Jeremiah 34:7

When the king of Babylon's army fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish, and against Azekah: for these defenced cities remained of the cities of Judah. THESE DEFENSED CITIES REMAINED - alone (cf. ; )....

He again repeats that Jerusalem was then surrounded by _the army of the king of Babylon, _as well as the other cities of Judah, which he names, even _Lachish _and _Azekah. _He seems, therefore, indirectly to reprove the arrogance of Zedekiah, for he still retained his high spirits, when yet he was reduced to such straits. All the cities of Judah, — how many were they? Two, says the Prophet. This, then, was no unsuitable way of indirectly exposing to ridicule the vain confidence of the king, who still thought that he could overcome the enemy, though he was master only of three cities, that is, Jerusalem, Lachish, and Azekah. But the Prophet gives a reason why these cities did not immediately fall into the hands of the king of Babylon, because they were _fortified. _It hence follows, that the other cities were taken without trouble, or that they surrendered of their own accord. Zedekiah th...

1-7 Zedekiah is told that the city shall be taken, and that he shall die a captive, but he shall die a natural death. It is better to live and die penitent in a prison, than to live and die impenitent in a palace....

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....

This marks the exact time, that it was early in the campaign, while the outlying fortresses still occupied the attention of Nebuchadnezzars army. Lachish and Azekah were strong cities in the plain toward Egypt and must be taken before the Chaldseans could march upon Jerusalem: otherwise the Egyptians might collect there and fall upon them....

EXPOSITION This chapter must be taken in connection with Jeremiah 35:1. The whole section consists of three passages, introduced with a superscription in the same form, but otherwise unrelated. It serves to finish off the earlier prophetic portion of the book, Jeremiah 36:1. opening a series of narratives. The first passage (Jeremiah 34:1) is virtually a postscript to Jeremiah 32:1; Jeremiah 33:1.; it apparently contains the prophecy referred to in...

WHEN THE KING OF BABYLON'S ARMY FOUGHT AGAINST JERUSALEM,.... Had laid close siege to it, and still continued it: AND AGAINST ALL THE CITIES OF JUDAH THAT WERE LEFT; unconquered by him; when he invaded the land, he fought against, and took, and ravished all the cities that lay in his way; and it seems there were none that stood out against him but Jerusalem, now besieged by him, and two others, next mentioned: AGAINST LACHISH, AND AGAINST AZEKAH; FOR THESE DEFENCED CITIES REMAINED OF THE CITIES OF JUDAH; two cities that had been fortified by Rehoboam, 2 Chronicles 11:9; and were the only ones besides Jerusalem, which as yet had not fallen into the hands of the king of Babylon....

CHAPTER 34:1-7 Jeremiah Warns Zedekiah The besieging army was before the walls of Jerusalem when the prophet is commanded to go to the king and tell him that the city will soon be burned. He announced also Zedekiah's fate. He could not escape, but would be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon. He would see Nebuchadnezzar eye to eye, speak with him mouth to mouth, and then be taken to Babylon. Ezekiel said he should not see Babylon Ezekiel 12:13. Both statements are true. He saw the king as a prisoner at Riblah and there his eyes were put out 2 Kings 25:6, and then he was taken away to Babylon. Yet he was not to die by the sword, but in peace. And Jeremiah discharged faithfully his message....

THE FATE OF JERUSALEM AND OF ZEDEKIAH. In the course of the siege (588- 6), Jeremiah is sent to Zedekiah to tell him that the city will be taken and destroyed, that he will be brought before Nebuchadrezzar and sent to Babylon, but will obtain the customary royal honours after a peaceful death. At this time, it is said, the only other uncaptured cities were Lachish (Tell-el-Hesy, 35 m. SW. of Jerusalem, see p. 28) and Azekah (Joshua 15:35, probably 15 m. SW. of Jerusalem). For the actual fate of the king, so different from that here promised, see Jeremiah 52:11, and _cf._ Ezekiel 12:13. The present prophecy must be explained as conditional on submission to Babylon, a condition not fulfilled....

LACHISH. Now _Tell el Hesy,_ south of Eglon, ten and. half miles from Eleutheropolis. AZEKAH. Now _Tell Zakariya,_ in the valley of Elah. JEREMIAH: Page: 1066...