah 22:6) Ezekiel spoke about Pharaoh and his followers in a illustration comparing the plane tree with the majestic cedar of Lebanon at Ezekiel 31:8. Plane trees are found along riverbanks throughout Syria, Palestine and Lebanon. Trees and plants of the Bible: Psalm 104:24 says, “O Jehovah, how many are your works! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your possessions.” Nearly one hundred plants and trees are mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. You will find a very diversified growth of trees, from the cedars of Lebanon to the date palms of Jericho. And when you travel to the desert you find the broom trees. In all there are 30 different types of trees mentioned in the Bible. You may find many of these plants and trees by searching in a comprehensive concordance. Ezekiel 32 1 In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the first of the month, the word of Jehovah came to me: 383 2 “Son of man, take up a cry of sorrow and grief over Pharaoh king of Egypt. Say to him: „You compared yourself to a young lion of the nations. “„You are really like the monster in the seas. You burst forth in your rivers and muddied the waters with your feet and fouled their rivers.‟ 3 “The Lord Jehovah says: „Now I will spread my net over you with a company of many peoples. They will lift you up in my net. 4 “„I will leave you on the land. I will cast you on the open field. I will cause all the birds of the heavens to dwell on you. And I will satisfy the beasts of the entire earth with you. 5 “„I will lay your flesh on the mountains. I will fill the valleys with your refuse. 6 “„I will also make the land drink the discharge of your blood as far away as the mountains. The ravines will be full of you.‟ 7 “„When I extinguish you, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars. I will cover the sun with a cloud and the moon will not give its light. 8 “„All the shining lights in the heavens I will darken over you. And I will set darkness on your land,‟ proclaims the Lord Jehovah. 9 “„I will also trouble the hearts of many peoples when I bring your destruction among the nations, into lands you have not known. 10 “„I will make many peoples astonished at you. Their kings will be dreadfully afraid of you when I brandish my sword before them. They will tremble every moment, every man for his own life, on the day of your fall.‟ 11 “The Lord Jehovah says: „You will face the sword of the king of Babylon. 12 “„I will cut down your people with the swords of warriors. All of them will be the most ruthless warriors among the nations. They will shatter the pride of Egypt and destroy its many people. 13 “„I will also destroy all the animals beside its many water sources. The feet of humans and the hoofs of animals will not stir up the water anymore.‟ 14 “„Then I will make its water clear and make its streams flow like oil,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah. 384 15 “„I will turn Egypt into a wasteland. I will take everything in the land, and I will kill all the people who live there. Then they will know that I am Jehovah. 16 “„This is a funeral song. The people from the nations will sing this song. They will sing it as they mourn for Egypt and its many people, declares the Lord Jehovah.” 17 On the fifteenth day of the month in the twelfth year, Jehovah spoke his word to me. He said: 18 “Son of man, cry for the many people of Egypt. Bring them down along with the other mighty nations. Send them down below the earth to be with those who have gone down to the pit. 19 “„Tell them: „Are you more beautiful than anyone else? Go down and join the godless people. 20 “„The Egyptians will lie among those who were killed in battle. A sword has been drawn. Drag Egypt and its many people away. 21 “„The mightiest warriors will say to Pharaoh from the grave: You and your defenders have come down. You now lie with the godless people who were killed in battle. 22 “„Assyria is there with its whole army. The graves of its soldiers are all around it. All of its soldiers are dead. They have been killed in battle. 23 “„Their graves are in the deepest parts of the pit. Assyria's army lies around its grave. All of its soldiers are dead. They have been killed in battle. They once terrified people in the land of the living. 24 “„Elam is there with all its soldiers. The graves of its soldiers are all around it. All of its soldiers are dead. They have been killed in battle. They went down below the earth as godless people. They once terrified people in the land of the living. Now they suffer disgrace with those who have gone down to the pit. 25 “„A bed has been made for Elam among the dead. The graves of its soldiers are all around it. The soldiers were godless people. They were killed in battle because they terrified others in the land of the living. They suffer disgrace with those who have gone down to the pit. They lie among the dead. 385 26 “„Meshech and Tubal are there with all their soldiers. The graves of their soldiers are all around them. Their soldiers were all godless people. They were killed in battle because they terrified others in the land of the living. 27 “„They do not lie with the godless warriors who died and went down to the grave with their weapons of war. Their swords were placed under their heads. Their iniquity rested on their bones because they terrified others in the land of the living. 28 You Egyptians will be crushed with the godless people. You will lie with those who were killed in battle. 29 “„Edom is there with its kings and its princes. They used to be powerful, but now they lie with those who were killed in battle. They lie there with the godless people and with those who have gone down to the pit. 30 “„All the rulers from the north and all the people from Sidon are there. They also went down with the dead. They are disgraced because they terrified people with their power. They were godless people. Now they lie with those who were killed in battle. They suffer disgrace with those who went down to the pit. 31 “„Pharaoh and his army will see these things and be comforted over all the soldiers who have been killed in battle,‟ proclaims the Lord Jehovah. 32 “„I terrified people in the land of the living. Pharaoh and all his soldiers will be laid among the godless people who were killed in battle,‟ proclaims the Lord Jehovah.” Ezekiel 33 1 Jehovah continued to speak to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people. Tell them: „Suppose I bring war on this country and the people of this country choose one of their men and make him their watchman. 3 “„If he sees the enemy coming to attack the country he will blow his horn to warn the people. 4 “„If the people hear the horn and ignore the warning and the enemy comes and takes them, they will be responsible for their own deaths. 386 5 “„They heard the sound of the horn but ignored its warning. In that case they are responsible for their own deaths. If they had taken the warning they would have saved themselves. 6 “„But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and does not blow his horn to warn the people and the enemy comes and kills someone, that watchman must die because of his sin. I will hold him responsible for their deaths.‟* 7 “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for the people of Israel. Listen to what I say and warn them for me. 8 “Suppose I say to a wicked person, „You wicked person, you will certainly die.‟ And you say nothing to warn him to change his ways. That wicked person will die because of his sin. I will hold you responsible for his death. 9 “But if you warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life. 10 “„Son of man, say to the house of Israel: „You people have said: “Our transgressions and our sins are upon us. We are rotting away in them. How can we survive?”‟ 11 Say to them: „“As I am alive!” Declares the Lord Jehovah. “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Only that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back! Turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?”‟ 12 “Son of man, tell the Israelites that when someone good sins, the good he has done will not save him. If an evil person stops doing evil he will not be punished, and if a good man starts sinning, his life will not be spared. 13 “I may promise life to someone good, but if he starts thinking that his past goodness is enough and begins to sin, I will not remember any of the good he did. He will die because of his sins. 14 “„I may warn someone evil that he is going to die, but if he stops sinning and does what is right and good, 15 and if he returns the security he took for a loan or gives back what he stole, if he stops sinning and follows the laws that give life, he will not die, but he will live. 16 “„None of the sins that he has done will be remembered. He has done what is fair and right. He will certainly live.‟ 387 17 “But your people say: „Jehovah‟s way is not right.‟ Yet, their ways are not right. 18 “If the righteous person turns from the right things that he has done and does evil, he will die because of it. 19 “If the wicked person turns from his wickedness and does what is fair and right, he will live because of it. 20 “The people of Israel say: „Jehovah‟s way is not right.‟ I will judge each of you by your own ways, people of Israel.” 21 On the fifth day of the tenth month in the twelfth year of our captivity, a refugee from Jerusalem came to me. He said: “The city has been captured.” 22 The evening before the refugee arrived, the power of Jehovah came over me. On the morning the refugee arrived, Jehovah made me speak. So I spoke, and I was no longer quiet. 23 Jehovah spoke his word to me: 24 “Son of man, those who live in the ruined cities in Israel are saying: „Abraham was only one person, and he was given the land. But we are many. Certainly the land has been given to us.‟ 25 “„“Tell them: „The Lord Jehovah says: “You eat meat with blood in it. You look to your idols for help. You murder people. Should the land be given to you? 26 “„“You rely on your swords (military power). You do disgusting things. You dishonor your neighbor's wife. Should the land be given to you?”‟ 27 “Tell them: „This is what the Lord Jehovah says: “As I am alive, whoever is in the ruined cities will be killed in battle. Whoever is in the open field will become food for wild animals. Whoever is in fortified places and caves will die from plagues. 28 “I will turn the land into a barren wasteland. People will no longer brag about its power. The mountains of Israel will become so ruined that no one will travel through them. 29 “Then people will know that I am Jehovah, when I make the land a barren wasteland. This is because of all the disgusting things that they have done.”‟ 30 “Son of man, your people are talking about you by the walls and in the doorways of their homes. They are saying to each 388 other: „Let's go and hear the word that has come from Jehovah.‟ 31 “Then they come to you, as if they are still my people, and they sit down in front of you. They listen to what you say, but they do not do it. They say that they love me, but in their hearts they chase dishonest profits. 32 “To them you are nothing more than a singer with a beautiful voice who sings love songs or a musician who plays an instrument. They listen to your words, but they do not do them. 33 “When all your words come true, and they certainly will come true, these people will know that a prophet has been among them.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *33:3-6 bloodguilt: On several occasions the Hebrew word for blood refers to guilt incurred by shedding innocent blood. It is rendered bloodguilt. (Exodus 22:2) (1 Kings 2:37) Blood is sacred and when Noah and his family came out of the ark they were warned not to shed innocent blood. (Genesis 9:6; 37:21, 22; 42:22) God‟s people were warned not to take blood into their bodies. (Leviticus 17:14; 7:26, 27) (Acts 15:20) The false religious leaders of Jesus‟ day were every bit as blood guilty as the religious leaders of Jeremiah‟s time. Their skirts were crimson red with the blood of God‟s faithful ones. (Jeremiah 2:34) (Matthew 23:35, 36; 27:24, 25) (Luke 11:50,51) Christians were encouraged to preach the good news of the Kingdom. Withholding this lifesaving information would constitute bloodguilt. (Acts 18:6; 20:26, 27) (Ezekiel 33:6-8) They were also admonished to remove their membership from blood guilty religious and secular organizations at Revelation 17:6 and 18:2. Ezekiel 34 1 Jehovah continued to speak to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy to these shepherds. Tell them: „The Lord Jehovah says: “How horrible it will be for the shepherds of Israel who 389 have been taking care of only themselves. Should shepherds take care of the sheep? 3 “„“You eat the best parts of the sheep, dress in the wool, and butcher the finest sheep. Yet, you do not take care of the sheep. 4 “„“You have not strengthened those that were weak, healed those who were sick, or bandaged those who were injured. You have not brought back those who strayed away or looked for those who were lost. You have ruled them harshly and violently. 5 “„“They were scattered because there was no shepherd. They became food for every wild animal at the time they were scattered. 6 “„“My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered throughout the entire earth. No one searched or looked for them. 7 “„“You shepherds, listen to the word of Jehovah. 8 „“As I am alive, declares the Lord Jehovah, because there is no shepherd, my sheep have become prey. My sheep have become food for wild animals. My shepherds have not searched for my sheep. They have taken care of only themselves, not my sheep.”‟ 9 You shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah: 10 “The Lord Jehovah says: „I am against the shepherds! I will demand my sheep from them and make them cease from feeding sheep. So the shepherds will not feed themselves anymore. I will deliver my flock from their mouth, so that they will not be food for them.‟” 11 “„The Lord Jehovah says: „I will search for my sheep. I will seek them out. 12 “As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for my sheep and will deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day. 13 “I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and bring them to their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel. I will feed them by the streams, and in all the inhabited places of the land. 14 “I will feed them in a good pasture, and their grazing ground will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they 390 will lie down on good grazing ground and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.” 15 “„“I will feed my flock and I will lead them to rest,” declares the Lord Jehovah. 16 “I will seek the lost. I will bring back the scattered. I will bind up the broken and strengthen the sick. The fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with judgment.” 17 “„As for you, my sheep, this is what the Lord Jehovah says: “I will judge disputes between one sheep and another, between rams and male goats. 18 “„Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? You drink clean water. Must you muddy the rest of the water with your feet? 19 “„Must my sheep eat what your feet have trampled and drink what your feet have muddied?” 20 “„This is what the Lord Jehovah says to them: I will judge disputes between the fat sheep and the skinny sheep. 21 “„You fat sheep push the skinny sheep with your sides and shoulders. You knock down all the sick sheep with your horns. You have scattered them all over. 22 “„So I will rescue my sheep, and they will no longer be prey. I will judge between one sheep and another. 23 “„I will place one shepherd over them, my servant David. He will take care of them. He will take care of them and be their shepherd. 24 “„I, Jehovah, will be their God, and my servant David will be their prince. I, Jehovah, have spoken! 25 “„“I will promise them peace. I will remove the wild animals from the land so that my sheep can live safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. 26 “„“I will bless them and the places around my hill. I will send rain at the right time. These showers will be a blessing to them. 27 “„“Then the trees in the field will produce fruit, the land will yield crops, and my sheep will live safely in their land. Then they will know that I am Jehovah, because I will break off the bars on their yokes and rescue them from the people who made them slaves. 391 28 “„“They will no longer be prey to the nations. Wild animals will no longer eat them. They will live safely, and no one will frighten them. 29 “„“I will give them a place that is known for its good crops. They will no longer experience hunger in the land. They will no longer suffer the insults of other nations. 30 „Then they will know that Jehovah their God is with them. They will know that the people of Israel are my people,‟ proclaims the Lord Jehovah.”‟ 31 “„You are my sheep, the sheep in my pasture. You are mortal, and I am your God,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah.” Ezekiel 35 1 The word of Jehovah continued to come to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face (commit yourself) against Mount Seir, and prophesy against it. 3 “Say this, „the Lord Jehovah says: “I am against you, Mount Seir! I will stretch out my hand (exert my power) against you and make you a desolation and a waste. 4 “„“I will lay waste your cities and you will become desolated. Then you will know that I am Jehovah. 5 “„“Because you have had everlasting enmity and have delivered the sons of Israel to the power of the sword (to die by warfare) at the time of their calamity, at the time of the punishment of the end.”‟ 6 “„Therefore as I live, declares the Lord Jehovah: I will give you over to bloodshed (death), and bloodshed (death) will pursue you. Since you have not hated bloodshed, therefore bloodshed will pursue you. 7 “„I will make Mount Seir a waste and desolation. I will cut off from it the one who passes through and returns. 8 “„I will fill its mountains with those who have been killed. Those killed by the sword will fall on your hills and in your valleys and ravines. 9 “„I will make you an everlasting desolation! Your cities will not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am Jehovah!‟ 10 “For the reason that you have said: „These two nations and these two lands will be mine, and we will possess them,‟ although Jehovah was there. 392 11 „Therefore as I live,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah, „I will deal with you according to your anger and according to your envy, what you showed because of your hatred against them. I will make myself known among them when I judge you. 12 “„Then you will know that I, Jehovah, have heard all your insults you have spoken against the mountains of Israel. You said: „They are laid desolate. They are given to us for food.‟ 13 “„You have spoken arrogantly against me and have continuously spoken against me. And I have heard it!‟ 14 “The Lord Jehovah says: „As all the earth rejoices, I will make you desolated. 15 “As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel because it was desolate, so I will do to you. You will be desolated, O Mount Seir, and all Edom, all of it. Then they will know that I am Jehovah.‟” Ezekiel 36 1 “Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say: „O mountains of Israel, hear the word of Jehovah. 2 „“„The Lord Jehovah says: “Because the enemy has spoken against you, aha! And the everlasting heights have become our possession. 3 “Therefore prophesy and say: „The Lord Jehovah says: For good reason they have made you desolate and crushed you from every side. That way you would become a possession of the rest of the nations and you have become a subject of conversation for the people. 4 „“„Therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord Jehovah. The Lord Jehovah says to the mountains and to the hills, to the ravines and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes and to the forsaken cities that have become a prey and derision to the rest of the nations that are round about, 5 „“„The Lord Jehovah says: „Surely in the fire of my jealousy I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, who appropriated my land for themselves as a possession with wholehearted joy and with scorn, to drive it out for a prey.‟”‟ 6 “Prophesy about Israel and tell the mountains and hills and the ravines and valleys: „This is what the Lord Jehovah says: “I 393 am speaking in my anger and fury because you have been insulted by the nations. 7 “This is what the Lord Jehovah says: „I raise my hand and swear that the nations that surround you will be insulted. 8 “„But you, mountains of Israel, will grow branches and bear fruit for my people Israel. My people will come home soon. 9 “„I am for you. I will turn to you, and you will be plowed and planted. 10 “„I will increase the number of people who live on you. All the people of Israel, all of them, will live on you. The cities will be inhabited, and the ruins will be rebuilt. 11 “„I will increase the number of people and animals that live on you. They will grow and become many. I will let people live on you as in the past, and I will make you better off than ever before. Then you will know that I am Jehovah. 12 “„I will bring people, my people Israel, to you. They will take possession of you, and you will be their inheritance. You will no longer take their children away from them.‟” 13 “The Lord Jehovah says: „People say that you devour your people and take the children away from your nation.”‟ 14 „You will no longer devour your people or take the children away from your nation, proclaims the Lord Jehovah. 15 „I will no longer let you hear the insults from the nations. You will no longer suffer the disgrace of the people. You will never again take the children away from your own nation, proclaims the Lord Jehovah.” 16 Jehovah continued to speak his word to me, He said: 17 “Son of man, when the people of Israel lived in their land, they dishonored it by the way they lived and by everything they did. Their ways were as unclean as a woman's menstrual period. 18 “Therefore I poured out my fury on them because they poured out blood on the land and they dishonored the land with their idols. 19 “I forced them into other nations. They became scattered among the nations. I judged them based on the way that they lived and based on everything that they had done. 20 “Wherever they went among the nations, they dishonored my holy name. People said about them: „These are Jehovah‟s people, yet they had to leave his land.‟ 394 21 “I became concerned about my holy name because my people dishonored it among the nations wherever they went.” (Romans 2:21-24) 22 “So tell the people of Israel, „the Lord Jehovah says: “I am about to do something, people of Israel. I will not do this for your sake but for the sake of my holy name, which you have dishonored among the nations wherever you have gone.”‟ 23 “I will reveal the holiness of my great name, which has been dishonored by the nations. It is the name that you have dishonored among them. Then the nations will know that I am Jehovah. This is because I will reveal my holiness among you as they watch,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah. 24 “I will take you from the nations and gather you from every country. I will bring you back to your own land. 25 “I will sprinkle clean water on you and make you clean instead of unclean. Then I will cleanse you from all your idols. 26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove your stubborn hearts and give you obedient hearts. 27 “I will put my Spirit in you. I will enable you to live by my Laws, and you will obey my rules. 28 “Then you will live in the land that I gave your ancestors. You will be my people, and I will be your God.‟ 29 “„I will rescue you from all your uncleanness. I will make the grain grow so that you will never again have famines. 30 “„I will make fruit grow on the trees and crops grow in the fields so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famines. 31 “„Then you will remember your evil ways and the bad things that you did. You will hate yourselves for all these wicked and disgusting things. 32 “„I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake,‟ proclaims the Lord Jehovah. „Be ashamed and disgraced because of your ways, people of Israel.‟ 33 “This is what the Lord Jehovah says: „On the day that I cleanse you from all your wickedness, I will cause your cities to be lived in again, and your ruins will be rebuilt. 34 The wasteland will be cultivated. It will no longer remain empty for everyone passing by to see. 395 35 People will say: “This wasteland has become like the Garden of Eden. The cities were destroyed. They were empty and ruined, but now they are fortified and have people living in them. 36 „The surrounding nations that are left will know that I, Jehovah, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted crops in the land that was empty. I, Jehovah, have spoken, and I have done it.‟ 37 “This is what the Lord Jehovah says: „I will also let the people of Israel ask me to make them as numerous as sheep. 38 “They will be like the sheep for sacrifices, like the sheep in Jerusalem during the appointed festivals. Their ruined cities will be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am Jehovah.‟” Ezekiel 37 1 The hand of Jehovah was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of Jehovah and set me down in the middle of the valley. The valley was full of bones. 2 He caused me to pass among them round about. There were very many on the surface of the valley and they were very dry. 3 He said to me: “Son of man, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord Jehovah, you know.” 4 “„Again he said: “Prophesy over these bones and say to them, „O dry bones, hear the word of Jehovah. 5 “„The Lord Jehovah says to these bones: “I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. 6 “„I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive. You will know that I am Jehovah.”‟” 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. As I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling. The bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 I looked, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9 Then Jehovah said to me: “Prophesy to the wind (ruach: air, breath, spirit, life)! Prophesy, son of man. Tell the wind, this is what the Lord Jehovah says: „Come from the four winds, O Breath, and breathe on these people who were killed so that they will live.”‟” 396 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath of life entered them. Then they came to life and stood on their feet. There were enough of them to form a very large army. 11 Jehovah also said: “Son of man, all the people of Israel are like these bones. The people say: Our bones are dry, and our hope has vanished. We are completely destroyed. 12 Prophesy and tell them: „This is what the Lord Jehovah says: “My people, I will open your graves and take you out of them. I will bring you to Israel. 13 Then, my people, you will know that I am Jehovah, because I will open your graves and bring you out of your graves.”‟ 14 „I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live. I will place you in your own land. Then you will know that I, Jehovah, have spoken, and I have done it,‟ declares Jehovah.” 15 Jehovah spoke his word to me again: 16 “Son of man, take a stick and write on it: For Judah and for the Israelites who are associated with it.‟ Then take another stick and write on it: „The stick of Ephraim, for Joseph and for all the people of Israel associated with it.‟ 17 Then join both sticks together so that they will be one in your hand. Your people will say to you: 18 „Tell us what you mean by this.‟ 19 Then say to them: „This is what the Lord Jehovah says: I will take Joseph's stick, which is in Ephraim's hand, and the tribes of Israel associated with it, and I will put them with Judah's stick. I will make them into one stick. They will be one in my hand.”‟ 20 When you hold the sticks in your hand, let the people see them. 21 “Tell them: „The Lord Jehovah says: “I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from everywhere and bring them to their own land. 22 I will form them into one nation in the land on the mountains of Israel. One king will rule all of them. They will no longer be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms. 23 They will no longer dishonor themselves with their idols, with their detestable things, or with their rebellious acts. I will forgive them for all the times they turned away from me and 397 sinned. I will cleanse them so that they will be my people, and I will be their God. 24 “„“My servant David will be their king. All of them will have one shepherd. They will live by my rules, and they will obey my laws. 25 “„“They will live in the land that I gave my servant Jacob, the land where their ancestors lived. They, their children, and their grandchildren will live in it for a very long time. My servant David will be their prince for a very long time. 26 “„“I will promise them peace. This will be a long lasting promise. I will establish them and make them increase in number. I will put my holy place among them for a very long time. 27 “„“My dwelling place will be with them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 28 “„“Then the nations will know that I, Jehovah, have set Israel apart as holy, because my holy place will be among them permanently.”‟” Ezekiel 38 1 The word of Jehovah came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face toward Gog* of the land of Magog,* the prince of Rosh,* Meshech and Tubal,* and prophesy against him. 3 The Lord Jehovah said: “I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. 4 “I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws. I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords. 5 “I will also bring out Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 “Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmah from the remote parts of the north with all its troops and many peoples with you.” 7 “„“Be prepared, and prepare yourself, you and all your companies that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them. 8 “„“After many days you will be summoned. In the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, 398 whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel that had been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from the nations, and all of them are living securely. 9 „“You will go up like a storm. You will be like a cloud covering the land. You your troops will have many peoples with you.”‟ 10 “The Lord Jehovah says: „It will come about on that day, that thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil plan. 11 ““You will say: “I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will go against those who are securely at rest. They live without walls and have no bars or gates.” 12 “I will go to capture spoil and to seize plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places which are now inhabited, and against the people who are gathered from the nations, who have acquired cattle and goods, who live at the center of the world. 13 „“Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages will say to you: Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?”‟ 14 “Prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog: „The Lord Jehovah says: “On that day when my people Israel are living securely, will you not know it? 15 “„You will come from your place out of the remote parts of the north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly and a mighty army. 16 “„You will come up against my people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog.”‟ 17 “The Lord Jehovah says: „Are you the one of whom I spoke in former days through my servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days for many years that I would bring you against them? 18 “„It will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah, „that my fury will mount up in my anger. 399 19 “„In my zeal and in my blazing wrath I proclaim that on that day there will surely be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. 20 “„The fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the beasts of the field, all the creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the people who are on the face of the earth will shake at my presence! The mountains will be thrown down! The steep pathways will collapse and every wall will fall to the ground.‟ 21 “„I will call for a sword against Gog on all my mountains,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah. „Every man's sword will be against his brother. 22 “„With pestilence and with blood I will enter into judgment on him. I will rain on him and on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone. 23 “„I will magnify myself, sanctify myself, and make myself known in the sight of many nations! Then they will know that I am Jehovah.‟ (Matthew 6:9) Simplified Bible Dictionary *38:2 GOG: The name Gog is found in chapters 38 and 39 of Ezekiel and also at Revelation 20:8. Apparantly both the Gog of Ezekiel and the Gog of Revelation apply to the nations “in the four corners of the earth” who allow themselves to be misled by Satan the Devil. The account in Revelation chapter 20 predicts that Satan will be allowed out of the abyss (bottomless pit) at the end of the Millennium and that he would lead the nations of the earth in rebellion against the Millennial Rule of Jesus Christ. The texts at Daniel 2:44 and 7:13, 14 show that Christ will bring an end to national rule and divisions. So it appears that these nations are part of the rebellion against Jehovah‟s Kingdom at the end of the Millennium and not a continual rebellion taking place throughout the thousand years. The battle ends with absolute destruction of the wicked when Gog and his forces are annihilated. With the help of His loyal Son, Jesus Christ, Jehovah completely magnifies and sanctifies his name before all observers. (Ezekiel 38:12-23; 39:5-13, 21, 22) (Joel 3:9-17) (Revelation 20:8-10, 14) 400 *38:2 Tubal, the land: The people of Tubal are included among those uniting with “God of the land of Magog” who called the head chieftan of Meshech and Tubal. The people of Tubal come storming out of the remotest parts of the north to attack Jehovah‟s people. (Ezekiel 27:13; 38:2, 3; 39:1, 2) God foretells that he will send envoys to proclaim his glory to Tubal, Javan, and other lands. (Isaiah 66:19) Some Bible experts think Tubal was northeast of Cilicia in northeastern Asia Minor since there were copper mines in the region. 38:2-16 Land of Magog: The name Magog is found in Ezekiel‟s prophecy about the attack by Gog of the land of Magog against Jehovah‟s people. The term is used to depict a land or region in the north. Gog‟s forces are a great congregation, described as a numerous military force riding on horses. (Ezekiel 38:2-16; 39:1-6) The exact location of this land of Magog is totally uncertain. The time is uncertain, thus the words the final part of the years occur. (Ezekiel 38:8) For these reasons and others many commentators see it to be a forecast of the final attack of the world powers upon the Kingdom of God and they think the land of Magog represents the world that is hostile to God‟s people and kingdom. Therefore the land of Magog is symbolic. The war with the remaining ones of the woman‟s seed is described in Revelation chapter twelve. (Revelation 12:7-17) Gog and Magog represent Satan the Devil and his followers who rebel against God‟s rule during the Thousand Year Reign of Christ Jesus. (Revelation 20:3, 7-10) *38:2 Prince of Rosh: The expression “Prince of Rosh” is only found at Ezekiel 38:2. Some scholars believe that the Rosh were a barbarous people who lived in Russia along the Volga River. Others think it is a term describing rulership or a title, such as “the great one” or “head prince.” Ezekiel 39 1 “The Lord Jehovah says: „Son of man, denounce Gog, the chief ruler of the nations of Meshech and Tubal. “Tell him that I am his enemy. 401 2 “„I will turn him in a new direction and lead him out of the far north until he comes to the mountains of Israel. 3 “„I will knock his bow out of his left hand and his arrows out of his right hand. 4 “„Gog and his army and his allies will fall dead on the mountains of Israel. I will let their bodies be food for all the birds and wild animals.”