Jeremiah, Lamentations (Understanding the Bible Commentary | UBC)

by Tremper Longman III

Publisher:

Baker

, 2012

Overview

Jeremiah is a long and complex book written in the closing years of Judah before the exile. Longman provides clear and accessible commentary, drawing out covenant as a central theme: the people’s violation, the consequences, and the promise of a new covenant to come. He also provides solid help for understanding and applying the ancient genre of lament found in Lamentations.

Contents

Top Highlights

“In any case, the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant is motivated not by some flaw in the old covenant, but by the inability of God’s people to keep it.” (Page 211)

“In a book as varied and complex as Jeremiah, no single theological theme can capture its theological scope and depth, but covenant comes very close to doing so. In one sense, that is not surprising since covenant is one of the most productive theological themes in the Bible. But even in comparison to other biblical books and the other prophets, Jeremiah is the one of the most explicitly covenantal in its theology.” (Page 9)

“The English title derives from the ancient versions and early interpreters. In antiquity, the book was referred to by its opening word: ʾeka (‘how?’). The rabbis referred to the book as qinot, the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) entitled the book Threni, and the Vulgate referred to it as Lamenta—all meaning ‘Lamentations.’” (Page 327)

“These dates translate to 626–586 b.c. in a modern calendar. Later prose chapters narrate even later events in Jeremiah’s life, extending into the exilic period (post-586 b.c.), for which see chapters 40–44.” (Pages 3–4)

“In Isaiah’s case it was an angel, specifically a seraph, who touched his lips with a burning coal, but the acts are similar enough to associate them with one another. In part, then, this act shows that Jeremiah is a prophet in the line of Isaiah. It also shows the consecration of Jeremiah’s mouth, the tool that God is setting apart for the accomplishment of his purpose. Along with the action, God also speaks to Jeremiah with an explanation. He has put his words in Jeremiah’s mouth. In essence, this unit tells the reader that Jeremiah’s words to follow are not to be understood as the opinion or advice of a mere human, but rather as God’s very words.” (Page 22)

Product Details

• Title: Jeremiah, Lamentations
• Author: Tremper Longman III
• Series: Understanding the Bible Commentary Series
• Publisher: Baker
• Print Publication Date: 2012
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Pages: 432
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. O.T. Jeremiah › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Lamentations › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9781441251824, 9781565632240, 9780801046957, 1441251820, 1565632249, 0801046955
• Resource ID: LLS:BAKERUBOT24JE
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-12-12T21:58:37Z

About Tremper Longman III

Tremper Longman III serves as Distinguished Scholar and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at Westmont College. He has written over 35 books, including commentaries on Genesis, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Daniel, Nahum, and Revelation. His books have been translated into 18 different languages. In addition, as a Hebrew scholar, he is one of the main translators of the popular New Living Translation, and has served as a consultant on other popular Bible translations, including The Message, the New Century Version, the Christian Standard Bible, and the Common Bible. He has also edited and contributed to a number of study Bibles and Bible dictionaries, most recently The Baker Illustrated Bible Dictionary.

He earned his BA from Ohio Wesleyan University, his MDiv from Westminster Theological Seminary, and both his MPhil and PhD from Yale University. Dr. Longman and his wife, Alice, have three sons and eight grandchildren.