_JERUSALEM IS TAKEN. ZEDEKIAH IS MADE BLIND, AND SENT TO BABYLON. THE CITY RUINED. THE PEOPLE MADE CAPTIVE. NEBUCHADREZZAR'S CHARGE FOR THE GOOD USAGE OF JEREMIAH. GOD'S PROMISE TO EBED-MELECH._ _Before Christ 588._ THIS chapter begins with an account of the taking of Jerusalem, and relates the f... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRINCES—CAME IN, AND SAT IN THE MIDDLE GATE— The gate between the wall which encompassed the city, and that which inclosed the temple. It was customary among the Chaldeans to give the names of their idols, as an additional title or mark of honour to persons of distinction. We may render the name... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE GATE BETWIXT THE TWO WALLS— That is, betwixt the wall and the outworks, or betwixt the old wall of the city and the new one which was built by Hezekiah. See 2 Chronicles 32:5 and Ezekiel 12:4; Ezekiel 12:28.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO RIBLAH IN THE LAND OF HAMATH— Most interpreters suppose this city to be the same which was called Antioch in after-times, when it was taken by Seleucus: in this sense the Jerusalem Targum upon Numbers 34 understands the words. See Lowth and Calmet.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE PUT OUT ZEDEKIAH'S EYES— See chap. Jeremiah 52:11 where it is added, that he put him in prison till the day of his death. Thus two prophesies were fulfilled, which seemed at first hearing to contradict each other: the first, that of our prophet, ch. Jeremiah 32:4 that _Zedekiah's eyes should beho... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW NEBUCHADREZZAR—GAVE CHARGE, &C.— Nebuchadrezzar had evidently been informed of the advice which Jeremiah had given both to king and people; and which, if it had been hearkened to, would have prevented the charge and labour of so long a siege, and the bloodshed which attended it. The king did not... [ Continue Reading ]
NEBUSHASBAN, &C.— _Nebushasban, prime minister,_ or prince of the eunuchs, and Nergal-Sharezer, prince of the Magi. REFLECTIONS.—1st, At last the threatened judgment is executed. Vengeance against sinners, though slow, is sure. 1. The devoted city is taken by storm, after sustaining a siege of eig... [ Continue Reading ]