The letter to the exiles in Babylon: build houses and dwell in them, plant gardens, take wives — 'seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captive'; after seventy years I will remember you: thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the residue of the elders of the captivity, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon,
verse value 5414
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 103 letters. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֥ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·to·the·prophets" (וְאֶל־הַנְּבִיאִים֙, 10 letters). Words sharing gematria 626: from·Jerusalem, from·Jerusalem. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "to·remainder" (אֶל־יֶ֜תֶר), "elders·of" (זִקְנֵ֣י), "exiles" (הַגּוֹלָ֗ה). The root אשר appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "to·remainder" (root איל, 293x in Jeremiah); "words·of" (root דבר, 270x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·Jerusalem', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 11 words.
Metzudat David
"To the rest, etc." – this refers to those who were in Jerusalem.
Metzudat Zion
The Book. The Epistle:
Yeter. From the language of excess:
after that Jeconiah the king, and the queen-mother, and the officers, and the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the craftsmen, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;
verse value 4113
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 64 letters. The shortest word is "the·going·out·of" (צֵ֣את, 3 letters) and the longest is "Jeconiah·king" (יְכׇנְיָֽה־הַ֠מֶּ֠לֶךְ, 9 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "the·going·out·of" (צֵ֣את), "Jeconiah·king" (יְכׇנְיָֽה־הַ֠מֶּ֠לֶךְ), "and·queen" (וְהַגְּבִירָ֨ה). The root ירושלם appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Jeconiah·king" (root מלך, 253x in Jeremiah); "Judah" (root יהודה, 134x in Jeremiah); "and·Jerusalem" (root ירושלם, 93x in Jeremiah). First appearance of the root סריס ("and·the·chamberlains") in Jeremiah. Full calculation: אַחֲרֵ֣י [after] (219) + צֵ֣את [the·going·out·of] (491) + יְכׇנְיָֽה־הַ֠מֶּ֠לֶךְ [Jeconiah·king] (190) + וְהַגְּבִירָ֨ה [and·queen] (231) + וְהַסָּרִיסִ֜ים [and·the·chamberlains] (391) + שָׂרֵ֨י [princes·of] (510) + יְהוּדָ֧ה [Judah] (30) + וִירוּשָׁלִַ֛ם [and·Jerusalem] (592) + וְהֶחָרָ֥שׁ [and·the·craftsman] (519) + וְהַמַּסְגֵּ֖ר [and·a shutting up] (314) + מִירוּשָׁלִָֽם [from·Jerusalem] (626) = 4113.
Rashi
"And the queen mother." The king's mother.
Radak
And the queen. She is the king’s mother:
"And the eunuchs." As its Targum [translates]: "the great ones."
Metzudat David
"After the going out, etc." – This refers to the exile that occurred after Yechanyahu went out, etc., so that they would be delivered into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, as it is written in Kings.
And the queen mother. The queen, and she is the mother of the king, for she went out with him, as it is stated there.
And the eunuchs. And he returned and explained: the princes of Judah and Jerusalem.
"And the smith and the metalworker." They are the craftsmen and the gatekeepers who locked them at their proper time; so too does the Targum [render it].
Metzudat Zion
And the eunuchs. Thus are the high officials called, as it is said: "And they shall be eunuchs in the house of the king of Babylon" (Isaiah 39:7).
"And the artisan." A group of craftsmen, like "a smith of iron" (Isaiah 44:12):
by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying:
verse value 3429
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 70 letters. The shortest word is "in·hand·of" (בְּיַד֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·Nebuchadnezzar" (אֶל־נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֛ר, 11 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "Elasah" (אֶלְעָשָׂ֣ה), "and·Gemariah" (וּגְמַרְיָ֖ה), "son·of·Hilkiah" (בֶּן־חִלְקִיָּ֑ה). The root בין appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "saying" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "to·Nebuchadnezzar" (root איל, 293x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'son·of·Hilkiah', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 9 words. Full calculation: בְּיַד֙ [in·hand·of] (16) + אֶלְעָשָׂ֣ה [Elasah] (406) + בֶן־שָׁפָ֔ן [son·of·Shaphan] (482) + וּגְמַרְיָ֖ה [and·Gemariah] (264) + בֶּן־חִלְקִיָּ֑ה [son·of·Hilkiah] (205) + אֲשֶׁ֨ר [that] (501) + שָׁלַ֜ח [sent] (338) + צִדְקִיָּ֣ה [Zedekiah] (209) + מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֗ה [king·Judah] (120) + אֶל־נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֛ר [to·Nebuchadnezzar] (454) + מֶ֥לֶךְ [king] (90) + בָּבֶ֖ל [Babylon] (34) + בָּבֶ֥לָה [to·Babylon] (39) + לֵאמֹֽר [saying] (271) = 3429.
Radak
"Elasah." [It is written as] a single word.
Metzudat David
"By the hand of Elasah." This means that the aforementioned book was sent by the hand of Elasah, etc.
Bavlah. To Babylon:
"To say." The words of the book were [written] in order to say what is stated below:
Thus says Hashem of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the captivity, whom I have caused to be carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon:
verse value 3131
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 51 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֥ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "thus" (כֹּ֥ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "whom·I·exiled" (אֲשֶׁר־הִגְלֵ֥יתִי, 9 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "to·all·the·exiles" (לְכׇ֨ל־הַגּוֹלָ֔ה). 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "whom·I·exiled" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Israel', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 4 words. Full calculation: כֹּ֥ה [thus] (25) + אָמַ֛ר [said] (241) + יְהֹוָ֥ה [Hashem] (26) + צְבָא֖וֹת [hosts] (499) + אֱלֹהֵ֣י [the·God·of] (46) + יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל [Israel] (541) + לְכׇ֨ל־הַגּוֹלָ֔ה [to·all·the·exiles] (129) + אֲשֶׁר־הִגְלֵ֥יתִי [whom·I·exiled] (959) + מִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם [from·Jerusalem] (626) + בָּבֶֽלָה [to·Babylon] (39) = 3131.
