Jeremiah 37

then begun. The fast mentioned in the text, was occasioned by the taking of the city by Nebuchadnezzar at that time, in the fourth year of Jchoiakim, as Archbishop Usher conjectures, ad A. M. 3398, 3399. (See tho note on xxxv. 1.) Vcr. 10. Then read Baruch, in the book, the words of Jeremiah.’] This was the second time of Darnell’s reading this book, almost a year after the first reading of it, (ver. G.) In the house of the Lord, in the chamber ofGemariah the scribe.] Compare xxxv. 4. That chamber opened into the higher court, so that Baruch might read there in the audience of all the people, (vcr. 13.) The scribe is the same with the secretary of state. (See 2 Kings xviii. 37.) Some understand the scribe to be the same that is called the principal scribe of the host) lii. 25. or, in the modern language, the secretary of war. In the higher courts.’] There were two courts before the temple: (see 2 Kings xxi. 5.) the higher court was that"of the priests; between which and the court of the Israelites there was only a partition: but this whole platform was parted from the court of the women, by a wall, and an ascent of fifteen steps. From whence some derive the title,of a Song of Degrees, which is given to the hundred and twentieth Psalm, and those that follow to tho hundred and thirty-second. (See Dr. Lightfoot’s Description of the Temple, chap. 20.) At the entry of the new gate.] See xxvi. 10. ARGUMENT.’ The king of Egypt coming with an army to the relief of Zedekiah, obliged Nebuchadnezzar to raise the siege of Jerusalem. Upon which, Zedekiah and his people conceived hopes of a deliverance from the Chaldeans. But the prophet foretelling that they would certainly return, and take the city, he is accused of siding with the enemy, and put in prison: but afterward released by Zedekiah.

Jeremiah 37:1

j£tEDEKIAH—ivhom Nebuchadnezzar made king in the land ofJudah. Made him a tributary king, he having taken an oath of homage to the king of Babylon. (See 2 Chron. xxxvi. 13. Ezek. xvii. 13.)

Jeremiah 37:3

The king sent — Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest. See xxi. 1.

Jeremiah 37:4

For they had not put him in prison. As they did afterward. (See ver. 15. and xxxii. 2.) Vcr. 5. Then PharaoKs army was come forth out of Egypt, &c] Zedekiah, contrary to the oath that he had given to Nebuchadnezzar, made an alliance with the king of Egypt, and contracted with him for assistance against the king of Babylon: whereupon the king of Egypt sent an army to his relief: (sec Ezck. xvii. 15.) which obliged the Chaldeans to raise the siege of Jerusalem, that they might go arid fight this army. Vcr. 7. Pharaoh’s army, that is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their land.] They shall be discomfited by the Chaldeans, and forced to retreat without

Jeremiah 37:11

When Micah the son of Gemariak, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book, &c. Shaphan’s family were all great men at court. (Sec the note on xxvi. 24.)

Jeremiah 37:12

And, lo, all the princes sat there. The chief officers of state, who were probably members also of the great Sanhcdrin. (See xxvi. 10. xxxviii. 4.) Vcr. 1G. Now it came to pass, when they heard all these words, they were afraid.] The judgments denounced were so terrible, as to make the ears of them that heard them to tingle. (Sec xix. 3.) Vcr. ip. Tlten said the princes to Baruch, Go hide thee, thou and Jeremiah.] They thought it their duty to acquaint the king with the matter, (vcr. 16.) but yet were unwilling that Jeremiah and Baruch should feel the effects of his displeasure. [Jeremiah was a prisoner when he commanded Baruch to read this roll to the people; (ver. 5.) but what is here said relates to the year following. Compare ver. 1. with ver. 9.] Ver: 22. Now the king sat in the winter-house.] The great men had distinct houses or apartments, fitted for the several seasons of the year. (See Amos iii. 15.) In the ninth month.] Which answers partly to our November, partly to December. Vcr. 23. And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves.] Their books were made in form of a roll, (see ver. 2.) and therefore were not divided into leaves or pages, as ours are: so that by leaves we arc to understand the columns, or several partitions, into which the breadth of the parchment was divided. This sense the Septuagint have expressed by the word atXi&g, which is used for the columns in Origen’s eidition of the Hexapla, by Epiphanius, lib. de Ponderib. ct JMensuris, cap. 19.’ /Ver. 24. Yet they rvere not afraid, nor rent their garments.] A custom observed among the Jews at the hearing any dreadful news. (Sec 2 Sam. i. 11. 2 Kings xxii.’ 11.) The fear they were seized with at their first hearing these thrcatenings (ver. 1G.) quickly wore off, or else they durst not discover it in the king’s presence, who did not shew any concern himself. > i’ Vcr. 2G. But the Lord hid them.] By the direction of Providence, they were concealed in such a place where they were not discovered.

And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim. Or, of 3choiakim, so the same expression is translated, ver. 30. For this command seems to have been given to Jeremiah during the time of his concealment. Saying, Why hast thou written therein.] This probably was part of the message which was to have been delivered to Jeremiah by the king’s command, if he could have been found.

He shall have none to sit on his throne. None of his seed shall prosper, sitting on the throne of David, as God threatens his son Jehoiachin, (xxii. 30.) who reigned but three months, and left none to succeed him in a direct line. (See the note upon that place.) And his dead body shall be cast out, &c] See the note on xxii. 19.

And there were added besides nnto them many like words. From hence we may infer, that God’s Spirit did not always indite the very form of words which the holy writers have set down, but directing them in general to express his sense in proper words, left the manner of expression to themselves. From whence proceeds that variety of style which we may observe in the Scripture’s^ suitable to the different genius and education of the writers.