CHAPTER XXXIV _This chapter contains two prophecies: the first, delivered_ _during the siege of Jerusalem, predicts to Zedekiah the taking_ _and burning of the city, with his own peaceful death and_ _honourable burial_, 1-7. _The second was delivered when the Chaldeans had for some time_ _brok... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 34:2. _HE SHALL BURN IT WITH FIRE_] This was a newly-added circumstance. Among many ancient nations they burned the bodies of the more illustrious dead. Odours were used in the burning: they then gathered the ashes, and put them into an urn or pitcher, sometimes into a strong vessel,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 34:3. _THOU SHALT NOT ESCAPE_] This, however, he had attempted, but was taken in his flight. See Jeremiah 39:4; Jeremiah 52:7, c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 34:5. _THOU SHALT DIE IN PEACE_] Thou shalt not die a _violent_ death; and at thy death thou shalt have all those funereal solemnities which were usual at the demise of kings. See 2 Chronicles 16:14. _SO SHALL THEY BURN_ ODOURS _FOR THEE_] Scented wood and other odoriferous substance... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 34:6. _SPAKE ALL THESE WORDS UNTO ZEDEKIAH_] He delivered this message at the hazard of his life. Jeremiah feared God, and had no other fear.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 34:7. _AGAINST LACHISH, AND AGAINST AZEKAH_] These were two cities of Judah of considerable importance: they had been strongly fortified by Rehoboam, 2 Chronicles 11:9; 2 Chronicles 32:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 34:8. _THE WORD THAT CAME UNTO JEREMIAH_] Here the _second_ discourse begins, which was delivered probably a short time, even a few days, after the former. _ZEDEKIAH HAD MADE A COVENANT_] We find no account elsewhere of this covenant: "Every man should let his man-servant and his mai... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 34:11. _BUT AFTERWARD THEY TURNED_] They had agreed to manumit them at the end of the _seventh_ year; but when the _seventh_ year was ended, they recalled their engagement, and detained their servants. This, I believe, is what is here meant.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 34:16. _YE - POLLUTED MY NAME_] Had made the covenant in my name, calling me to witness it; now ye have dishonoured my name, by breaking that covenant, and acting contrary to my law.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 34:17. _I PROCLAIM A LIBERTY FOR YOU_] Ye proclaimed _liberty_ to your slaves, and afterward resumed your _authority_ over them; and I had in consequence _restrained_ the sword from cutting you off: but now I give _liberty_ to the _sword_, to the _pestilence_, and to the _famine_, an... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 34:18. _WHEN THEY CUT THE CALF IN TWAIN, AND PASSED BETWEEN_ _THE PARTS THEREOF_] This was the ancient and most solemn way of making a covenant. 1. A calf as sacrifice was offered to God to secure his approbation and support. 2. The _victim_ was then _exactly_ _divided_ from the nos... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 34:21. _THE KING OF BABYLON'S ARMY, WHICH ARE GONE UP FROM_ _YOU._] Nebuchadnezzar, hearing that there was an Egyptian army coming to the relief of Jerusalem, raised the siege, went out, and met and defeated the Egyptians. It was in the interim this prophecy was delivered.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 34:22. _I WILL - CAUSE THEM TO RETURN_] They did return; re-invested the city; and, after an obstinate defence, took it, plundered it, and burned it to the ground, taking _Zedekiah_ and his _princes_ captive.... [ Continue Reading ]