Build you houses, and dwell in them, and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;
verse value 2228
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 31 letters. The shortest word is "son" (בְּנ֥וּ, 3 letters) and the longest is "fruit" (אֶת־פִּרְיָֽן, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "fruit" (אֶת־פִּרְיָֽן). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·dwell" (root ישב, 147x in Jeremiah); "houses" (root בית, 128x in Jeremiah); "and·eat" (root אכל, 44x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·dwell', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 4 words. Full calculation: בְּנ֥וּ [son] (58) + בָתִּ֖ים [houses] (452) + וְשֵׁ֑בוּ [and·dwell] (314) + וְנִטְע֣וּ [and·plant] (141) + גַנּ֔וֹת [gardens] (459) + וְאִכְל֖וּ [and·eat] (63) + אֶת־פִּרְיָֽן [fruit] (741) = 2228.
Metzudat David
"And dwell." And you shall dwell in them, for you will not go forth from Babylon in the near future.
Malbim
“And they shall plant gardens”: Although the planting of gardens indicates a greater degree of delay in that place than the building of a house, as it is stated, “They shall not build and another shall inhabit,” and it adds, “They shall not plant and another shall eat” (Isaiah 65:22).
take you wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply you there, and be not diminished.
verse value 5818
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 85 letters. The shortest word is "take" (קְח֣וּ, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·your·daughters" (וְאֶת־בְּנֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙, 10 letters). Words sharing gematria 464: and·daughters, and·daughters. 8 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·beget" (וְהוֹלִ֘ידוּ֮), "and·take" (וּקְח֨וּ), "to·your·sons" (לִבְנֵיכֶ֜ם). The root בן appears 3 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·husbands" (root איש, 153x in Jeremiah); "give" (root נתן, 141x in Jeremiah); "take" (root לקח, 65x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·daughters', dividing the verse into phrases of 14 and 2 words.
Metzudat David
And beget. Until you go out from there:
"And you shall be numerous there." This means: Take wives, so that you may become numerous there. The matter is repeated in what is stated:
"And do not diminish." This means: Do not refrain from taking wives, lest you diminish; for when they die and leave no sons in their place, you will thus be diminished in number.
Malbim
"Take wives, and let them not cease from bearing and multiplying children there; and take wives for your sons, lest you think that your sons will return and marry women in the Land of Israel; and give your daughters to men, lest they send them to the Land of Israel to be married there, for the inhabitants of the Land of Israel will be killed."
And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to Hashem for it; for in the peace thereof shall you have peace.
verse value 4947
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 67 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·they·shall·pray" (וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֥וּ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 30: for, it·will·be. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·seek" (וְדִרְשׁ֞וּ), "belonging·to" (אֶת־שְׁל֣וֹם), "I·exiled" (הִגְלֵ֤יתִי). The root שלום appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "for" (root כי, 318x in Jeremiah). First appearance of the root פלל ("and·they·shall·pray") in Jeremiah. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 5 words.
Radak
"For in her peace shall be your peace." As long as the exile continues, for in the destruction of Babylonia they had more peace, for they went out from the exile.
Metzudat David
And seek: "Seek the peace of the city, and so forth."
"For in her peace." When there is peace in her, there will also be peace for you, as our Sages of blessed memory said: "Pray for the peace of the kingdom."
Malbim
"Seek the peace of the city" — meaning, that you will receive the bounty through Babylon, and they will receive it first; and this is what is meant by, "for in its peace you shall have peace."
For thus says Hashem of hosts, the God of Israel: Let not your prophets that are in the midst of you, and your diviners, beguile you, neither hearken you to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed.
verse value 5672
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 87 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֤ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "for" (כִּי֩, 2 letters) and the longest is "that·in·your·midst" (אֲשֶׁר־בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֖ם, 9 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "let·not·deceive" (אַל־יַשִּׁ֧יאוּ), "that·in·your·midst" (אֲשֶׁר־בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֖ם), "and·your·diviners" (וְקֹסְמֵיכֶ֑ם). The root אשר appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "that·in·your·midst" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·your·diviners', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 5 words.
Rashi
"ישיאו" – the language of incitement, as in "the serpent seduced me" (Genesis 3:13).
Radak
Regarding the word "machlimim": its correct form is "machlimim" [written with a yod], for it is from the hif'il binyan. And so too "hem me'azrim otam" is like "me'azirim." And the meaning of "asher atem machlimim" is that you cause them to dream; for had you not been listening to their dreams, they would not have dreamed. So then, you are the ones causing them to dream. Therefore it says "your dreams," for the dreams that they dream are yours.
Metzudat David
“Let them not lead you astray, etc.” – The false prophets and the diviners who are among you shall not seduce you with what they say, namely, that you will soon return to Jerusalem, contrary to My words. And the matter is brief, as it is self-understood.
"Your dreams." Those who tell you what they saw in a dream:
"Which you cause to be dreamed." This means that you inquire of them, so that they may ask the question of a dream.
Metzudat Zion
"They will entice." The matter of seduction and incitement is like [the serpent's words]: "He seduced me" (Genesis 3:13).
"and your diviners" – this refers to a type of sorcery.
Malbim
"Which you are dreaming" – this means that you are causing the dreams to occur through your daytime thoughts, as in the case of the Emperor and Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananya (in the chapter *HaRo'eh*): he pondered over it all day, and in the evening he saw it [in a dream].
