Jeremiah 39:16

Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, Belonging to the time when the city was not yet taken, and when Jeremiah was still in the court of the prison (). This passage is inserted here because it was now that Ebedmelech's good act, in interfering in behalf of Jeremiah when cast into the miry dungeon (Jeremiah 38:7; , end), was to be rewarded in his deliverance Verse 16. GO - not literally, for he was in confinement, but figuratively. THEY SHALL BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THAT DAY BEFORE THEE - in thy sight. Verse 17. Thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid...

The word _Ethiopian _is now repeated, because God intended, in the person of an alien indirectly to reprove the Jews; for no doubt they despised him, because he was not of the holy seed of Abraham. But God shews that he peculiarly regarded him, while he rejected the masked and hypocritical children of Abraham, who were only born of him according to the flesh, but had, by their impiety, renounced him, so that they were wholly unworthy of so high an honor. And he says, _Go and say, Behold, I am bringing my words on this city for evil and not for good; and they shall be before thee in that day. _We conclude, from these words, that this was spoken to Ebedmelech before the city was taken by the Chaldeans, in order that he might remain quietly at home, and not flee away with the king, who, as we have seen, tried to escape. God then intended to strengthen the confidence of Ebedmelech, so that h...

15-18 Here is a message to assure Ebed-melech of a recompence for his great kindness to Jeremiah. Because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord. God recompenses men's services according to their principles. Those who trust God in the way of duty, as this good man did, will find that their hope shall not fail in times of the greatest danger....

Verse Jeremiah 39:16. _GO AND SPEAK TO EBED-MELECH_] The king's servant, the Cushite....

EXPOSITION This chapter is very confused as it stands. To restore order it is absolutely necessary to suppose that some passages (viz. Jeremiah 39:1, Jeremiah 39:2, and Jeremiah 39:4) have been inserted by after thoughts. It is important to notice that the latter of these passages is omitted in the Septuagint. We need not go so far as to excise them altogether, but we must at any rate enclose them in parentheses. The chapter then becomes a narrative of the solemn session held by the Babylonian officers in the "middle gate," and the charge which they gave to Gedaliah to take Jeremiah under his protection. Verses 1, 2 appear to be taken from...

GO AND SPEAK TO EBEDMELECH THE ETHIOPIANS,.... Not that the prophet was to go, or could go, out of prison, to deliver this message to Ebedmelech; but that he should, as he had opportunity, acquaint him with it; either by writing to him, or by word of mouth, when he should visit him; for no doubt he sometimes did, having so great a respect for the prophet: SAYING, THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GOD OF ISRAEL; whom Ebedmelech, though an Ethiopian, served; being a proselyte, and a good man; and therefore would listen unto and believe what came from him: BEHOLD, I WILL BRING MY WORDS UPON THIS CITY FOR EVIL, AND NOT FOR GOOD; meaning the prophecies delivered out by Jeremiah, which Ebedmelech was no stranger to, these should be accomplished; not what promised good, on condition of repentance and amendment; but what threatened evil to the city, and the inhabitants of it, even the destruct...

CHAPTER 39 _ 1. The fall of Jerusalem and the fate of Zedekiah (Jeremiah 39:1) _ 2. Nebuchadnezzar's kindness to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 39:10) 3. Ebed-melech's reward (Jeremiah 39:15) Jeremiah 39:1. The Word of God comes true; the prophecy of Jeremiah is vindicated! The mighty army of Nebuchadnezzar returned to the city; for many months the siege goes on under indescribable suffering. How horrible it must have been! Then the city fell and the victors rushed in; the work of slaughter and burning began. According to Jewish tradition it was on the ninth day of the month Ab. On the same date in

EBED-MELECH. A prophecy of his deliverance, given during the siege (_cf._ Jeremiah 38:7). His enemies (Jeremiah 39:17) may be either the Babylonians, or the hostile princes. Jeremiah 39:18. _Cf._ Jeremiah 21:9; Jeremiah 45:5....

GO AND SPEAK. Not to interrupt the history, this incident as to Ebed-melech is reserved till now. THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GOD OF ISRAEL. See note on Jeremiah 7:3. GOD. Hebrew. _Elohim._ App-4. BEHOLD. Figure of speech _Asterismos._ EVIL. calamity. Hebrew. _ra'a'._ App-44....

See introd. summary to the section. This section is certainly out of chronological order, as relating to a time before the capture of the city, but there is no sufficient reason for condemning it (with Du. and Co.) as unhistorical....