The object of the princes in imprisoning Jeremiah in Jonathan’s
house had been to get him out of the way, as his predictions depressed
the minds of the people. This purpose was frustrated by his removal to
the guard-house, where he was with the soldiery, and his friends had
free access to him Jeremi... [ Continue Reading ]
HAD SPOKEN - Spake; or, was speaking.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THUS ... - Because he makes the men of war dispirited. No doubt
this was true. Jeremiah, however, did not speak as a private person,
but as the representative of the government; the temporal ruler in a
theocracy being responsible directly to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
All real power was in their hands, and as they affirmed that
Jeremiah’s death was a matter of necessity, the king did not dare
refuse it to them.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DUNGEON - The cistern. Every house in Jerusalem was supplied with
a subterranean cistern, so well constructed that the city never
suffered in a siege from want of water. So large were they that when
dry they seem to have been used for prisons Zechariah 9:11.
HAMMELECH - See Jeremiah 36:26 note.... [ Continue Reading ]
EBED-MELECH - i. e., the king’s slave. By “Ethiopian” or Cushite
is meant the Cushite of Africa, or negro. It seems (compare 2 Kings
23:11) as if such eunuchs (or, chamberlains) took their names from the
king, while the royal family and the princes generally bore names
compounded with the appellatio... [ Continue Reading ]
THIRTY MEN - So large a number suggests that Zedekiah expected some
resistance. (Some read “three” men.)... [ Continue Reading ]
OLD CAST CLOUTS ... - Rags of torn garments and rags of worn-out
garments.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THIRD ENTRY - There was probably a passage from the palace to the
temple at this entry, and the meeting would take place in some private
chamber close by.... [ Continue Reading ]
WILT THOU NOT HEARKEN ...! - Rather, Thou wilt not hearken.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT MADE US THIS SOUL - This very unusual addition to the formula of
an oath 1 Samuel 20:3 was intended to strengthen it. By acknowledging
that his soul was God’s workmanship Zedekiah also implied his belief
in God’s power over it.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE JEWS THAT ARE FALLEN TO THE CHALDAEANS - These deserters probably
formed a numerous party, and now would be the more indignant with
Zedekiah for having rejected their original advice to submit.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE WOMEN THAT ARE LEFT - Belonging to the harems of former kings
(compare 1 Kings 2:22), attendants, and slaves.
THY FRIENDS ... - This satirical song (compare Obadiah 1:7) should be
translated as a distich:
Thy friends have urged thee on and prevailed upon thee:
Thy feet are stuck in the mi... [ Continue Reading ]
SO - And. In addition to the ridicule there shall be the miseries of
the capture.
THOU SHALT CAUSE THIS CITY TO BE BURNED - literally, as margin. It
shall be thy own act as completely as if done with thine own hand.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE WAS THERE WHEN ... - These words are altered by some to “and
it came to pass when” etc., and taken to form the opening of
Jeremiah 39.... [ Continue Reading ]