‟ 5 “„They will fall dead in the open field. I,‟ the Lord Jehovah, „have spoken. 6 “„I will start a fire in the land of Magog and along all the seacoasts where people live undisturbed. Everyone will know that I am Jehovah! 7 „I will make sure that my people Israel know my holy name. I will not let my name be disgraced any more. Then the nations will know that I, Jehovah, am the holy God of Israel.‟ 8 “„The Lord Jehovah says: „The day I spoke about is certain to come. 9 “„The people who live in the cities of Israel will go out and collect the abandoned weapons for firewood. They will build fires with the shields, bows, arrows, spears, and clubs, and have enough to last for seven years. 10 “„They will not have to gather firewood in the fields or cut down trees in the forest, because they will have the abandoned weapons to burn. They will loot and plunder those who looted and plundered them. The Lord Jehovah has spoken.‟ 11 “„On that day I will give Gog a burial ground there in Israel, the valley of those who pass by east of the sea. It will block off those who would pass by. So they will bury Gog there with his entire horde, and they will call it the valley of Hamon-gog* (Multitude of God). 12 “„For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land. 13 “„Even all the people of the land will bury them. It will be to their renown on the day that I glorify myself,‟ proclaims the Lord Jehovah. 14 “„They will set apart men who will constantly pass through the land, burying those who were passing through, even those left on the surface of the ground, in order to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they will make a search. 402 15 “„As those who pass through the land pass through and anyone sees a man's bone, then he will set up a marker by it until the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamon-gog. 16 “„Even the name of the city will be Hamonah. In this way they will cleanse the land.‟ 17 “As for you, son of man, the Lord Jehovah says: „Speak to every kind of bird and to every beast of the field: “Assemble and come, gather from every side to my sacrifice that I am going to sacrifice for you. It is a great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel, that you may eat flesh and drink blood. 18 “„You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, as though they were rams, lambs, goats and bulls, all of them fatlings of Bashan.”‟ 19 “„You will eat fat until you are glutted, and drink blood until you are drunk; from my sacrifice I have sacrificed for you.”‟ 20 “„You will be glutted at my table with horses and charioteers, with mighty men and all the men of war,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah. 21 “I will show my greatness among the nations. All the nations will see how I will turn my power against them to punish them. 22 “From that day on, the people of Israel will know that I am Jehovah their God. 23 “Then the nations will know that the people of Israel went into captivity because they did wrong and rebelled against me. I hid my face (withdrew my support) from them and handed them over to their enemies. They were killed in battle. 24 “I paid them back for their uncleanness and their sins. I hid my face from them.‟ 25 “This is what the Lord Jehovah says: „Now I will bring back Jacob's captives and have compassion for the whole nation of Israel. I will stand up for (show exclusive devotion for) my holy name. 26 “When they live safely in a land where no one will frighten them, they will forget their shame and all the unfaithful things they have done against me. 27 “I will bring them back from the other nations and gather them from the countries of their enemies. Many nations will see that I am holy.‟ 403 28 “„My people will know that I am Jehovah their God. I sent them into captivity among the nations, and I brought them back again to their land. I left none of them behind. 29 “„I will no longer hide my face (withdraw my support) from them. I will pour out my Spirit on the nation of Israel,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *39:11 Hamonah: Hamonah is a symbolic city in the valley where Gog and his followers are to be buried. They are to be buried there after their attack on God‟s people ends in defeat and mass slaughter. The name Hamonah means crowd or multitude and it represents the event and memorial of Jehovah‟s victory over all who appose him. (Ezekiel 39:11-16) *39:11 Hamon-gog Valley: Hamon-gog Valley was a symbolic valley referred to as the valley of those passing through on the east of the Dead Sea. God and all his forces are buried in this valley after their destruction by Jehovah. (Ezekiel 39:11, 15) Ezekiel 40 1 It was the tenth day of the month in the beginning of the twenty-fifth year of our captivity and fourteen years after Jerusalem was captured. At that time Jehovah‟s power came over me, and he brought me to Jerusalem. 2 In visions, God brought me to Israel and set me down on a very high mountain. On the south side of the mountain were buildings that looked like those in a city. 3 He brought me closer. I saw a man who looked like he was covered with bronze. The man was holding a linen tape measure and a measuring stick, and he stood in a gateway. 4 He said to me: “Son of man, look with your eyes, and listen with your ears. Pay close attention to everything I am going to show you. The reason you were brought here is to see these things. Tell the nation of Israel about everything that you see.” 5 I saw a wall that surrounded the Temple. The man had a measuring stick that was ten and one half feet long. He 404 measured the wall. It was ten and one half feet thick and ten and one half feet high.* 6 The man went to the gateway* that faced east. He went up its steps and measured the entrance to the gateway. It was ten and one half feet wide. 7 There were also guardrooms. Each guardroom was ten and one half feet long and ten and one half feet wide. The space between the guardrooms was nine feet thick. And the entrance to the gateway by the entrance hall of the temple was ten and one half feet wide. 8 He also measured the entrance hall of the gateway. 9 It extended fourteen feet from the Temple. Its recessed walls were three and one half feet thick. The gateway's entrance hall faced the Temple. 10 There were three guardrooms on each side of the eastern gateway. All three rooms on each side were the same size, and the recessed walls on each side were the same size. 11 The man measured the width of the entrance to the gateway. It was seventeen and one half feet wide, and the gateway was twenty-three feet long. 12 There was a barrier about twenty-one inches in front of each guardroom. The guardrooms were ten and one half feet square. 13 He measured the gateway from the top of one guardroom to the top of the opposite guardroom. It was forty-four feet wide from one door to the opposite door. 14 He also measured the entrance hall.*It was thirty-five feet wide. In front of the entrance hall to the gateway was a courtyard on all sides. 15 The total length of the gateway from the front of the outer part to the front of the inner part of the entrance hall was eighty-seven and one half feet. 16 The guardrooms and recessed walls inside the gateway had small windows all around. The entrance hall also had windows all around on the inside. Pictures of palm trees were carved on the recessed walls. 17 Then the man brought me into the outer courtyard. I saw rooms there and pavement all around the courtyard. There were thirty rooms along the edge of the pavement. 405 18 The pavement in the lower courtyard ran alongside the gateways. It was as wide as it was long. 19 The man measured the distance from the inside of the lower gateway to the outside of the inner courtyard. It was one hundred and seventy-five feet from the east and to the north. 20 The man measured the length and width of the gateway, leading to the outer courtyard. This was the gateway that faced north. 21 Its three guardrooms, its recessed walls, and its entrance hall were the same size as those in the east gateway. The gateway was eighty-seven and one half feet long and forty-four feet wide. 22 Its windows, recessed walls, and palm tree pictures were the same size as those in the east gateway. Seven steps went up to it and led to its entrance hall. 23 The inner courtyard had a gateway opposite the north gate just like the east gateway. The man measured the distance from one gate to the other gate. It was one hundred and seventy-five feet. 24 The man led me to the south side, and I saw a gateway that faced south. He measured its recessed walls and its entrance hall. They were the same size as those of the other gateways. 25 The gateway and its entrance hall had windows on all sides like the windows in the other gateways. It was eighty-seven and one half feet long and forty-four feet wide. 26 Seven steps went up to it and led to its entrance hall. Pictures of palm trees were carved on the recessed walls, one picture on each side. 27 The inner courtyard had a gateway facing south. The man measured the distance from the gateway on the south side to its opposite gateway. It was one hundred and seventy-five feet. 28 The man brought me to the inner courtyard through the south gateway. He measured the south gateway. It was the same size as the others. 29 Its guardrooms, recessed walls, and entrance hall were the same size as the other gateways. The guardrooms and the entrance hall had windows all around. The gateway was eighty-seven and one half feet long and forty-four feet wide. 30 There were entrance halls all around the inner courtyard. They were all forty-four feet long and nine feet wide. 406 31 The entrance halls faced the outer courtyard. Pictures of palm trees were carved on the recessed walls, and eight steps led up to each gateway. 32 The man brought me to the east side of the inner courtyard. He measured the gateway. It was the same size as the others. 33 Its guardrooms, recessed walls, and entrance halls were the same size as those of the other gateways. Its guardrooms and entrance hall had windows all around. The gateway was eighty-seven and one half feet long and forty-four feet wide. 34 Its entrance hall faced the outer courtyard. Pictures of palm trees were carved on the recessed walls, and eight steps led up to the gateway. 35 Then the man brought me to the north gateway. He measured it. It was the same size as the others. 36 Its guardrooms, recessed walls, and entrance hall had windows all around. The gateway was eighty-seven and one half feet long and forty-four feet wide. 37 Its recessed walls faced the outer courtyard. Pictures of palm trees were carved on the recessed walls, and eight steps led up to the gateway. 38 There was a room with a door that opened toward the entrance hall of the gateway. This is the room where the priests washed the animals for the burnt offerings. 39 There were two tables on each side of the entrance hall of the gateway. On these tables the animals were slaughtered for burnt offerings, offerings for sin, and guilt offerings. 40 On each side of the entrance to the north gateway there were two tables, and on the other side of the entrance hall of the gateway there were two tables. 41 So there were four tables on each side of the gateway, eight tables in all, on which they slaughtered animals. 42 There were four tables made of cut stone for burnt offerings. They were three feet long, three feet wide, and twenty-one inches high. On these tables the priests laid the utensils that were used to slaughter animals for burnt offerings and sacrifices. 43 Double-pronged hooks, three inches long, were attached to the wall all around the room, and the tables were for the meat of the animals. 407 44 Outside the gateways to the inner courtyard were the rooms for the singers in the inner courtyards. One room was at the side of the north gateway. It faced south. The other room was at the side of the south gateway. It faced north. 45 The man said to me: “This room that faces south is for the priests who serve in the temple. 46 The room that faces north is for the priests who serve at the altar. These priests are Zadok's descendants. They are the only Levites who are able to come near Jehovah and serve him.” 47 The man measured the courtyard. It was a perfect square: one hundred and seventy-five feet long and one hundred and seventy-five feet wide. The altar was in front of the Temple. 48 The man brought me to the entrance hall of the Temple and measured its recessed walls. They were nine feet on each side. The gateway was twenty-four and one half feet wide, and the walls on each side were five feet wide. 49 The entrance hall was thirty-five feet long and twenty-one feet wide. Steps led up to it. Pillars stood by the recessed walls, one on each side of the entrance hall. Simplified Bible Dictionary *40:5 Cubit: A cubit is a linear measure that is approximately the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. (Deuteronomy 3:11) (Judges 3:16) (Ezekiel 40:5) *40:6 gate, gateway: A gate is a door-like moveable barrier in a fence or wall. It is the entrance to a place. The Bible speaks of different kinds of gates. There were city gates, temple gates, courtyard gates, castle gates and gates to a camp. (Exodus 32:26, 27; 38:18) (Nehemiah 2:8) (Acts 3:10; 12:13, 14) Gates to a camp were the way of entrance to the camp. (Exodus 32:26, 27) Cities had as few gates as possible in order to enhance the security of the city. Some gates were furnished with guardrooms. (Ezekiel 40:6, 7, 10, 20, 21, 28, 29, 32-36) The word gate is often used figuratively in the Holy Scriptures. The “gates of righteousness” and the gate of Jehovah” are spoken of at Psalm 118:19, 20. 408 When a person dies he or she goes through the “gates of death.” (Psalms 9:13; 107:18) The “gates of the grave” or “entrance to the grave” are also highlighted in the Scriptures at Isaiah 38:10 and Matthew 16:18. Jesus Christ has the keys of death and the grave. (Re 1:18) Ezekiel‟s vision of a city having twelve gates, each named after the twelve tribes of Israel is recorded at Ezekiel 48:30-35. The New Jerusalem is pictured with twelve gates of pearl. An angel is stationed as a guard at each gate. (Revelation 2:7; 20:4, 6; 21:2, 12, 21-27; 22:14, 15) The people of the nations walk in the city‟s light and are blessed. *40:14 entrance hall, porch hall: Hebrew:ehlam is translated “porch.” It is also translated “hall.” Solomon constructed a Porch or Hall of Pillars in the temple area. He also constructed the Hall of the Throne where he placed his ornate ivory and gold throne. (1 Kings 7:1, 6, 7; 10:18-20) There were a number of porches and halls mentioned in Ezekiel‟s vision of a temple sanctuary. (Ezekiel 40:5-17, 35-42, 48, 49; 41:25, 26) Ezekiel 41 1 The man brought me into the Holy Place in the Temple and measured the recessed walls. They were ten and one half feet wide on each side. 2 The entrance was seventeen and one half feet wide, and on each side of the entrance the walls were nine feet wide. Then he measured the length of the holy place. It was seventy feet long and thirty-five feet wide. 3 He went inside and measured the passageway. It was three and one half feet thick. The entrance was ten and one half feet high and twelve feet wide. 4 He measured the room at the end of the holy place. It was thirty-five feet long and thirty-five feet wide. The man said: “This is the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies).” 5 Next, the man measured the Temple wall. It was ten and one half feet wide, and each side room around the Temple was seven feet. 6 The rooms were arranged on three different stories. There were thirty rooms on each story. These rooms had supports all 409 the way around the Temple wall, but these supports were not fastened to the Temple wall. 7 The side rooms grew wider all the way around as they went up, story after story. The surrounding structure went from story to story all around the Temple. The structure grew wider as it went higher. A stairway went from the first story through the second story to the third story. 8 I also saw a raised base all around the Temple. This base was the foundation for the side rooms. It measured the full length of the measuring rod, ten and one half feet. 9 The outer wall of the side rooms was nine feet thick. There was an open area between the side rooms connected to the Temple 10 and the priests' rooms. It was thirty-five feet wide and went all around the Temple. 11 The doors in the side rooms were entrances into the open area. There was one door to the north and another to the south. The base of the open area was nine feet wide all the way around. 12 At the far end of the open area, on the west side of the temple, was a building one hundred twenty-two and one-half feet wide. The wall of the building was nine feet thick all the way around, and it was one hundred fifty seven and one half feet long. 13 The man measured the Temple. It was one hundred and seventy-five feet long. This included the open area with the building and its walls. All together it was one hundred and seventy-five feet long. 14 The eastern side of the Temple, including the open area, was also one hundred and seventy-five feet wide. 15 He also measured the length of the building facing the courtyard on the west side along with its corridors on both sides. It was one hundred and seventy-five feet long. The holy place and the Most Holy Place were paneled. 16 The doorposts, the small windows, and the corridors of all three stories were paneled. The walls, from the floor up to the windows, were paneled. 17 In the space above the door to the Most Holy Place and on the walls all around it, 410 18 there were pictures of cherubim angels and palm trees. Palm trees were positioned between each of the angels, and each angel had two faces: 19 the face of a man, which was turned toward a palm tree on one side, and the face of a lion, which was turned toward a palm tree on the other side. These pictures were carved all around the Temple. 20 Pictures of cherubim angels and palm trees were carved on the walls from the floor to the space above the door. 21 The doorframes in the Holy Place were square. In front of the Most Holy Place was something similar. 22 There was a wooden altar. It was five feet high and three and one half feet wide. Its corners, its base, and its sides were made of wood. Then the man told me: This is the table that is in the presence of Jehovah. 23 The Holy Place and the Most Holy Place had two doors. 24 Each of the doors were double doors that swung open. 25 Pictures of cherubim angels and palm trees were carved on the doors of the Holy Place as on the walls. There was a wooden roof hanging over the outer entrance hall. 26 There were small windows and palm trees on both sides of the entrance hall, on the side rooms of the Temple, and on the roofs. Ezekiel 42 1 The man led me out to the north to the outer courtyard. He brought me to the side rooms opposite both the open area and the northern building. 2 The building that faced north was one hundred and seventyfive feet long and eighty-seven and one half feet wide. 3 Opposite the inner courtyard was an area that was thirty-five feet wide, and opposite the pavement of the outer courtyard were corridors facing corridors on all three stories. 4 In front of the side rooms was a walkway. It was seventeen and one half feet wide and one hundred and seventy-five feet long. The doors of these side rooms faced north. 5 The side rooms on the third story were narrower than those on the first or second stories of the building because the corridors took space away from them. 411 6 The rooms were in three stories. They did not have pillars like the pillars in the courtyards. That is why the rooms on the third story were set farther back than those on the first and second stories. 7 There was a wall that ran parallel to the side rooms and the outer courtyard. It ran alongside the side rooms for eightyseven and one half feet. 8 The row of rooms in the outer courtyard was eighty-seven and one half feet long. The rooms that faced the temple were one hundred and seventy-five feet long. 9 These lower side rooms had an entrance on the east side. A person was able to enter the outer courtyard through them. 10 There were side rooms parallel to the wall of the courtyard on the south side. They faced the open area and the building. 11 There was a walkway in front of them. It was like the one that was in front of the side rooms on the north side. These side rooms were as long and as wide as the northern rooms. They had similar exits, dimensions, and doors. 12 The doors to the south rooms were the same as the doors to the north rooms. There was a doorway at the other end of the walkway that was parallel to the corresponding wall that ran eastward. People entered through that doorway. 13 The man said: “The northern and southern side rooms that face the open area are holy rooms. These rooms are where the priests who come near Jehovah eat the holiest offerings. Because these rooms are holy, the priests keep the holiest offerings there: the grain offerings, the offerings for sin, and the guilt offerings. 14 Once the priests enter the Holy Place, they must not go out of the Holy Place into the outer courtyard until they leave behind the clothes that they wore as they served. These clothes are holy. The priests must put on other clothes. Then they can go into the area that is for the people. 15 When the man had finished measuring the inner part of the temple area, he led me out through the east gate. Then he measured all the way around the outer area. 16 He measured the east side with a measuring stick. It was eight hundred and seventy-five feet long according to the measuring stick. 412 17 He measured the north side. It was eight hundred and seventy-five feet long according to the measuring stick. 18 He measured the south side. It was eight hundred and seventy-five feet long according to the measuring stick. 19 He came around to the west side and measured it. It was eight hundred and seventy-five feet long according to the measuring stick. 20 He measured all four sides. There was a wall all around it. The wall was eight hundred and seventy-five feet long and eight hundred and seventy-five feet wide. It separated what was holy from what was unholy. Ezekiel 43 1 The man took me to the east gate. 2 I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the sound of rushing water, and the earth was shining because of his glory. 3 This vision was like the one I saw when he came to destroy Jerusalem and like the one I saw by the Chebar River. I immediately bowed down. 4 Jehovah‟s glory came into the Temple through the east gate. 5 The Spirit lifted me and brought me into the inner courtyard. I saw Jehovah‟s glory fill the Temple. 6 I heard someone speaking to me from inside the Temple while the man was standing beside me. 7 The voice said: “Son of man, this is the place where my throne is and the place where my feet rest. This is where I will live among the Israelites for a very long time. Then the people of Israel and their kings will no longer dishonor my holy name by acting like prostitutes. They will not dishonor it with the dead bodies of their kings. 8 “They put their doorway by my doorway and their doorposts by my doorposts. Only a wall separated me from them. They dishonored my holy name because of the disgusting things that they have done. So I destroyed them in my anger. 9 “They must stop acting like prostitutes and take the dead bodies of their kings far away from me. Then I will live among them for a very long time. 413 10 “Son of man, describe this Temple to the people of Israel. Then they will be ashamed because of their sins. Let them study the plans. 11 “Suppose they are ashamed of everything that they have done. Then show them the design of the Temple, its arrangements, its exits and entrances-its entire design. Tell them about all its rules and regulations. Then write these things down for them so that they can remember its design and follow all its rules. 12 “This is a regulation of the Temple: The whole area all the way around the top of the mountain is most holy. Indeed, this is a regulation of the Temple. 13 “These are the measurements of the altar, using royal measurements. The royal measuring stick was twenty-one inches long. The base of the altar was twenty-one inches high and twenty-one inches wide. All around the edge of the altar was a rim measuring nine inches wide. This was the height of the altar: 14 “From the base on the ground to the lower ledge it was three and one half feet high, and from the lower ledge to the upper ledge it was seven feet high and twenty-one inches wide. 15 “The place where the sacrifices were burned was seven feet high. There were four horns above it. 16 “It was twenty-one feet square, wide and long. 17 “The upper ledge was also square. It was twenty-four and one half feet long and twenty-four and one half feet wide. It had a rim all the way around that was ten and one half inches wide. Its base was twenty-one inches. “The steps to the altar faced east.” 18 The man said: “Son of man, this is what the Lord Jehovah says: „These are the rules for sacrificing burnt offerings and for sprinkling blood on the altar after the altar is built.‟ 19 “„Jehovah said: „Give a young bull to the priests as an offering for sin. These priests are Zadok's descendants. They are men from the tribe of Levi, who can come near me and serve me. 20 “„Take some of the bull's blood, and put it on the altars four horns, on the four corners of the ledge, and on the rim all the 414 way around the altar. When you do this, you will remove sin from the altar and make peace with Jehovah. 21 “„Take a young bull as an offering for sin, and burn it in the place appointed near the temple, outside the holy place. 22 “„On the second day bring a male goat that has no defects as an offering for sin. Remove sin from the altar as you did with the young bull.‟ 23 “„When you finish removing sin offer a young bull and a ram that have no defects. 24 “„Offer them to Jehovah. The priests must throw salt on them and offer them as burnt offerings to Jehovah. 25 “„Every day for seven days you must sacrifice a goat, a young bull, and a ram from the flock as an offering for sin. They must be animals that have no defects. 26 “„For seven days the priests should pay compensation for wrongdoing and make peace with Jehovah at the altar, purify it, and consecrate it. 27 “„When those days are over, on the eighth day, the priests must sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on the altar. Then I will accept them,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah.” Ezekiel 44 1 The man took me back to the outer east gate of the Holy Place, and the gate was shut. 2 Jehovah said to me: “This gate will stay shut and will not be opened. No one may enter through it because the Lord Jehovah of Israel entered through it. It must be kept shut. 3 “Only the prince may sit there and eat food in the presence of Jehovah. He will enter through the entrance hall of the gateway and leave the same way.” 4 The man brought me through the north gate in front of the Temple. When I looked, I saw Jehovah‟s Temple was filled with Jehovah‟s glory. At once I bowed down. 5 Jehovah said to me: “Son of man, pay close attention. Look, and listen to everything I tell you. Listen to all the rules and regulations for Jehovah‟s Temple. Pay close attention to everyone who enters the Temple and leaves from the Holy Place. 415 6 “„Tell the rebellious people of Israel: „This is what the Lord Jehovah says: I have had enough of all the disgusting things that you have done, people of Israel. 7 “„You brought godless foreigners into my holy place. You dishonored my temple when you offered fat and blood to me. You rejected my promise so that you could do all your disgusting things. 8 “„You did not take care of my holy things. You put foreigners in charge of my Temple!”‟ 9 “„The Lord Jehovah says: “No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, of all the foreigners who are among the sons of Israel, shall enter my sanctuary.”‟ 10 “„But the Levites, who went far from me when Israel went astray, who went astray from me after their idols, will bear the punishment for their iniquity. 11 “„They will be ministers in my sanctuary and having oversight at the gates of the house. They will slaughter the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they will stand before them to minister to them. 12 “„I have sworn against them because they ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah. „They will bear the punishment for their iniquity.‟ 13 “„They will not serve as a priest to me, nor come near to any of my holy things, to the things that are most holy. They will bear their shame for their abominations that they have committed. 14 “„Even so I will appoint them to keep charge of the house, of all its service and of all that will be done in it.‟ 15 “„But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of my sanctuary when the sons of Israel went astray from me, shall come near to me to minister to me. They shall stand before me to offer me the fat and the blood, declares the Lord Jehovah. 16 “„They will enter my sanctuary and come near my table to minister to me and keep my charge. 17 “„They must wear linen clothes when they enter the gateways to the inner courtyard. They must have no wool on them while they serve in the gateways to the inner courtyard and in the Temple. 416 18 “„They must wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments. They must not wear anything that makes them sweat.* 19 “„When they go out among the people in the outer courtyard, they must take off the clothes that they wore as they served. They must leave their clothes in the side rooms of the holy place and put on other clothes so that they do not transfer the holiness from their clothes to the people. 20 “„They must not shave their heads or let their hair* grow long. They must keep the hair on their heads trimmed. 21 “„None of the priests may drink wine when they enter the inner courtyard. 22 “„They must not marry widows or women who have been divorced. They may marry only virgins from the nation of Israel or widows of priests.‟ 23 “„They must teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is unholy. They must show the people how to tell the difference between what is clean and what is unclean. 24 “„In all disputes the priests must act as judges and make decisions based on my Laws. They must obey my rules and my regulations at all my festivals. They must observe holy days to worship me. 25 “„A priest must not make himself unclean by going near a dead body. But a priest may become unclean if the dead person is his father, mother, son, daughter, brother, or unmarried sister. 26 “„After a priest is made clean, he must wait seven days. 27 “„When he enters the inner courtyard of the holy place to serve in the holy place, he must bring his offering for sin, declares the Lord Jehovah. 28 “„The priests will have no inheritance. I am their inheritance. Do not give them any possessions in Israel. The priests belong to me. 29 “„They will eat grain offerings, offerings for sin, and guilt offerings. Everything in Israel that is devoted to Jehovah will belong to them. 30 “„The priests should have the best of all the first ripened fruits. The best of every gift from all your contributions must go to the priests. The best of your dough must go to the priests. This will cause a blessing to rest on your home. 417 31 “„The priests must never eat any bird or animal that has died naturally or was killed by other wild animals.‟ Simplified Bible Dictionary *44:20 hair: The word hair is found nearly 90 times in the Holy Scriptures. Men and women regarded their hair as ornamental and a feature of their attractiveness. It was in many instances considered a sign of their strength and youth. The Hebrew men allowed beards to grow and they kept them well groomed. They also trimmed their hair to a moderate length. Men were not to wear their hair loose when they served in the temple. (Ezekiel 44:15, 20) Hebrew women considered their hair as a mark of beauty. They let it grow long and only cut off their hair as a sign of mourning or distress. (John 11:2) (Isaiah 3:24) The apostles Peter and Paul counseled Christian women avoid the hairstyling and ornamentation that was the custom of the day. They were to adorn themselves with the “incorruptible apparel of a quiet and mild spirit.” (1 Peter 3:3) (1 Timothy 2:9, 10) Hair was used in a figurative way many times in the Scriptures. Job cut the hair off his head as a symbol of the desolate condition he was in. (Job 1:20) The average human head contains more than 100,000 hairs. This is referenced to depict great numbers. (Psalm 40:12; 69:4) The statement “not a hair on your head will perish” was a guarantee of protection. (Luke 21:18) (1 Samuel 14:45) (2 Samuel 14:11) (1 Kings 1:52) (Acts 27:34) Gray-headedness was a term used to show respect for old age and wisdom. (Proverbs 16:31; 20:29) (Job 15:9, 10) *44:18 sweat, perspiration: Sweat is moisture excreted by the sudoriferous glands. It flows through the pores in the skin. Physical exertion, emotions such as anxiety and heat cause sweat. Adam and Eve were required to eke out an existence outside the Garden of Eden through sweat-producing toil because of sin. (Genesis 3:17-19) Sweat is associated with uncleanness in Ezekiel‟s temple vision at Ezekiel 44:15-18. On the final night of Jesus Christ‟s earthly life Jesus‟ sweat became as drops of blood falling to the ground at Luke 22:44. Many have tried to explain this unique happening. Suffice it to 418 say it happened! These verses appear in the original Sinaitic Manuscript, The Codex Bezae, the Latin Vulgate, the Curetonian Syriac, and the Syriac Peshitta. Ezekiel 45 1 “„Divide the land by drawing lots for the property you will inherit. Set aside an area forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long and thirty-five thousand feet wide for Jehovah. The entire area will be holy. 2 “„An area of eight hundred and seventy-five feet square will be for the holy place with an open area eighty-seven and one half feet wide. 3 “„Measure off an area forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long and seventeen thousand five hundred feet wide. The Holy Place, that is, the Most Holy Place, will be in this area. 4 “„This holy part of the land will belong to the priests who serve in the Holy Place, the priests who come near to serve Jehovah. They will use this place for their homes, and it will be the location for the Holy Place. 5 “„An area forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long and seventeen thousand five hundred feet wide will belong to the Levites who serve in the Temple. It will be given to them so that they have cities to live in. 6 “„You must designate an area eight thousand seven hundred and fifty feet wide and forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long as the city's property. It will be located alongside the holy area. It will belong to all the people of Israel. 7 “„The prince will have all the land on both sides of the holy area and on both sides of the property belonging to the city. From the western boundary of the holy area, his land will extend to the Mediterranean Sea. From the eastern boundary of the holy area, his land will extend to the eastern border of the country. His territory will be as large as the territory of one of the tribes. 8 “„This land will belong to the prince in Israel. Then my princes will no longer oppress my people. They will give land to each tribe of the nation of Israel.‟ 419 9 “This is what the Lord Jehovah says: „I have had enough of you, you princes of Israel.‟ “„Stop your violence and looting, and do what is fair and right. Stop evicting my people,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah. 10 “„You must have honest scales and honest dry and liquid measures. 11 “„The dry and liquid measures must always be the same: The ephah and the bath should hold the same as one-tenth of a homer. The homer must be the standard measure. 12 “„One shekel must weigh twenty gerahs. One mina must weigh sixty shekels.‟ 13 “„This is the contribution you must give to Jehovah: seventeen percent of your wheat and seventeen percent of your barley. 14 “„You must give one percent of your olive oil using the standard measure.