CHAPTER XXXIX _This chapter gives an account of the siege and taking of_ _Jerusalem; the flight, capture, and punishment of Zedekiah;_ _the burning of the city; and the carrying away of the people,_ _(a few of the meanest excepted,) to Babylon_, 1-10; _also of the release of Jeremiah, and the s... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 39:2. _THE ELEVENTH YEAR - IN THE FOURTH MONTH_] This month in the Hebrew calendar is called _Thammuz_, and commences with the first new moon of our _July_. The siege had lasted just _eighteen_ months. _THE CITY WAS BROKEN UP._] A breach was made in the wall by which the Chaldeans en... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 39:3. _SAT IN THE MIDDLE GATE_] The city of Jerusalem stood upon two hills, _Sion_ to the south, and _Acra_ to the north, with a deep valley between them. The _gate of the centre_, as the term seems plainly to import, was a gate of communication in the middle of the valley, between th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 39:4. _WENT FORTH OUT OF THE CITY BY NIGHT_] Probably there was a _private passage under ground_, leading without the walls, by which Zedekiah and his followers might escape unperceived, till they had got some way from the city. _THE WAY OF THE PLAIN._] There were two roads from Jeru... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 39:5. _TO RIBLAH_] This city was situated on the northern frontier of Palestine, and Hamath was a large city belonging also to Syria. See Genesis 10:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 39:7. _BOUND HIM WITH CHAINS_] Margin: "Two brazen chains;" one for his hands, and the other for his feet.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 39:9. _THOSE THAT FELL AWAY_] That deserted to the Chaldeans during the siege.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 39:10. _LEFT OF THE POOR OF THE PEOPLE_] The very refuse of the inhabitants, who were not worthy of being carried away; and among them he divided the fields and vineyards of those whom he took away.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 39:12. _TAKE HIM - LOOK WELL TO HIM_] Nebuchadnezzar had heard that this prophet had foretold his capture of the city, and had frequently used all his influence to induce Zedekiah to pay the tribute, and not rebel against him; and on this account would be inclined to show the prophet... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 39:16. _GO AND SPEAK TO EBED-MELECH_] The king's servant, the Cushite.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 39:18. _I WILL SURELY DELIVER THEE_] Thou hast feared the Lord, and not the king, nor his princes, and thou hast taken the part of the prophet, and become his intercessor. Thou shalt not be slain. Thou hast put thy trust in me; thou shalt therefore be safe whithersoever thou goest. Th... [ Continue Reading ]