United Commentaries

Jer.43.1-7

Johanan and the rest of the people betrayed their oath (42:20) when they chose not to trust in the Lord’s answer through Jeremiah.

Jer.43.3

It is not known why Baruch was blamed.

Jer.43.7

The city of Tahpanhes (2:16; Ezek 30:18), now known as Tell Dafneh, guarded the road entering Egypt at its northeast corner.

Jer.43.10

Nebuchadnezzar: Cp. 42:2-22; Ezek 29:19-20. According to an Akkadian inscription, Nebuchadnezzar invaded Egypt in 568–567 BC, less than twenty years after Jeremiah’s message.

Jer.43.12-13

In the ancient Near East, temples and idols were regarded as power centers, so successful invaders usually destroyed them.

Jer.43.13

The sacred pillars were highly prized by the ancient Egyptians.

in the temple of the sun: Or in Heliopolis. The sun was the supreme deity of the Egyptian religion. The ruins of this city are about six miles northeast of modern Cairo.