* 15 “„You must take one sheep out of every two hundred from the well-watered pastures of Israel. You must sacrifice them with grain offerings, burnt offerings, and fellowship offerings to make peace with Jehovah,‟ declares the Lord Jehovah. 16 “„All the common people must give this contribution to the prince in Israel. 17 “„Then the prince is responsible to provide burnt offerings, grain offerings, and wine offerings at the annual festivals, the New Moon Festivals, the weekly days of worship, and all the other appointed festivals of the nation of Israel. He must prepare offerings for sin, grain offerings, burnt offerings, and fellowship offerings to pay compensation for wrongdoing and make peace with Jehovah for the nation of Israel. 18 “This is what the Lord Jehovah says: „On the first day of the first month, take a young bull that has no defects and remove sin from the holy place. 19 “„The priest must take some blood from the offering for sin and put it on the doorposts of the Temple, on the four corners of the ledge of the altar, and on the doorposts of the gateways of the inner courtyard. 20 “„You must do the same on the seventh day of the month for everyone who unintentionally does something wrong and is unaware of it. So you must pay compensation for wrongdoing and make peace with Jehovah for the Temple. 420 21 “„On the fourteenth day of the first month, you will celebrate the Passover, a festival lasting seven days when unleavened bread is eaten. 22 “„At that time the prince must prepare for himself and for all the common people a young bull as an offering for sin. 23 “„Every day during the seven days of the festival, he must prepare burnt offerings for Jehovah: seven young bulls that have no defects, seven rams that have no defects, and one male goat as an offering for sin. 24 “„He must also give as a grain offering a half-bushel for each young bull and a half-bushel for each ram. He must also give one gallon of olive oil for every half-bushel of grain. 25 “„On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, at the Festival of Booths, he must do the same as on those seven days. He must prepare the same offerings for sin, burnt offerings, grain offerings, and olive oil.‟” *45:14 cor measure: Cor is a dry measure and also a measure used for oil. The cor was similar to the homer and contained ten bath measures. (1 Kings 4:22; 5:11) (2 Chronicles 2:10) (Ezekiel 45:14) The bath measure was 5.81 gallons U.S. The cor measure equals 58.1 gallons U.S. Ezekiel 46 1 “This is what the Lord Jehovah says: „The east gate of the inner courtyard must be closed during the six working days, but it must be opened on the weekly day of worship. It must also be opened on the New Moon Festival. 2 “„The prince must enter from the outside through the entrance hall of the gateway. He must stand by the doorposts of the gateway. Then the priests must prepare the prince's burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He must worship at the entrance of the gateway and then leave. The gate must not be closed until evening. 3 “„The common people must worship at the door of the gateway in the presence of Jehovah on the weekly days of worship and on New Moon Festivals. 4 “„The prince must offer to Jehovah six lambs that have no defects and one ram that has no defects as a burnt offering on the day of worship. 421 5 “„The grain offering that is to be brought with the ram must be a half-bushel, and the grain offering that is to be brought with the lambs must be whatever the prince can bring. One gallon of olive oil must be brought with each halfbushel of grain. 6 “„On the first day of the month, the burnt offering must be one young bull, six lambs, and one ram-all animals that have no defects. 7 “„With each young bull and each ram the offering must include a half-bushel of grain, and with each lamb the offering must be whatever the prince wants to bring. One gallon of olive oil must be offered with each half-bushel of grain. 8 “„When the prince enters, he must enter through the entrance hall of the gateway. He must enter and leave the same way. 9 “„The people will enter Jehovah‟s presence at the time of the appointed festivals. Those entering through the north gate to worship must leave through the south gate. Those entering through the south gate must leave through the north gate. They must not leave through the same gate they entered. They must leave through the opposite gate. 10 “„The prince must be among them. When they enter, he must enter. When they leave, he must leave. 11 On festival days and at appointed festivals, a grain offering of a half-bushel must be brought with each young bull, and a half-bushel must be brought with each ram. But with the lambs, the prince may bring whatever he wants to bring. One gallon of olive oil must be brought with each half-bushel of grain. 12 “„When the prince prepares a freewill burnt offering, either a burnt offering or a fellowship offering to Jehovah, the east gate must be opened for him. He must sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings as he does on the day of worship. When he leaves, the gate must be shut after him. 13 “„Prepare a year-old lamb that has no defects every day as a burnt offering to Jehovah. Do this every morning. 14 “„Also, prepare a grain offering with it every morning: three-and-a-third quarts of grain and one-and-a-third quarts of olive oil to moisten the flour. It will be a grain offering dedicated to Jehovah. These rules are to be followed always. 422 15 “„Prepare the lamb, the grain offering, and the olive oil every morning as a daily burnt offering.‟ 16 “The Lord Jehovah says: „Suppose the prince offers one of his sons a gift from his property. The gift will belong to his descendants because it is their inheritance. 17 “„Suppose the prince offers a gift from his property to one of his servants. The gift will belong to the servant only until the year of freedom. Then the gift will go back to the prince. Only his sons can inherit his property. 18 “„The prince must not take any of the people's property. He must not force them to give up their property. He must give his own property as an inheritance to his sons so that none of my people will be separated from their property.‟” 19 The man brought me through a passage beside the gateway to the side rooms that faced north. These rooms were reserved for the priests. He showed me a place on the west side of the rooms. 20 He said to me: “This is the place where the priests must boil the meat for the guilt offering and the offering for sin. This is the place where they must bake grain offerings so that they do not have to bring the offerings into the outer courtyard. This way they will not transfer holiness to the people.” 21 The man led me to the outer courtyard and took me past the four corners of the courtyard. I saw that in each corner of the courtyard there was a smaller courtyard. 22 The smaller courtyards that were in each of the four corners of the courtyard were sixty feet long and forty-five feet wide. All four of the smaller courtyards in the corners of the courtyard were the same size. 23 Around each of the four courtyards were stonewalls, and these walls were equipped with fireplaces. 24 The man said to me: “These are the kitchens where the Temple servants must boil the people's sacrifices.” Ezekiel 47 1 The man took me back to the door of the Temple. I saw water flowing from under the entrance of the Temple toward the east. The Temple faced east. The water was flowing under the south side of the Temple, south of the altar. 423 2 Then he led me through the north gate and around to the outer east gate. The water was flowing down the south side of the gate. 3 With a measuring line in his hand, the man went eastward. He measured off fifteen hundred feet and led me through the water. The water came up to my ankles. 4 He measured off another fifteen hundred feet and led me through the water. The water came up to my knees. He measured off another fifteen hundred feet and led me through the water. The water came up to my waist. 5 He measured another fifteen hundred feet. But the water had risen so much that it became a river that I could not cross. The river was too deep to cross except by swimming.* 6 He asked me: “Son of man, do you see this?” 7 The man then led me back along the bank of the river. As I went back, I saw many trees on both sides of the river. 8 He said: “This water flows through the land to the east, down into the Jordan Valley, and into the Dead Sea. When the water flows into the Dead Sea, it will replace the salt water there with fresh water. 9 “Wherever the river flows, there will be many fish and animals. The river will make the water in the Dead Sea fresh. Wherever the river flows, it will bring life. 10 “From En Gedi to En Eglaim* people will be standing on the shore of the sea with their fishing nets spread out. As many kinds of fish will be there as there are in the Mediterranean Sea. 11 “But the water in the swamps and marshes will not become fresh. It will remain salty. 12 “All kinds of fruit trees will grow on both sides of the river. Their leaves will not wither, and they will not fail to produce fruit. Each month they will produce fresh fruit because this water flows from the Holy Place. The fruit will be good food, and the leaves will be used for healing.” 13 This is what the Lord Jehovah says: “These are the borders of the land that is to be divided among the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph gets two parts. 14 “Divide the land equally. I raised my hand and swore that I would give the land to your ancestors. So this land will be your inheritance. 424 15 “This is the northern border for the land: On the north side the border will run from the Mediterranean Sea all the way to Hethlon* and Hamath Pass. It will run through the city of Zedad and through 16 “Berothah* and Sibraim, which are between the borders of Damascus and Hamath. It will run to Hazer Hatticon, which is on the border of Hauran. 17 “So the border will run from the Mediterranean Sea to Hazar Enon on the border of Damascus. The border of Hamath will lie to the north. This is the north side. 18 “On the east side the border will run between Hauran* and Damascus. The Jordan River will serve as the border between Gilead and the land of Israel. The border will continue from the Dead Sea down to Tamar. This is the east side. 19 “On the south side the border will run from Tamar to the oasis at Meribah in Kadesh along the ravine to the Mediterranean Sea. This is the southern border. 20 “On the west side the Mediterranean Sea is the border up to a point opposite Hamath Pass. This is the west side.” 21 “Divide this land for each of the tribes of Israel. 22 “Divide it by drawing lots. This land will be for you. It will also be for the foreign residents who live among you and have given birth to children while they lived with you. Think of them as Israelites. They will draw lots with you for their inheritance among the tribes of Israel. 23 “Foreign residents will receive their share of the inheritance with the people of the tribe among whom they are living,” declares the Lord Jehovah. Simplified Bible Dictionary *47:5 swimming: A swimmer is a person who propels himself through water using his arms and legs. People have learned to swim through out all ages in history. (Ezekiel 47:5) (Acts 27:42, 43) Fishermen needed to know how to swim in order to move the net into position. (John 21:7, 8) Isaiah referred to swimming in his prophecy against Moab at Isaiah 25:10, 11. 425 *47:10 En-Eglaim: A symbolic vision was given to Ezekiel about the salt-laden waters of the Dead Sea. In it the waters were to be “healed” and fishers were to stand on its shores from Engedi to Eneglaim. (Ezekiel 47:8-10) *47:15 Hethlon: Hethlon was a place seen in Ezekiel‟s vision. It was on the northern border of the land of Israel, about 22 miles northeast of modern day Tripoli, Lebanon. (Ezekiel 47:13, 15) *47:16 Berothah, Berothai: Berothah could have been a city belonging to Hadadezer king of Zobah. David carried coppper away from this city. (2 Samuel 8:8) (1 Chronicles 18:8) Ezekiel saw Berothah as the territorial inheritance of Israel in his vision. It was located on the northern boundary between Hamath and Damascus. (Ezekiel 47:16) *47:18 Hauran: Hauran was a place mentioned in Ezekiel‟s vision of Israel‟s inheritance. It was located along the boundary in the same area covered by the term “Bashan.” The name Hauran is today applied to the rolling prairie between Damascus and the Yarmuk. (Ezekiel 47:13, 15, 16, 18) Ezekiel 48 1 “These are the names of the tribes. Beginning at the northern border, Dan will have one part of the land. It will extend from the road to Hethlon to Hamath Pass and Hazar Enon, on the northern border of Damascus near Hamath, from the eastern border to the western border. 2 “Asher will have one part of the land and border Dan on the south. It will extend from the eastern* border to the western border. 3 Naphtali will have one part of the land and border Asher on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border. 4 “Manasseh* will have one part of the land and border Naphtali on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border. 426 5 “Ephraim will have one part of the land and border Manasseh on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border. 6 “Reuben will have one part of the land and border Ephraim on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border. 7 “Judah will have one part of the land and border Reuben on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border. 8 “The land that you set aside as a special gift for Jehovah will border Judah on the south. It will be forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet wide, and it will be as long as one of the sections of the tribes. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border, and the holy place will be in the middle of it. 9 “This special land that you set aside for Jehovah will be forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long and seventeen thousand five hundred feet wide. 10 “This holy area will belong to the priests. On the north side it will be forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long. On the west side it will be seventeen thousand five hundred feet wide. On the east side it will be seventeen thousand five hundred feet wide. On the south side it will be forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long. Jehovah‟s holy place will be in the middle of it. 11 “This land that has been set apart will belong to the priests who are descendants of Zadok. They took care of my holy place. They did not wander away with the Israelites as the Levites did. 12 “So they will have a special portion from the land. It will be the holiest part of land, next to the land belonging to the Levites. 13 “Alongside the land belonging to the priests will be the land belonging to the Levites. It will be forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long and seventeen thousand five hundred feet wide. 14 “They must not sell any of it or trade any of it. They must not let others have the best part of the land, because the land is Jehovah‟s and it is holy. 427 15 “A strip of land, eight thousand seven hundred and fifty feet wide by forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet long, will be left for cities, homes, and pastures. The city will be in the middle of it. 16 “These will be the measurements for the city: On the north side it will be seven thousand eight hundred and seventy-five feet long. On the south side it will be the same length. On the east side it will be seven thousand eight hundred and seventyfive feet wide. And on the west side it will be same width. 17 “The city's pastureland will be the same on all four sides, four thousand three hundred and seventy-five feet. 18 “The rest of the land borders the holy area and runs lengthwise. This land will be seventeen thousand five hundred feet on both east and west sides. It will be used to provide food for the city workers. 19 “City workers from all the tribes in Israel will farm it. 20 “The whole area will be forty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty feet square. You must give this land as a special gift to Jehovah along with the city property. 21 “Whatever is left on the east side and west side of the holy area and the city property will belong to the prince. This land will extend eastward from the holy area to the eastern border, and it will extend westward to the western border. Both of these areas are as long as one of the sections of the tribes. These areas belong to the prince, and the holy area with the Holy Place of the Temple will be between them. 22 “The Levites' property and the city's property will be between the prince's part of the land. What is between Judah's and Benjamin's boundaries will belong to the prince. 23 “This is what the rest of the tribes will receive: Benjamin* will have one part of the land. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border. 24 “Simeon will have one part of the land and border Benjamin on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border. 25 “Issachar will have one part of the land and border Simeon on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border. 428 26 “Zebulun will have one part of the land and border Issachar on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border. 27 “Gad will have one part of the land and border Zebulun on the south. It will extend from the eastern border to the western border. 28 “The southern border of Gad will run south from Tamar to the oasis at Meribah in Kadesh, and it will run along the Brook of Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea. 29 “This is the land you will divide as your inheritance among the tribes of Israel, and these are their areas, declares the Lord Jehovah. 30 “These will be the exits for the city: The north side will be seven thousand eight hundred and seventy-five feet long. 31 “The gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. The three gates on the north side will be Reuben Gate, Judah Gate, and Levi Gate. 32 “The east side will be seven thousand eight hundred and seventy-five feet long. The three gates on the east side will be Joseph Gate, Benjamin Gate, and Dan Gate. 33 “The south side will be seven thousand eight hundred and seventy-five feet long. The three gates on the south side will be Simeon Gate, Issachar Gate, and Zebulun Gate. 34 “The west side will be seven thousand eight hundred and seventy-five feet long. The three gates on the west side will be Gad Gate, Asher Gate, and Naphtali Gate. 35 “The city will measure about thirty-one thousand five hundred feet all the way around. From then on the city's name will be: Jehovah Is There.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *48:2 east: Hebrew: mizrach. means sunrising (Deuteronomy 3:27) (1 Chronicles 4:39) and “qe‟dhem” means „before‟ and „in front of.‟ (Ezekiel 48:2) The Hebrews faced the rising sun when determining direction. That meant east was in front of them. Some people who lived in lands to the east were referred to as sons of the East or Orientals. (Job 1:3) The astrologers that came to see Jesus a year or two after his birth were from “eastern parts.” (Matthew 2:1) 429 *48:23 Benjamin, the tribe: At the time of the Exodus from Egypt the tribe of Benjamin was the smallest of all the tribes. (Numbers 1:36, 37) The territory assigned to the tribe of Benjamin was between that of the tribes of Ephraim, Judah, and Dan. (Joshua 18:11-20) Some of the cities within the Benjamin territory were Jericho, Bethel, Gibeon, Gibeah, and Jerusalem. (Judges 1:22) (1 Kings 12:28, 29) The tribes of Benjamin and Judah were the most prominent among the Israelites in Palestine. (Ezra 4:1; 10:9) The tribe of Benjamin is pictued in Ezekiel‟s vision. (Ezekiel 48:8, 21-23) The apostle Paul was a Benjamite before he was converted to Christianity. (Revelation 5:5) (Romans 11:1) (Philippians 3:5) *48:4 Manasseh: The tribe of Manasseh was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. They descended from Joseph‟s son Manasseh and consisted of seven tribal families. One year after the Israelites left Egypt, Manasseh‟s tribe of able-bodied men, 20 years old and older, numbered 32, 200. (Numbers 1:34, 35) After forty years in the wilderness, four decades later the tribe contained 52, 700 males. (Numbers 26:28-34, 37) Jehovah used the Manassite Judge Gideon to deliver the Israelites from Midianite oppression. (Judges 6:11-16, 33-35; 7:23; 8:22) Ezekiel‟s vision showed Manasseh‟s land assignment to be between Naphtali and Ephraim. (Ezekiel 48:4, 5) Manasseh is named as one of the tribes of spiritual Israel at Revelation 7:6. New Simplified Bible Research Version DANIEL: The writer of the book of Daniel was an outstanding prophet of Jehovah God. He was from the tribe of Judah. Daniel was taken captive to Babylon in 617 B.C.E. as a teenage prince along with other royal offspring and nobles. (Daniel 1:3-6) When he received the vision recorded in chapters 10 through 12 Daniel was nearly 100 years old. The angel told Daniel: “Go toward the end, for you will enter into rest. Then you will rise for your determined condition in life at the end of the days.” He was evidently talking about his impending death and later his resurrection. (Daniel 12:13) 430 DANIEL, THE BOOK: The book of Daniel is a prophetic book found immediately after Ezekiel. The book was written in Babylon, with one of its visions in Shushan by the Ulai River. It was completed about 536 B.C.E. Daniel gives details about the rise and fall of world powers from the time of ancient Babylon until the time when the Kingdom of God crushes all the kingdoms of this world out of existance forever. (Daniel 2:44; 7:13, 14, 27) DANIEL HIGHLIGHTS: Daniel 2 Daniel reveals meaning of Nebuchadnezzar‟s dream. Daniel 3 Hebrews refuse to worship image thrown into fiery furnace. Daniel 4 King dreams of tree. Daniel 5 Handwriting on wall at Belshazzar‟s feast Daniel 6 Daniel thrown into lion‟s pit. Daniel 7 Vision of four beasts revealed. Daniel 9 Seventy prophetic weeks prophecy of Messiah. DANIEL (WRITER: DANIEL) (HEBREW: DA-NI-YEL‟ MEANS “MY JUDGE GOD”) (536 B.C.E.) (BABYLON) (TETRAGRAMMATON: YHWH IS IS SOMETIMES TRANSLATED JEHOVAH, YAHWEH, YAHOWAH, YAHUWAH, OR LORD DEPENDING ON TRANSLATOR‟S THEOLOGY) Daniel 1 1 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked Judah. It was in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah. 2 Jehovah (YHWH*) allowed Nebuchadnezzar to capture Jehoiakim king of Judah. Nebuchadnezzar carried part of the vessels of the house of God into the Plain of Shinar [in Babylon]. He brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. 3 The king ordered Ashpenaz* the chief of his officials to bring in some of the Israelites including some of the royal family and nobles. 4 These were young people who had no defects. They were good looking and intelligent, with knowledge. They showed wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of science. They had 431 ability to serve in the king's court and were taught* the language and literature of the Chaldeans.* 5 The king assigned a daily amount of the king's special rich food for them and also the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years. At the end of that time they would serve the king. 6 Now among these children of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah,* Mishael, and Azariah. 7 The officer in charge gave names to them: To Daniel he gave the name of Belteshazzar. Hananiah* was called Shadrach.* Mishael was called Meshach* and Azariah* was named Abednego. 8 Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile* himself with the king's special food and wine. He requested permission from the officer in charge that he might not defile himself. 9 God caused the officer in charge to show special favor and kindness to Daniel. 10 The officer in charge said to Daniel: “I fear my lord the king. He has appointed your food and your drink. Why should he see your faces worse looking than other young people your age? Would you endanger my head with the king?” 11 Daniel answered the officer appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 12 “Test your servants, please, for ten days. Give them vegetables* to eat and water to drink. 13 “You compare our appearance and the appearance of the young people who eat the king‟s special food. Then you deal with us according to what you see.” 14 So he listened to them and allowed them to prove the matter for ten days. 15 They looked better when the ten days ended! They were fairer in appearance and fatter in flesh than the young people who ate the king‟s special food. 16 So the steward took away their special food and wine and gave them vegetables and water. 17 God gave these young people knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of all types of literature and learning. Daniel had understanding and wisdom in all visions and dreams. 432 18 When the appointed time for learning ended the chief officer brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king interviewed them and found out that none was found to be like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they served the king. 20 The king found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters* in his entire realm. This was in every matter of wisdom and understanding. 21 Daniel continued to the first year of king Cyrus. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *1:2 YHWH: Hebrew: YHWH. This four letter word is called the tetregramiton. It is possible that the divine name is Yahowah, Yahuwah, Yahweh or Jehovah. Since this is an English Translation the name Jehovah has been used. Most Bible translators refuse to use any of the above names and therefore resort to the use of the title the LORD about 7,000 times as if it did not exist in the original text. And yet they retain the names of many false gods mentioned in the original text. Included in this list are Baal, Bel, Merodach, and even Satan! *1:3 Ashpenaz: Ashpenaz was the chief court official in Babylon during Nebuchadnezzar‟s reign. He was in charge of the corps of eunuchs, but he was not a eunuch. He trained the young people to serve as pages of the monarch. (Daniel 1:3) *1:4 taught: lamad/didasko/instructus. Nebuchadnezzar decreed that his officials these special Hebrew boys the language and literature of the Chaldeans. *1: 4 language and literature of the Chaldeans: The Hebrews were required to learn, not only Chaldean, but also Sumerian, Akkadian, Aramaic and other languages. They were to read literature in each of these languages. The literature waws to include: history, mathmatics, astronomy, religious texts such as astrology, omina (omens) and the culture of court life in Babylon. 433 *1:7 Shadrach: Shadrach was one of the Daniel‟s three companions. The name Shadrach is a Babylonian name given to him when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were appointed to a high position in the government of Babylon. Their corresponding Hebrew names were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. By the end of three years study, they were found to be ten times better than the wise men of Babylon. They temporarily lost favor with the king when they refused to bow to his great image, but Jehovah rescued them from the king‟s punishment. They were then restored to their former position. (Daniel 1:3-20; 2:49; 3:1-30) 1:7 Hananiah, Named Shadrach: This Hananiah was one of the three young Jewish companions taken captive to Babylon along with Daniel. The Babylonians gave him the name Shadrach. (Daniel 1:6, 7) *1:7 Meshach: Meshach was the Babylonian name given to Mishael, Daniel‟s companion. The name was given by Nebuchadnezzar‟s court chief official. Meshach and his companions were put through a three year training course by the Babylonians. When they finished this training they were superior to the king‟s counselors. (2 Kings 24:1, 6, 8, 12-16) (Daniel 1:1-16, 17-20) *1:7 Azariah, now Abednego: Azariah was given the name Abednego. He was one of the young people of Jewish royalty taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar in C.E. This is recorded at Daniel 1:3,4, 7. Sheshbazzar: King Cyrus apponted Sheshbazzar to be in charge of the exiles returning from Babylon. Sheshbazzar brought the gold and silver utensis that had been looted by Nebuchadnezzar from the Temple. When he arrived in Jerusalem, he laid the foundations of the second Temple. (Ezra 1:7-11; 5:14-16) Some scholars believe the name Sheshbazzar was a name given to Zerubbabel. This would be the same way official court names were given to Daniel and his companions. (Daniel 1:7) *1:8 defile: tame (taw-may’)/koinoo (koi-no’-o)/maculo. pollute, make unclean, corrupt, tarnish, spot, stain. Daniel was concerned 434 that the food would ruin their good health. When mom said eat your vegetables, she had that same concern. *1:20 enchahter, astrologer, magician: Hebrew: chartom (khar-tome’). An astrologer is someone who predicts the future by the positions of the planets and sun and moon. This is a false science in which a different god is believed to rule over each section of the heavens. In the eighth century Before Common Era, the prophet Isaiah foretold the destrution of Babylon. He challenged the stargazing astrological counselors of that doomed city to save her: “Let your astrologers come forward and save you! Let these people who study the stars, who map out the zones of the heavens tell you from month to month what is goig to happen to you.” (Isaiah 47:13) Daniel and his three companions were captive in the land of the astrologers. The king of Babylon “found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire realm.” (Daniel 1:20) On another occasion Daniel told the king, “There is a God in heaven that reveals secrets.” With God‟s help Daniel went on to reveal the kings dream and visions when the king‟s astrologers could not. (Daniel 2:28, 30) The practice of looking into the liver was a special aspect of astrology. (Ezekiel 21:21) Astrology and other forms of magic are all forbidden by God. (Exodus 20:3, 4) (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) *1:20 conjurer: Hebrew: ashshaph (ash-shawf). can be properly rendered conjurer, astrologer, enchanter, spiritualists. A conjurer is a diviner of the dead who attempts to foretell and control the future. Conjurers were common among the Babylonians during Daniels time. Daniel and his three companions, who had been taken captive to Babylon, proved to be ten times better in wisdom and understanding than all the magic practicing priests and the conjurers in the country. (Daniel 1:3-20) Time and time again Daniel and his friends proved superior to the conjurers and the rest of the spiritistic diviners thanks to Daniel‟s God Jehovah. (Daniel chapters 2 through 6) Daniel 2 1 It was the second year of his reign. He was troubled and could not sleep. Nebuchadnezzar had dreams and was disturbed by them. 435 2 The king summoned the magicians, enchanters (conjurers), sorcerers, and the Chaldeans and commanded them to tell the king about his dreams. They came in and stood before the king. 3 The king said: “I had a dream that troubles me and I want to understand what the dream means.” 4 The Chaldeans spoke in the Syrian language: “O king, may you live for a very long time. Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.” 5 The king answered: “I have decided. If you do not make the dream known to me and it‟s interpretation you will be cut in pieces, and your houses will be made a dunghill (foul smelling pile of rubbish). 6 “But if you tell me the dream and what it means you will receive gifts and rewards and great honor from me. Therefore tell me the dream and the interpretation of it.” 7 They answered the second time. They said: “Let the king tell his servants the dream. Then we will tell the interpretation.” 8 The king responded: “I am certain that you bargain for time, because you see my command is firm. 9 “If you do not tell me my dream, the law will apply to you. You are stalling by speaking lies to me until I change my requirements. Tell me the dream, and I will know that you can show me the interpretation of it.” 10 The Chaldeans answered: “There is no man on earth who can do what the king requires. No king, lord, or ruler, has asked such a thing of any magician, or enchanter, or Chaldean. 11 “It is a rare thing that the king requires. There is no other person who can show it to the king, except the gods, and they do not live with humans.” 12 This caused the king to be angry. In fact he became furious! He commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed.* 13 So the decree was delivered. The wise men were to be executed. They searched for Daniel and his companions to execute them. 14 Daniel sent an answer tempered with counsel and prudence to Arioch* the captain of the king's guard, who was ordered to execute the wise men of Babylon. 436 15 He asked Arioch the king's captain: “Why is the decree so urgent from the king?” Then Arioch explained it to Daniel. 16 Daniel made an appointment with the king so he could show the king the interpretation. 17 Then Daniel went back to his house, and explained everything to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: 18 that they would request mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret. And they would request that Daniel and his companions would not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 The secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Daniel praised the God of heaven. 20 Daniel said: “Praise be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are his. 21 “He changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings, and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to the discerning. 22 “He reveals the deep and hidden things. He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. 23 “I thank you, and praise you, O God of my fathers. You have given me wisdom and might. You have made known to me what we desired from you. For you have made known to us the king's situation.” 24 Therefore Daniel went to Arioch. Arioch was appointed by the king to destroy the wise men of Babylon. Daniel said to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king and I will show the king the interpretation.” 25 Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king and said: “I have found a man of the captive children of Judah who will make the interpretation known to the king.” 26 The king said to Daniel, who was also called Belteshazzar: “Are you able to tell me about my dream and interpret it?” 27 Daniel answered: “Wise men, enchanters, magicians, and soothsayers cannot show the secret the king demanded. 28 “There is a God in heaven that reveals secrets. He made known to king Nebuchadnezzar what will be in days to come. Your dream and visions are these: 437 29 “As for you, O king, your thoughts while you were in bed were about what will happen in the future. He who reveals secrets revealed the future to you. 30 “Concerning me, this secret is not revealed to me to give me more wisdom than anyone else. It is for the purpose that the interpretation may be made known to the king; that you may know the thoughts of your mind. 31 “You, O king, saw a large statue. This statue was in fact very large. It was very bright as it stood before you. Its appearance was awesome. 32 “The statue had a head of pure gold, chest and arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of brass. 33 “It had legs of iron and its feet were partly of iron, and partly of clay. 34 “You watched while a stone was cut out without hands. It struck the statue upon its feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35 “The iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broke in pieces together. It became like the chaff* of the summer threshing-floors. The wind carried them away and no place was found for them. The stone that struck the statue became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. 36 “This was the dream! We will interpret it for the king. 37 “You, O king, are king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the strength, and the glory.* 38 “He gave the children of men, the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens to your hand. He made you the ruler over them all! You are the head of gold. 39 “After you another inferior kingdom will arise and another third kingdom of brass, which will rule over all the earth. 