Jeremiah 37

1 whom. i.e., Zedekiah: see 2 Kings xxiv. 17, “Coniah” is Jehoiachin (xxii. 24).

5. Pharaoh’s army, etc. This king was Hophra (Apries in Herodotus).

10 and there remained but wounded men among them, etc. A forcible expression of the important truth that God can never be at a loss for means to accomplish His purposes: cp. Matt. iii. 9.

12 to separate himself thence. Or, perhaps, “to obtain from thence his portion,” i.e., his inheritance (see R.V.).

13. Thou failest away. i.e., Thou art a deserter: see xxi. 9. In predicting the Chaldeans’ success the prophet may have seemed to be taking their side.

15 in the house of Jonathan. In Eastern countries, a part of the house of a public functionary is often employed as a prison.

16 cabins. Or, “vaults” (R.V., “cells”). The “dungeon” was probably a deep pit (see xxxviii. 6) in the midst of the inner court of the house, having vaulted recesses round it near the bottom, in which the prisoners were lodged.

21 out of the bakers’ street. i.e., from the bakers’ shops. It is much more customary in the East than in Europe for persons of the same trade to carry on their business in the same street. The prophet was thus supplied with food at the king’s expense; and the whole passage affords an illustration of the truth contained in Prov. xxviii. 23.