It is evident that Zedekiah was well affected toward Jeremiah. In Jer. 37–38, dealing with events during the siege of Jerusalem, we have an account of his relations with Jeremiah and of the prophet’s personal history up to the capture of the city.... [ Continue Reading ]
This embassy is not to be confounded with that Jeremiah 21:1 which took place when Nebuchadnezzar was just marching upon Jerusalem; this was in the brief interval of hope occasioned by the approach of an Egyptian army to raise the siege. The Jews were elated by this temporary relief, and miserably a... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN - And. Pharaoh-Hophra Jeremiah 44:30, the Apries of Herodotus, probably withdrew without giving Nebuchadnezzar battle. After a reign of 25 years, he was dethroned by Amasis, but allowed to inhabit his palace at Sais, where finally he was strangled.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jeremiah’s answer here is even more unfavorable than that which is given in Jeremiah 21:4. So hopeless is resistance that the disabled men among the Chaldaeans would alone suffice to capture the city and burn it to the ground.... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS BROKEN UP FOR FEAR OF - Or, “had got them up from the face of.” It was simply a strategic movement.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO SEPARATE HIMSELF THENCE ... - To receive a share thence. When the siege was temporarily raised, the first object would be food, and, accordingly, Jeremiah accompanied by others, who, like himself, had a right to share in the produce of the priests’ lands at Anathoth, started there to see whether... [ Continue Reading ]
A CAPTAIN OF THE WARD - Captain of the watch, whose business was to examine all who went in and out. THE GATE OF BENJAMIN - The northern gate, also called the gate of Ephraim. THOU FALLEST AWAY ... - His well-known views made Jeremiah a suspected person, though the charge was groundless.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRINCES - Not the noblemen trained in the days of Josiah and Jeremiah’s friends Jeremiah 26:16, but those described in Jeremiah 24:8. They assumed that the accusation was true; they first scourged and then imprisoned Jeremiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOUSE - Probably the official residence of the secretary of state.... [ Continue Reading ]
DUNGEON - literally, house of a cistern or pit, and evidently underground. In this cistern-like excavation were several cells or arched vaults, in one of which with little light and less ventilation Jeremiah remained a long time.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRISON - the watch (marginal reference). PIECE - literally, a circle, i. e., a round cake. THE BAKERS’ STREET - It is usual in oriental towns for each trade to have a special place set apart for it. Compare Acts 10:6.... [ Continue Reading ]