For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says Hashem.
verse value 2158
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 35 letters. Verse gematria: 2158 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "says·Hashem" (נְאֻם־יְהֹוָֽה, 7 letters). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "says·Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "for" (root כי, 318x in Jeremiah); "not" (root לא, 307x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·my·name', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 3 words. Full calculation: כִּ֣י [for] (30) + בְשֶׁ֔קֶר [in·lie] (602) + הֵ֛ם [abundance] (45) + נִבְּאִ֥ים [spokesman] (103) + לָכֶ֖ם [to·you] (90) + בִּשְׁמִ֑י [in·my·name] (352) + לֹ֥א [not] (31) + שְׁלַחְתִּ֖ים [I·sent·them] (788) + נְאֻם־יְהֹוָֽה [says·Hashem] (117) = 2158.
Metzudat David
"Because with falsehood." What they say in My name is falsehood, for I did not send them.
For thus says Hashem: After seventy years are accomplished for Babylon, I will remember you, and perform My good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
verse value 4847
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 80 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֠י, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·the·place" (אֶל־הַמָּק֖וֹם, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 461: you, you. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "to·mouth·of" (לְפִ֞י), "completion·of" (מְלֹ֧את). The root כי appears 2 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "for·thus" (root כי, 318x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'you', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 8 words.
Radak
"For according to the completion of seventy years for Babylon, I will remember you." And we have written above the calculation of the seventy years of the dominion of Babylon: "I will remember" refers to His stirring up the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia, as it is written, "And the remembrance was for the seventy years of the dominion of Babylon." But the building of the Temple did not occur until the completion of seventy years for the desolation of Jerusalem, which corresponds to the exile of Zedekiah.
Metzudat David
For according to the completion of the seventy years for Babylonia: When the seventy years for Babylonia were completed from the beginning of its expansion over Israel, from the time that Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jehoiakim initially, and this was in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, and he reigned forty-five years, thus there remained from his years forty-four years, and the days of Evil-Merodach, his son, were twenty-three years, except that one year was absorbed in the days of his father's reign, for it counted for both, thus making sixty-six years in total, and the days of Belshazzar, his son, were three years, thus making seventy years minus one. Therefore, in the first year of Darius, the seventy years were completed, and immediately when Darius died and Cyrus reigned, in his first year the promised reckoning of you came to pass and they returned to their land, as it is written in Daniel.
"I will visit you" – then I will remember you, and then I will fulfill upon you My good words, etc., but not before this time, contrary to what the lying prophets say.
Metzudat Zion
According to. According to the measure, as it is stated: “Each man according to his eating” (Exodus 12:4).
"Melot." The matter of completion:
"I will visit." The matter concerns remembrance:
Malbim
For according to the completion of Babylon's seventy years, this is counted from the day Nebuchadnezzar began to reign until Cyrus, when the kingdom of Babylon ceased and there was a reckoning; and this is what is meant by, "I will take note of you." But the building of the Temple did not occur until seventy years from the Destruction, which is nineteen years afterward. And "I will fulfill to you My promise of favor" means that God bounded the redemption and fixed its time (unlike in the exile of Edom, whose end was not revealed, though they merited to hasten it). And therefore He saw in His wisdom that they needed to be in exile during this time for their own benefit.
Cross-references: Daniel 9:2; Ezra 1:1; II Chronicles 36:21
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Hashem, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
verse value 6470
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 74 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּי֩, 2 letters) and the longest is "the·thoughts" (אֶת־הַמַּחֲשָׁבֹ֗ת, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 81: I, I. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "the·thoughts" (אֶת־הַמַּחֲשָׁבֹ֗ת), "and·hope" (וְתִקְוָֽה). The root אנכי appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "says·Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "for" (root כי, 318x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'says·Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 8 words.
Radak
"An end and a hope." A good end, as you hope.
Metzudat David
"For I know the thoughts..." – That which I know, namely the thoughts, etc., that they are for peace and not for evil. This means that the delay of your exile for seventy years is for your good, for then your uncircumcised heart will be humbled, and this will be the cause for granting you a good future and a good hope after you return hither.
Metzudat Zion
acharit. End:
Malbim
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil" — for at times one may think thoughts of peace that turn out to be for evil, as was the case with the exile of Zedekiah, which was delayed and resulted in evil, as is stated in the second parable, of the [two] baskets of figs (above, ch. 24). But for you, I am thinking thoughts of peace that are not for evil; therefore, I will extend it to seventy years in order to grant you a future, that you may remain in the land, and until that time there will be hope for you.
And you shall call upon Me, and go, and pray to Me, and I will hearken to you.
verse value 3618
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 37 letters. Verse gematria: 3618 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "me" (אֹתִי֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·you·will·pray" (וְהִתְפַּלַּלְתֶּ֖ם, 8 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·you·shall·call" (וּקְרָאתֶ֤ם), "and·you·will·pray" (וְהִתְפַּלַּלְתֶּ֖ם), "and·I·will·hearken" (וְשָׁמַעְתִּ֖י). The root אל appears 2 times in this verse. 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·me" (root אל, 204x in Jeremiah); "and·I·will·hearken" (root שמע, 184x in Jeremiah); "and·you·shall·walk" (root הלך, 108x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·me', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 2 words. Full calculation: וּקְרָאתֶ֤ם [and·you·shall·call] (747) + אֹתִי֙ [me] (411) + וַֽהֲלַכְתֶּ֔ם [and·you·shall·walk] (501) + וְהִתְפַּלַּלְתֶּ֖ם [and·you·will·pray] (991) + אֵלָ֑י [to·me] (41) + וְשָׁמַעְתִּ֖י [and·I·will·hearken] (826) + אֲלֵיכֶֽם [to·you] (101) = 3618.
Rashi
"And you shall call to Me, and you shall go." In My ways. And this is an elliptical verse.
Radak
"And you shall walk." Meaning: in My ways.
Metzudat David
"And you shall call upon Me": This means that after your hearts are humbled, you will return and be in the holy place, the place most prepared for serving God. Then, when you call upon Me, walk in My ways, and pray to Me to bring back all the exiles from all the places.
