CHAPTER XXXVII _Zedekiah succeeds Coniah, the son of Jehoiakim, in the Jewish_ _throne, and does that which is evil in the sight of the Lord_, 1, 2. _The king sends a message to Jeremiah_, 3-5. _God suggests an answer; and foretells the return of the_ _Chaldean army, who should most assuredly... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 37:3. _ZEDEKIAH - TO THE PROPHET JEREMIAH_] He was willing to hear a message from the Lord, provided it were according to his own mind. He did not fully trust in his own prophets.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 37:4. _NOW JEREMIAH CAME IN AND WENT OUT_] After the siege was raised, he had a measure of liberty; he was not _closely confined_, as he afterwards was. See Jeremiah 37:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 37:5. _THEN PHARAOH'S ARMY_] This was _Pharao-hophra_ or _Apries_, who then reigned in Egypt in place of his father _Necho_. See Ezekiel 29:6, c. Nebuchadnezzar, hearing that the Egyptian army, on which the Jews so much depended, was on their march to relieve the city, suddenly raised... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 37:7. _PHARAOH'S ARMY - SHALL RETURN TO EGYPT_] They were defeated by the Chaldeans; and, not being hearty in the cause, returned immediately to Egypt, leaving Nebuchadnezzar unmolested to recommence the siege.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 37:10. _FOR THOUGH YE HAD SMITTEN THE WHOLE ARMY_] Strong words; but they show how fully God was determined to give up this city to fire and sword, and how fully he had instructed his prophet on this point.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 37:12. _JEREMIAH WENT FORTH_] At the time that Nebuchadnezzar had raised the siege, and gone to meet the Egyptian army. _GO INTO THE LAND OF BENJAMIN_] To _Anathoth_, his native city. _TO SEPARATE HIMSELF THENCE_] "To receive a portion thereof among the people;" - _Blayney_: who sup... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 37:13. _THOU FALLEST AWAY TO THE CHALDEANS._] Thou art a deserter, and a traitor to thy country. As he had always declared that the Chaldeans should take the city, c., his enemies took occasion from this to say he was in the interest of the Chaldeans, and that he wished now to go to t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 37:15. _AND SMOTE HIM_] Without any _proof_ of the alleged treachery, without any form of _justice_. _IN PRISON TO THE HOUSE OF JONATHAN_] In Asiatic countries there is an apartment in the houses of the officers of the law, to confine all the accused that are brought before them. Jon... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 37:16. _ENTERED INTO THE DUNGEON, AND INTO THE CABINS_] The dungeon was probably a deep pit; and the cabins or _cells_, niches in the sides, where different malefactors were confined. See _Blayney_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 37:17. _IS THERE_ ANY _WORD FROM THE LORD?_] Is there any farther revelation? _THERE IS: - THOU SHALT BE DELIVERED_] What bold faithfulness! And to a king, in whose hands his life now lay.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 37:19. _WHERE_ ARE _NOW YOUR PROPHETS_] _They_ told you that the Chaldeans should _not_ come; I told you they _would_. According to my word the Chaldeans _are come_, and are departed only for a short time.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 37:20. _CAUSE ME NOT TO RETURN TO THE HOUSE OF JONATHAN_] He had been ill used in this man's custody, so as to endanger his life, the place being cold, and probably unhealthy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 37:21. _THEN ZEDEKIAH - THE COURT OF THE PRISON_] Was contiguous to the king's house, where the prisoners could readily see their friends. _GIVE HIM DAILY A PIECE OF BREAD OUT OF THE BAKERS' STREET_] From the public stores; which he received till all the provisions were spent.... [ Continue Reading ]