40 “The fourth kingdom will be strong as iron, since iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things. It is iron that crushes all these. It will break in pieces and crush. 41 “The feet and toes you saw, part of potters' clay, and part of iron will be a divided kingdom. It will have the strength of iron. However, you saw the iron mixed with clay. 42 “As the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong, and partly broken. 438 43 “The iron mixed with clay will mingle with the seed of men. But they will not adhere to one another. For iron does not stick to clay. 44 “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. Its sovereignty* will not be entrusted to another people. It will break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms and it will stand forever! 45 “You saw a stone cut out of the mountain without hands. It broke the iron, brass, clay, silver, and the gold to pieces. The great God made known to the king what will happen in the future. The dream is certain, and the interpretation of it is sure.” 46 King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and worshipped Daniel. He commanded that they present an offering and burn incense to him. 47 The king spoke to Daniel: “It is true, your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing you were able to reveal this secret.” 48 The king made Daniel great! He gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon. He was appointed chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 Daniel requested that the king appoint Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon. Daniel sat in the court of the king. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *2:12 destruction: hum, mehumah, mechittah/olethros/eversio, ruina. Destruction is termination by an act that destroys, ruins, eliminates, annihilates or demolishes. It is a final state that puts an end to an object or living creature. Destruction often refers to the physical end to something or some being. (2 Kings 21:3) (Jeremiah 18:7) (Daniel 2:12, 14, 18) It also refers to spiritual ruin such as at 1 Corinthians 3:17. When something or someone is destroyed it no longer exists. Conscientious individuals are rightfully concerned about the possibility of eternal destruction. Jesus referred to this in his parable of the sheep and the goats at Matthew Chapter 25. “Then he will tell those on his left: 439 Depart from me, you cursed, into the ever-burning fire that is prepared for the devil and his [fallen] angels.” (Matthew 25:41,46) Ever-burning fire is a symbol of eternal destruction. Jesus used fire to illustrate the complete destruction of the wicked. (Matthew 13:40-42, 49, 50) Remember, a truly loving God would not torture his creation through out eternity. *2:14 Arioch, chief bodyguard: Arioch was in charge of Nebuchadnezzar‟s bodyguards. They had orders to kill all the wise men of Babylon because they failed to reveal and interpret the king‟s dream. Daniel revealed the dream and gave the interpretation and thus saved the wise men. (Daniel 2:12-25) *2:35 chaff: mots mots, chashash, ur/achuron (akh’-ooron)/palea. Chaff is the thin protective covering or husk on the kernels of cereal grains such as barley and wheat. Most Biblical references to chaff are figurative. The chaff is useless after harvesting and must be disposed of by winnowing. The light chaffy part is carried away like dust in the wind. God winnows away the apostates from among his people. He disposes of wicked persons and opposing nations. (Job 21:18) (Psalm 1:4, 35:5) (Isaiah 17:13; 29:5; 41:15) (Hosea 13:3) God‟s Kingdom will crush its enemies into small particles and they will be blown away like the chaff. (Daniel 2:35) Jesus Christ, the Thresher, will gather in the wheat and burn up with fire the chaff. (Matthew 3:7-12) (Luke 3:17) *2:37 WORLD POWERS: Revealed in a dream to King Nebuchadnezzar at Daniel Chapter two. Seven world powers revealed at Revelation 17:10 and Daniel chapters two and seven. Egypt: Revealed in world history. Assyria: Revealed in world history. Babylon: Head of Gold. (Daniel 2:38) Medo-Persia: Breasts and Arms of Silver. (Daniel 2:39) Ram with two horns. (Daniel 8:20) 440 Greece: Belly and Thighs of Copper. (Daniel 2:39. Hairy male goat. (Daniel 8:21) Five have fallen. (Revelation 17:10) Rome: Legs of Iron. (Daniel 2:40) A king fierce in appearance. (Daniel 8:23) One is. (Revelation 17:10) Anglo-American: Great Britain and United States. Feet and Toes of Iron and Clay. (Daniel 2:41) The other has not yet arrived. (Revelation 17:10) *2:44 sovereignty: toqeph (to’-kef)/katexousiazo (kat-exoo-see-ad’-so)/imperium. authority to govern all mankind. The right to govern and genuine supremacy over others is sovereignty. Jehovah, the true God of the Bible, is the Sovereign of the universe. This is verified at Psalm 47:9. He is the rightful ruler by reason of his supremacy as the Almighty, his Godship, and His Creatorship. (Genesis 17:1) (Exodus 6:3) (Revelation 16:14) He is the Owner of all things and the Source of all authority and power. (Psalm 21:1) (Isaiah 40:21-23) (Revelation 4:11; 11:15) Jehovah God is judge, lawgiver and King! (Deuteronomy 10:17) (Psalm 103:19; 145:13; 150:6) (Isaiah 33:22) (Acts 4:24) The only being in the universe with which Jehovah will share his power is Jesus Christ. Jehovah God will present Jesus Christ as his under king during the thousand-year reign of Revelation 20:6, Psalm 2 and Daniel 7:13,14. Daniel 3 1 THE BLAZING FURNACE: Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold. He set it up in the plain of Dura,* the province of Babylon. It was ninety feet tall and nine feet wide. 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king gathered the satraps,* deputies, governors, judges, treasurers, counselors, sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces. They came to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king set up. 3 The satraps, deputies, governors, judges, treasurers, counselors,* sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces were gathered together at the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king set up. They stood before the image. 441 4 Then the herald* proclaimed: “You are commanded to do this, O peoples, nations, and men of every language. 5 “When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, zither,* pipes (bagpipe*), and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king set up. 6 “Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the midst of a blazing furnace.” 7 When all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, zither, pipes, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped* the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king set up. 8 Some Chaldean Astrologers brought accusation against the Jews. 9 They said to Nebuchadnezzar the king, “O king, may you live for a very long time. 10 “You, O king, made a decree, that every man that hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, zither, pipes, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. 11 “Whoever does not fall down and worship, will be thrown into the midst of a blazing furnace. 12 “The Jews whom you appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego have not listened to you. They do not serve your gods. They do not worship the golden image that you set up.” 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. They brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them: “Is it true Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that you do not serve my god, nor worship the golden image that I set up? 15 “Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, zither, pipes, and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, good! But if you do not worship it you will be thrown into the midst of a blazing furnace that same hour. What god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 442 17 “If it is so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the blazing furnace. He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 “If not you should know O king that we will not serve your gods.* We will not worship the golden image that you set up!” 19 Nebuchadnezzar was furious. The expression on his face changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than its required heat. 20 He commanded the mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, caps and their other garments. They were thrown into the midst of the blazing furnace. 22 Because of the urgency of the king's commandment and the exceeding hot furnace, the flame of the fire killed the men who delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23 These three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the blazing furnace. 24 Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished. He hurried to speak to his counselors: “Did we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered: “True O king.” 25 He said: “Look, I see four men walking in the midst of the fire. They are not hurt! The appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning blazing furnace. He called out: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God come here!” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. 27 The satraps, deputies, governors, and the king's counselors, being gathered together, saw these men. They saw that the fire had no power upon their bodies. Not a single hair on their head was singed. Neither were their clothes changed and they did not smell like fire. 28 Nebuchadnezzar said: “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him. They violated the king's 443 command and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. 29 “Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut into pieces. Their houses shall be made a dunghill. There is no other god that is able to deliver like this.” 30 The king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *3:1 Dura: The plain of Dura is where Nebuchadnezar erected a gold image. (Daniel 3:1) It was located in the district of Babylon near the city of Babylon. *3:2 Governor: Chaldee: segan. sar/hegemon/satrap. A satrap was a governor of a province in the Babylonian and Persian empires. The king appointed him as a chief ruler of a legal district. Daniel speaks of satraps serving under Nebuchadnezzar in the Babylonian Empire. (Daniel 3:1-3) Satraps carried on the civil administration of the territory he ruled over. They were literally mini kings or monarchs. *3:3 magistrate, counselors: Chaldee: dethabar (dethaw-bawr’). A magistrate (or counselor) is a public official who is authorized to ask questions before a court of justice. Magistrates were gathered to bow before Nebuchadnezzar‟s image of gold. (Daniel 3:2, 3) The civil magistrates in the Roman colony of Philippi had Paul and Silas put into stocks without a trial. (Acts 16:12) Then the magistrates released then out of fear of trouble from Rome. (Acts 16:19-39) *3:4 herald: Caldee: karoz (kaw-roz’). Greek: kerysso (keree’-so). A herald is a person who announces important news. A herald is mentioned at Daniel 3:4 where a herald declared Nebuchadnezzar‟s decree to the people. The Greek word “kerys‟so” is translated preach or herald. Used at Matthew 24:14 and Mark 13:10 it speaks of proclaimers of the good news of God‟s Kingdom. 444 *3:5 bagpipe or dulcimer: Aramaic: sum-pon-yah has been translated dulcimer, symphony and bagpipe. Modern Bible translations render the expression as bagpipe. (Daniel 3:5, 10, 15) *3:5 zither: Also known as the lyre. There were forty strings on the musical instrument known as the zither. (Daniel 3:5) *3:7 worship in Babylon: The desire to worship pervaded all of Babylon. There were more than 50 temples in which many gods and goddesses were worshiped. Included in the gods and goddesses were the triad of Anu, the god of the sky along with Enlil god of earth, air, and storm and Ea god over the waters. Another trinity consisted of Sin the moon-god, Shamash the sun-god, and Ishtar the fertility goddess. Astrology, magic and sorcery were common in Baylonian worship. *3:18 idolatry: Hebrew: teraphiym. Greek: eidololater (ido-dol-at-ri’-ah) The three Hebrews told the king, “we will not serve your gods.” Jehovah forbids idolatry. Included in the definition of idolatry is worshipping false gods. The Bible also links gluttony and covetousness with idolatry. (Philippians 3:18, 19) (Colossians 3:5) Christians take an equally firm stand against idolatry. We should imitate the faith shown by the three Hebrews. Psalm 97:10 assures us that God is guarding the faithul ones. Daniel 4 1 KING DREAMS ABOUT TREE: “Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all the peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. 2 “It seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. 3 “How great are his signs! How mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,* and his dominion is from generation to generation. 4 “I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and active in my palace.* 445 5 “I saw a dream that made me afraid. When I saw this vision my thoughts troubled me. 6 “I made a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon that they might explain the dream to me. 7 “The magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came to me. I told the dream to them. They did not explain the dream to me. 8 “Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar,* according to the name of my god, finally came to me. He has the spirit of the holy gods. So I told the dream to him saying: 9 „“O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and no secret troubles you! Tell me the visions I have seen in my dream. Give me the interpretation. 10 „“Here are the visions of my head: I saw a tree in the midst of the earth. It was very tall. 11 “„The tree grew and became strong. Its height reached to heaven. It could be seen from distant parts of the earth. 12 „“The leaves were beautiful and the fruit abundant. In it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shadow under it. The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches. All flesh was fed by it. 13 „“I saw in the visions of my head: Behold, a watcher and a holy one came down from heaven. 14 “He cried aloud: „Chop down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from its branches. 15 „“Leave the stump and roots in the earth. Apply to it a band of iron and copper in the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew of heaven. Let its portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. 16 „“Let its heart be changed from a man's, and let a beast's heart be given to it. Seven times* should pass over it. 17 „“The decision is by the decree of the watchers. The sentence by the word of the holy ones! It is to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets over it the lowest of men.” 18 „“I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen this dream and you O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation! For all the wise men 446 of my kingdom are not able to make the interpretation known to me. You are able for the spirit of the holy gods is in you!‟ 19 “Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken dumb for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king said, Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or the interpretation trouble you. Belteshazzar answered: My lord, the dream may be to them that hate you and the interpretation to your adversaries. 20 DANIEL INTERPRETS: „“The tree* that you saw, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached to heaven,* and was seen in the distant parts of the earth; 21 whose leaves were beautiful and fruit abundant, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the birds of the heavens lived: 22 It is you O king! You have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown, and reaches to heaven. Your dominion is to the end of the earth. 23 „“Since the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from heaven saying: Chop down the tree, and destroy it. Leave the stump and the roots in the earth. With a band of iron and brass leave it in the tender grass of the field and let it be wet with the dew of heaven. Let its portion be with the beasts of the field till seven times pass over it.” 24 This is the interpretation, O king. It is the decree from the Most High that has come to my lord the king. 25 You will be driven from men. Your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will eat grass like oxen and will be wet with the dew of heaven. Seven times shall pass over you until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, * and gives it to whomever he will. 26 “Because they commanded to leave the stump and the roots of the tree your kingdom will be sure to you. After that you will know that the heavens do rule. 27 “Let my counsel be acceptable to you O King. Stop your sins by being righteous and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. May there be a lengthening of your prosperity.” 28 All this happened to king Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon. 447 30 The king spoke: “Is this not great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling-place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” 31 While the word was in the king's mouth a voice came from heaven, saying: “O king Nebuchadnezzar,* to you it is spoken: The kingdom is departed from you. 32 “You will be driven from men. Your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You will have to eat grass like bulls. Seven times shall pass over you until you know the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.” 33 That same hour it was fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from men and did eat grass like bulls. His body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hair grew like eagles' feathers, and his fingernails like birds' claws. 34 “At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven and my understanding returned to me. I blessed the Most High and I praised and honored the one who lives forever. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are considered as nothing. He does according to his will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth. None can stop him, or say to him: „What do you do?‟ 36 “My understanding returned to me at that time. The glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me. My counselors and my lords came to me. I was established in my kingdom with excellent greatness. 37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, extol and honor the King of heaven. All his works are truth, and his ways justice. He is able to abase (humble) (subdue) those who walk in pride.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *4:3 everlasting: olam/oionios/(ahee-o’-nee-os)/eternus. Jehovah God is eternal. He will not die. (Genesis 21:33) (Nehemiah 9:5) (Isaiah 40:28) Jehovah‟s kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. (Daniel 4:3) The good news of the kingdom is everlasting. (Revelation 14:6) 448 *4:4 palace: Chaldee: heykal (hay-kal’). Hebrew: Biyrah (bee-raw’). Greek: aule (ow-lay’). Latin: aula. A palace is the residence of a sovereign. It is also the spacious and stately dwelling of a prince or powerful wealthy man. (Daniel 4:4) (Luke 11:21) The Hebrew word “hehkhal” is often applied a dwelling place of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. (1 Samuel 1:9) (1 Kings 6:2, 3) (Ezra 5: 13, 14) (Daniel 5:3) *4:8 Belteshazzar: The Babylonian name “Belteshazzar” was given to Daniel after he was taken into exile in 717 B.C.E. It is a shortened form of an invocation to Nebuchadnezzar‟s god Bel. That is why Nebuchadnezzar said, “according to the name of my god” when he gave Daniel that name. (Daniel 4:8; 5:12) The new name was intended to naturalize Daniel as a newly recognized “Babylonian.” But the Babylonians continued to call him by his Hebrew name. *4:16 times: Chaldee: iddan (id-dawn’). Hebrew: moneh. Greek: chronos. Latin: temporis. One lunar year, 360 days=12 lunar months of 30 days each. The 7 times of Daniel 4:16 are equal to 7 lunar years of 360 days each. That makes a total of 2,520 days. *4:20 trees: Chaldee: iylan (ee-lawn’). Often trees are symbolic of individuals, rulers, kings. (Daniel 4:20-22) (Psalm 1:3) (Jeremiah 17:7, 8) Ezekiel chapter 31) This tree was not like any other tree. I was so tall it reached heaven and was seen in the “distant parts of the earth.” The tree represented the whole kingdom of mankind. *4:25 Most High Sovereign Ruler: Yehowah is the Universal Sovereign. Only he has the right to rule over mankind. The people of the world has ignored God and opposed his rulership. Therefore Jehovah will destroy all opposers of his kingdom. (Psalm 2:1-11) (2 Peter 3:3-7) *4:31 Nebuchadnezzar: This is the mighty Babylonian King who conquered Jerusalem and took the people captive. Many of them were taken to Babylon. The entire accound is recorded at 2 Kings chapters 24 and 25, 2 Chronicles chapter 36 and Daniel chapters 2 and 4. Nebuchadnezzar ruled as king for 43 449 years from 624 to 582 B.C.E. This period includes the seven times when he ate vegetation like a bull. (Daniel 4:3133) Daniel 5 1 HANDWRITING ON WALL:* King Belshazzar* held a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine with them. 2 While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar commanded to bring the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the Temple in Jerusalem. This way the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, might drink from them. 3 Then they brought the gold vessels that were taken out of the Temple of the House of God that was at Jerusalem. The king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, drank from them. 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, silver, copper, iron, wood, and of stone. 5 In the same hour the fingers of a man's hand appeared, and wrote above the lamp stand on the plaster* of the wall of the king's palace. The king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king's countenance* changed in him. His thoughts troubled him. The joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees struck one against the other. 7 The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke to the wise men of Babylon: “Whoever reads this writing, and shows me the interpretation of it will be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck. He will be the third ruler in the kingdom”. 8 All the king‟s wise men came. But they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation. 9 King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, and his appearance changed. His lords were perplexed. 10 The queen came into the banquet hall. She said: “O king, may you live for a very long time: do not let your thoughts trouble you or change your countenance. 11 “There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods. In your fathers day, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him. King 450 Nebuchadnezzar, your father, made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. 12 “Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, has an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding for interpreting dreams, showing of dark sentences, and dissolving doubts. Let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.” 13 Daniel was brought before the king. The king spoke to Daniel: “Are you that Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Judah? 14 “I have heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. 15 “The wise men and the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing, and make known the interpretation of it. But they could not show the interpretation. 16 “I have heard that you can give interpretations and dissolve doubts. If you can read the writing and make the interpretation known to me you will be clothed with purple, and have a chain* of gold about your neck, and will be the third ruler in the kingdom.” 17 Daniel answered the king: “Keep your gifts and give your rewards to another. I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 18 “O you king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty. 19 “Because of the greatness he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he chose he killed and whom he chose he kept alive. Whom he chose he raised up, and whom he chose he put down. 20 “But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened with pride he dealt proudly. He was deposed from his kingly throne and they took his glory from him: 21 “He was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the beasts. His dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven until he knew that the Most High God rules in 451 the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will. 22 “You his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you know all this. 23 “You lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of his house before you and your lords, wives and concubines. They drank wine from them. You praise the gods of silver and gold, of copper, iron, wood, and stone, which you do not see, nor hear, nor know. You have not glorified the God whose hand holds your breath and life. 24 “Then the part of the hand was sent from before him, and this writing was inscribed. 25 “This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN.* 26 “This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God has numbered your kingdom, and brought it to an end; 27 “TEKEL: you are weighed in the balances, and are found wanting. 28 “PERES; your kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”* 29 Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 30 In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean King was slain. 31 Darius* the Mede received the kingdom. He was sixty-two years old. Simplified Bible Dictionary *5:1, 25 MENE, MENE, TEKEL and PARSIN: These were the word of the terse and puzzling message inscribed on the wall of King Belshazzar‟s banquet hall. It was the night of October 5, 539 B.C.E. King Belshazzar threw a big banquet at his palace in Babylon. Daniel was empowered by Jehovah to read the inscription and give its interpretation. The events that followed the prophecy and the interpretation were earth shaking and cataclysmic. Versus 25 thru 28 give the interpretation. You won‟t want miss this exciting account. Be sure to read Daniel chapter five for complete details. 452 *5:1 Belshazzar: Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus. He served as coregent of Nabonidus at the time when the Babylonian Empire came to an end. The book of Daniel reports Belshazzar as the king of Babylon. (Daniel 5:1, 9; 7:1; 8:1) He was the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar II. (This can be confusing because the Bible sometimes uses the word son to mean grandson.) In the year 539 B.C.E. Babylon was under seige by the forces of Cyrus the Persian and Darius the Mede. However, the Babylonians were so confident that the city‟s walls were impregnable that they held a great feast for a thousand of the kings grandees. Belshazzar used the vessels from the temple of Jerusalem as an act of defiance against the true God. This deliberate act of contempt by this pagan king brought immediate reproach from Jehovah. The entire faith building account can be read in the fifth Chapter of the book of Daniel. Be sure to read it. *5:5 plaster: Chaldee: giyr (gheer). Plaster is a wall covering that was commonly made with clay mixed with straw. Sometimes the mixture included ashes, pulverized pottery fragments, lime and pounded shells or limestone. (Leviticus 14:42) (Ezekiel 13:10-16) (Daniel 5:5) *5:16 neck chain, necklace: A necklace is an ornamental chain or string of beads, gold, silver, coral, and jewels worn around the neck. Necklaces were worn by both women and men. (Genesis 41:41, 42) (Daniel 5:7, 16, 17, 29) Even camels wore necklaces. (Judges 8:21, 26) (Acts 20:37) *5:6 countanence: paniym (paw-neem’)/idea/aspectus. Chaldee: ziyv (zeev). Appearance, sight, aspect, presence. *5:28 kingdom divided: Media and Pursia joined forces and layed siege against this empire of false religion, Babylon. They captured Babylon and thus the kingdom was divided and given to the Medes and Persians. The amazing part of all this is that this was prophasied 200 years earlier in great detail at Isaiah 44:27 thru 45:3. Cyrus,, the leader of the Medes, was named in the prophesy. 453 *Babylon the Great: We read in the Book of Revelation about the modern day Babylon, the world empire of false religion. (Revelation 17:5; chapter 18) In this account we learn that she is a bloodthirsty harlot who ignored the King, Jesus Christ. YHWH, Yahovah‟s people have echoed the warning to everyone who will listen, “Come out of her, my people, that you do not partake of her sins, and that you do not receive her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4) According to chapter 18 of Revelation this Babylon the Great has fallen and will continue to fall out of favor with man until she is completely distroyed. God will punish her for he great sins. *5:31 Darius: Chaldee: daryavesh (daw-reh-yaw-vaysh’). The name Darius is applied to three kings in the Bible. It might have been used as a title or throne name instead of a personal name. The major character named Darius was Darius the Med, the successor to the Chaldean King Belshazzar following the conquest of Babylon by the army of Cyrus the Persian. (Daniel 5:30,31) He was the son of Ahasuerus of the seed of the Medes. (Daniel 9:1) The second Darius was Darius Hystaspis the Persian. He was also known as Darius the Great. He was involved in rebuilding the temple when he ordered Governor Tattenai not to interfere with the work and to provide building funds from the royal treasury. This account is found at Ezra Chapters 4 thru 7. The third Darius was Darius Ochus who ruled from 423 to 405 B.C.E. Daniel 6 1 DANIEL IN THE LION‟S DEN: It pleased Darius to appoint a hundred and twenty governors over the kingdom. They were to be located throughout the whole kingdom. 2 Three commissioners were placed over them. Daniel was one of the commissioners. These governors were to give account to them so that the king would not suffer loss. 3 Daniel was distinguished above the other commissioners and the governors because an excellent spirit (mind) was in him. Therefore the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 454 4 Then the commissioners and the governors sought to find a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom. They could find no charge, nor error, nor fault, for he was faithful. 5 These men said: “We shall not find any charge against Daniel, unless we find it against him in the Law of his God.” 6 Then these commissioners and governors assembled before the king, and said: “King Darius, may you live for a very long time.” 7 “All the governors of the kingdom, the deputies and the governors, the counselors consulted together to establish a royal statute. They made a strong decree, that whoever prays to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the den of lions. 8 “Now, O king, establish the decree by signing the document. That it will not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be altered. 9 King Darius signed the document for the decree.” 10 Daniel knew that the decree was signed. He went into his house. His windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem. He kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, like he did before. 11 These men assembled together. They found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. 12 They approached the king about his decree: “Did you sign a decree stating that every man that shall make petition to any god or man within thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the den of lions?” The king answered: “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be altered.” 13 Then they said: “Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, does not show you respect, O king, nor the decree that you signed. He offers his prayer three times a day.” 14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased with himself. He was determined that Daniel not be delivered to him; and he labored all day to rescue him. 15 Then these men assembled before the king and said: “Know, O king that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no decree or statute that the king establishes may be changed.” 455 16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and threw him into the den of lions.* The king spoke to Daniel: “Your God whom you serve will deliver you.” 17 A stone was placed over the mouth of the den.* The king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. 18 The king went to his palace and did not eat. He refused musical entertainment and he could not sleep. 19 He arose very early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 He came near to the den and cried with a lamentable voice to Daniel: “O Daniel, servant of the living God, did the God you serve deliver you from the lion?” 21 Daniel said to the king: “O king, may you live for a very long time.” 22”My God sent his angel, and shut the lions' mouths. They did not hurt me. I was found innocent before him. I have done no wrong before you, O king.” 23 The king was very happy. He commanded that they take Daniel out of the den. So Daniel was taken out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found on him, because he trusted in his God. 24 The king commanded that the men that accused Daniel and had him thrown into the den of lions be thrown into the den of lions. They cast them into the den of lions, their children, and their wives; and the lions killed them and broke their bones in pieces before they reached the bottom of the den. 25 Then king Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace is multiplied to you. 26 “I make a decree, that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble with respect before the God of Daniel. He is the living God, and steadfast forever! His kingdom will not be destroyed. His dominion will be even unto the end. 27 “He delivers and rescues, and he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, which has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” 28 So Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. 456 Simplified Bible Dictionary *6:16 lions: ariy lay (law-bee’-leb-ee-yah’ leb-aw-eem’), layish/leon/leo. The lion is a large mammal of the cat family having a long bushy tail. The mature male lion has a distinctive shaggy mane. Lions were plentiful in Palestine, especially in the mountains and the thickets along the Jordan River. (Jeremiah 49:19; 50:44) (Zechariah 11:3) They were also in the wilderness south of Judah. (Isaiah 30:6) (Deuteronomy 8:15) The Scriptures frequently allude to the characteristics and habits of the lion. (Proverbs 19:12; 20:2) Daniel and his companions were saved from a horrible fate at the mouth of hungry lions in the lions pit. (Daniel 6:16, 17, 22, 24) Most Scriptural references to lions are figurative. The entire nation of Israel and the individual tribes of Judah and Gad were prophetically compared to lions. (Numbers 23:24; 24:9) (Genesis 49:9) (Deuteronomy 33:20) A comprehensive concordance of the Bible will reveal more than forty references to lions. *6:17 lions pit, den: sok (soke), gob/spelaion (spay’-lahyon)/clustrum. Daniel was thrown into the lion‟s pit. It was a place for execution where lions were placed to kill those sent there. (Daniel 6:7, 12, 13, 16-24) It was a literal pit in an underground place, with a stone cover. (Daniel 6:17; 6:23) God sent angels to protect Daniel. Daniel 7 1 VISION OF FOUR BEASTS: Daniel had a dream and visions. He wrote the summery of the dream that came to his mind while he was in bed. It was the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon. 2 Daniel said: “I saw in my vision by night, the four winds of heaven blew upon the great sea. 3 “Four great beasts* came up from the sea, each different from the other. 4 “The first was like a LION. It had eagle's wings. I watched till the wings were pulled off. It was lifted up from the earth and 457 made to stand upon two feet like a man. A man's heart and mind was given to it. 5 “Look, a second beast, like a BEAR. It was raised up on one side. Three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth. They said to it, „Arise and devour much flesh.