21. The men of Anathoth. Anathoth had been assigned to the priests (Joshua 21:18) and was the home of Jeremiah (Jer. 1:1). The “men of Anathoth” were therefore priests; even more, they were close relatives of Jeremiah (see 12:6). It had been difficult for Jeremiah to realize the depth of Judah’s apostasy ( 11:9-11; see on 10:19). Now, God warns Jeremiah of the secret plot on his life ( 11:18, 19, 21), and as the prophet learns of their conspiracy against him personally he begins to understand their attitude toward God ( 20; see 12:1; 17:18).
Prophesy not. Compare the experience of Amos (Amos 7:10-13), of Jesus (Luke 4:16-30), and of Paul (Acts 9:23; 23:12).