(Zephaniah the priest, however, had read this letter to Jeremiah the prophet.)
Zephaniah . . . read . . . in the ears of Jeremiah--He seems to have been less prejudiced against Jeremiah than the others; hence he reads the charge to the prophet, that he should not be condemned without a hearing. This accords with Shemaiah's imputation against Zephaniah for want of zeal against Jeremiah (Jer 29:26-27).
And Zephaniah the priest read this letter,.... Of Shemaiah's to him, and the other priests: in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet: whether out of good will, to let him know who were his enemies abroad; or out of ill will, to stir up the people against him; or in pretence of proceeding equitably with him; not taking him up, and punishing him before he...
This dreamer Shemaiah got wind of my letter and flew into a rage, not because he could answer it with truth, but because it exposed him. Rather than defend his false prophecies, he takes pen in hand and stirs up the priests to come after me, writing as though he were dictator to all mankind. That is the mark of a man who knows his ground is rotten.
AI summary
Commenting on Jeremiah 29:24-32