"And I will listen to you." Then I will listen to you:
Malbim
"And you shall call upon Me": Even though you will not be in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices, you shall call upon Me to come to you by going and praying to Me, for prayer stands in place of the sacrificial offering.
And you shall seek Me, and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart.
verse value 2976
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 31 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֥י, 2 letters) and the longest is "with·all·your·heart" (בְּכׇל־לְבַבְכֶֽם, 8 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·you·shall·seek" (וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּ֥ם), "and·you·shall·find" (וּמְצָאתֶ֑ם), "you·search·for·Me" (תִדְרְשֻׁ֖נִי). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for" (root כי, 318x in Jeremiah); "and·you·shall·find" (root מצא, 26x in Jeremiah); "and·you·shall·seek" (root בקש, 22x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·you·shall·find', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּ֥ם [and·you·shall·seek] (848) + אֹתִ֖י [me] (411) + וּמְצָאתֶ֑ם [and·you·shall·find] (577) + כִּ֥י [for] (30) + תִדְרְשֻׁ֖נִי [you·search·for·Me] (964) + בְּכׇל־לְבַבְכֶֽם [with·all·your·heart] (146) = 2976.
Metzudat David
"And you shall seek Me." And when you shall seek Me, then you shall find, if you shall seek Me with all your heart:
Malbim
"And you shall seek Me as one seeks that which is lost, and you shall find Me, and My providence shall return to you."
And I will be found of you, says Hashem, and I will turn your captivity, and gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, says Hashem; and I will bring you back to the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
verse value 10431
Insights
Verse structure: 21 words, 119 letters. The shortest word is "there" (שָׁ֖ם, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·from·all·the·places" (וּמִכׇּל־הַמְּקוֹמ֗וֹת, 11 letters). Words sharing gematria 461: you, you, you, you. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·I·will·be·found" (וְנִמְצֵ֣אתִי), "captivity" (אֶת־שְׁבוּתְכֶ֗ם), "and·I·will·gather" (וְקִבַּצְתִּ֣י). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "says·Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "there" (root שם, 122x in Jeremiah). First appearance of the root שבות ("captivity") in Jeremiah. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'says·Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 15 and 6 words.
Metzudat David
"And I will be found by you." Then I will be found by you to fulfill your desires, and I will restore your captivity; that is to say, I will restore to you what is fitting to restore to you, which is the First Government.
"And I will gather you." This means that I will gather all the exiles from among all the nations, etc., and I will return all of them to this place. It is as if He were saying: The fact that you will return from Babylonia is not the essential intent of that redemption, such that the swiftness of the return would be considered a positive thing. Rather, the essential intent is that you may be in the holy place, a location most prepared for serving the Lord, to pray before Him for a general and complete redemption—an everlasting redemption. Thus, the fact that you will be delayed there will be considered a positive thing, so that your hearts may be humbled to return to the Lord, and your prayers will be accepted. (But they did not act thus; rather, they added further sins, and therefore they were exiled from it again.)
Metzudat Zion
"Your return." The word is in the form of "the returning."
Malbim
"And I will be found" – afterward I will be found for you, Myself, when the appointed time comes; "and I will restore" – that is the restoration of the rank, that you shall return to your stature; "and I will gather" – the ingathering of the exiles; "and I will bring you back" – that is the return of the exiles to their place.
For you have said: ‘Hashem has raised us up prophets in Babylon.’
verse value 1120
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 27 letters. Notable word values: "to·us" (לָ֧נוּ) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֖י, 2 letters) and the longest is "you·spoke" (אֲמַרְתֶּ֑ם, 5 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "you·spoke" (אֲמַרְתֶּ֑ם). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "you·spoke" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "for" (root כי, 318x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'you·spoke', dividing the verse into phrases of 2 and 5 words. Full calculation: כִּ֖י [for] (30) + אֲמַרְתֶּ֑ם [you·spoke] (681) + הֵקִ֨ים [he·has·upheld] (155) + לָ֧נוּ [to·us] (86) + יְהֹוָ֛ה [Hashem] (26) + נְבִאִ֖ים [prophets] (103) + בָּבֶֽלָה [to·Babylon] (39) = 1120.
Radak
"Because you said, 'The LORD has raised up prophets for us.'" This is what I am telling you: that "at the completion of seventy years I will take note of you" is the truth. But when you say, "The LORD has raised up prophets for us" in Babylon, who tell you, "From now on, return," it is of no account, for they prophesy falsehood to you. And the Targum renders "prophets" as "teachers."
Metzudat David
"For you said." If you were to say, "Behold, the Lord has appointed for us prophets in Babylonia, and they prophesy there that we shall return soon," the matter is self-evident and requires no elaboration.
Metzudat Zion
He established. He set up:
Malbim
“(For you said, ‘The Lord has raised up prophets for us’”) is a parenthetical remark. And the word “Babylon” returns to the above, and its proper phrasing is: “And I will bring you back to the place from which I exiled you, Babylon.” (“For you said, ‘The Lord has raised up prophets for us’”)—because of this I exiled you, namely, because you said that the Lord raised up prophets for you, which means: because you believed the false prophets. The order of the verses is: “Let your prophets not lead you astray,” for the redemption depends solely on the time of prayer, at which time there will be a complete redemption from the exile that He exiled you because of your believing the false prophets who led you astray from the path.
For thus says Hashem concerning the king that sits upon the throne of David, and concerning all the people that dwell in this city, your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity;
verse value 3342
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 74 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֗ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "said" (אָמַ֣ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·to·all·the·people" (וְאֶ֨ל־כׇּל־הָעָ֔ם, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 323: that·dwells, that·dwells. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "to·throne·of" (אֶל־כִּסֵּ֣א), "your·brothers" (אֲחֵיכֶ֕ם), "not·gone·out" (לֹֽא־יָצְא֥וּ). The root איל appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'this', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 5 words.
