Jeremiah 38:14-28

Zedekiah asks Jeremiah about the future, swearing immunity to him, whatever his answer (Jeremiah 38:16). Jeremiah urges him to save himself and the city by surrender to Nebuchadrezzar's princes (Nebuchadrezzar being absent, Jeremiah 39:3; Jeremiah 39:5); promises that the Jews who have already deserted shall not illtreat him; declares a Divine vision of the end, contingent on the king's refusal to surrender. Jeremiah has seen the women of the harem being brought out for the Babylonian victors, and as they go he has heard them singing a dirge (Jeremiah 38:22) for Zedekiah. The king bids him conceal the true nature of this interview from the princes, which he does; he is allowed to return to (the relatively favourable conditions of) the guard-court.

Jeremiah 38:14. third entry: not otherwise known.

Jeremiah 38:19. mock: i.e. work their will on.

Jeremiah 38:22. The terms of the dirge sung by the mocking women may have been suggested by Jeremiah's recent experience in the cistern. With the reference to the friends, cf. Obadiah 1:7, which depends on this. Read with LXX, they have made thy feet to sink.

Jeremiah 38:23. Read with VSS, this city shall be burned.

Jeremiah 38:26. Jonathan's house: Jeremiah 37:15.