‟ 6 “I saw another beast. It was like a LEOPARD. It had four wings as a bird on its back. The beast also had four heads. Dominion (ruling authority) was given to it. 7 “After this I saw more visions in the night. I saw a FOURTH BEAST terrible and powerful, and exceedingly strong! It had great iron teeth. It devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet. It was different from the beasts that came before it. It had ten horns! 8 “I looked at the horns and another one, a little horn came. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man. It had a mouth that spoke great (domineering) (boastful) things. The three first horns were plucked up roots and all. 9 “I watched as thrones were placed. The ANCIENT OF DAYS* sat on one throne. His clothing was white as snow. His hair was like pure wool. His throne was like fiery flames, and the wheels on it were like burning fire. 10 “A fiery stream issued from before him. Thousands of thousands ministered to him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was set and the books were opened. 11 “I paid attention because of the sound of the great (boastful) words the horn spoke. I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed. It was burned with fire. 12 “The dominion (authority) was taken away from the other beasts. Yet their lives were prolonged for a season. 13 “I saw in the night-visions someone like a SON OF MAN came with the clouds of heaven. He came to the Ancient of Days. They brought him near before him. 14 “He was given legal power and a kingdom. Out of his glory all the peoples, nations, and languages will serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away. His kingdom will not be destroyed. (Revelation 11:15) (Daniel 2:44) (Psalm 45:6) 15 “I, Daniel, was grieved to the center of my being, and the visions in my head troubled me. 458 16 I came near to one of them that stood nearby, and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me. „HE MADE ME KNOW THE INTERPRETATION OF EVERYTHING. 17 „“These FOUR GREAT BEASTS, ARE FOUR KINGS, * that arise out of the earth. 18 „“The holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom. They will possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.‟ 19 “I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast that was different from the others. This beast was exceeding terrible. It had teeth made of iron. Its claws were made of copper. It devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped what was left with its feet. 20 “There were ten horns on its head. Three horns fell and another horn came up. The horn that had eyes and a mouth spoke great (domineering) (boastful) things. Its appearance was greater than the others. 21 “I watched that same horn as it made war with the holy ones. It prevailed against (defeated) them. 22 “Then the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the holy ones of the Most High, and the time came that the holy ones possessed the kingdom. (Revelation 5:10; 20:4, 6) 23 “He said: „The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on earth. It will be different from all other kingdoms. It will devour the entire earth. It will trample it down and break it in pieces. 24 „“The ten horns are ten kings that will arise out of this kingdom! Another will arise after them. He will be different from the former, and he will subdue three kings. 25 „“He will speak words against the Most High (Supreme God) and wear down (afflict) (cause great distress) the holy ones of the Most High. He will think to change the times and law and will have control until a time and times and half a time. (Three and one-half years) 26 „“But the judgment shall be set (applied) and they will take away his power forever. 27 „“The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people who are the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom is an 459 everlasting kingdom! All dominions (legal authorities) will serve and obey him.‟ 28 “This is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were very troubled. My appearance was changed. I kept the matter in my heart.” Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *7:3 beasts: behemah/zoon/bestea. God created each family of animals according to its own kind. (Genesis 1:25, 26) The Hebrew word “behemah” refers to an animal. (Genesis 9:10; 34:23) (Psalms 107:38) The Greek term for animal is “zoon.” (Revelation 4:7) (2 Peter 2:12) Adam was given the reponsibility of naming the animals and God also appointed man as steward over the animals. (Genesis 1:26; 2:19, 20) (Luke 12:48) Naturalists report that animals normally retreat from man‟s presence. Most of them do not attack unless they are provoked, wounded or surprised. Animals were created with a fear or dread of man. (Genesis 9:2, 3) Animals are used in an illustrative way to symbolize a variety of qualities and powers. They portray divine as well as human qualities. They are also used symbolically to convey oppressive, beastlike ruling powers. (Ezekiel 1:10, 11) (Daniel 7:2-7; 8:5-8, 20, 21) (Revelation 4:6, 7; 13:1-17) Before the Great Flood animals were used to provide clothing and for sacrificial purposes. (Genesis 3:21; 4:4) Man was allowed to eat meat with its blood drained after the Deluge. (Genesis 9:3, 4) *7:9 Ancient of Days: Aramaic: attiqyohmin. This Aramaic expression “at-tiq‟yoh-min” refers to someone who is very old. The title “Ancient of Days” is given to God in chapter seven of Daniel. (Daniel 7:9, 13, 22) The title “Most High” is also offered to the true God at Daniel 7:18, 22, 25, 27. This comes from the Hebrew word il-lah‟ee and can also be translated “Supreme God”. Daniel chapter seven presents a symbolic courtroom where the Ancient of Days sits to judge the world powers. Huge beasts symbolize these world powers. Their rulership is taken away, and given to the one “like the son of man”. All peoples are commanded to obey him. (Daniel 7:1014) 460 *7:17 Four Great Beasts: Major world powers Beasts in prophecy. (Rev. 17:3, 9-11) Lion: Babylonian (Daniel 7:4) (607 B.C.E.). Bear:Medo-Persian (Daniel 7:5) (539 B.C.E.). Leopard: Grecian (Daniel 7:6) (331 B.C.E.). Frightening beast with many horns: Roman Empire Anglo-American, United States and Great Britain. Politically divided world in the time of the end. Daniel 8 1 A vision appeared to me, Daniel, in the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar. It appeared after the first vision. 2 I saw in the vision: I was in Shushan* the castle (palace), which is in the province of Elam by the River Ulai.* 3 A ram with two horns stood next to the river. The two horns were tall, but one was taller than the other, and the taller one came up last. 4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward. No beasts could stand before him. Neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand. He did what ever he wanted and boasted about himself. 5 As I observed a he-goat came from the west over the face of the whole earth. It did not touch the ground. The goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 6 He approached the ram that had the two horns, which I saw standing next to the river. He charged him with the full fury of his power. 7 I saw him come close to the ram. He was driven with anger and he struck the ram and broke his two horns. The ram had no power to stand before him. He threw him down to the ground, and trampled upon him. No one could deliver the ram out of his hand. 8 The he-goat promoted (boasted about) himself exceedingly. He was strong. The great horn was broken and instead of it there came up four notable horns toward the four winds of heaven. 461 9 A little horn cam out of one of them. The little horn became very great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the glorious land. 10 It grew great, even to the host of heaven. It threw down to the ground some of the host and it trampled them. 11 It magnified itself, even to the prince of the host. It took the continual burnt offering from him and the place of his sanctuary was thrown down. 12 The host was given over to it together with the continual burnt offering through transgression. It cast down truth to the ground, and whatever it wanted to do and prospered. 13 Then I heard a holy one speak and another holy one said to it: “How long will the vision be concerning the continual burnt-offering and the transgression that makes desolate to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled under foot?” 14 He said to me: “Two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary will be cleansed.” 15 After I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision I sought to understand it. Behold, there appeared before me a man standing. 16 I heard a man's voice from the banks of the Ulai River. He called to Gabriel:* “Make this man understand the vision of the time of the end.” 17 He came near where I stood. I was afraid and fell to my face. But he said to me: “Understand, O son of man the vision belongs to the time of the end.” 18 WORLD POWERS NAMED: He spoke to me while I was in a deep sleep with my face to the ground. He touched me, and set me upright. 19 He said: I will make you know what will happen in the final time of indignation for the vision is for the appointed time of the end. 20 “The ram that you saw that had the two horns symbolizes (represents) the kings of MEDIA and PERSIA. 21 “And the rough he-goat is the king of GREECE. The great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 22 “As for that which was broken, in the place where four stood up, four kingdoms* shall stand up out of the nation, but not with his power. 462 23 “Toward the end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their fullness, a FIERCE KING will arise who will understand sinister schemes. 24 “He will be mighty, but not by his own power. He will destroy excessively (cause great devistation) and will prosper and do anything he wants to do. He will destroy the mighty ones and the holy people. 25 “Through his policy he will cause deceit to prosper in his hand. He will boast about himself in his heart. In their security they will destroy many. He will even stand up against the prince of princes; but he will be destroyed without human power. 26 “The vision told about the evenings and mornings is true: but seal up the vision. It belongs to the future.” 27 I, Daniel, fainted from exhaustion, and was sick for days. Then I rose up, and did the king's business. I wondered about the vision, but none understood it. Simplified Bible Dictionary *8:2 Shushan: : Shushan was an ancient city between the Karkheh River and the Ab-I-Diz River, 220 miles east of Babylon. The Shushan castle was the fortified part of the city. It was the setting for one of Daniel‟s visions found at Daniel 8:2. The book of Esther relates events that took place at Shushan the Castle (Palace). (Esther 1:2, 5, 6; 2:3, 5, 8, 21; 3:2, 15; 8:14; 9:12-15) Shushan was also called Susa at Ezra 4:9. *8:2 Ulai River: The Ulai was the watercourse that flowed through Shushan in Elam. Daniel received the vision of the ram and the he-goat along the Ulai. (Daniel 8:1-6, 16) *8:16 Gabriel: According to the Bible, Gabriel is a high ranking angelic creature in close association with the heavenly court. (Luke 1:26-38) Michael and Gabriel are the only angels mentioned in the Bible by name. Gabriel was the only materialized angel to give his name. Gabriel appeared to Daniel twice, each time near the Ulai River. (Daniel 8:1,15-26; 9:1, 20-27) He also appeared to Zechariah the priest to tell 463 him, he and his wife Elizabeth would have a son, John the Baptist. (Luke 1:11-20) Gabriel declared to Mary: “Greetings highly favored one, Jehovah is with you.” Then he told her she would give birth to a son, Jesus the Son of God. *8:22 Alexander the Great was the son of Philip II of Macedonia, Greece. His mother Olympias gave birth to him in 356 B.C.E. Alexander the Great is not named in the Holy Scriptures, but his great military feats are identified in prophecy. He became king after his father was assassinated and he immediately set out to conquer the world. (Ezekiel 26:4, 12) (Jeremiah 50:35-40; 51:26) (Daniel 8:5-8, 20-22; 11:4) King Alexander founded the city of Alexandria. It became a great seat of learning where the Greek Septuagint was later written. Daniel foretold the demise of Alexander predicting that he was to be cut down and broken in death and this happened at age 32, in the prime of life, he suddenly died of malarial fever. Four kingdoms were established out of the one kingdom that Alexander ruled over and four of Alexander‟s generals became their rulers. (Daniel 8:22) Daniel 9 1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus (Xerxes), of the lineage of the Medes. He was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans. 2 It was the first year of his reign. I, Daniel, understood from The Books (Holy Scriptures) the number of the years in the word of Jehovah to Jeremiah the prophet. It was seventy years since the destruction of Jerusalem. 3 I looked to Jehovah God to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4 And I prayed* to Jehovah my God, and made confession, and said, “Oh, Jehovah, the great and fear-inspiring (awesome) God, who keeps his covenant and loving kindness for those who love him and keep his commandments. 5 “We have sinned. We have dealt perversely. We have acted wickedly and have rebelled, even turning aside from your precepts and from your ordinances. 464 6 “We have not listened to your servants the prophets who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 “O Jehovah, righteousness belongs to you! Shame belongs to us this day! To the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries you have driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against you. 8 “O Jehovah, to us belongs shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. 9 “To Jehovah our God belong mercies and forgiveness. We have rebelled against him. 10. “We have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 “Yes, all Israel have transgressed your law and turned aside, that they should not obey your voice. Therefore the curse has been poured out upon us. It is the oath that is written in the Law of Moses the servant of God. We have sinned against you. 12 “He confirmed his words, which he spoke against us, and against our judges who ruled us. He brought a great evil on us. Nothing under heaven has been done like what was done to Jerusalem. 13 “As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this evil has come upon us. Yet we have not earnestly requested the favor of Jehovah our God. We should turn from our iniquities, and have discernment in your truth. 14 “Therefore Jehovah watched over the evil and brought it upon us. Jehovah our God is righteous in all his works. We have not obeyed his voice. 15 “And now, O Jehovah our God, you brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and made a name for yourself that day. We have sinned! We have done wickedly. 16 “O Jehovah, according to all your righteousness, let your anger, I pray you, be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain. Because of our sins, and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a reproach to all those who are round about us. 465 17 “Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant, and to his supplications, and cause your face to shine upon your sanctuary that is desolate, for Jehovah‟s sake. 18 “O my God, incline your ear, and hear! Open your eyes, and behold our desolations and the city that is called by your name. We do not present our supplications before you because of our righteous merits, but according to your many mercies. 19 “O Jehovah, hear; O Jehovah, forgive; O Jehovah, pay attention and act! Do not delay for your own sake, O my God! Because your city and your people are called by your name.”* 20 While I was speaking, in prayer, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before Jehovah my God for the holy mountain of my God; 21 While I was speaking in prayer, the spirit person [who looked like a man] Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, was inspired to come quickly and touch me. It was about the time of the evening offering. 22 He instructed me: “O Daniel,” he said, “I have now come to give you wisdom (insight) and understanding. 23 “At the beginning of your supplications the commandment went forth. I came to report to you for you are greatly loved. Consider the matter, and understand the vision. 24 PROPHETIC WEEKS UNTIL MESSIAH: “Seventy weeks* (seventy sets of seven time periods) are decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish transgression and to make an end of sin, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy. 25 “Know and discern, that from the utterance of the commandment to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One (Messiah), the Leader:* there shall be seven weeks, also sixty-two weeks. It shall be built again with a public square and moat, even in terrible times. 26 “And after the sixty-two weeks the anointed one will be cut off (destroyed) (killed) and shall have nothing. The people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be by the flood of war and desolations. 27 “He will make a firm covenant with many for one week (time period of seven). In the middle of the week he will cause 466 the sacrifice and the offerings to cease. The one that makes desolate will come upon the wing of abominations. At the end that which is decreed will be poured out upon the one lying desolate.” Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *9:4-19 Daniel‟s prayer: palal, tephillah/deesis (deh’-aysis)/litania. The Bible links prayer with perseverance, endurance, and being spiritually awake. (Luke 19:1) (Romans 12:12) (Ephesians 6:18) Just as God heard Daniel‟s prayer, he will listen to ours. *9:24 seventy prophetic weeks until Messiah: 70 x 7 = 490 days applied to formula a day for a year = 490 years until Messiah. Mashiyach/Christos/Christus. (Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34) A prophetic formula applied at Daniel 4:16, 23 and Daniel 9:24-26. *9:25 Messiah the Leader: A leader is a person who rules, guides, or inspires others. Jesus Christ is called “Messiah the leader” and “a leader and commander to the nations.” (Daniel 9:25) (Isaiah 55:4) In the headship principle defined at 1 Corinthians 11:3 Jesus Christ is the head over man. He is the head over the congregation of believers. (Colossians 1:18) Jesus is our king and leader and yet he is subordinate to his heavenly Father. (John 14:28) No imperfect human is the leader of true Christians. While there are those who take the lead in the congregation they should not be titled leader or addressed as “Elder” or “Leader.” (Hebrews 13:7) (Matthew 23:8-10) Jesus Christ the true leader makes it very clear at Matthew chapter 23 that we should not be calling people, “reverend”, “right reverend”, “most holy”, or “father.” For that mater even the title “paster” is suspect and should be avoided. Daniel 10 1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a matter was revealed to Daniel. Daniels name was also Belteshazzar. The matter was true. There was a great military movement. He understood the matter. He also understood the vision. 467 2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three whole weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread; neither flesh nor wine entered my mouth. I did not anoint myself at all until three whole weeks were completed. 4 I was on the shore of the great river, Hiddekel (Tigris River) on the twenty-fourth day of the first month. 5 I looked up to see a man clothed in linen. His loins were girded with pure gold of the Uphaz* region. 6 His body also was like chrysolite and his face as the appearance of lightning. His eyes were like flaming torches and his arms and his feet like burnished copper. The sound of his words was like the sound of a crowd. 7 I, Daniel, saw the vision alone, for the men that were with me did not see the vision. A great quaking fell upon them and they ran away to hide. 8 I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me. My appearance turned deathlike (pallor) (livid) (pale) and I had no strength. 9 Yet I heard the sound of his words. When I heard the sound of his words I fell with my face toward the ground into a deep sleep. 10 A hand touched me and set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 11 He said to me: “O Daniel, you are greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you. Stand upright for I have been sent to you.” When he spoke these words I stood trembling. 12 Then he said: “Do not fear Daniel! From the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your prayer. 13 “The prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me twentyone days but lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I remained there with the kings of Persia. 14 “Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the future for the vision is yet for many days.” 15 When he spoke these words to me I looked to the ground and was unable to speak. 468 16 Then one who looked like a human touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth, and spoke to him: “O my lord, by reason of the vision I have convulsions and I have no strength. 17 “For how can the servant of my lord talk? I had no strength in me. I was also without breath.” 18 Then the one with the human appearance touched me and he strengthened me. 19 He said, “O man greatly beloved, do not fear, peace be to you, be strong, yes, be strong.” And when he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said: “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia. The prince of Greece will also come. 21 “But I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. There is no one standing firmly with me against these, but Michael your prince.” *10:5 Uphaz Region: Uphaz was a location where gold was found in ancient times. (Jeremiah 10:9) (Daniel 10:5) Daniel 11 1 “I stood up to confirm and strengthen Darius the Mede in his first year. 2 “Now I will tell you the truth. Look, there will be three more kings in Persia. Then the fourth will be richer than the others. When he is strong because of his riches he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece. 3 “A mighty king will stand up and rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. 4 “After he appears his kingdom will be broken. It will be divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion as he ruled. His kingdom will be plucked up, even for others besides these. 5 “The king of the south will be strong along with one of his princes. His prince will be stronger than him, and have dominion. His dominion will be a great dominion. 6 “At the end of years they will become allies (form an allience). The daughter of the king of the south will come to the king of the north to make an agreement. But she will not 469 retain the strength of her arm (power); neither will he stand, nor his arm (power); but she will be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in those times. 7 “But out of a shoot from her roots will one stand up in his place. He will come with the army and enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and will fight against them, and will prevail. 8 He will carry captive into Egypt their gods, with their molten images, and with their valuable vessels of silver and of gold. He will stand off some years from the king of the north. 9 “The king of the north will come into the realm of the king of the south, but he will return into his own land. 10 “And his sons will be warlike and will assemble a multitude of great forces, which will come on, and overflow, and pass through; and they will return and fight, even to his fortress. 11 “And the king of the south will be moved with anger, and will come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north. He will assemble a large army, and the army will be defeated. 12 “The army will be lifted up, and his heart will be filled with pride. He will cast down tens of thousands, but he will not prevail. 13 “The king of the north will return, and will set forth an army greater than the former. He will come on at the end of the times with a great army that is well supplied with much equipment. 14 “In those times there will many who stand up against the king of the south. Also the children of the violent among your people will rebel up to establish the vision, but they will fall. 15 “So the king of the north will come, and cast up a siege ramp, and capture a well-fortified city. The forces of the south will not stand, neither his chosen people, neither will there be any strength to stand. 16 “But he that comes against him will do according to his own will, and none will stand against him. He will stand in the glorious land, and in his hand will be destruction. 17 “And he will be determined to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and with him equitable conditions. He will 470 perform them. He will give him the daughter of women, to corrupt her; but she will not stand or be on his side. 18 “He will turn back to the coastlands and will capture many. However, a prince will cause the reproach offered by him to cease. He will cause his reproach to turn upon him. 19 “Then he will turn his attention toward the fortresses of his own land; but he shall stumble and fall, and will not be found. 20 “Then one will stand up in his place who will send an oppressor (tax collecter) to pass through the glory of the kingdom. However, he will be destroyed within a few days, neither in anger, nor in battle. 21 “A contemptible person will stand in his place. He will be one whom they had not given the honor of the kingdom. He will come in time of security, and will obtain the kingdom by flatteries. 22 “The overwhelming forces will be overwhelmed from before him, and will be broken after the prince of the covenant is destroyed. 23 “And after the alliance made with him he will work deceitfully. He will come up, and will become strong, with a small nation of people. 24 “In time of security he will come even upon the richest places of the province. He will do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers. He will scatter among them prey, and spoil, and substance. He will devise his devices against the strongholds, even for a time. 25 “He will stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army. The king of the south will war in battle with an exceeding great and mighty army, but he will not stand. This is because they will devise schemes against him. 26 “Those who eat of his rich foods will destroy him. His army will overflow and many will fall down slain. 27 “And as for both these kings, their hearts will be inclined to do bad things. They will speak lies at one table and nothing will succeed. The end will come at the time appointed. 28 “Then king of the north will return to his land with great wealth. His heart will be against the holy covenant. He will do what he pleases and return to his own land. 471 29 “At the time appointed he will invade the south again. But the outcome will not be the same as it was at the earlier time. 30 “For ships of Kittim will come against him. He will be grieved and will return. He will have indignation against the holy covenant and will do what he pleases. He will even return, and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant. 31 “His armed forces will stand with him, and they will profane the sanctuary, even the fortress, and will take away the continual burnt offering. They will set up the abomination that makes desolate. 32 “Those who act wickedly against the covenant will be perverted by flatteries. However, the people who know their God will be strong and act effectively. 33 “Those who are wise among the people will instruct many. Yet they will fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by spoil, for many days. 34 “When they fall, they will be helped with a little help; but many will join them in their flatteries. 35 “Some of them who are wise (have insight) will fall. This will refine them, and purify them, and make them clean, even to the time of the end, because it is yet for the time appointed. 36 “The king will do according to his will. He will exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god. He will speak horrable (atrocious) things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the indignation is accomplished for that which is determined will be done. 37 “Neither will he honor the gods of his father‟s, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god for he will magnify himself above them all. 38 “He will honor the god of military fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know. He will honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and expensive gifts. 39 “He will deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god. Whoever acknowledges him will increase with glory. He will make them rulers over many, and will divide the land for a price. 40 “The king of the south will contend with him at the time of the end. The king of the north will come against him like a 472 whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with a large fleet of ships. He will enter into the countries and overflow and pass through them. 41 “He will also invade the glorious land, and many countries will be overthrown. These will be delivered out of his hand: Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. 42 “He will stretch forth his power and authority over many countries, and the land of Egypt will not escape. 43 “He will exercise power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt. The Libyans and the Ethiopians will be under his control. 44 “News from the east and the north will trouble him. He will go forth with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 “He will plant the tents of his palace (dwell in and control) between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. But he will come to his end, and none will help him. Daniel 12 1 “At that time Michael will stand up. He is the great prince who stands for the children of your people. There will be a time of trouble that has not happened since the beginning of nations. Then your people will be delivered, every one whos name is found written in the book. 2 “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 “Those who have wisdom (insight) will shine like the brightness of the firmament. They turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4 “But you, O Daniel, keep the words secret, and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will run back and forth and knowledge will increase.” 5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and, behold, there stood two others, one on the bank of the river on this side, and the other on the bank of the river on that side. 6 One said to the man clothed in linen, which was above the waters of the river: “How long will it be to the end of these wonders?” 7 I heard the man clothed in linen, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him that lives 473 forever: “It will be for three and one half years; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things will be finished.” 8 I heard but I did not understand. I said: “O my lord, how will this all end?” 9 He replied: “Go your way, Daniel for the words are kept secret and sealed till the time of the end. 10 “Many will purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined. The wicked will do wickedly and none of the wicked will understand. Those who are wise will understand! 11 “From the time that the continual burnt offering will be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there will be a thousand and two hundred and ninety days. 12 “Blessed is he who waits and comes to the thousand three hundred and thirty five days. 13 “Go toward the end, for you will enter into rest. Then you will rise for your determined condition in life at the end of the days.” New Simplified Bible Research Version HOSEA: The prophets of the ninth century B.C.E. were Hosea, Amos, Isaiah and Micah. (Hosea 1:1) (Amos 1:1) (Isaiah 1:1) (Micah 1:1) Hosea the prophet was the writer of the Book of Hosea. He served as prophet to the ten-tribe northern kingdom of Israel during the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah as well as Jeroboam II of Israel. HOSEA, THE BOOK: The Book of Hosea is particularly known for the prophetic judgments against unfaithful Israel and Judah. The people were urged to petition their God Jehovah for pardon and offer the bulls of their lips. The people of the northern ten tribe kingdom of Israel are featured in the prophecy, written about 745 B.C.E. The people rejected knowledge of God. (Hosea 4:6) They became involve in acts of bloodshed, stealing, fornication, adultery, and worship of false gods such as Baal and calf idols. (Hosea 2:8, 13; 4:2, 13, 15; 10:5) After King Jeroboam died frightful conditions and unrest existed throughout the land. The people are erged to come back to Jehovah. (Hosea 14:1-9) 474 HOSEA (WRITER: HOSEA MEANS SAVED BY JAH)(AFTER 745 B.C.E.)(SAMARIA) (TETRAGRAMMATON: YHWH IS SOMETIMES TRANSLATED JEHOVAH, YAHWEH, YAHOWAH, YAHUWAH, OR LORD DEPENDING ON TRANSLATOR‟S THEOLOGY) Hosea 1 1 The word of Jehovah (YHWH) that came to Hosea* the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. 2 When Jehovah first spoke through Hosea, Jehovah said to Hosea, “Go and marry an adulterous wife and have children with her for the land commits flagrant adultery. They have abandoned Jehovah.” 3 So he took as his wife Gomer* the daughter of Diblaim. She conceived, and gave birth to a son. 4 Jehovah said to Hosea: “Name him Jezreel. In a little while I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu. I will cause the kingdom of Israel to cease. 5 “It will happen that I will break the bow (strength) of Israel in the valley of Jezrell.” 6 Gomer conceived again, and gave birth to a daughter. Jehovah said to Hosea: “Name her Loruhamah* for I will no longer have mercy upon the house of Israel and I will not pardon them. 7 “However I will have mercy (compassion) (love) on the house of Judah. I will not save them by bow, or by sword. I will not save them by battle, not by horses, nor by horsemen. However, I will save them by Jehovah their God.” 8 Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, Gomer conceived, and gave birth to another son. 9 Jehovah said: “Name him Loammi for you are not my people, and I am not your God. 10 “Yet the number of the children of Israel will be like the grains of the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. It will be said: You are the sons of the living God in the place where it was said you are not my people! 475 11 “The children of Judah and the children of Israel will be gathered together. They will appoint for themselves one leader, and will leave the land of Jezreel. It will be a great day for Jezreel.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *1:1 Hosea: Hebrew: Hoshea. Hoshea is the Hebrew spelling of the word “Hosea.” Hosea was Jehovh‟s prophet. He lived from the ninth into the eighth century B.C.E. during the reigns of Judah‟s kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. (Hosea 1:1) *1:3 Gomer: Gomer was the daughter of Diblaim. Jehovah gave Hosea instructions to take a wife and he took Gomer as his wife. God told Hosea to “go and marry a prostitute and have children with a prostitute, “for the land commits much prostitution.” (Hosea 1:2, 3) Gomer gave birth to three children. They were given names that had prophetic meaning. The account of the children was used to foretell the disastrous results of Israel‟s spiritual adultery in the form of idolatry. (Hosea 1:3-9; 3:1-3) *1:6 Loruhamah: Hosea‟s wife Gomer gave birth to a daughter. Jehovah said to him: “Name her Loruhamah for I wil no longer have mercy upon the house of Israel and I will not pardon them.” (Hosea 1:6) It has been suggested that this girl was the product of Gomer‟s adultery and was not the prophet‟s own offspring. Her symbolic name, “Loruhamah” means „not shown mercy.” This name was given to symbolize the fact that the house of Israel would not be shown mercy. (Hosea 1:1-8; 2:1, 23) Hosea 2 1 “Say to your brothers: „My people.‟ Say to your sisters: „You have been shown loving kindness.‟ 2 “Plead with your mother (your nation), for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband. Let her put away her acts of adultery from her face, and her adulteries from between her breasts! 476 3 “I will strip her naked and make her as in the day that she was born. I will make her as a wilderness, and make her like a dry land, and kill her with thirst. 4 “I will show no mercy to her children for they are children of fornication. 