Rashi
To the king. Zedekiah, who was not exiled:
Radak
"Who sits 'to' [אל] the throne" – [used here] like [saying] "upon" [על] the throne.
Metzudat David
"For thus says the Lord": This means that they [the false prophets] do not speak the truth; for thus said the Lord concerning the king who sits on the throne of the kingdom, and concerning all the people, etc.
Malbim
(16–17) "For thus says the Lord": Not only will the children of the exile not return, but even those who have not yet gone into exile will go into exile and be gathered like the bad figs, as in the aforementioned parable, section 24.
thus says Hashem of hosts: Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so bad.
verse value 7045
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 78 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֣ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "thus" (כֹּ֤ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "not·can·be·eaten" (לֹא־תֵאָכַ֖לְנָה, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "gate" (הַשֹּׁ֣עָרִ֔ים). 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·the·pestilence', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 7 words.
Rashi
"Like the loathsome figs." An expression of "sha'aruriah" [a horrible, loathsome thing], as in (Hosea 6:10).
Radak
"Like the loathsome figs." [Meaning] the defiled/filthy ones, similar to [the phrase] 'a horrible thing has been done' (שַׁעֲרוּרִיָּה עָשְׂתָה); and so He likewise compared them above, in the prophecy of the two baskets of figs: "The remnant of Jerusalem [is] like the bad figs." [In] "ha-sho'arim," the ayin is vocalized with a qamats, on the pattern of "kochavim" (stars), "kova'im" (helmets).
Metzudat David
"Thus says the Lord": Because the matter was lengthened in his saying, "Your brothers," etc., He stated again, "Thus says the Lord."
"I behold, I am sending upon them." I will bring upon them the sword of the enemy, famine, and pestilence; and as if to say, "And how then will you return quickly, if I deliver even those dwelling here into the hand of the enemy?"
"Like the loathsome figs." Like the disgusting figs that are not eaten because of their badness, they are hated and repugnant to people, as it is stated, "And the bad figs, etc., thus will I give Zedekiah, etc." (above 24:).
Metzudat Zion
"Who sends." The meaning is one of incitement and setting-on [an animal against someone], like [the verse] "and the teeth of beasts will I send upon them" (Deuteronomy 32:24).
"The loathsome [figs]." The matter is one of something disgraceful and detestable, as in the phrase "a horror and an appalling thing" (above, ch. 5).
And I will pursue after them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, a curse, and an astonishment, and a hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them;
verse value 6559
Insights
Verse structure: 18 words, 94 letters. The shortest word is "there" (שָֽׁם, 2 letters) and the longest is "that·I·drove·them" (אֲשֶׁר־הִדַּחְתִּ֥ים, 9 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·I·will·be·behind" (וְרָֽדַפְתִּי֙), "that·I·drove·them" (אֲשֶׁר־הִדַּחְתִּ֥ים). 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that·I·drove·them" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "and·in·the·pestilence" (root דבר, 270x in Jeremiah); "earth" (root ארץ, 245x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·in·the·pestilence', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 13 words.
Rashi
"And for shame." That they would shame them; the word is Old French [la'az], meaning "reproach." And so is every instance of "shame" in the Bible.
Radak
"Which I have banished them there." The past tense is used in place of the future tense, as in "I will banish them," because the remnant of Jerusalem had not yet gone into exile.
Metzudat David
And I will pursue them. I will punish them with the sword of the enemy, with famine, and with pestilence:
"And I will make them a horror." This means: I will deliver them to all the kingdoms of the land, so that they may become a horror, for all of them will terrify them.
"For a curse." They will swear, saying in their oath: "May I be like the wretched Jews."
And for a horror. All will marvel at the magnitude of its destruction:
And for hissing. They will hiss over the magnitude of the destruction.
And for reproach. They will reproach them:
"Hiddachtim" (I have banished them). Like "adichem" (I will banish them) — a past-tense form used in place of a future tense:
Metzudat Zion
"To tremble." The matter is one of trembling and shaking:
"To a curse." The matter is one of an oath:
"And for a horror." The matter is one of astonishment:
"And to hiss." The matter is one of producing a sound by pursing the lips, and its practice is to do so when one sees a significant thing that has been destroyed.
Malbim
"And I will pursue after them," afterward, when they go out to Egypt, "and I will make them a horror," as above, 24:9.
because they have not hearkened to My words, says Hashem, wherewith I sent to them My servants the prophets, sending them betimes and often; but you would not hear, says Hashem.
verse value 5763
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 73 letters. Notable word values: "to·them" (אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "because" (תַּ֛חַת, 3 letters) and the longest is "that·not·they·heard" (אֲשֶֽׁר־לֹא־שָׁמְע֥וּ, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 117: says·Hashem, says·Hashem. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "that·not·they·heard" (אֲשֶֽׁר־לֹא־שָׁמְע֥וּ), "my·servants" (אֶת־עֲבָדַ֤י). The root אשר appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "says·Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "that·not·they·heard" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "and·not" (root לא, 307x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'says·Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 10 words. Full calculation: תַּ֛חַת [because] (808) + אֲשֶֽׁר־לֹא־שָׁמְע֥וּ [that·not·they·heard] (948) + אֶל־דְּבָרַ֖י [to·my·words] (247) + נְאֻם־יְהֹוָ֑ה [says·Hashem] (117) + אֲשֶׁר֩ [that] (501) + שָׁלַ֨חְתִּי [I·sent] (748) + אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם [to·them] (86) + אֶת־עֲבָדַ֤י [my·servants] (487) + הַנְּבִאִים֙ [the·prophets] (108) + הַשְׁכֵּ֣ם [rise·early] (365) + וְשָׁלֹ֔חַ [and·weapon] (344) + וְלֹ֥א [and·not] (37) + שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם [you·have·heard] (850) + נְאֻם־יְהֹוָֽה [says·Hashem] (117) = 5763.
