Jeremiah 28:1 - Exposition

In the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah . It seems strange that the fourth year of a reign which only lasted eleven years in all should be called "the beginning. Is it not probable that the clause was interpolated here by a later copyist on account of Jeremiah 27:1 , where at present a similar clause (see note) is found? Originally placed in the margin as a gloss upon the words "the same year," it would very easily find its way into the text. Hananiah … the prophet (see on Jeremiah 27:15 ). Gibeon . This was a priestly city ( Joshua 21:17 ), so that Hananiah was probably himself a priest like Jeremiah ( Jeremiah 1:1 ) and Pashur ( Jeremiah 20:1 ). The modern El Jib, on an isolated, rocky hill, doubtless represents the ancient Gibeon. In the presence of the priests and of all the people . Apparently the event took place on either a new moon or a Sabbath, when the people would throng to the temple.