Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 39

Verse 2

broken up. Compare Ch. Jeremiah 52:6 ; which explains that provisions had failed before then.

Verse 3

Sarsechim. Some codices, with four early printed editions, read "Sar-sechim". It is the plural of the Akkadian Sar-sak = king ' s son. R

ab-saris = chief of the chamberlains. Compare 2 Kings 18:17 . Daniel 1:3 , Daniel 1:7 .

Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag = Nergal-sharezer, chief of the physicians (or magi). Only four names of persons in this verse, not six.

Verse 4

the plain. To avoid the Jordan.

Verse 5

Jericho. Thus, Jericho was the scene of Israel's first victory (Joshua 6:0 ), and final defeat.

Riblah. Now Hibleh, on the east bank of the Greekntes, thirty-five miles north-east of Baalbek, the base and headquarters of Nebuchadnezzar. Some twenty-two years before, Jehoahaz was put in bonds here by Pharaoh-nechoh, to be led captive to Egypt. See 2 Kings 23:33 .

gave judgment = pronounced sentence: i.e. for his perjury. See 2 Chronicles 36:10 , 2 Chronicles 36:13 .Ezekiel 17:15 , Ezekiel 17:18 .

Verse 6

before his eyes. A specimen of the inhumanity of those days.

Verse 7

put out Zedekiah's eyes. So that Ezekiel was quite correct when he said that Zedekiah should be taken to Babylon, though he should not see it (Ezekiel 12:13 ).

with chains = with two fetters.

to carry him. Ch. Jeremiah 52:11 , and 2 Kings 25:7 , show that this purpose was executed. It was not so with Jehoiakim (2 Chronicles 36:6 ).

Verse 8

the Chaldeans burned, &c. On the tenth day of the fifth month. Compare Jeremiah 52:12 , Jeremiah 52:13 . The same day as the capture of the city by the Romans in A.D. 69.

Verse 9

Nebuzar-adan = the prince favoured by Nebo.

the guard = the executioners (2 Kings 25:8 ). Compare Genesis 37:36 ; Genesis 39:1 .

Verse 10

poor. Hebrew. dal. See note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11 .

Verse 11

to = to the hand of, or through.

Verse 12

look well to him. Not the first, rejected by the Jews, who was honoured by the Gentiles.

Verse 14

prison = house of detention: as in Jeremiah 38:6 , Jeremiah 38:13 , Jeremiah 38:28 .

Gedaliah. See note on Ahikam, Jeremiah 26:24 . Compare Jeremiah 40:6 .

Shaphan. See note on 2 Kings 22:3 .

carry him home. Some codices, with one early printed edition (Rabbinic), read "out of the [prison] house". From the next chapter we learn that he was taken north to Ramah with other captives, and from that place was set free, and went to Gedaliah to Mizpah (Jeremiah 40:6 ). This verse (Jeremiah 39:14 ) is only a brief summary.

so = and.

Verse 15

The Thirty-Fifth Prophecy of Jeremiah (see book comments for Jeremiah).

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 16

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 .

Verse 17

saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah's oracle.

Verse 18

life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

a prey: i.e. he should save it. Compare Jeremiah 21:9 .

put thy trust = confided. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .