17 from the top), and so is verse 18 in the commentation on the words in Cant. i. 16 'our

bed is green,' the expression being understood of the ten tribes, who had been led captive

beyond the river Sabbayon; but when Judah's deliverance came, Judah and Benjamin

would go to them and bring them back, that they might be worthy of the days of the

Messiah (vol. ii. p., 176 d, line 9 &c. from the bottom).

Jer. v . 19 is mentioned in the Introd. to Echa R. as one of three passages by which to infer

from the apostasy of Israel the near advent of Messiah.

The expression 'speckled bird' in Jer. xii. 9 is applied to the Messiah in Pirqé de R. Eliez.

c. 28.

The last word in Jer. xvi. 13 is made the basis of the name Chaninah, given to the

Messiah in the Talmud (Sanh. 98 b), and in the Midr. on Lam. i. 16.

On verse 14 Mechilta has it, that in the latter days the Exodus would no more be

mentioned on account of the greater wonders then experienced.

On Jer. xxiii. 5, 6, the Targum has it: 'And I will raise up for David the Messiah the Just.'

This is one of the passages from which according to Rabbinic views, one of the Names of

the Messiah is derived, viz: Jehovah our Righteousness. So in the Talmud (Babba Bathra

75 b), in the Midrash on Ps. xxi. 1, Prov. xix. 21, and in that on Lamentations i. 16.

On verse 7 see our remarks on Jer. xvi 14. In the Talmud (Ber. 12 b) this verse is

distinctly applied to Messianic days. Jer. xxx. 9 is Messianically applied in the Targum

on the passage.

Jer. xxx . 21 is applied to the Messiah in the Targum, and also in the Midrash on Ps. xxi.

7.

On Jer. xxxi. 8, 3rd clause, Yalkut has a Messianic interpretation, although extremely far-

fetched. In general, the following verses are Messianically interpreted in the Midrashim.

Verse 20 is Messianically applied in Yalkut (ii. p. 66 c, end), where it is supposed to refer

to the Messiah when imprisoned, when all the nations mock and shake their heads at

Him. A more remarkable interpretation still occurs in the passage on Is. lx. 1, to which

we have already referred. Some farther e xtracts from it may be interesting. Thus, when

the enemies of the Messiah flee before Him. God is supposed to make an agreement with

the Messiah to this effect: The sins of those who are hidden with Thee will cause Thee to

be put under an iron yoke, and they will do with Thee as with this calf, whose eyes are

covered, and they will choke Thy spirit under the yoke, and on account of their sins Thy

tongue shall cleave to Thy mouth. On which the Messiah inquires whether these troubles

are to last for many years, and the Holy replies that He has decreed a week, but that if His

soul were in sorrow, He would immediately dispel these sorrows. On this the Messiah

says: Lord of the world, with gladness and joy of heart I take it upon Me, on condition