Pentecost Season · Proper 11 · Year B
Jeremiah 23:1-6
The Righteous Branch
July 18, 2027
Overview & Insights
“I will raise up for David a righteous Branch... and this is the name by which he will be called: The Lord is our righteousness.” (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
The previous chapter issued an oracle against Zedekiah, and now the prophet continues the diatribe against Judah’s kings. At first the oracle is addressed to the “king of Judah” without specification (22:1–10). After this initial speech Jeremiah addresses Shallum (22:11–17 also know as Jehoahaz, who ruled for only a few months in 609 B.C.). Then (22:18–23) he turns his attention to Jehoiakim (609–597 B.C.), followed by Jehoiachin, who ruled only a few months in Jerusalem before he was taken away in captivity to Babylon and replaced by Zedekiah, the last king of Judah (597–586 B.C.). In essence, these oracles cover the post-Josianic kings who ruled during the period of Jeremiah’s prophetic activity.
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Commentary
Working Preacher: Commentary on Jeremiah 23:1-6 Working Preacher
Lutheran lectionary commentary on the false shepherds and the righteous Branch for the semicontinuous track.
Enduring Word: Jeremiah 23 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.
Precept Austin: Jeremiah 23 Commentary Precept Austin
Detailed study gathering many commentators on the shepherds and the Branch.
BibleHub: Commentaries on Jeremiah 23:1 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to the chapter's opening verse.
CEP: Jeremiah 23:1-6 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on the failed kings and the coming righteous King.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Jeremiah Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's scholarly introduction to Jeremiah and its setting.
BibleProject: Jeremiah Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of the message and structure of Jeremiah.
Sefaria: Jeremiah 23 (Hebrew) Sefaria
Hebrew text with English and classical Jewish commentary on the chapter.
BibleHub: Jeremiah 23 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew-English interlinear for word-level study of the chapter.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Who is the righteous Branch of Jeremiah 23?
Against faithless shepherds who scatter the flock, God promises a true King from David's line who will reign wisely and do justice, the hope Advent sees fulfilled in Christ.
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