Jeremiah 29:24-28 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Thus shalt thou speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite Or, the dreamer, as the word הנחלמי, is rendered in the margin: see Jeremiah 29:8. The termination, however, rather shows it to be a word expressing Shemaiah's family or country, and we find such a place as Helam mentioned, 2 Samuel 10:16-17. The prophet, it seems, was commanded to send this message to Shemaiah after the messengers who delivered the forementioned writing to the captives at Babylon were returned home, who brought along with them Shemaiah's letter, mentioned in the following verse. Because thou hast sent letters to Zephaniah, (see Jeremiah 21:1,) saying, The Lord hath made thee priest Shemaiah directs his letter to Zephaniah in the first place, as being next in order to the high-priest, and therefore called the second priest, Jeremiah 52:24, and tells him that God has appointed him to supply the place of the high- priest, being probably absent at that time, who was either Azariah, or Seraiah his son. But who then, it may be asked, was Jehoiada? “Perhaps,” says Blaney, “he was one that had been superseded in his office of second priest, for being remiss in his duty; and therefore Zephaniah may have been here reminded of him, by way of intimation that, as they had been both appointed for the same purposes, so Zephaniah might expect the same fate as his predecessor, if he copied the example of his negligence. The second priest officiated as substitute of the high-priest, in case of absence or indisposition, and perhaps was always invested with subordinate authority.” That ye should be officers, &c., for every man that is mad, &c. The prophets and inspired persons were often accused of madness, or of being possessed with an evil spirit, by their enemies. See the margin. For therefore, rather, because, he sent unto us in Babylon See Jeremiah 29:5.