5 Their mother played the harlot. She that conceived them acted shamefully! For she said, I will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink. 6 “Behold, I (Jehovah) will fence her way with thorns. I will build a wall against her that she will not find her path. 7 “She will follow after her lovers but she will not reach them. She will seek them, but will not find them! She will say: „I will return to my first husband for it was better for me then.‟ 8 “She did not know that I gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they used for Baal. 9 “Therefore I will take back my grain at that time, and my new wine in the season. I will pluck away my wool and my flax that should have covered her nakedness. 10 “Now I will uncover her lewdness (obscene behavior) in the sight of her lovers, and none will deliver her out of my hands. 11 “I will also cause all her exaltation to cease, her feasts, her new moons, and her Sabbaths, and all her solemn assemblies. 12 “I will lay waste her vines and her fig trees. Of this she said: These are my loose woman‟s hire that my lovers have given me. I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field will eat them. 13 “I will punish her for the days in which she burned incense to the Baals, when she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and went after her lovers, and forgot me,” said Jehovah. 14 “Therefore, behold, I will entice her into the wilderness, and speak kindly to her. 15 “I will give her vineyards from there and the valley of Achor for a door of hope. She will sing there as in the days of her youth and in the day when she came up out of Egypt. 16 “It will be at that day,” said Jehovah; “you will call me „husband‟ (Ishi). You will no longer call me my „master‟ (ba‟ali). 477 17 “For I will take away the names of the Baals out of her mouth, and they will no more be mentioned by their name. 18 “At that time I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the birds of the heavens, and with the creeping things of the ground. I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the land, and will make them lie down in safety. 19 “I will engage you to me for a very long time! Yes I will engage you to me in righteousness, and in justice, and in loving kindness, and in mercies. 20 “I will even engage you to me in faithfulness. Then you will know Jehovah. 21 “It will happen in that day. I will answer,” said Jehovah, “I will answer the heavens, and they will answer the earth! 22 “The earth will answer the grain, and the new wine, and the oil; and they will answer Jezreel. 23 “And I will sow her to me in the earth! I will have mercy (compassion) on her who had not obtained mercy. I will say to those who were not my people: „You are my people!‟ They will answer: „You are my God!‟” Hosea 3 1 Jehovah said to me: “Go again and love a woman beloved by her friend. Love an adulteress, even as Jehovah loves the children of Israel. Though they turn to other gods, and love cakes of raisins for feasts.” 2 So I bought her for fifteen pieces of silver, and a homer of barley, and a half-homer of barley. 3 I said to her: “You will live with me many days. You must not play the harlot (commit fornication) and you must not be any man‟s wife. I will also be with you.” 4 For the children of Israel will live many days without king, without prince, without sacrifice, without pillar, and without ephod or teraphim. 5 Afterward the children of Israel will return and seek Jehovah their God. David their king will come with trembling to Jehovah and to his goodness in the last days. 478 Hosea 4 1 Hear the word of Jehovah, you children of Israel! For Jehovah has a legal case against the inhabitants of the land. There is no truth! There is no goodness. There is no knowledge of God in the land. 2 They do nothing but swear, deceive, kill, steal and commit adultery! There is violence and bloodshed in the land. 3 Therefore the land will mourn. All the inhabitants are weak. The beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea will also perish. 4 Let no man find fault and let no man reprove. After all your people are the ones who debate (argue) with a priest. 5 You will stumble in the day, and the prophet will stumble with you in the night. I will destroy your mother. 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you! You will not be a priest to me since you have forgotten the Law of your God. Therefore, I will forget your children. 7 They grew in number and sinned against me. I will change their glory into shame. 8 They feed on the sins of my people, and set their heart on their iniquity. 9 It will be like people, like the priests. I will punish them for their ways, and will repay them for their actions. 10 They will eat, and not have enough! They will play the harlot, and will not increase! They do not listen to Jehovah. 11 Prostitution, wine and new wine take away the understanding. 12 My people ask counsel at their stock, and their staff declares to them; for the spirit of adultery caused them to go astray. They have played the harlot, departing from their God. 13 They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains! They burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars (storax) and the strong tree, because it has good shade. Your daughters play the harlot, and your brides commit adultery. 14 I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot, nor your brides when they commit adultery. The men go out with harlots, and they sacrifice with the prostitutes. The people that do not understand will fall (be overthrown). 479 15 Though you, Israel, play the harlot, do not let Judah become guilty! Do not go to Gilgal, neither go to Bethaven, nor swear, “As Jehovah lives.” 16 For Israel behaved stubbornly like a stubborn heifer. Will Jehovah now feed them as a lamb in a large place. 17 Ephraim is joined to idols. Leave him alone. 18 Their drink (wheat beer) has become sour. They play the harlot continually. Her rulers dearly love shame. 19 The wind wrapped her up in its wings. They will be put to shame because of their sacrifices! Hosea 5 1 “Hear this, O you priests and pay attention, O house of Israel. Give ear (listen)! O house of the king the judgment is about you. You have been a snare at Mizpah and a net spread upon Tabor. 2 “The rebels are eager to kill. I will correct them all. 3 “I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me. O Ephraim, you have played the harlot and Israel is defiled. 4 “They will not consecrate their deeds to their God because the spirit of fornication is in them. They do not know Jehovah. 5 “The pride of Israel testifies about them. Therefore Israel and Ephraim will stumble in their iniquity. Judah will also stumble with them. 6 “They will go with their flocks and with their herds to seek Jehovah. But they will not find him. He has withdrawn from them. 7 “They have dealt treacherously against Jehovah! They have borne strange children: now the new moon will devour them with their fields. 8 “Blow the horn in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: sound an alarm at Bethaven behind you, O Benjamin. 9 “Ephraim will become desolation in the day of rebuke among the tribes of Israel. I made known that which will surely be. 10 “The princes of Judah are like them that remove the landmark. I will pour my wrath upon them like water. 11 “Ephraim is oppressed. He is crushed in judgment because he was content to walk after man's command. 480 12 “I am like a moth to Ephraim and to the house of Judah as rottenness. 13 “When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, Ephraim went to Assyria and sent to King Jareb. He is not able to heal you, neither will he cure you of your wound. 14 “For I will be to Ephraim as a lion. And I will be like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear and go away. I will carry off and there will be none to deliver. 15 “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek me. They will seek me earnestly in their affliction.” Hosea 6 1 “Come, and let us return to Jehovah. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us. He has wounded us but he will bandage us. 2 “He will revive us after two days. He will raise us up on the third day that we will live before him. 3 “Let us get to know Jehovah! Let us press on (run after) (follow) to get to know him. As surely as the sun rises he will appear. He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” 4 “What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears. 5 “Therefore I cut you in pieces by my prophets. I have killed you with the words of my mouth. My judgments flashed like lightning upon you. 6 “I desire loving-kindness (mercy), not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. 7 “Like Adam, they have broken the covenant. They were unfaithful to me there. 8 “Gilead is a city of wicked men, stained with blood. 9 “As marauders lie in ambush for a man, so do bands of priests. They murder on the road to Shechem, committing shameful crimes. 10 “I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel. There Ephraim is given to prostitution and Israel is defiled. 11 “Also for you, O Judah, a harvest is appointed.” 481 Hosea 7 1 “When I want to heal my people Israel and make them prosperous again, all I can see is their wickedness and the evil deeds of Samaria. They cheat one another. They break into houses and steal. They actually rob people in the streets. 2 “It never enters their hearts that I will remember all this evil. But their sins surround them, and I cannot avoid seeing them. 3 “They make kings happy with the wicked things they do. They make officials happy with the lies they tell. 4 “They all commit adultery. They are like a heated oven, an oven* so hot that a baker does not have to fan its flames when he makes bread.* 5 “On the day of the king's celebration, the officials become drunk from the heat of wine, and the king joins mockers. 6 “They become hot inside like an oven while they lie in ambush. All night long their anger smolders, but in the morning it burns like a raging fire. 7 “They are all as hot as an oven. They consume their rulers like a fire. All their kings die in battle, and none of them calls to me. 8 “Ephraim mixes with other nations. Ephraim, you are like a half-baked loaf of bread. 9 “Foreigners are using up your strength, but you do not realize it. You have become a gray-haired, old man, but you do not realize it. 10 “Israel, your arrogance testifies against you. Even after all this, you do not return to Jehovah your God or look to him for help. 11 “Ephraim, you are like a simpleminded, senseless dove. You call to Egypt and run to Assyria for help. 12 “When you go, I will spread my net over you. I will snatch you out of the air like a bird. I will punish you for all the evil things you have done. 13 “Woe to them, for they have strayed from me! Destruction is theirs, for they have rebelled against me! I would redeem them, but they speak lies against me. 14 “And they do not cry to me from their heart when they wail on their beds. For the sake of grain and new wine they assemble, but they turn away from me. 482 15 “Although I trained (disciplined) and strengthened their arms (might) (power), yet they devise evil against me. 16 “They do not turn upward [to God]. They are like a loose bow. Their princes will fall by the sword because of the insolence of their tongue. This will be their derision in the land of Egypt.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *7:4 furnace: Furnaces were specifically designed to smelt ores, to melt the smelted metals for casting and forging, and to fire pottery and other ceramic items. Furnaces in Bible times were constructed of brick or stone. The term oven was also used. (Hosea 7:4) (Leviticus 2:4) Nebuchadnezzar threw Daniel and his three Hebrew companions into the fiery furnace at Daniel Chapter 3. oven: An oven was a container heated to bake or roast food. The Hebrews and other societies through out history used ovens. The oven is used in an illustrative way to depict scarcity. (Leviticus 26:26) It pointed to a time when there would be so little food available that one oven would be sufficient to handle all the baking that ten women could do. Hosea 7:4-7 compares adulterous Israelites to a baker‟s furnace. This is because of the wicked desires burning within them. *7:4 kneading, trough: This shallow portable bowl was usually made of wood, earthenware or bronze. Flour and water were mixed in it. They were worked into dough. The mass of dough was allowed to rise in the kneading trough before baking. (Genesis 18:6) (1 Samuel 28:24) The kneading was done with hands, though the Egyptians also used their feet at times. (Hosea 7:4) Most kneading bowls or troughs were ten inches wide and three inches deep. Hosea 8 1 “Sound the alarm on the trumpet. The enemy swoops down on Jehovah‟s Temple like an eagle. The people of Israel have rejected my covenant promise and rebelled against my Law. 483 2 “Israel cries out to me: „We know you as our God.‟ 3 “However, they have rejected what is good. The enemy will pursue them. 4 “They chose their own kings. I did not approve. They chose their own princes. Princes I did not know. They made idols with their own silver and gold. Because of this, they will be destroyed! 5 “Get rid of your calf-shaped idol, Samaria. My anger burns against these people! How long will they remain unclean? 6 “Samaria's calf-shaped idol was made in Israel. Skilled workers made it. It is not God. It will be smashed to pieces! 7 “The people of Israel plant the wind, but they harvest a storm. A field of grain that does not ripen will never produce any grain. Even if it did produce grain, foreigners would eat it all. 8 “Israel is swallowed up. It has already mixed in with the other nations. It has become worthless. 9 The people of Israel went to Assyria. They were like wild donkeys wandering off alone. The people of Ephraim sold themselves to their lovers. 10 “Even though they sold themselves among the nations, I will gather them now. They will suffer for a while under the burdens of kings and princes. 11 “The more altars that the people of Ephraim build to make offerings to pay for their sins, the more places they have for sinning. 12 “I have written many rules for them in my Law, but they consider these things strange and foreign. 13 “They offer sacrifices to me and eat the meat of sacrifices, but I, Jehovah, do not accept these sacrifices. Now I will remember their wickedness and punish them because of their sins. They will go back to Egypt. 14 “The people of Israel have built palaces, and they have forgotten their maker. The people of Judah have built many fortified cities. I will send a fire on their cities and burn down their palaces.” 484 Hosea 9 1 “O Israel, do not rejoice. Do not celebrate as pagan nations do. You have been unfaithful to your God. You have sold sex on every threshing floor. 2 “There will not be enough grain to feed people. There will not be enough wine to go around. 3 “The people of Ephraim will not stay in Jehovah‟s land. They will return to Egypt and they will eat unclean food in Assyria. 4 “They will not pour wine offerings to Jehovah. Their food will only satisfy their hunger. All who eat it will be defiled. It will not be brought as an offering to Jehovah‟s Temple. 5 “What will they do on the day of an appointed festival or on Jehovah‟s festival days? 6 “Even if they escape without being destroyed, Egypt will capture them and Memphis will bury them. Weeds will grow over their silver treasures. Thorns will grow over their tents. 7 The time for them to be punished will come. The time for them to pay for their sins will come. When this happens, Israel will know it. They think that prophets are fools and that spiritual people are crazy. They have sinned a lot, and are filled with hostility.” 8 Prophets are God‟s watchmen over Ephraim. Yet, traps are set on every prophet‟s path and people are hostile in the Temple of their God. 9 They have gone deep in depravity as in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their iniquity. He will punish their sins. 10 “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your forefathers as the earliest fruit on the fig tree in its first season. They came to Baal-peor and devoted themselves to shame. They became as detestable as that which they loved. 11 “As for Ephraim, their glory will fly away like a bird: No birth, no pregnancy and no conception! 12 “Though they bring up their children, yet I will bereave them until no man is left. Yes, woe to them even when I depart from them! 13 “I have seen Ephraim planted in a pleasant meadow like Tyre. But Ephraim will bring out his children for slaughter.” 14 Give them, O Jehovah what will you give? Give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts. 485 15 “All Ephraim's wickedness began in Gilgal. I hated the people there. I will force them out of my Temple because of their wickedness. I will not love them anymore. All their officials are rebellious. 16 “The people of Ephraim are like sick plants. Their roots are dried up. They have no fruit. Even if they were to have children, I would kill their dear children.” 17 My God will reject them because they refused to listen to him. They will wander among the nations. Hosea 10 1 “The people of Israel were like a grapevine that used to produce grapes. The more prosperous they were, the more altars they built. The more productive their land was, the more beautiful they made the sacred stone pillars they worship. 2 “The peoples hearts are deceitful. They must suffer for their sins. Jehovah will break down their altars and destroy their sacred pillars. 3 “These people will soon say: „We have no king because we did not respect Jehovah. What could a king do for us anyway?‟ 4 “They utter empty words and make false promises and useless treaties. Justice has become injustice, growing like poisonous weeds in a plowed field. 5 “The people who live in the city of Samaria will be afraid and will mourn the loss of the gold bull at Bethaven. They and the priests who serve the idol will weep over it. They will wail when it is stripped of its golden splendor. 6 “The idol will be carried off to Assyria as tribute to the great emperor. The people of Israel will be disgraced and put to shame because of the advice they followed. 7 “They and their king will be carried off, like a chip of wood on water. 8 “The hilltop shrines of Bethaven, where the people of Israel worship idols, will be destroyed. Thorns and weeds will grow up over their altars. The people will call out to the mountains: „Hide us! And to the hills, cover us!‟ 9 Jehovah says: “The people* of Israel have not stopped sinning against me since the time of their sin at Gibeah. So at Gibeah war will catch up with them. 486 10 “I will attack this sinful people and punish them. Nations will join together against them, and they will be punished for their many sins. 11 “Ephraim was once like a well-trained young cow, ready and willing to thresh grain. But I will put a yoke on her beautiful neck and harness her for harder work. I made Judah pull the plow and Jacob pull the harrow. 12 “I said: Plow new ground for yourselves, plant righteousness, and reap the blessings that your devotion to me will produce. It is time for you to turn to me, Jehovah, and I will come and pour out righteousness on you. 13 “But instead you plowed evil and harvested unrighteousness. You have eaten the fruit produced by your lies. This is because you trusted in your way and in the large number of your soldiers. 14 Tumult will come to your people and all your fortresses will be destroyed. It will be like the day when King Shalman destroyed the city of Betharbel* (house of Arbel) in battle and mothers and their children were crushed to death. 15 “That is what will happen to you, people of Bethel, because of the terrible evil that you have done. As soon as the battle begins, the king of Israel will die.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *10:9 Ben, Hebrew Prefix: The Hebrew prefix “ben” is found in names such as Benjamin (Son of the right hand) and Ben-ami (Son of My People). The prefix ben means son. In Aramaic the word “bar” means son, such as Barnabas (Son of Comfort). (Acts 4:36) It is also used to show relationships between people such as (beneh‟) Sons of Israel. The relationship can include all of the people of Israel. (2 Chronicles 35:17) (Psalm 127:4) (Hosea 10:9) *10:14 Betharbel, Arbel: This town, 18 miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee, was destroyed by the army of King Shalman. It is known as Betharbel, or the house of Arbel. (Hosea 10:13) 487 Hosea 11 1 “When Israel was a young man, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 “But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. 3 “It was I who taught Ephraim to walk. I took them in my arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. 4 “I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. 5 “Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? 6 “Swords will flash in their cities, destroy the bars of their gates, and put an end to their plans. 7 “My people are determined to turn (apostatize) from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will by no means exalt them. 8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me. All my compassion is aroused. 9 “I will not carry out my fierce anger. I will not turn and devastate Ephraim. I am not man. I am God, the Holy One among you. I will not come against my city in wrath. 10 “They will follow Jehovah! He will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west. 11 “They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria. I will settle them in their homes,” declares Jehovah. 12 “Ephraim surrounds me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit. Yet Judah is unruly against God, even against the Holy One who is faithful.” Hosea 12 1 “The people of Ephraim try to catch the wind and try to chase the east wind all day. They are very dishonest, violent and destructive. They make treaties with Assyria and take olive oil to Egypt. 488 2 “Jehovah brings legal charges against Judah and punishes Jacob because of the way their people act. He will pay them back for what they have done. 3 “Their ancestor Jacob held on to his brother's heel while the two of them were in their mother's womb. When Jacob became a man, he struggled with God. 4 He struggled with the angel and won. Jacob cried and pleaded with him. Jacob found him at Bethel, and he talked with him there. 5 “Jehovah is the God of Hosts. Jehovah is the name by which he is remembered. 6 “Return to your God. Constantly express loving kindness and justice. Always wait with hope in your God. 7 Jehovah says: “The merchants use dishonest scales. They love to cheat people. 8 “The people of Ephraim say: We are rich. We have made a fortune. With all this wealth, no one will find us guilty of any sin. 9 “I am Jehovah your God. I brought you out of Egypt. I will make you live in tents again as you did during your appointed festivals. 10 “I spoke to the prophets and gave them many visions. I taught lessons through the prophets. 11 “The people of Gilead are evil. They are worthless. They sacrifice bulls in Gilgal. But their altars will become like piles of rubble beside a plowed field. 12 “Jacob fled to the country of Syria.* Israel worked to get a wife. He took care of sheep to pay for her. 13 “Jehovah used a prophet to bring the people of Israel out of Egypt. He used a prophet to take care of them. 14 “The people of Ephraim made Jehovah bitter. He will hold them guilty of murder. Jehovah will pay them back for their insults.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *12:12 Syria: In Bible times Syria was located north of Israel and the Arabian Desert. It was bounded by Taurus Mountains on the south and the Lebanon Mountains on the north. (Genesis 25:20; 28:5; 31:20, 24) (Deuteronomy 26:5) (Hosea 489 12:12) The Israelites fell away from Jehovah‟s worship and Syrian king Cushanrishathaim subjugated them for about eight years. (Judges 3:7-10; 10:6) Israel‟s first king, Saul, went to war with the Syrian kings of Zobah. David overwelmingly defeated Syrian King Hadadezer. (1 Samuel 14:47) (2 Samuel 8:3-12) (1 Chronicles 18:3-8; 19:6-19) Syria was the Roman province that Pompey annexed to the empire in 64 B.C.E. Antioch, Syria was the third largest city in the Roman Empire. (Matthew 4:24) (Luke 2:1, 2) It was in Syria that the disciples were first call Christians. (Acts 11:19-26) (Galatians 1:21) Hosea 13 1 “When the tribe of Ephraim spoke, people trembled. The people of Ephraim were important in Israel. Then they became guilty of worshiping Baal, so they must die. 2 “They sin more and more. They make idols from silver for themselves. These idols are skillfully made. All of them are the work of craftsmen. People say this about the Israelites: They offer sacrifices and kiss calf-shaped idols. 3 “That is why they will be like fog in the morning and like morning dew that disappears quickly. They will be like straw blown away from threshing floors. They will be like smoke* rising from chimneys. 3 “I AM JEHOVAH YOUR GOD. I brought you out of Egypt. You have known no god besides me. There is no savior except me. 5 “I took care of you in the desert, in a dry land. 6 “When I fed you, you were full. When you were full, you became arrogant. That is why you forgot me. 7 “So I will be like a lion. Like a leopard I will wait by the road to ambush you. 8 “Like a bear that has lost her cubs, I will attack you. I will rip you open. Like a lion I will devour you. Like a wild animal I will tear you apart. 9 “You are destroying yourself, Israel. You are against me, your helper. 10 “Where, now, is your king, the one who is supposed to save you? Where in all your cities are your judges? You said: „Give us kings and officials!‟ 490 11 “I gave you a king when I was angry, and I took him away when I was furious. 12 “Ephraim's wickedness is on record. The record of the people's sins is safely stored away. 13 “They have the opportunity to live again, but they are not smart enough to take it. They are like a baby who is about to be born but will not come out of its mother's womb. 14 “I will ransom them from the power of the grave. I will redeem them from death! O death, where are your stings (plagues)? O grave, where is your destruction (devastation)? Compassion will be concealed from my eyes. (1 Co 15:54-57) 15 “The people of Ephraim have become important among their relatives. However, Jehovah‟s scorching wind will come from the east. It will blow out of the desert. Then their springs will run dry, and their wells will dry up. The wind will destroy every precious thing in their storehouses. 16 “The people of Samaria are guilty as charged because they rebelled against their God. They will be killed in war, their children will be smashed to death, and their pregnant women will be ripped open.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *13:3 smoke: Smoke is a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas. It is a hot vapor filled with carbon and produced by combustion. The Hebrew “ashan” and Greek “kapnos” refer to literal smoke. Sacrificial smoke was offered as a pleasing odor to God. The Hebrew word “qatar” means sacrificial smoke. (1 Ch 6:49; Jer 44:15) Figurative use of the word smoke is found through out the Bible. Jehovah gave evidence of his presence by a cloud of smoke, sometimes accompanied by fire. (Exodus 19:18; 20:18) (Isaiah 4:5, 6:1-6) (Revelation 15:8) Jehovah‟s burning anger is shown with the use of smoke. (Deuteronomy 29:20) (Isaiah 65:5) A pillar of cloud was used to led the Israelites through the desert wilderness. (Exodus 13:21) SEE: CLOUD. Smoke normally dissipates quickly, so it has been used figuratively to convey transitory things, beings, and events. (Job 41:20) (Psalms 68:2; 102:3) (Hosea 13:3) 491 Hosea 14 1 “Return, O Israel, to Jehovah your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. 2 “Return to Jehovah and say to him: „Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit (young bulls) of our lips.‟ (Hebrews 13:15) 3 “Assyria will not save us and we will not ride on horses. We will not say again: Our god, to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy. 4 “I will heal their apostasy! I will love them freely for my anger has turned away from them. 5 “I will be like the dew to Israel. He will blossom like the lily* and he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon. 6 “His shoots will sprout and his beauty will be like the olive tree. His fragrance will be like the cedars of Lebanon. 7 “Those who live in his shadow will raise grain again. They will blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon. 8 “O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like a luxuriant cypress and fruit comes from me.” 9 Let the wise understand these things. Let the discerning know them. For the ways of Jehovah are right. And the righteous will walk in them. But transgressors will stumble in them. Simplified Bible Dictionary *14:5 lily: The Hebrew word “shu-shan” and Greek word “kri‟non” each translate to the English word lily. The lilies of the Bible were found on the plains, among thorny weeds, and in pastures. (Song of Solomon 2:1, 2, 16; 4:5) Hosea spoke of a time when Jehovah‟s people would blossom as a lily. (Hosea 11:5) Speaking against materialism, Jesus Christ pointed out that Solomon in all his glory was not as beautiful as the lilies of the field. (Matthew 6:28-30) (Luke 12:27, 28) New Simplified Bible Research Version 492 JOEL, THE PROPHET, THE BOOK : Joel the son of Pethuel was the writer of the inspired book of the Hebrew Scriptures bearing his name. He prophesied in Judah and perhaps resided in Jerusalem. (Joel 1:9, 14; 2:17, 32; 3:1, 2, 16-20) He wrote the book about 820 B.C.E. It is believed that he wrote it after Jehovah‟s great victory on behalf of King Jehoshaphat since the Valley of Jehoshaphat is mentioned in the book. (Joel 3:2, 12) Little else is known about this prophet. The book of Joel begins with the call to repent and prepare for the Great Day of Jehovah. “Gird yourselves with sackcloth, and lament, you priests! Wail, you ministers of the altar….Alas for the day! For the day of Jehovah is near! Destruction will come from the Almighty!” (Joel 1:13, 15) “Blow the trumpet in Zion! Sound an alarm in my holy mountain. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble for the day of Jehovah comes. It is near!” (Joel 2:1) All the nations will be judged in the figurative valley of Jehoshaphat, the valley of decision, the valley of judgement. (Joel 3:12-16) JOEL (WRITER: JOEL)(HEBREW: YOH-EL‟ MEANS JEHOVAH IS GOD)(ABOUT 820 B.C.E.)(JUDAH) (TETRAGRAMMATON: YHWH IS SOMETIMES TRANSLATED JEHOVAH, YAHWEH, YAHOWAH, YAHUWAH, OR LORD DEPENDING ON TRANSLATOR‟S THEOLOGY) Joel 1 1 The word of Jehovah (YHWH) that came to Joel the son of Pethuel: 2 “Hear this, you older men! Listen all you inhabitants of the land. Did this take place in your days, or in the days of your fathers? 3 “Tell your children about it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to each new generation. 4 “That which the gnawing locust left the swarming locust ate. That which the swarming locust left the creeping locust ate. That which the creeping locust left other locusts ate. 5 “Awake, you drunkards, and weep! Wail you drinkers of wine. The sweet wine is removed from your mouth. 493 6 “A nation has invaded my land. It is strong and very large. His teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he has the jaw-teeth of a lioness. 7 “He has laid my vine waste and stripped off the bark of my fig tree. He stripped its branches white and clean and threw it away. 8 “Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth. 9 “The meal offering and the drink offering are removed from the house of Jehovah. The priests and Jehovah's ministers mourn. 10 “The field is laid waste, the land mourns. The grain is destroyed, the new wine dried up, the oil fails. 11 “Be ashamed you farmers. Cry you vinedressers. The wheat, the barley and the harvest of the field have perished. 12 “The vine and the fig tree fail. The pomegranate-tree, the palm-tree also, and the apple-tree, even all the trees of the field have dried up. Joy has withered away from the sons of men. 13 “Gird yourselves with sackcloth, and lament, you priests! Wail, you ministers of the altar. Come, lie all night in sackcloth you ministers of my God! The meal offering and the drink offering are withheld from the House of your God. 14 “Sanctify a fast! Call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the House of Jehovah your God. Call out to Jehovah. 15 “Alas for the day! For the day of Jehovah is near! Destruction will come from the Almighty! 16 “Is not the food consumed before our eyes? Is joy and gladness removed from the House of our God? 17 “The seeds rot under dirt clods. The storehouses are desolate. The barns are torn down because the grain has dried up. 18 “How the beasts groan! The herds of cattle wander about because they have no pasture. The flocks of sheep suffer. 19 “I cry to you Jehovah! For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame burned all the trees of the field. 20 “Yes, the beasts of the field pant for you. The water brooks are dried up, and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.” 494 Joel 2 1 Blow the trumpet in Zion! Sound an alarm in my holy mountain. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble for the day of Jehovah comes. It is near! 2 “It is a day of darkness and gloom! It is a day of clouds and thick darkness! The dawn spreads upon the mountains. This great and mighty people have never seen anything like this. Nor will it be like this again even to the years of many generations. 3 “A fire devours before them and behind them a flame burns! The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness. Yes, none have escaped them. 4 “Their appearance is like the appearance of horses. They run like horsemen into war. 5 “Like the noise of chariots they leap on the tops of the mountains. It is like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble. They are a strong people set in battle array. 6 “At their presence the peoples are in anguish; all faces are waxed pale. 7 “They run like mighty men. They climb the wall like men of war. They march every one on his way and do not break their ranks. 8 “They do not crowd each other. They march every one in his path. They burst through the weapons and do not break ranks. 9 “They rush to the city. They run on the wall. They climb into the houses. They enter in at the windows like a thief. 10 “The earth quakes before them. The heavens tremble! The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars cease to shine. 11 “Jehovah speaks before his army. His camp is very great! He is strong that executes his word. The Day of Jehovah is great and very terrible! Who can endure it?” 12 “Even now,” said Jehovah, “turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning! 13 “Rip apart your heart, and not your garments. Turn to Jehovah your God! He is gracious and merciful. He is slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness. He will turn back from doing harm. 495 14 “Who knows whether he will turn back, feel regret and leave a blessing behind him, a meal offering and a drink offering to Jehovah your God? 15 “Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast and call a solemn assembly. 16 “Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts. Let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. 17 “Let the priests and the ministers of Jehovah weep between the Temple porch and the altar! Let them say: Spare your people, O Jehovah, and do not give reproach to your heritage. That the nations should rule over them and say among the peoples, „where is their God?”‟ 18 Jehovah was zealous for his land, and had pity on his people. 19 Jehovah answered his people: “Behold, I will send you grain, new wine and oil. You will be satisfied with it. I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.” 20 “I will remove the northern army far from you. I will drive it into a land barren and desolate. Its advance troops into the eastern sea and its rearguard into the western sea. It has done great things so its stench shall arise and its foul smell shall come up. 21 “Do not fear, O land, be glad and rejoice. Jehovah has done great things. 