_JEREMIAH CAUSETH BARUCH TO WRITE HIS PROPHESY, AND PUBLICLY TO READ IT. THE PRINCES, HAVING INTELLIGENCE THEREOF BY MICAIAH, SEND JEHUDI TO FETCH THE ROLL, AND READ IT. THEY ADVISE BARUCH AND JEREMIAH TO HIDE THEMSELVES. THE KING JEHOIAKIM, BEING CERTIFIED THEREOF, HEARETH PART OF IT, AND BURNETH T... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT CAME TO PASS, &C.— It is uncertain whether what is related in this chapter happened during the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, (for this city was besieged in the 4th year of Jehoiakim: see 2 Kings 24:1.) or after the siege, when Jehoiakim was escaped from the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. One... [ Continue Reading ]
IT MAY BE, &C.— These and other expressions of the like kind, sufficiently indicate that God's foreknowledge of future events lays no irresistible restraint on the will of man, nor takes away the liberty of human actions. Baruch was the most faithful disciple of our prophet: he served him as long as... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM SHUT UP, &C.— Not in prison; but in some place where the prophet had hidden himself, to avoid Jehoiakim. See Jeremiah 36:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY PROCLAIMED A FAST— It was customary among the Jews, to proclaim anniversary fasts upon certain days, in memory of some great calamity which had befallen them at that time. Of this kind were the fasts of the 4th, 5th, 7th, and 10th months, mentioned by the prophet Zechariah; the first instituted... [ Continue Reading ]
SCRIBE— _Chancellor_ or _secretary._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY ASKED BARUCH, &C.— Mr. Green, on Psalms 13 observes, that these words should be placed and pointed thus_:—How didst thou write all these words? From his mouth? And Baruch answered them, From his mouth. He pronounced all these words unto me, and I wrote,_ &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
GO, HIDE THEE— "We cannot avoid giving the king information of what we have heard; but, as we know his violent temper, we advise you to abscond awhile, to avoid his fury." This example of the princes of Judah deserves remarking: they are careful to unite the duties which they owe to God, to justice,... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE KING SAT IN THE WINTER-HOUSE— See Amos 3:15. This description of Jehoiakim's sitting in his winter-house in the 9th month, which corresponds to the latter end of November and part of December, with a fire burning upon the hearth before him, answers to Russell's account, who says, that the mo... [ Continue Reading ]
THREE OR FOUR LEAVES— Their books were in the form of a scroll, and consisted of several pieces of parchment rolled upon each other. It must be likewise noted, however, that by _leaves_ several understand _columns_ or _partitions,_ into which the breadth of the parchment was divided. A variety of He... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE WERE ADDED—MANY LIKE WORDS— _Many words such as these._ Houbigant. I retain, says he, the ambiguity of the words in my version; כהמה _kaheimah,_ signifies either _as are these,_ which are immediately read, and shall be read: or _like to these,_ that is to say, similar threats and prophesie... [ Continue Reading ]