Radak
"And you did not heed." Neither they nor you.
Metzudat David
"tachat" (because). On account of the fact that they did not heed My words:
“Rise early and send.” Even though I was rising early and sending with great alacrity, yet you did not hear, as if He were speaking face-to-face to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Malbim
“Who did not listen, etc., and you did not listen”: This means that neither they nor you, the exiles of Babylonia, listened. Therefore, “and you shall listen” refers to from now on, after you have already received your punishment.
Hear you therefore the word of Hashem, all you of the captivity, whom I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon:
verse value 3108
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 41 letters. The shortest word is "and·you" (וְאַתֶּ֖ם, 4 letters) and the longest is "that·I·sent·away" (אֲשֶׁר־שִׁלַּ֥חְתִּי, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "all·the·exiles" (כׇּ֨ל־הַגּוֹלָ֔ה), "that·I·sent·away" (אֲשֶׁר־שִׁלַּ֥חְתִּי). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·word·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "that·I·sent·away" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "hear" (root שמע, 184x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·word·of·Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 4 words. Full calculation: וְאַתֶּ֖ם [and·you] (447) + שִׁמְע֣וּ [hear] (416) + דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֑ה [the·word·of·Hashem] (232) + כׇּ֨ל־הַגּוֹלָ֔ה [all·the·exiles] (99) + אֲשֶׁר־שִׁלַּ֥חְתִּי [that·I·sent·away] (1249) + מִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם [from·Jerusalem] (626) + בָּבֶֽלָה [to·Babylon] (39) = 3108.
Thus says Hashem of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who prophesy a lie to you in My name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;
verse value 5573
Insights
Verse structure: 21 words, 107 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֨ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "to·you" (לָכֶ֛ם, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·to·Zedekiah" (וְאֶל־צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ, 9 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "to·Ahab" (אֶל־אַחְאָ֤ב), "son·of·Kolaiah" (בֶּן־קֽוֹלָיָה֙), "and·to·Zedekiah" (וְאֶל־צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ). The root בין appears 2 times in this verse. 20 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "thus·said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "king·of·Babylon" (root מלך, 253x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'lie', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 8 words.
Metzudat David
To Ahab, etc. – concerning Ahab and Zedekiah.
A lie. A matter that I did not command:
"and strike them." This means: kill them.
and of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah that are in Babylon, saying: ‘Hashem make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire’;
verse value 3517
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 69 letters. Notable word values: "in·Babylon" (בְּבָבֶ֖ל) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "from·them" (מֵהֶם֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "like·Zedekiah" (כְּצִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ, 7 letters). 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·will·be·taken" (וְלֻקַּ֤ח), "curse" (קְלָלָ֔ה), "heap" (גָּל֣וּת). The root אשר appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "saying" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'saying', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 7 words.
Rashi
"אשר קלם" [whom he roasted]. An expression of roasting in fire (Leviticus 2).
Radak
"And as for Achav." He diminished his name as a reproach; and there is also an addition [of a letter] used for reproach, as in "Is Amnon (spelled with an added yod) your brother..." (2 Samuel 13:20).
"They burned them" – from the word "roasted" in fire.
Metzudat David
For every exile. For all the exiles:
"To say": That they should say in their curse, "May the Lord make you like Zedekiah, etc."
Metzudat Zion
And as for "and like Achav"—this is Achav.
"He roasted them." The meaning is scorching and burning, like "roasted with fire" (Leviticus 20).
because they have wrought vile deeds in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’wives, and have spoken words in My name falsely, which I commanded them not; but I am He that knows, and am witness, says Hashem.
verse value 5820
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 87 letters. The shortest word is "because" (יַ֡עַן, 3 letters) and the longest is "says·Hashem" (נְאֻם־יְהֹוָֽה, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: that, that. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "senselessness" (נְבָלָ֜ה), "in·Israel" (בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל), "wives·of" (אֶת־נְשֵׁ֣י). The root אשר appears 2 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "says·Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "Lamed" (root לא, 307x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'I·commanded·them', dividing the verse into phrases of 15 and 5 words.
Rashi
"And they committed adultery with their neighbors' wives." As is explained in [tractate] Sanhedrin: Thus said the Holy One, blessed be He: "Lie with my companion."
"And a witness." An expression of testimony:
Radak
"And I, the One who knows and bears witness" – He knows that they speak falsehoods in My Name, and furthermore, that they have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives. And the Targum renders: "and it is revealed before Me, and My word bears witness." And "the One who knows" is written with the letters reversed: "הוידע."
Metzudat David
"Because." Because they committed abomination and committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and furthermore, a second time, because they spoke falsely in My name.
"The One who knows." "Who spoke falsely, for I did not command them."
"And witness." For I have seen that they committed adultery.
Metzudat Zion
"Nevalah." A repulsive and disgraceful thing; and likewise, "for he has done a vile thing in Israel" (Genesis 34:7).
"And a witness." The word is in the form of "edut" (testimony):
Malbim
And I, who know, and the witness who knows that they are false prophets, and a witness to the adultery:
And concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite you shall speak, saying:
verse value 1523
Insights
Verse structure: 4 words, 23 letters. The shortest word is "you·shall·say" (תֹּאמַ֥ר, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·to·Shemaiah" (וְאֶל־שְׁמַעְיָ֥הוּ, 9 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·to·Shemaiah" (וְאֶל־שְׁמַעְיָ֥הוּ). The root אמר appears 2 times in this verse. 2 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "you·shall·say" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "and·to·Shemaiah" (root אל, 204x in Jeremiah). Full calculation: וְאֶל־שְׁמַעְיָ֥הוּ [and·to·Shemaiah] (468) + הַנֶּחֱלָמִ֖י [Nehelamite] (143) + תֹּאמַ֥ר [you·shall·say] (641) + לֵאמֹֽר [saying] (271) = 1523.
