Jeremiah 32:3

_FOR ZEDEKIAH KING OF JUDAH HAD SHUT HIM UP, SAYING, WHEREFORE DOST THOU PROPHESY, AND SAY, THUS SAITH THE LORD, BEHOLD, I WILL GIVE THIS CITY INTO THE HAND OF THE KING OF BABYLON, AND HE SHALL TAKE IT;_ No JFB commentary on this verse....

Then the reason is added why he was shut up in prison, — he had dared to prophesy against the city and the king himself. It was no wonder that the king’s mind was exasperated when Jeremiah boldly said that he would come into the hands of his enemies, for he had not only spoken of the ruin of the city, but also of the fall of the king; he had said that he would be brought before king Nebuchadnezar, and be led to Babylon, and be there until God visited him. We know how delicate are the ears of kings; it was then no wonder Zedekiah became incensed against Jeremiah; but yet he ought to have been softened and humbled when he found that this oracle had come from God. That he then still kept Jeremiah a prisoner, proves his madness and stupidity, for he had no regard for God. I shall proceed with the subject to-morrow....

1-15 Jeremiah, being in prison for his prophecy, purchased a piece of ground. This was to signify, that though Jerusalem was besieged, and the whole country likely to be laid waste, yet the time would come, when houses, and fields, and vineyards, should be again possessed. It concerns ministers to make it appear that they believe what they preach to others. And it is good to manage even our worldly affairs in faith; to do common business with reference to the providence and promise of God....

For the prophecies on which the charge was grounded see Jeremiah 21:4, Jeremiah 21:9....

EXPOSITION Jeremiah was far from wishing to depress his fellow countrymen to the point of disbelieving in the inalienable promises of God to Israel, He fully recognized an element of truth in the preaching of the "false prophets," viz. that Jehovah was still the God of his people Israel, though for wise purposes he chose to hide his face for a time. His own faith was intense, to the pitch of an even Roman heroism (see Livy, Jeremiah 26:11). The opportunity (or rather—see below—the fight) of purchasing a piece of ground at Anathoth was the occasion which called forth the most striking proof of his sublime confidence in God. Not that he understood how it could be God's will that he, in the besieged city, should constitute himself a landed proprietor. He had his difficulties; but instead of brooding over them, he laid them Before Jehovah in prayer. And the Divine revelation

FOR ZEDEKIAH KING OF JUDAH HAD SHUT HIM UP,.... In prison, at least in the court of the prison; he had given orders for his imprisonment, which were executed, and it was the same as if he had done it himself; the reason of which was, as follows: SAYING, WHEREFORE DOST THOU PROPHESY, AND SAY, THUS SAITH THE LORD, BEHOLD, I WILL GIVE THIS CITY INTO THE HAND OF THE KING OF BABYLON, AND HE SHALL TAKE IT? meaning the city of Jerusalem, now besieged by the king of Babylon. This prophecy stands in Jeremiah 34:1; the prophecies of this book not being put together in proper order of time....

Jeremiah 32:1. _The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar. For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem : and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house. For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying. Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it; and Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shalt surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes; and he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the Lord: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper._...

CHAPTER 32 Jeremiah in Prison _ 1. Shut up in the court of the prison (Jeremiah 32:1) _ 2. The revelation of the Lord concerning Hanameel (Jeremiah 32:6) 3. The prophet's prayer (Jeremiah 32:16) 4. Jehovah's answer (Jeremiah 32:26) Jeremiah 32:1. The siege of Jerusalem began in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign. It was in the tenth year, a year later (Jeremiah 39:1) that we find Jeremiah in prison.

JEREMIAH 32. THE REDEMPTION OF LAND AT ANATHOTH. A token of confidence in the future restoration. Probably not much more than Jeremiah 32:6 is original. This narrative, it should be noticed, is both preceded (Jeremiah 32:30 f.) and followed (Jeremiah 32:33) by restoration prophecies. JEREMIAH 32:1. In 587 B.C., during the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, Jeremiah was a prisoner in the guard-court, used for specially-treated prisoners (Jeremiah 37:20 f.); the explanation given is that he had prophesied ...

HAD SHUT HIM UP. One of the eleven rulers who were offended with God's messengers. See note on Exodus 10:28....