22 “Do not be afraid you beasts of the field. The pastures of the wilderness have turned green. The tree bears its fruit. The fig tree and the vine yield their strength. 23 “Be glad you children of Zion, and rejoice in Jehovah your God! For he gives you the early rain in just measure, and he causes it to rain, the early rain and the latter rain, in the first month. 24 “The threshing floors will be full of wheat, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. 25 “I will make up to you the years that the locust has eaten, my great army that I sent among you. 26 “You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied. You will praise the name of Jehovah your God. He has dealt wondrously with you. My people will never again be put to shame. 496 27 “You will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Jehovah your God! There is none else and my people shall never be put to shame. 28 “In the last days I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions! (Ac 2:17; Isa 44:3) 29 “I will also pour out my Spirit upon the male and female servants in those days. (Ac 10:45; Zec 12:10; Eze 36:27) 30 “I will show wonders in the sky and on the earth: blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 “The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible (awesome) Day of Jehovah comes! 32 “It will happen that who ever calls on the name of Jehovah* will be saved. There will be those on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem that will escape, even among the survivors whom Jehovah calls.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *2:32 Divine Name: Hebrew: YHWH. Possibly, Yahowah, Yahuwah, Yahweh, or Jehovah. Since this is an English Translation the name Jehovah has been used. Most Bible translators remove the divine name about 7,000 times as if it did not exist in the original text. And yet they retain the names of many false gods mentioned in the original text. Included in this list are Baal, Bel, Merodach, and even Satan! Bible writer Agur asked: “Who gathered the wind in the hollow of both hands? Who wrapped up the waters in a mantle? Who made the ends of the earth to rise? What is his name and what is his son‟s name? (Proverbs 30:4) God revealed his name to us at Isaiah 42:8: “I am Jehovah; that is my name!” The apostle Paul quoted Joel 2:32 at Romans 10:13 where he said: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” Hallelujah means, “praise Jah”, which is a shortened form of Jehovah. 497 The divine name is used out of respect for our God who has a name! It belongs in the Hebrew Scriptures 6,828 times. The English rendering of God‟s personal name is “Jehovah.” Yah0wah may be considered by some to be the closest to the divine name in the Hebrew Language, but Jehovah is still closest to the divine name in the English Language. William Tyndale first restored it to the English Bible in the year 1530. It is the closest rendering in English. We do not know the exact spelling or pronunciation, however “Jehovah” has been used for centuries, and it‟s equivalent is widely accepted and used in many languages today. No one knows for sure how to spell or pronounce the divine name just as no one knows how to write or spell Jesus, the Son of God‟s name. The important thing is that we use it with respect and out of love. It is a fact, everywhere you read in the Holy Scriptures you find His name! And that requires an honest attempt to use it. There is no good reason to hide God‟s name with the use of titles such as “LORD” or “GOD” in all capital letters. Is Jesus God? God leaves no doubt in his Word about the identity of Jesus! “There was a voice from heaven that said: „This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.‟” (Matthew 3:16,17) Jesus is the SON OF GOD and is identified that way many times in the Greek Scriptures. Joel 3 1 “Behold! At that time I will bring back the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem. 2 “I will gather all nations! I will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will execute judgment upon them there for my people and for my heritage, Israel. They have scattered my people among the nations and they have divided up my land. 3 “They cast lots for my people, and traded a boy for a prostitute, and sold a girl for wine, that they may drink. 4 “What are you to me, O Tyre, and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Will you pay recompense (compensation) to me? 498 If you pay recompense to me swiftly and speedily, will I return your recompense upon your own head? 5 “You have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried my precious treasures into your temples. 6 “You sold the children of Judah and the children of Jerusalem to the sons of the Greeks. You remove them far from their border. 7 “Behold, I will arouse them out of the place where you sold them and will return your recompense upon your head. 8 “I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah. And they will sell them to the men of Sheba, to a nation far off: for Jehovah has spoken it. 9 “Proclaim this among the nations! Prepare for war! Stir up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near let them come up. 10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears! Let the weak say, I am strong. 11 “Hurry and come all you nations round about. Gather yourselves there and cause your mighty ones to come down, O Jehovah. 12 “Let the nations be aroused and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat*(Jehovah‟s Judgment)! I will sit there to judge all the nations round about. 13 “Thrust in the sickle for the harvest is ripe! Come and tread for the winepress* is full and the vats overflow. Their wickedness is great. 14 “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! The day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision. 15 “The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars diminish their shining. 16 “Jehovah will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem. The heavens and the earth will shake: but Jehovah will be a refuge to his people, and a stronghold to the children of Israel. 17 “You will know that I am Jehovah your God, dwelling in Zion my holy mountain. Then Jerusalem will be holy and no strangers will pass through (invade) her any more. 18 “It will happen in that day that the mountains will drop sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the brooks of 499 Judah will flow with water. A fountain will come forth from the house of Jehovah and water the valley of Shittim.* 19 “Egypt will be desolation, and Edom will be a desolate wilderness. This is because of the violence done to the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. 20 “Judah will abide for a very long time, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. 21 “I will cleanse (forgive) their blood [guilt] that which I have not cleansed. Jehovah dwells in Zion!” Simplified Bible Dictionary *3:12 Valley of Jehoshaphat: Hebrew: “yehoshaphat” means Jehovah judged. This is the name of six Israelites including one king who was faithful to God. (2 Chronicles 17:19, chapter 20) This is also a valley near Jerusalem, the Valley of Jehovah‟s Judgment mentioned at Joel 3:12. *3:13 press, winepress: A press is a machine used to exert preasure on solids in order to extract liquids. In Bible times the machines were vats in which teams of two to seven people crushed wine or olives with their bare feet or by use of heavy stones. (Numbers 18:27) (2 Kings 6:27) Jehovah refers to Himself as a lone Treader at Isaiah 63:1-3. We read of a figurative winepress at Joel 3:13, 14. The apostle John sees a symbolic winepress in his vision. Here the “Word of God” treads the “great winepress of the anger of God.” (Revelation 14:19, 20; 19:11-16) *3:18 Shittim Valley: This valley was near the Kidron Valley. (Joel 3:18) New Simplified Bible Jehovah Version AMOS THE PROPHET: Amos was a prophet to the idolatrous ten-tribe kingdom in the north with its capital Samaria. He was also the writer of the Bible Book of Amos. He lived in the ninth century B.C.E. He was not the son of a prophet. (1 Ki 20:35; 2 Ki 2:3; 4:1; 500 Amos 7:14) He lived in the town of Tekoa, ten miles south of Jerusalem and spent most of his time there out in the wilderness of Judah. He found employment there as a humble sheep raiser. (Amos 1:1) Amos also worked at the seasonal job of a nipper of sycamore figs, a variety considered food for the poor. The fig nipper would pinch and puncture the figs to hasten the ripening and increase the size and sweetness of the fruit. Jehovah God called Amos from following the flock and made him a prophet. (Amos 7:15) AMOS, THE BOOK: The book of Amos was written by the Prophet Amos about 804 B.C.E. while Jeroboam II was king of Israel. It is believed that Amos was in Judah at the time. Amos was inspired by God‟s Spirit to use simple and direct language to deliver the message of Jehovah‟s judgement on Israel and the nations surrounding Israel. (Amos 1, 2) Israel is the main recipient of the judgement message. (Amos 3-6) Visions and prophecies show that Israel‟s end is near. (Amos 7, 8) A comforting message of restoration is also offered to the faithful to read in the book of Amos. AMOS (WRITER: AMOS, MEANS CARRYING A LOAD) (804 B.C.E.) (JUDAH) (TETRAGRAMMATON: YHWH IS SOMETIMES TRANSLATED JEHOVAH, YAHWEH, YAHOWAH, YAHUWAH, OR LORD DEPENDING ON TRANSLATOR‟S THEOLOGY) Amos 1 1 The words of Amos concerning Israel. He was among the herdsmen of Tekoa in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel. It was two years before the earthquake. 2 He said: “Jehovah (YHWH) roars from Zion! He utters his voice from Jerusalem! The pastures of the shepherds mourn for lack of water. The top of Carmel withers.” 3 “I will not hold back punishment,” said Jehovah, “For the many transgressions of Damascus. This is because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron. 4 “I will send fire to the house of Hazael and it will devour the palaces of Ben-hadad. 5 “I will destroy the lock (bar) at the gate of Damascus, and annihilate the inhabitant from the valley of Aven. He who holds the scepter (imperial authority) from the Beth (house) of 501 Eden* and the people of Syria will go into captivity to Kir,” said Jehovah. 6 Jehovah said: “I will not withdraw punishment from Gaza for they transgressed many times. They captured all the people and delivered them to Edom. 7 “I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza. It will devour the palaces there. 8 “I will destroy the inhabitant of Ashdod. I will kill the king of Ashkelon (who holds the scepter). I will direct my power against Ekron. The remnant of the Philistines will perish,” said the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. 9 Jehovah continued: “For the many transgressions of Tyre I will not withdraw punishment! They captured all the people and delivered them to Edom. They did not remember the brotherly covenant. 10 “I will send fire on the walls of Tyre. It will devour the palaces.” 11 Jehovah declared: “For three and four transgressions of Edom, I will not withdraw punishment. He pursued his brother with the sword. He showed no compassion but was driven with anger and eternal wrath. 12 “I will send a fire upon Teman, and it will devour the palaces of Bozrah.” 13 Jehovah also said: “For the many transgressions of the children of Ammon I will not withdraw the punishment. They have ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead, that they may enlarge their border. 14 “I will kindle a fire on the wall of Rabbah and devour its palaces. The battle cry in the day of battle will be heard and a storm in the day of the windstorm. 15 “Their king and his princes will go into captivity,” said Jehovah. Simplified Bible Dictionary 1:5 House of Eden: Beth-eden was a city or region mentioned at Amos 1:5 in the prophecy against Damascus. It means house of Eden. The prdiction in Amos was that the people of Syria would have to go as exiles to Kir. It was 502 fulfilled at the time of the Assyrian monarch Tiglathpileser III, during the reign of King Ahaz. (2 Kings 16:9) Amos 2 1 Jehovah said: “I will not withdraw punishment for the many transgressions of Moab. He burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime.* 2 “I will send a fire to Moab, and it will devour the palaces of Kerioth. Moab will die with tumult, with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet! 3 “I will destroy her ruler and government officials along with him,” said Jehovah. 4 Jehovah continued: “I will not withdraw punishment for the many transgressions of Judah. For they have rejected the Law of Jehovah! They have not kept his statutes. Their lies have led them astray, those after which their fathers walked. 5 “I will send fire upon Judah and it will devour the fortified buildings of Jerusalem.” 6 Jehovah said: “I will not withdraw punishment for (three sins of Israel, even for four) the many transgressions of Israel! They sold the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes. 7 “They pant after the dust of the earth on the head of lowly (meek) persons. They reject the humble! A man and his father have sexual relations with the same maiden, to profane my holy name. 8 “They lie down beside every altar on clothes taken from indebtedness. In the house of their God they drink the wine they have confiscated. 9 “Before them I destroyed the Amorite. His height was like the height of the cedars. He was strong like the oaks. Yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath! 10 “I brought you out of the land of Egypt. I led you forty years in the desert wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite. 11 “I ordained some of your sons for prophets and some of your young men for Nazirites (dedicated ones). Is this true, O you children of Israel?”: said Jehovah. 12 “But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink, and commanded the prophets, saying: „Do Not Prophesy!‟ 503 13 “Consider this, I will weigh you down just as a wagon is weighed down when it is full of grain. 14 “Flight will perish from the swift! The strong will not increase his strength. The mighty will not save himself. 15 “The archer will not stand. The swift of foot will not save himself. The horseman will not deliver himself. 16 “The courageous among the mighty will run away naked in that day,” said Jehovah. Simplified Bible Dictionary *2:1 lime: Lime is a substance that is prepared by burning limestone, shells or bones. (Amos 2:1) The material is abundant in the mountains of Palestine. Limestone was converted into lime by burning fragments of limestone in cylindrical limekilns. It was the principle ingredient in mortar and plaster. (Deuteronomy 27:4) (Ezekiel 13:10) (Matthew 23:27) (Acts 23:3) The Holy Scriptures use the symbolic burning of lime to represent destruction. (Isaiah 33:12) Amos 3 1 Hear this word Jehovah spoke against you, O children of Israel! It is against the whole family that I brought out of the land of Egypt: 2 “Of all the families of the earth I have chosen (known) only you. Therefore I will punish you for all your sins. 3 “Will two walk together, except they cooperate (collaborate) (have an agreement)? 4 “Will a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Will a young lion cry out from his den if he has captured nothing? 5 “Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where there is no trap for him? Will a trap spring up from the ground when nothing at all sprung it? 6 “Will the trumpet be blown in a city and the people not be afraid? Will disaster happen to a city and Jehovah not cause it? 7 “The Lord Jehovah will do nothing without revealing his secrets to his servants the prophets. 8 “The lion has roared. Who will not fear? The Lord Jehovah has spoken! Who will not prophesy?” 504 9 “Publish it in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt. Proclaim and assemble on the mountains of Samaria, and observe the great trouble and oppression there. 10 “Those who store up violence and robbery in their dwellings do not know how to do what is right,” declared Jehovah. 11 The Lord Jehovah spoke these words: “An adversary will surround the land. He will defeat and tear down your defenses. He will plunder your dwellings.” 12 Jehovah said: “As the shepherd rescues out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so the children of Israel will be rescued. They sit in Samaria on the corner of a couch, and on the silken cushions of a bed. 13 “Hear and testify against the house of Jacob,” said the Lord Jehovah, the God of Hosts. 14 “The day that I punish Israel because of her sins I will also punish those at the altars of Bethel! The horns of the altar will be cut off, and fall to the ground. 15 “I will strike (destroy) the winter house and the summer house. The houses of ivory will perish, and the great houses will come to an end,” said Jehovah. Amos 4 1 “Hear this word you cows of Bashan who live on the mountain of Samaria. You oppress the poor. You crush the needy. You say to your masters (husbands) (lords), “Bring us drink.” 2 “The Lord Jehovah has sworn by his holiness that the day will come when they will take you away with meat hooks, and those who remain with fish-hooks. 3 “You will go out through the holes in the city wall straight before her. You will be thrown into Harmon (a place of exile),” said Jehovah. 4 “Come to Bethel and transgress! Come to Gilgal and multiply transgression! Bring your sacrifices every morning and your tithes every three days. 5 “Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened. Proclaim freewill-offerings and make them known. This pleases you, O you children of Israel,” said the Lord Jehovah. 505 6 “I also gave you cleanness of teeth (kept food from your teeth) in all your cities and lack of bread in all your places. Yet you have not returned to me,” said Jehovah. 7 “I withheld rain from you three months before the harvest. I caused it to rain on one city, and caused it not to rain on another city. One received rain. The other did not receive rain and it dried up. 8 “Two or three cities wandered unto one city to drink water. They were not satisfied and yet you have not returned to me,” said Jehovah. 9 “I struck you with scorching and mildew.* The caterpillar has devoured the multitudes of your gardens, your vineyards, your fig trees and your olive-trees. Yet you have not returned to me,” said Jehovah. 10 “I sent a plague among you just as I did to Egypt. I killed your young men with the sword and I captured your horses. I made the stench of your camp come up even into your nostrils and yet you have not returned to me,” said Jehovah. 11 “I overthrew your cities as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. You were like a burning stick plucked out of the fire. Yet you have not returned to me,” said Jehovah. 12 “This is what I will do to you, O Israel. Because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel! 13 “Behold he who formed the mountains and created the wind and declared to man his thoughts, also made the morning darkness and treads upon the high places of the Earth: Jehovah, the God of Hosts, is his name.” *4:9 mildew: Jehovah struck the land with mildew as reported at Amos 4:9. Mildew is a fungus that appears on various objects, especially in damp weather. Amos 5 1 Hear this word that I take up for a cry of sorrow (lamentation) (dirge) over you, O house of Israel. 2 The virgin of Israel has fallen. She will not rise again. She has been thrown down upon her own land. There is none to raise her up. 3 The (Sovereign and Almighty) Lord Jehovah declared: “The city that went forth a thousand will have a hundred left, and 506 that which went forth a hundred will have ten left, for the house of Israel.” 4 Jehovah said to the house of Israel: “Seek me and you will live! 5 “Do not seek Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal. Do not pass to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into captivity (exile), and Bethel will come to nothing. 6 “Seek Jehovah, and you will live. Lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it will devour, and there will be none to quench it in Bethel. 7 You who turn justice to wormwood (a curse), and cast righteousness down to the earth 8 seek the creator of the cluster of stars named Pleiades and the star constellation Orion.* He turns the shadow of death into morning, and makes the day dark with night. He calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth. Jehovah is his name! 9 He brings sudden destruction upon the strong. Destruction comes upon the fortress. 10 You hate the one who reproves in the gate, and abhor him who speaks the truth (with integrity). 11 You impose unfair rent on the poor and defraud a tribute of grain from them. You have built houses of hewn stone yet you will not live in them. You planted pleasant vineyards, but you will not drink the wine from them. 12 I know you have many transgressions and your sins are great. You afflict the righteous. You take bribes. You refuse to help the needy at the gate. 13 The prudent will keep silent for it is an evil time. 14 “Seek good and not evil, that you may live. Jehovah, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have said. 15 “Hate evil, and love good! Establish justice in the gate. It may be that Jehovah, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.” 16 Listen to Jehovah the God of Hosts, the Almighty: Wailing will be in all the broad ways. They will say in all the streets, “Alas! Alas!” They will call the farmer to mourning, and the professional mourner to lamentation and crying. 17 “All vineyards will lament. For I will pass through your midst,” said Jehovah. 507 18 “Woe to you who desire the day of Jehovah! What will the day of Jehovah mean to you? It is darkness, and not light. 19 “Like a man who ran from a lion, and a bear met him! So he went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. 20 “Will the day of Jehovah be darkness with no light? Will it be very dark, and no brightness in it? 21 “I hate, I despise (reject) your feasts, and I will take no delight in your solemn assemblies. 22 “Yes, even if you offer me your burnt offerings and meal offerings, I will not accept them. Neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. 23 “Take the noise of your songs away from me! I will not listen to the melody of your harps. 24 “Justice* should roll down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream. 25 “Did you bring sacrifices and offerings to me in the wilderness for forty years, O house of Israel? 26 “You have carried the tabernacle of your king and the shrine of your images, the star of your god, which you made for yourselves. 27 “Therefore I will cause you to go into captivity (exile) beyond Damascus,” said the God of Hosts, whose name is Jehovah. Simplified Bible Dictionary *5:8 Kesil Constellation: The Hebrew word kesil‟ means stupid. (Psalm 49:10) The term generally applies to designate a stellar body or group such as Orion. (Job 9:9) (Amos 5:8) *5:24 justice: Justice is the quality of being just or fair. It is the administration of law. Other than its connection to the law justice is no different than righteousness. (Genesis 18:19) (Job 8:3) (Amos 5:24) It is based on plans, customs and rules. (Exodus 26:30) (Genesis 40:13) (2 Chronicles 4:20) (Leviticus 5:10) Jehovah God is the supreme Judge and Law Giver. (Job 37:23) (Psalms 33:5; 37:28) (Isaiah 33:22) We read at Micah 6:8 what Jehovah God requires of man: “You should display justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” This 508 justice that Man should display is also known as righteousness. Amos 6 1 “Those who are at ease in Zion and are secure in the mountain of Samaria will have trouble. You are the notable men of the foremost nations to whom the house of Israel comes! 2 “Travel to Calneh* and observe. From there go to the great Hamath. Then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are they better off than these kingdoms? Is their territory greater than your territory? 3 “You put far away the evil day and cause the place of violence to come near. 4 “You lie on beds of ivory, and stretch on couches. You eat the the best lambs out of the flock and the fattest calves out of the stall. 5 “You sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David you improvise on musical instruments. 6 “You drink wine in bowls, and anoint yourselves with the finest oils. But you are not grieved because of the affliction of Joseph. 7 “Therefore you will be captured with the first that go captive. Your feasting and lounging will pass away.” 8 The Lord Jehovah has sworn by himself. Jehovah, the God of Hosts declares: “I abhor the pride of Jacob, and hate his palaces. Therefore I will deliver up the city with all that is in it. 9 “It will happen! If there remain ten men in one house, they will die. 10 “When a man's uncle takes the body to be burned and brings the bones out of the house he will say to the innermost parts of the house: „Is there yet any one here?‟ And he will say, „No.‟ Then he will say: „Hold your peace. We may not make mention of the name of Jehovah.‟ 11 “For, behold, Jehovah commanded, and the great house will be struck to pieces and the little house to tiny bits. 12 “Do horses run upon the rock? Will one plow there with cattle? You have turned justice into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood (bitterness)! 509 13 “You who rejoice in Lodebar, you say, „have we not by our own strength taken Karnaim?‟ 14 “For, behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel,” said Jehovah, the God of Hosts. “They will afflict you from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of the Arabah.” *6:2 Calneh: This Calneh was mentioned by the prophet Amos, along with the cities of Hamath and Gath. This part of a warning to the people of Israel and Judah found at Amos 6:2. Amos 7 1 This is what the Lord Jehovah showed me: Behold, he formed locusts in the beginning of the sprouting of the second crop. It was the later growth (second crop) after the king‟s mowing. 2 It happened when they quit eating the grass of the land. I said, “O Lord Jehovah, forgive, I entreat you: how shall Jacob stand? Since he is so small.” 3 Jehovah changed his mind about this. “It will not be,” said Jehovah. 4 The Lord Jehovah showed me and, behold, the Lord Jehovah called for judgement (contention) by fire and it devoured the great deep. It would have eaten up the land. 5 Then I said, “O Lord Jehovah, cease, I plead with you: how can Jacob stand? After all he is small.” 6 Jehovah changed his mind concerning this: “This also will not be,” said the Lord Jehovah. 7 He showed me: and, behold, Jehovah stood beside a wall made by a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. 8 And Jehovah asked me, “Amos, what do you see?” I said: “A plumb line.” Then Jehovah said: “Behold, I will set a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel. I will not spare them any more. 9 “The high places of Isaac will be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel will be laid waste. I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.” 10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying: “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words.” 510 11 Amos said: “Jeroboam will die by the sword. Israel will surely be led away captive (in exile) out of his land.” 12 Amaziah said to Amos: “Go, run away, you seer. Go into the land of Judah. Eat bread and prophesy there. 13 “Do not prophesy any more at Bethel for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a royal house.” 14 Amos told Amaziah, “I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son. I was a herdsman, and a grower of sycamore figs. 15 “Jehovah took me from following the flock, and Jehovah said to me: „Go prophesy to my people Israel.‟” 16 Now hear the word of Jehovah: “You say, do not prophesy against Israel, and do not speak against the house of Isaac.” 17 Jehovah proclaims: “Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword. Your land will be divided by measuring line.* You will die in a land that is unclean. Israel will surely be led away captive out of his land.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *7:17 measuring line: A string, rope, or cord was used for measuring. It was called a measuring line. (Amos 7:17) (Zehariah 2:1, 2) Land area was determined with a measuring line. (Job 38:4, 5) (Micah 2:4, 5) Builders and craftsmen used measuring lines. (Jeremiah 31:38, 39) (Isaiah 44:13) (Zechariah 1:16) Used in a figurative way the measuring line represents a rule or standard. (Isaiah 28:10, 12, 17) The psalmist speaks as if the heavenly bodies have a measuring line. (Psalm 19:1-4) (Romans 1:20) Amos 8 1 The Lord Jehovah showed me a basket of summer fruit. 2 He said: “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” Then Jehovah said to me: “The end has come to my people Israel. I will spare them no longer. 3 “The songs of the Temple will be weeping in that day,” said the Lord Jehovah: “the dead bodies shall be many. They will observe silence in every place. 511 4 “Hear this, you who would swallow up the needy, and cause the poor of the land to fail. 5 “You say: When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and dealing falsely with balances of deceit. 6 “We may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes, and sell the refuse of the wheat? 7 “Jehovah has sworn by the pride* of Jacob: I will never forget any of their works. 8 “Will the land not tremble for this, and every one who dwells there mourn? I will rise up like the river. It will be troubled and sink again, like the River of Egypt. 9 “It will happen in that day,” said the Lord Jehovah, “that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day. 10 “I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation (dirges). I will bring sackcloth on all loins and baldness on every head. I will make it as the mourning for an only son like the end of a bitter day. 11 “Behold, the day is coming,” said the Lord Jehovah, “that I will send a famine in the land. Not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but for hearing the words of Jehovah. 12 “They will wander from sea to sea and from the north even to the east. They will run to and fro to seek the word of Jehovah, and will not find it. 13 “In that day the fair virgins and the young men faint for thirst. 14 “They who swear by the sin of Samaria. They will say: „As your god lives, O Dan, the way Beersheba lives.‟ They will fall and never rise up again.” *8:7 pride and arrogance of the heart: Most dictionaries define pride as unreasonable and inordinate self-esteem. It is haughty behavior that includes egotism and arrogance. The Hebrew verb ga-ah‟ means grow tall and get high and it relates to self-exaltation in the good and bad sense. (Ezekiel 47:5) (Isaiah 9:9) (Proverbs 8:13) (Psalm 68:34) (Amos 8:7) 512 Amos 9 1 I saw Jehovah standing beside the altar. He said: “Strike the capitals that the thresholds may shake! Break them in pieces on the head of all of them and I will slay the last of them with the sword. Not one of them will get away. Not one of them will escape! 2 “Though they dig into the grave my hand will take them. Though they climb to heaven I will bring them down. 3 “Though they hide on top of Mount Carmel I will search and find them and take them from there. Though they hide from my sight on the bottom of the sea I will command the serpent to bite them. 4 “Though they go into the captivity of their enemies I will command the sword, and it will slay them. I will set my eyes against them for evil, and not for good. 5 “For the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts, is he who touches the land and it melts. All who live there will mourn. It will rise up like the River Nile, and will subside again, like the River of Egypt. 6 “He builds his chambers in the heavens. He founded his dome over the earth. He calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the face of the earth. Jehovah is his name. 7 “Are you not as the children of the Ethiopians to me, O children of Israel?” Said Jehovah. “Have I not brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir? 8 “Behold, the eyes of the Lord Jehovah are upon the sinful kingdom! Yet, I will destroy it from off the face of the earth! I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,” said Jehovah. 9 I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all the nations! Like grain is sifted in a sieve, yet the least kernel will not fall on the earth. 10 “All the sinners of my people will die by the sword. They say: The evil will not overtake nor meet us. 11 “In that day I will raise up the fallen tabernacle of David and close up the breaches. I will raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old. 12 “They may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the nations that are called by my name,” said Jehovah. 513 13 “Behold, the days are coming,” said Jehovah, “that the plowman will overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes by the one who sows seed. The mountains will drop sweet wine, and all the hills will melt. 14 “I will bring my people Israel back from captivity. They will rebuild the cities and inhabit them. They will plant vineyards, and drink the wine. They will also make gardens and eat their fruit. 15 “I will plant them upon their own land and they will no more be plucked up out of their land that I have given them.” Jehovah your God has spoken. New Simplified Bible Research Version OBADIAH, PROPHET AND THE BOOK: This Obadiah was a prophet of God and the writer of the book of Obadiah. His book is the shortest of the Hebrew Scriptures. The book contains a proclamation of God‟s judgement against Edom. It presents the reason for that judgement and reveals the future and the restoration for the house of Jacob. OBADIAH (WRITER: OBADIAH, MEANS SERVANT OF JEHOVAH)(607 B.C.E.) (TETRAGRAMMATON: YHWH IS SOMETIMES TRANSLATED JEHOVAH, YAHWEH, YAHOWAH, YAHUWAH, OR LORD DEPENDING ON TRANSLATOR‟S THEOLOGY 1The vision of Obadiah. The Sovereign Lord Jehovah (YHWH) spoke concerning Edom: “We have heard news from Jehovah. An ambassador is sent to the nations, saying, we must stand up against her (Edom) in battle.” 2 “Behold, I have made you small among the nations! You are greatly despised. 514 3 “Your proud heart has deceived you. You reside in the refuge of the rock. Your habitation is high above others and you say in your heart: „Who will bring me down to the ground?‟” 4 “Even though you place yourself as high as the eagle, and though you nest among the stars, I will bring you down from there,” said Jehovah! 5 “If thieves and robbers came to you by night you would be destroyed. Would they steal only till they had enough? If grape-gatherers came to you, would they leave some grapes for gleaning? 6 “How is Esau searched, his hidden treasures sought? 7 “All the men allied with you have brought you to the border. The men that were at peace with you have deceived you and prevailed against you! They eat your bread and lay a snare under you. There is no understanding in him (Edom). 8 “Shall I not in that day,” said Jehovah, “destroy the wise men out of Edom, and destroy understanding out of the mountain of Esau? 9 “Your mighty men, O Teman, will be dismayed, to the end that every one may be destroyed (removed) from the mountain of Esau by slaughter. 10 “You will be covered with shame for the violence done to your brother Jacob. You will be destroyed and disgraced for a very long time. 11 “In that day you stood on the other side! In that day strangers carried away his wealth. Foreigners entered his gates, and cast lots for Jerusalem! It was as if you were one of them! 12 Do not look on the day of your brother‟s disaster. Do not rejoice over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction! Do not speak proudly in the day of distress. 13 “Do not enter the gate of my people in the day of their calamity! Do not look on their affliction in the day of their tragedy! Do not loot their wealth in the day of their disaster. 14 “Do not stand in the way of those who escape and do not hand over his survivors in the day of distress. 15 “The Day of Jehovah draws near upon all the nations. It will be done to you just as you have done. Your dealings will return upon you head! 515 16 “Just as you have drunk upon my holy mountain, so will all the nations drink! Continually: Yes they will drink, and swallow down, and will be as though they had never existed. 17 “There will be those who escape in Mount Zion. It will be holy, and the house of Jacob will take (confiscate) their possessions. 