Rashi
"The Nehelamite." A place name:
Radak
The Nechelami. He is called so because he used to dream dreams for them that they would return quickly to Jerusalem; and the Targum renders "hanechelami" as "who is from Chelam" [i.e., a place name].
Metzudat David
And to Shemaiah. This too is from the words of the book that he sent to Babylonia, in which he said that the Lord said to him to speak thus concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite:
Metzudat Zion
"HaNachalomi." [This is] the name of a place, [namely] Chalom; so too does the Targum [render it].
Thus speaks Hashem of hosts, the God of Israel, saying: Because you have sent letters in your own name to all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying:
verse value 6783
Insights
Verse structure: 21 words, 101 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֧ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "because" (יַ֡עַן, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·to·Zephaniah" (וְאֶל־צְפַנְיָ֤ה, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: that, that. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "you·have·sent" (שָׁלַ֨חְתָּ), "in·your·name" (בְשִׁמְכָ֜ה), "and·to·Zephaniah" (וְאֶל־צְפַנְיָ֤ה). The root אמר appears 3 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "thus·said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'saying', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 15 words.
Radak
"In your name." It is written with a he, like "as I commanded you" and "Your pious ones shall bless you," and similar verses.
Metzudat David
"Because" – because you sent letters in your own name alone, and not in the name of all the exiles, as if everything depended on you alone.
To say. And so you spoke in the letters:
Metzudat Zion
"In your name." Just as [the ordinary form] "in your name," the heh being an added letter, similar to "that I commanded you" (Exodus 29:35) and the like.
’Hashem has made you priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that there should be officers in the house of Hashem for every man that is mad, and makes himself a prophet, that you should put him in the stocks and in the collar.
verse value 6181
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 81 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֞ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "priest" (כֹהֵ֗ן, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·the·stocks" (אֶל־הַמַּהְפֶּ֖כֶת, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 26: Hashem, Hashem. 8 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "Jehoiada" (יְהוֹיָדָ֣ע), "overseers" (פְּקִדִים֙), "for·all·man" (לְכׇל־אִ֥ישׁ). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "to·the·stocks" (root איל, 293x in Jeremiah); "to·be" (root היה, 250x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·prophesying', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 4 words.
Rashi
"God appointed you priest." He [Shemaiah] wrote this to Zephaniah:
"Pekidim" [officers]. Appointed officials:
What is the meaning of “mahapechet”? It refers to a dome.
"The pillory." A block; 'cep' in Old French.
Radak
"The Lord has given you." Even though they denied the words of the true prophet, they admitted that the Lord is the First Cause. Jehoiada was mentioned because he was the High Priest and was the head and great one of his generation. Likewise, Zephaniah was the High Priest, as it is stated: "In place of Jehoiada, to be overseers, you and the rest of the priests."
"House of the Lord." [To be understood] like "in the House of the Lord," and likewise "that which is found [in] the House of the Lord," and cases similar to these.
"For every man who is mad." For every man, and for the prophet, they would call him "mad" as a term of derision. And likewise, "Why has this madman come?"
“to the revolving prison and to the dungeon.” The “revolving prison” is the prison house; so too does the Targum render it as “the roofed place,” and in the words of our Sages of blessed memory, they say: “They confine them in the roofed place.”
The tzinok. A locking device for the hands.
Metzudat David
"The Lord has given you." Thus he [Shemaiah] wrote to Zephaniah: "Behold, the Lord has set you up to be a priest," meaning to be the chief of the priests, in place of Jehoiada the priest.
To serve as overseers. To watch over, to be appointed in the House of the Lord over every man who is mad and plays the prophet, uttering words of madness from his heart.
"And you shall give him." This means that, according to your words, the officials shall put him into the stocks, etc., so that he may be imprisoned there.
Metzudat Zion
Pakidim. Appointed officials, like the phrase “the appointed men of the army” (Numbers 31:14):
The mahpechet. The name of a prison:
The tsinuk. The name of the instrument made to close the hands of the captive.
Now therefore, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth, who makes himself a prophet to you,
verse value 3056
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 35 letters. The shortest word is "not" (לֹ֣א, 2 letters) and the longest is "against·Jeremiah" (בְּיִרְמְיָ֖הוּ, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "you·rebuked" (גָעַ֔רְתָּ), "Anethothite" (הָֽעַנְּתֹתִ֑י), "the·one·prophesying" (הַמִּתְנַבֵּ֖א). 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "not" (root לא, 307x in Jeremiah); "against·Jeremiah" (root ירמיהו, 61x in Jeremiah); "to·you" (root לכם, 51x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Anethothite', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 2 words. Full calculation: וְעַתָּ֗ה [now] (481) + לָ֚מָּה [why] (75) + לֹ֣א [not] (31) + גָעַ֔רְתָּ [you·rebuked] (673) + בְּיִרְמְיָ֖הוּ [against·Jeremiah] (273) + הָֽעַנְּתֹתִ֑י [Anethothite] (935) + הַמִּתְנַבֵּ֖א [the·one·prophesying] (498) + לָכֶֽם [to·you] (90) = 3056.
Metzudat David
"And now." Since it is so, why did you not even rebuke Jeremiah with reproof, who prophesies to you words of madness from his heart? And the matter is brief, as it is understood.
