THEOSISJerome of Stridon
You distort the message of the living God, the Lord of Hosts, our God. Therefore, speak to the prophet and ask him, "What has the Lord said to you?" and "What was the Lord’s response?" Furthermore, if you claim, "The burden is from the Lord," recall that the LXX has not recorded it thus. The Lord declares: since you have uttered the phrase "A burden from the Lord," while I commanded you not to say this, behold, I will take you, lift you up, and cast you, along with the city I entrusted to you and your ancestors, from My presence. You will become a source of eternal shame and a lasting disgrace that will never be erased.
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The Lord instructs that the term "burden" or "heaviness" regarding the Lord should not be used among the people; instead, they should refer to it as "answer" or "the word of God." Because the people neglected this instruction, He now interprets it against them, stating, "Since you have defiantly chosen to disobey my commands and assert, 'We will not,' I will demonstrate what I mean by burden and heaviness. I will lift you up and then bring you low, casting you to the ground, not only you but also the city given to your forefathers. I will deliver you into disgrace and lasting infamy that shall never be forgotten." This prophecy was realized during the Babylonian captivity, but it found its complete fulfillment after the suffering and resurrection of the Savior, when the Lord proclaimed, "Your house is left to you desolate" (Luke 13:35). We can interpret this in harmony with the LXX’s translation, noting that the term λήμμα signifies not just acceptance but also gift. Thus, because the people had continually anticipated good outcomes, they are now instructed never to expect such blessings again, for they will not only be unworthy of God’s grace and gifts but will find themselves abandoned and utterly devoid of His assistance. Words and names can often reveal the essence of events, as evidenced by the transformed names of Abraham, Sarah, Peter, and the sons of Zebedee, which reflect significant changes in their circumstances. Similarly, the name Phasur (Jer. 20) relates to fear, migration, or being a settler versus a wanderer. It is also important to note that the expressions "The living God, the Lord of Hosts, our God" do not appear in the Latin and Greek manuscripts, and the Hebrews read these words against themselves, as they rightfully allude to the mystery of the Trinity.