Matthew 2:17 Commentary and Bible Study

The use of this quotation from Jeremiah is another accommodation according to the modern writers. Matthew quotes from Jeremiah 31:15 where the prophet describes the deep sorrow caused by the people going into exile. Rachel, the mother of Joseph and Benjamin is seen as still alive and weeping at the fate of her children. The name of Rachel’s grandson, Ephraim, became synonymous with the collected ten tribes after the division of the kingdom, and Jeremiah 31:9 uses it in this way: ‘I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn’ (Jeremiah 31:9). These ten tribes were deported out of their own lands and replaced with foreigners when the northern kingdom fell to Assyria in 722 BC (2 Kings 17:6, 24). But Benjamin was associated with Judah in the south after the division, since its territory was just north of Judah’s. Judah finally fell to the Babylon in 586 BC, although the seventy years was counted from an earlier invasion of Nebuchadnezzar in 605 BC. Ramah which is mentioned in this text was the place where the people of Judah were assembled before being deported to Babylon, as we learn from Jeremiah 40:1. Jeremiah himself was there among the captives before he was personally released. Rachel is therefore seen as weeping for all twelve tribes in their intense sorrow at being judged by the Lord. Hendriksen says, ‘to understand this quotation it must be borne in mind that in Old Testament times Ramah (modern er-Ram) was located on the border between the two kingdoms, Israel and Judah (I Kings 15:17; II Chron. 16:1). It was situated 5 miles north of Jerusalem. It was the place where foreign conquerors ordered the defeated multitude to be assembled for deportation to faraway places. Because of its location it was able to represent both kingdoms. This last statement holds also for Rachel, Jacob’s most cherished wife. She, too, having given birth to Joseph, the father of Ephraim and Manasseh say, could represent Israel, the kingdom of the ten tribes (sometimes simply called “Ephraim”); and having borne Benjamin, could symbolise Judah, the kingdom of the two tribes (Judah and Benjamin).’ (Matthew, p.183). The Lord through Jeremiah assures the weeping Rachel that although the situation looks hopeless, the exiles will come again from the land of the enemy.But Matthew sees in the slaughter of the innocents a further fulfilment of Jeremiah’s words. This is not just a somewhat similar situation to which Jeremiah’s prophecy is applicable, it is a further attack on the hopes of the true church. Fairbairn comments, ‘Here, again, there was another, though more disguised enemy, of the real hope of Israel, who struck with relentless severity, and struck what was certainly meant to be an equally fatal blow. Though it was but a handful of children that actually perished, yet, as among these the Child of Promise was supposed to be included, it might well seem as if all were lost; Rachel’s offspring, as the heritage of God, had ceased to exist; and the new covenant, with all its promises of grace and glory, was forever buried in the grave of that Son of the virgin – if so be that he had fallen victim to the ruthless jealousy of the tyrant’ (Typology of Scripture, p 382). And Hendriksen adds, ‘Matthew … pictures Rachel as weeping once more, and for essentially the same reason. These children, too, are no more. This time the worldly power that destroys them was not Assyria or Babylon but Edom, as represented by cruel King Herod … But also in the present case there is a full measure of consolation, if the one bereft would only take it to heart. That comfort centres in the same “Branch of Righteousness” of whom Jeremiah spoke. Presently he will return from Egypt in order to save all those who place their trust in him. So, Rachel, be dismayed no longer. Having returned, the Ruler born in Bethlehem will one day utter comforting words: “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He will also say, “Let the children come to me; do not try to stop them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Matthew 10:14).’ (Matthew, p.184).