Metzudat Zion
"Rebuke." The matter of a cry of reproof:
"The Anathothite." From Anatot, which is the name of the city of Jeremiah.
forasmuch as he has sent to us in Babylon, saying: The captivity is long; build you houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them?’
verse value 3415
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 60 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "fruit" (אֶת־פְּרִיהֶֽן, 7 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "fruit" (אֶת־פְּרִיהֶֽן). 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "saying" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "for" (root כי, 318x in Jeremiah); "therefore" (root על, 276x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'she', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 7 words.
Rashi
"For therefore he sent." For you have cause to rebuke him [Jeremiah], because he sent to us in Babylon, saying, 'Your exile there is long.'
Therefore. Like "because of which":
Radak
Arukhah. It is the exile.
"their fruit." The first [instance] is "perin," and this is "perihen."
Metzudat David
"For therefore." This means: For it appears from his words that he is speaking madness from his heart, because he sent, etc.
It is a long one. This exile in which you are will be for a long time; therefore, build there houses and dwell in them, for you will not go out from there in the near future. And it is as if saying: "Will these words not be considered madness?" [But] no — for thus did the Lord speak with me. (And it is possible that before Jeremiah sent the scroll by the hand of Elasah, Jeremiah had previously conveyed these matters orally or in a letter.)
Metzudat Zion
For therefore. For on account of which, and likewise, "for therefore I have seen your face" (Genesis 33:10):
And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.
verse value 1804
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 39 letters. The shortest word is "this" (הַזֶּ֑ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·letter" (אֶת־הַסֵּ֣פֶר, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "Zephaniah" (צְפַנְיָ֥ה). 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "this" (root זה, 123x in Jeremiah); "the·prophet" (root נביא, 93x in Jeremiah); "and·called" (root קרא, 66x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'this', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיִּקְרָ֛א [and·called] (317) + צְפַנְיָ֥ה [Zephaniah] (235) + הַכֹּהֵ֖ן [priest] (80) + אֶת־הַסֵּ֣פֶר [the·letter] (746) + הַזֶּ֑ה [this] (17) + בְּאׇזְנֵ֖י [in·ears·of] (70) + יִרְמְיָ֥הוּ [Jeremiah] (271) + הַנָּבִֽיא [the·prophet] (68) = 1804.
Metzudat David
"Zephaniah called out," etc. This too is from the words of the book that he wrote to them, that Zephaniah read the book before him and saw that it was written thus (and even though Jeremiah himself wrote the matter, he did not say "in my ears" as if speaking on his own behalf, but rather as another person speaking; and so is the way of Scripture, as it is stated, "And the Lord sent," etc., and Samuel (1 Samuel 12), and it did not say "and me" with him, for Samuel himself was the speaker).
Malbim
"And Zephaniah read" is like a parenthetical remark: that at the time Zephaniah read the letter in Jeremiah's hearing, this prophecy was then spoken to him. From verse 25, "Because you sent letters in your own name"—God said to him: because he sent letters, and they bore fruit of insolence, until [Zephaniah] read the letters in Jeremiah's hearing; therefore, "thus says the Lord to Shemaiah, because Shemaiah prophesied to you"—for from the fact that the letters were read publicly, it appears that they upheld his words as prophecy in the name of the Lord, and therefore he will receive his punishment, whether for the insolence against Jeremiah, or for false prophecy.
Verse structure: 4 words, 23 letters. The shortest word is "and·it·was" (וַֽיְהִי֙, 4 letters) and the longest is "to·Jeremiah" (אֶֽל־יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ, 8 letters). 4 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·word·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "saying" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "to·Jeremiah" (root איל, 293x in Jeremiah). Full calculation: וַֽיְהִי֙ [and·it·was] (31) + דְּבַר־יְהֹוָ֔ה [the·word·of·Hashem] (232) + אֶֽל־יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ [to·Jeremiah] (302) + לֵאמֹֽר [saying] (271) = 836.
Metzudat David
“And there was the word of the Lord.” Because the matter was lengthy in his stating the cause, and that Zephaniah read the book in his ears, therefore he said again, “And there was the word of the Lord,” etc.
Send to all them of the captivity, saying: Thus says Hashem concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because that Shemaiah has prophesied to you, and I sent him not, and he has caused you to trust in a lie;
verse value 4946
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 81 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "thus" (כֹּ֚ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "upon·all·the·captivity" (עַל־כׇּל־הַגּוֹלָה֙, 9 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "upon·all·the·captivity" (עַל־כׇּל־הַגּוֹלָה֙), "to·Shemaiah" (אֶל־שְׁמַעְיָ֖ה), "Shemaiah" (שְׁמַעְיָ֗ה). The root שלח appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "saying" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Nehelamite', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 11 words.
Metzudat David
“Concerning all the exile.” To all the exile:
"To Shemaiah." Concerning Shemaiah:
On falsehood. On the promise of falsehood:
therefore thus says Hashem: Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed; he shall not have a man to dwell among this people, neither shall he behold the good that I will do to My people, says Hashem; because he has spoken perversion against Hashem.
verse value 5137
Insights
Verse structure: 22 words, 109 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֗ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "to·him" (ל֜וֹ, 2 letters) and the longest is "upon·Shemaiah" (עַל־שְׁמַעְיָ֣ה, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 525: upon·Shemaiah, will·do·to·my·people. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "upon·Shemaiah" (עַל־שְׁמַעְיָ֣ה), "in·midst·of·the·people" (בְּתוֹךְ־הָעָ֣ם), "and·not·shall·see" (וְלֹֽא־יִרְאֶ֥ה). The root יהוה appears 3 times in this verse. 18 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "thus·said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "that·I" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'says·Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 19 and 3 words.
Metzudat David
"I will visit. This sin I will remember to repay upon Shemaiah and upon his offspring:"
"He shall not have." This means that no man from his seed shall sit in the seat of the princes and the elders.
"And it shall not see in goodness..." — this refers to the return from exile.
"Concerning the Lord." Because he spoke a word attributed to Him which He did not say:
Metzudat David
Metzudat Zion