18 “The house of Jacob will be a fire! The house of Joseph will be a flame! The house of Esau will be for stubble and they will burn among them, and devour them. There will be no survivors of the house of Esau: for Jehovah has spoken! 19 “And they of the South will possess the mount of Esau! They of the lowland, the Philistines, will possess the field of Ephraim and the field of Samaria! Benjamin will possess Gilead. 20 “The captives of this host of the children of Israel among the Canaanites, will possess Zarephath. The captives of Jerusalem in Sepharad will possess the cities of the South. 21 “Saviors will come up on Mount Zion to judge the mountain of Esau; and the kingdom will be Jehovah's.” New Simplified Bible Research Version JONAH, THE PROPHET, THE BOOK: Jonah the son of Amittai was the prophet of Jehovah from Gath-hepher, a border city in the territory of Zebulun. (2 Kings 14:25) (Joshua 19:10, 13) He was a prophet to the ten-tribe kingdom during the reign of Jeroboam II. Jonah wrote the book of Jonah. (Jonah 1:1, 2) This book is short, only four chapters, easy to read, and has a happy ending. God instructed Jonah to travel to the city of Nineveh, a city of 120,000 men. He was to go and preach repentance to the Ninevites. Along the way Jonah encountered difficulties, including being swallowed by a large fish, but he finally arrived at Nineveh. Jonah was amazed to see the entire city repent and turn to God. (Jonah 3, 4) JONAH (WRITER: JONAH) (HEBREW: YOH-NAH‟ MEANS DOVE) (844 B.C.E.) TETRAGRAMMATON: YHWH IS SOMETIMES TRANSLATED JEHOVAH, 516 YAHWEH, YAHOWAH, YAHUWAH, OR LORD DEPENDING ON TRANSLATOR‟S THEOLOGY) Jonah 1 1 Now the word of Jehovah came to Jonah the son of Amittai. He said: 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim against her that Jehovah has seen their terrible wickedness.” 3 Jonah tried to run away from the presence of Jehovah (YHWH). He went to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. He paid the fare and boarded it to go with them to Tarshish away from the presence of Jehovah. 4 Jehovah sent out a great windstorm upon the sea and the ship was about to break up. 5 The sailors were so afraid that each man cried out to his own god. They threw the cargo that was on the ship into the sea to lighten the load. At that time Jonah was fast asleep down in the innermost parts of the ship. 6 So the captain came to him, and said: “Why are you sleeping? Get up and call on your god. Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish.” 7 The sailors said to each other, “Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know whom to blame for this evil.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Please tell us who is the cause of this evil? What is your occupation? Where do you come from? What is your country? What people are they?” 9 He replied: “I am Hebrew and I respect Jehovah, the God of heaven, who has made the sea and the dry land.” 10 Then the men were very afraid, and they asked: “What is this you have done?” For the men knew that he was running away from the presence of Jehovah, because he told them. 11 Then they said: “What shall we do to you to make the sea calm for us?” But the sea grew more and more stormy. 12 He replied: “Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will be calm for you. I know that it is my fault the great storm came upon you.” 13 The men rowed hard to get back to the land; but they could not! The sea grew more and more stormy against them. 517 14 So they cried to Jehovah, and said: “We earnestly request that you, O Jehovah, do not let us perish because of this man. Do not allow the loss of innocent blood! For you, O Jehovah, have done as you pleased.” 15 So they picked up Jonah, and threw him into the sea. Immediately the sea ceased from its raging. 16 The men greatly reverenced Jehovah. They offered a sacrifice to Jehovah, and made vows. 17 However, Jehovah prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 2 1 Then Jonah prayed to Jehovah his God from inside the fish's belly. 2 He said: “I called to Jehovah because of my affliction. And he answered me! Out of the belly of the grave I cried and you heard my voice. 3 “For you threw me into the deep, in the heart of the seas. The current was all around me. All your waves, your huge breakers passed over me! 4 “And I said: I have been cast out of your sight. Yet I will look again toward your Holy Temple. 5 “The waters encompassed me and threatened my life. The deep sea surrounded me. The sea weeds were wrapped about my head. 6 “I went down to the bottom of the mountains! The earth with its bars closed upon me for a very long time. Yet you have brought my life up from the pit, O Jehovah my God? 7 “My life was leaving me and I remembered Jehovah! My prayer came to you, into your Holy Temple. 8 “They that regard lying vanities forsake their own mercy. 9 “But I will sacrifice to you with the voice of thanksgiving! I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation is from Jehovah!” 10 Jehovah spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. Jonah 3 1 The word of Jehovah came to Jonah a second time: 518 2 “Arise and go to the great city, Nineveh. Proclaim to it the proclamation I give you.” 3 So Jonah arose, and went to Nineveh, according to the word of Jehovah. Nineveh was a very important and large city, a three days' walk [from one side to the other]. 4 Jonah began to enter into the city, a day's journey walking, and he shouted: “Nineveh will be overthrown in Forty days.” 5 The people of Nineveh believed God and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. 6 The news reached the king of Nineveh. He left his throne, and took off his robe and covered himself with sackcloth. Then he sat in ashes. 7 He made proclamation and published it in Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying: “Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not eat, nor drink water. 8 “Let them be covered with sackcloth, both man and beast. Let them sincerely call on God! Let them turn away each one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 “Who knows whether God will turn back and change his mind, and turn away from his fierce anger that we will not perish?” 10 God saw their works! That they turned from their evil way. God turned back from the deed that he said he would do to them. He did not do it. Jonah 4 1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly. He was angry! 2 He prayed to Jehovah: “I pray to you, O Jehovah, was this what I said, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I hurried to flee to Tarshish. Because I knew that you are a gracious God. You are merciful, slow to anger, abundant in loving kindness, and one who takes pity over calamity (tragedy) (catastrophe) (disaster). 3 “Now, O Jehovah, please take my life from me for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 Jehovah asked him: “Do you have good reason to be angry?” 519 5 Then Jonah went out of the city. He sat on the east side of the city. He made a booth, and sat under it in the shade. He wanted to see what would become of the city. 6 And Jehovah God prepared a gourd plant.* He made it grow up over Jonah. That way it would be a shade over his head. It would deliver him from his disastrous (fateful) attitude. So Jonah was very glad to have the gourd plant. 7 The next morning God prepared a worm and it attacked the plant and it withered. 8 When the sun rose God prepared a sultry (burning hot) east wind. So the sun beat upon the head of Jonah and he grew faint. He requested for himself that he might die. He said: “It is better for me to die than to live!” 9 However God replied to Jonah: “Do you have good reason to be angry at the plant?” He said to God: “I have good reason to be angry even unto death.” 10 Jehovah said: “You have compassion for the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow. It came up overnight and perished in a night. 11 “Should I not then have regard for Nineveh, that great city, where there are more than one hundred and twenty thousand people that do not know the difference between their right and their left hand, and also many animals?” Simplified Bible Dictionary *4:6 bottle gourd plant: The Hebrew term “qi-qa-yohn‟” is translated in various ways such as „caster-oil plant,‟ „bottlegourd plant‟ or „gourd plant.‟ A gourd plant that normally grows rapidly was caused to grow up in one night by God‟s power. It was to shade Jonah from the hot sun. (Jonah 4:5-11) New Simplified Bible Research Version MICAH THE PROPHET: Micah was from the village of Moresheth southwest of Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 26:18) He was the writer of the inspired book of Micah. Micah used the rural life of the area in his prophetic illustrations. (Micah 2:12; 4:12, 13; 7:1, 4, 14) False worship and moral corruption flourished in Israel and Judah 520 and King Hezekiah established religious reforms during the time that Micah prophesied. (2 Kings 15:32-20:21) (2 Chronicles 2732) The Word of God to Micah gave warning that God would make Samaria a heap of ruins. It was prophesied that Zion would be plowed up a mere field and Jerusalem would become a heap of ruin. (Micah 1:1, 6; 3:12) MICAH, THE BOOK: The book of Micah was writen in the year 717 B.C.E. by the prophet Micah. (Micah 3:2, 3, 8) Micah came from the small village of Moresheth in the rural setting of the Shephelah, southwest of Jerusalem. (Micah 2:12; 4:12, 13; 6:15; 7:1, 4, 14) For this reason he used the rural life he was familiar with to drive home the points of his prophetic declarations. Jehovah raised up Micah to strongly warn His people of the judgement He was to bring upon them. Vivid figures of speech abound in the book of Micah, “The mountains melt under him. The valleys split like wax before the fire! Like water poured down a steep place.” Moral corruption and idolatry were rampant throughout the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Similar conditions exist today throughout the world. MICAH HIGHLIGHTS: Micah 1 Jehovah names the recipiants of His judgement. Micah 2:1, 2 Woe to those who devise iniquity and work evil. Micah 3:1-3 They cry to Jehovah but he will not answer. Micah 3:5 They cry “Peace” but receive nothing. Micah 4:1-5 Prophecy that swords will be turned into plowshares. Micah 5:1-4 Great ruler will come out of Bethlehem-Ephrathah. Micah 7:7 Micah declares, “I will look to Jehovah!” MICAH (WRITER: MICAH, MEANS WHO IS LIKE JEHOVAH) (BEFORE 717 B.C.E.) (JUDAH) (TETRAGRAMMATON: YHWH IS SOMETIMES TRANSLATED JEHOVAH, YAHWEH, YAHOWAH, YAHUWAH, OR LORD DEPENDING ON TRANSLATOR‟S THEOLOGY) Micah 1 1 The word of Jehovah that came to Micah of Moresheth* in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. This is the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem: 521 2 “Hear, all you peoples! Listen, O earth, and all who are in it! Let the Sovereign Lord Jehovah (YHWH) be a witness against you, Jehovah from his Holy Temple. 3 “For, behold, Jehovah comes out of his place! He comes down and treads upon the high places of the earth. 4 “The mountains melt under him. The valleys split like wax before the fire! Like waters poured down a steep place. 5 “This is because of the transgression of Jacob and the sins of the house* of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not [the idol worship of] Samaria? What is Judah‟s high place? Is it not Jerusalem? 6 “I will make Samaria a heap of ruins in the field. It will be a place for planting vineyards. I will tumble down her stones into the valley! I will uncover her foundations. 7 “All her images will be broken to pieces! All that she has earned will be burned with fire. I will destroy all her idols. She gathered them for the price of a prostitute and for the price of a prostitute they will return.” 8 I [Micah] will lament and wail. I will go barefoot and naked. I will make a howling like the jackals, and a lamentation like the ostriches. 9 Samaria‟s wound is incurable! It came as far as Judah. It even reached to the gate of my people, Jerusalem. 10 “Do not announce it at Gath, Philistia. Do not weep or show grief. At the house of Aphrah (house of dust) roll in the dust!* 11 “Pass away, O inhabitant of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame. The inhabitant of Zaanan* has not come forth! The wailing of Bethezel takes away from you the place where it stands. 12 “The inhabitant of Maroth waits anxiously for good, because bad came down from Jehovah to the gate of Jerusalem. 13 “Bind the chariot to the swift steed, O lady inhabitant of Lachish! You were the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion. The transgressions of Israel were found in you. 14 “Therefore you should give a parting gift to (Micah‟s hometown) Moresheth-gath. The houses of Achzib shall be a place of deceit to the kings of Israel. 522 15 “I will yet bring a conqueror against you, O inhabitant of Mareshah! He will possess you. The glory of Israel will come to Adullam. 16 “Make yourself bald. Cut off your hair for the children of your delight! Enlarge your baldness as the eagle. For your children are gone into exile (captivity) from you.” Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *1:1 Moresheth: Moresheth was the city about 22 miles south west of Jerusalem that was the home of Micah the prophet. (Jeremiah 26:18) (Micah 1:1) It was approximately 6 miles southeast of Gath. The composit name Moresheth-gath found at Micah 1:14 implies that the two cities were associated. (1 Samuel 6:18; 27:5) *1:5 house: bayith/oikos/domus. The word house is used in the Holy Scriptures to convey several things including: a household or offspring of one man (Genesis 12:1; 17:13, 23) (Micah 1:5), a dwelling place (Genesis 19:2-4), priestly line (1 Samuel 2:35), dwelling place of God (Joh 14:2), and the spiritual body (2 Corinthians 5:1). The home serves as a center for giving instruction in pure worship. (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7; 11:19) God‟s law was to be written on the doorposts of the people of Israel‟s houses, literally and figuratively. (Deuteronomy 6:9; 11:20) Christians were to preach and teach from house to house. (Acts 20:20) Christian congregations were to meet together in houses to consider God‟s Word and worship Him. (Romans 16:5) (1 Corinthians 16:19) (Colossians 4:15) (Philemon 2) *1:10 house of Aphrah: beyth el Aphrah. This Hebrew word means “house of “dust.” There was a place called the house of Aphrah, probably located in the Shephelah or the Philistine Plains. Micah used a fun saying: “At the house of Aphrah roll in the dust.” (Micah 1:10) *1:11 Zaanan: Zaanan was a town mentioned by the prophet Micah. He said it would experience the invasion of Judah. 523 (Micah 1:11) Some scholars believe it is the same as Zenan at Joshua 15:37. Micah 2 1 “Woe to those who devise iniquity and work evil upon their beds! When the morning comes they do it because they are able to (it is in the power of their hands). 2 “They covet fields and seize them. They covet houses and confiscate them! They oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.” 3 Therefore Jehovah says: “Behold, against this family I plan bad things, from which you will not remove the burden. You will not be able to show pride for it is an evil time. 4 “In that day they will taunt you and speak mournfully with sorrow and much grief: „We are utterly ruined! He exchanged the portion of my people and removed it from me. He divided our fields and gave them to the apostate.”‟ 5 “You will not have any who cast the measuring line by lot in the assembly of Jehovah. 6 “Do not prophesy to me. They prophesy. But they will not prophesy these things. 7 “Will it be said, O house of Jacob, „Is the Spirit of Jehovah impatient? Are these his doings? Do my words not do good for he who walks uprightly?‟ 8 “Lately my people have become an enemy! You strip the robe off the garment from passersby, from men returning from war. 9 “You evict the women of my people from their pleasant houses. You remove the glory of their young children from generation to generation. 10 “Get up and go because this is not your resting-place. Uncleanness brings on destruction, a painful destruction. 11 “If a man who is a constant liar tells a lie saying: „I will prophesy to you about wine and of strong drink;‟ he would be the prophet of this people. 12 “I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of you. I will surely gather the remnant of Israel! I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as a flock in the midst of their pen.* They will make great noise because of the crowd of men. 524 13 “The breaker (one who opens the breach) (one that breaks through) has gone ahead of them. They will pass through the gate and go out by it. Their king will lead them with Jehovah at the head of them.” Simplified Bible Dictionary *2:12 sheep in a pen: Micah‟s prophecy referred to the united Israel as a “sheep in a pen.” (Micah 2:12) Zephaniah 2:6 speaks of “pens for sheep.” The Bible sometimes uses the term “flock” interchangeable with the term “pen.” The term pen primarily means an enclosure for livestock. Micah 3 1 I said: “Please listen, you heads of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel: is it not your responsibility to know justice? 2 “You hate good and love evil! You rip off their skin and their flesh from off their bones!* 3 “You eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them! You break their bones, and chop them in pieces similar to the contents of a pot or a caldron. 4 “They will cry to Jehovah but he will not answer them. In fact, he will hide his face from them at that time because they have done evil things.” 5 Jehovah spoke concerning the prophets: “They make my people stray. They bite with their teeth and cry, “Peace,” but receive nothing in their mouths. They declare holy war on him. 6 “Therefore you will have night. You will have no vision! It will be dark to you. You will not perform divination. The sun will go down on the prophets and they will be in the dark. 7 “The visionaries will be shamed. The diviners confounded! They will all cover their mouths for there is no answer from God.” 8 Jehovah‟s Spirit fills me with power! I have judgment and mightiness to declare to Jacob, his evil behavior, to tell Israel about his sin! 9 Please hear this you heads of the house of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel. You who abhor justice, and pervert honesty! 525 10 They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with immorality. 11 The leaders judge for a bribe, and the priests teach for wages! The prophets predict for money yet they rely on Jehovah when they say: “Is not Jehovah in the midst of us? No evil will come upon us.” 12 It is your fault that Zion will be plowed like a field. Jerusalem will become heaps of ruin, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest. Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *3:2 bones: etsem/osteon ostoun/os Bones are rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates such as animals and human beings. Man is woven or “knitted together” with a skeleton of more than two hundred bones and connecting sinews. (Job 10:11) (Ecclesiastes 11:5) Comparable to reinforced concrete, bone is stronger than steel. The Hebrew word for bone is “e‟tsem.” (Genesis 2:23) The Greek term is “ol-ste‟on.” (John 19:36) The first woman was formed from a rib taken from Adam. (Genesis 2:22, 23) When Jesus was resurrected and appeared to some of his disciples he told them that spirit does not have flesh and bone. (Luke 24:39) *3:2 marrow: Hebrew: machar (maw-khar’) Bone marrow is a soft and fatty vascular tissue that fills the interior cavities of most bones. Job spoke about the bone marrow of a healthy person being kept moist. (Job 21:24) The Israelites ate animal bone marrow for food. (Micah 3:2, 3) God‟s banquet for the peoples symbolically included well-oiled dishes filled with marrow. (Isaiah 25:6) Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God‟s word can (figuratively) penetrate clear to the marrow, the innermost part of the bone (person). Micah 4 1 It will happen in the last days! The mountain of the house of Jehovah will be established above the top of the mountains. It will be exalted above the hills. Peoples will flow to it. 2 Many nations will come. They will say: “Come you people, let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the 526 God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths!” For out of Zion will go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. 3 He will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations far away. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks! Nation will not lift up sword against nation and they will not learn war any more! 4 Each man will sit under his vine and under his fig tree. No one will make them afraid! The mouth of Jehovah of Hosts has spoken. 5 All the nations walk every one in the name of their god. We will walk in the name of Jehovah our God forever and ever. 6 “In that day,” said Jehovah, “I will assemble the lame, and I will gather the outcasts, and those I have afflicted. 7 “I will make the lame a remnant and the outcast far off a strong nation. Jehovah will reign over them in mount Zion from now on and forever. 8 “You, O tower of the flock, the hill of the daughter of Zion, it will come to you. The former dominion will come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem. 9 “Why do you cry out aloud? Is there no king in you? Has your counselor perished? Has pain taken hold of you like a woman in childbirth? 10 “Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in childbirth! For now you will go out of the city and dwell in the field. You will go to Babylon where you will be rescued. Jehovah will redeem you from the hand of your enemies. 11 “Many nations are assembled against you! They say: „Let her be defiled, and let us gloat over it.‟ 12 “They do not know Jehovah‟s thoughts. Neither do they understand his counsel. He has gathered them like the sheaves of cut grain to the threshing floor. 13 “Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion! I will make your horn like iron and I will make your hoofs like brass. You will pulverize many nations into pieces. I will devote their profit and wealth to Jehovah the Lord of the whole earth.” 527 Micah 5 1 “Now you will gather in troops, O daughter of troops! He has attacked us. They will strike the judge of Israel on the cheek with a rod. 2 “You Bethlehem Ephrathah who are little to be among the thousands of Judah. Out of you one will come to me who is to be ruler in Israel! His origin is from of old, from everlasting (days of antiquity) (ancient times). 3 “He will give them up, until the time that she who is giving birth delivers. Then the remainder of his brothers will return to the children of Israel. 4 “He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of Jehovah. They will abide in the majesty of the name of Jehovah his God! Now he will be great to the ends of the earth. 5 “This man will be our peace. When the Assyrian invades our land and tramples our palaces we will raise against him seven shepherds, and eight leaders of men. 6 “They will rule the land of Assyria and the entrances to the land of Nimrod with the sword. When he comes to our land and treads inside our borders he will deliver us from the Assyrian. 7 “Like dew from Jehovah the remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples. It will be like showers upon the grass that do not wait for man or for sons of men. 8 “The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples. It will be like a lion among the beasts of the forest. Should he go through he will be like a young lion among the flocks of sheep. He treads down and tears to pieces. There is none to rescue. 9 “Let your hand (power) be lifted up (exalted) above your adversaries, and let all your enemies be destroyed.” 10 “It will happen,” said Jehovah: “I will remove and destroy your horses and your chariots from among you. 11 “I will destroy the cities of your land, and I will throw down all your strongholds. 12 “I will remove witchcrafts from your hand. You will have no more magic practitioners. 13 “I will remove your graven images and your sacred pillars from you. You will no longer worship the work of your hands. 528 14 “I will remove your (godess) Astarte from your midst. I will destroy your cities. 15 “In anger and rage I will execute vengeance on the nations that have not obeyed me.” Micah 6 1 Listen to what Jehovah said: Arise, plead your case before the mountains. Let the hills hear your voice. 2 Hear Jehovah‟s indictment you mountains and you enduring foundations of the earth! Jehovah argues a case against his people. He will contend with Israel: 3 “O my people, what have I done to you? How have I grieved you? Respond to me. 4 “I brought you out of the land of Egypt. I redeemed you out of the house of bondage. I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. 5 “O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him. Remember from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of Jehovah.” 6 With what shall I come before Jehovah? Shall I bow down before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with year old calves? 7 Will Jehovah be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for my sin? 8 He told you, O lowly* man, what is good and what does Jehovah require* of you? You should display justice, love kindness,* and walk humbly* with your God! 9 The voice of Jehovah calls to the city. The man of wisdom will see (respect) your name! Hear the rod and who appointed it. 10 Is there a depository of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and a short measure that is cursed? 11 Can I be pure with wicked scales and with a bag of deceitful stone weights? 12 The rich men are full of violence! Her inhabitants speak lies. Their tongue is deceitful in their mouth. 13 “I also struck you with a grievous wound. I made you desolate because of your sins. 529 14 “You will eat and not be satisfied. Your stomach will still be empty. You will put away and yet will not save. That which you save I will give to the sword. 15 “You will sow and not reap. You will tread the olives, but will not be anointed with oil! And you will grow the grapes but you will not drink the wine. 16 “The statutes of Omri and the works of the house of Ahab are observed. You walk in their counsels. I will make you desolation! The inhabitants will be hissed. You will bear the reproach of my people.” Simplified Bible Dictionary (Hebrew/Greek/Latin) *6:8 what does Jehovah require: darash (dawrash’)/aiteo (ahe-the’-o)/requirere. Micah focuses on the Source of righteous standards when he asks the question, “What is good, and what does Jehovah require of you?” How would you answer this living question? Your relationship with God depends on your answer. *6:8 humbly, modestly: Greek: tsanna. humble, lowly, modestly. Modesty and humility is freedom from vanity and conceit. They involve an awareness of limitations, chastity and personal purity. The Hebrew root word for both modest, lowly and humble is “tsan-na.‟” It is found at Micah 6:8. The Greek word “ai-dos‟” means modest and reverent. A modest person has respect for the feelings and opinions of others. A truly modest person has a proper estimate of self. God requires his faithful followers to be modest in walking with him. (Micah 6:8) Jesus Christ is an excellent example of modesty. He admitted that he would not do anything on his own initiative, but only what he saw the Father do. He also said the Father is greater than he is. (John 5:19, 30; 14:28) Modesty in dress and physical appearance is very important for Christians. (1 Timothy 2:9, 10) *6:8 Kindness: chesed/philanthroia/benevolentia. Kindness is closely related to goodness and moral excellence. It requires application of the golden rule. It is the quality of 530 being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic. *6:8 Humility, Humble: Greek: tapeninoo. Humble, lowly, modest. Jesus Christ said: “He who humbles himself to become like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:4; 23:12) Humility is freedom from pride and arrogance. It is the state of lowliness of mind that is pleasing to God. The apostle Peter reminded Christians: “God resists the proud, but gives loving kindness to the humble.” James eloquently stated: “God resists the proud, but gives grace (loving-kindness) to the humble.” (James 4:6) Jesus Christ set the best example of a humble servant of God when he washed the feet of each of his twelve apostles, a service performed by the lowliest slaves. (John 13:2-5, 12-17) Micah 7 1 Too bad for me! For I am like the gathered summer fruit, as the grape gleanings of the vintage. There is no cluster to eat. I desire the first ripe fig. 2 The godly (loyal) (holy) man has perished from the earth. There is none upright among men! They all lie in wait for blood. Every man hunts his own brother with a net.* 3 They diligently seek to do evil with their hands. The prince asks and the judge is ready for a bribe. The great man utters his own evil desire. They weave it together. 4 The best of them is as a brier.* The most upright is worse than a thorn hedge! Your watchmen‟s day has come. Your visitation has come. Now you will be perplexed. 5 Do not put your faith in your neighbor. Do not trust a friend! Guard your lips from her who lies in your bosom (is your intimate companion). 6 The son dishonors the father. The daughter rises up against her mother and the daughter-in-law against her mother-inlaw. A man's enemies are the men of his own house. 7 But as for me, I will look to Jehovah! I will wait for the God of my salvation! My God will hear me. 8 Do not rejoice against me, O my enemy! When I fall, I will arise. When I sit in darkness, Jehovah will be a light to me. 531 9 I will bear the indignation of Jehovah, because I have sinned against him. He will plead my cause, and execute judgment for me. He will bring me forth to the light and I will see his righteousness. 10 My enemy will see it and she will be filled with shame. She will ask: “Where is Jehovah your God?” My eyes will look upon her and she will be trampled down like the mire of the streets. 11 A day for building your walls! In that day the decree will be far removed. 12 Then they will come to you from Assyria and the cities of Egypt. They will come from Egypt even to the River, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain. 13 The earth will become desolate because of the inhabitants and the fruit of their deeds. 14 Shepherd your people, the flock of your heritage, with your staff. They dwell alone in the forest in the midst of Carmel. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old. 15 “I will show them marvelous things like the days of your coming out of the land of Egypt. 16 “The nations will see and be ashamed of all their might! They will cover their mouth with their hand and their ears will be deaf. 17 “They will lick up the dust like a serpent. They will come trembling out of their hole like crawling things of the earth. They will approach Jehovah our God with fear and be afraid because of you.” 18 Who is a God like you who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? You do not keep your anger forever, because you delight in lovingkindness (unchanging love). 19 You will again have compassion on us. You will tread our iniquities under foot. You will throw all our sins into the depths of the sea. 20 You will give truth to Jacob, and show loving-kindness (unchanging love) to Abraham. For you have sworn this to our fathers from the days of old. Simplified Bible Dictionary 532 *7:4 brier: The brier is a plant, or plants, with woody stem and thorny branches. The Hebrew word “bar-qanim‟” stands for common thistle, like plants with thorny heads. At Judges 8:7 Gideon said: “When Jehovah delivers Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.” Micah observed that the nation of Israel was in moral decay and that “their best was as a brier.” (Micah 7:4) *7:2 net: A net is a trap made of fabric such as twine, thread, or rope woven into meshes. Nets were used for catching fish. (Ecclesiastes 9:12) (Isaiah 19:8) (Matthew 4:18-21) It was also used to catch birds and other animals. (Proverbs 1:17) (Isaiah 51:20) The term net was used frequently in the Scriptures figuratively meaning to ensnare others. (Job 18:8; 19:6) (Psalms 66:11) (Ezekiel 12:13; 17:20; 19:8) (Micah 7:2) New Simplified Bible Research Version NAHUM, THE BOOK: The book of Nahum is a prophetic pronouncement against Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. It was written sometime before Nineveh was destroyed in 632 B.C.E. The book was written by Nahum the Elkoshite. (Nahum 1:1) Jehovah executes vengeance upon his adversaries. The people were worshipping false gods and Jehovah requires exclusive devotion. “Jehovah is a zealous God requiring exclusive devotion (tolorates no rivals).” (Nahum 1:2) “Jehovah is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble!" The final pronouncement on Nineveh is given, “There is no relief for your pain. Your wound is grievous! All who hear the report about you applaud for your wickedness affected everyone.” NAHUM (WRITER: NAHUM, MEANS COMFORTER) (BEFORE 632 B.C.E.) (JUDAH) TETRAGRAMMATON: YHWH IS SOMETIMES TRANSLATED YAHOWAH, 533 YAHWEH, JEHOVAH, YAHOWAH, YAHUHAW, OR LORD DEPENDING ON TRANSLATOR‟S THEOLOGY) Nahum 1 1 The oracle of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite: 2 Jehovah (YHWH) is a zealous Almighty One requiring exclusive devotion (tolerates no rivals). Jehovah takes vengeance (punishment) against his adversaries. He reserves (maintains) wrath (indignation) (displeasure) against his enemies. 3 Jehovah is slow to anger, and great in power! He will by no means reprieve the guilty (leave them unpunished). Yahowah has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm. The clouds are the dust of his feet. 4 He rebukes the sea, and makes it dry. He dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel become dry and the flower of Lebanon withers. 5 The mountains quake because of him, and the hills melt. The earth trembles (shakes) (heaves) at his presence, yes, the world, and all that dwells in it. 6 Who can stand before his indignation (displeasure)? Who can resist (withstand) (endure) the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken to pieces by him. 7 Jehovah is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble! He knows (protects) (takes care of) those who take refuge in him. 8 He will exterminate adversaries with an over flowing flood and will pursue his enemies into darkness. 9 What do you fabricate (impute) against Jehovah? He will exterminate it! Affliction will not rise up a second time. 10 Entangled like thorns and drunken from drink, they are consumed like dry stubble. 11 There is one who comes out from you [O Nineveh]. He counsels wickedness and devises evil against Jehovah. 12 Jehovah declares: “Though they are strong and are many they will be destroyed! They will pass away. Though I have afflicted you [O Judah] I will not afflict you any more. 534 13 “I will break their yoke off of you. I will remove your restraint. 14 “Jehovah has given command concerning you [Nineveh]. Your name will no longer be perpetuated. I will throw your gods, graven and molten images out of your house. I despise you! You are contemptible! I will prepare your grave. 15 “Behold, upon the mountains the feet of him who brings good tidings. Who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah and perform your vows! The wicked will no more pass through (invade) you. They will be completely destroyed.” Nahum 2 1 He who breaks in pieces has come up against you: Safeguard the fortress, watch the way, make your loins strong, and reinforce your power. 2 Jehovah will restore the pride of Jacob just like the pride of Israel. The devastators have emptied them out and destroyed their vine-branches. 3 The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are dressed in scarlet: the chariots flash with steel in the day of his preparation, and the cypress tree [spears] are brandished. 4 The chariots wildly race through the streets. They rush to and fro in the broad ways. They look like torches and they run like lightning. 5 He remembers his majestic ones. They stumble as they march. They hurry to the wall to prepare the barricade. 6 The gates of the rivers are opened and the palace is dissolved. 7 It