Jeremiah 52

side;] Thus the pomegranates on the four sides, together with those which may have been at the corners of the building, make up the four hundred, mentioned at

Chap. I. ver. 1. — she that was great among the nations, &c.] See what is said of David’s conquests and sovereignty over the neighbouring states, 2 Sam. viii. 1—14; x. 6—19; of the extent of his son Solomon’s dominions, 1 Kings iv. 21. 24; of the power of Judah in the reign of Jehoshaphat, 2 Chron. xvii. 10, 11; and also in that of Uzziah, 2 Chron. xxvi. 6—8. Dr. Blayney.

Jeremiah 52:2

2. — all her lovers &c.] Those, that courted her alliance in the time of her prosperity, not only universally failed and deserted her in the time of need, but most of them turned against her, and took a malignant pleasure in aggravating her misfortunes. See Jer. xlviii. 27;

Ps. cxxxvii. 7; Ezek. xxv. 3. 6. 8. 12. 15; xxvi. 2; xxviii. 24; xxix. 6, 7; Obad. ver. 10—14. Dr. Blayney.

Jeremiah 52:3

3. Judah is gone into captivity &c.] Many Jews, to avoid the miserable servitude of the Chaldeans, have betaken themselves to a voluntary transmigration to other nations, hoping there to find rest; but even there have these Babylonian persecutors overtaken them, so that they are surprised in those straits, which could no way be avoided. Bp. Hall.

Jeremiah 52:5

5. Her adversaries are the chief.] They have got the advantage over her, and she is become their vassal: and thus the judgment, that Moses threatened the Jews upon their disobedience, is fulfilled, Deut. xxviii. 43, 44.

Jeremiah 52:17

17, 18. Also the pillars of brass &c.] See 2 Kings xxv. 14, &c. The temple was rifled of its riches and furniture at three several times. The first was, when Nebuchadnezzar came up against Jehoiakim, Dan. i. 2. The second time was at the captivity of Jeconiah; see chap. xxvii. 19; and 2 Kings xxiv. 13. And now at the destruction of the city and temple, they entirely stripped it of all its ornaments. W. Lowth.

Jeremiah 52:19

19. • that which was of gold in gold, &c.] That is, the utensils above mentioned, some of which were of gold, and some of silver; he took them away of both kinds. Dr. Blayney.

Jeremiah 52:20

20. • twelve brasen bulls that were under the bases.] Rather, “which were instead of bases,” to support the brasen sea. See 1 Kings vii. 25. W. Lowth.

Jeremiah 52:21

21. • the height of one pillar was eighteen cubits;] See 1 Kings vii. 15; but in 2 Chron. iii. 15, it is said, that both the pillars made thirty-five cubits: perhaps one cubit should be allowed for the basis. W. Lowth. 23. And there were ninety and six pomegranates on a

Jeremiah 52:24

24. • and the three keepers of the door:] These were not the ordinary porters, who were taken from among the Levites, but were priests, who stood at the door to receive the offerings of the people, and thus were keepers of the sacred treasury: an office of high trust and consideration. See 2 Kings xii. 9; xviii. 4. Dr. Blayney.

Jeremiah 52:25

25. • the principal scribe of the host.] In the margin the translation is, “the scribe of the captain of the host.” It appears, however, that there were certain officers helonging to the Jewish armies called scribes, who were what we call mustermasters of the troops. See 1 Mac. v. 42. And the person here spoken of was probably the mustermaster or intendant-general of the army: the secretary at war. Dr. Blayney. - and threescore men &c.] Eminent persons, who had concealed themselves, but were afterwards discovered. W. Lowth. 27. - Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land.] The transplanting of people or nations has Before CHRIST 588.

Jeremiah 52:31

31.—Evil-merodach—lifted up the head of Jehoiachin] St. Jerome reports, from an ancient tradition of the Jews, that Evil-merodach, having had the government of the Babylonish empire during the distraction of his father, used his power so ill, that as soon as the old king came to himself he put him in prison for it, where he contracted a particular acquaintance with Jehoiachin, who was his fellow prisoner, and that this was the cause of the great kindness he expressed towards him. W. Louth.

Jeremiah 52:32

32.—set his throne above the throne of the kings] That is, he shewed him more respect and honour than he did to any other of the captive princes, by placing him nearest himself. See Eath. iii. 1. Dr. Blayney. It is probable the phrase may have proceeded from the custom of placing cushions for persons of more than ordinary distinction in the places allotted them to sit in. Harmer.

The following are the Chapters from Jeremiah appointed for Proper Lessons, or as Portions of Scripture for Epistles, on Sundays and Holydays: