Jeremiah 39

This chapter contains an account of the taking and burning Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, who also took Zedekiah, and carried him to Babylon: but had particular orders from their king to use Jeremiah well, who a little before had, by God’s direction, made a promise to Ebed-melech of the Divine favour and protection, as a reward of the kindness he had shewed to the prophet. additional title, or mark of honour, to persons of distinction. (See the note on Isa. xxxix. 1.) Nergal was the name of an idol among the Cuthites, (2 Kings xvii. 30.) Nebo was a considerable deity among the Chaldeans. (Isa. xlvi. 1.) [Vcr. 4. Wlien Zedekiah saw tlrnii, and all the men of war.’] When the king, and the armed men that were with him, saw that the Chaldeans were entered into the city, and had made themselves masters of it; instead of submitting himself to them as Jeremiah advised him, (xxxviii. 17, 18.) he endeavoured to make his escape.] They fled — by the gate betwixt the two walls,] Betwixt the wall and the outworks: or betwixt the old wall of the city, and that new one winch Hezckiah built. (See 2 Chron. xxxii. 5.)

Jeremiah 39:1

J.N the ninth year of Zedekiah, &c. See Hi. 4. 2 Kings xxv. 1, 2.

Jeremiah 39:2

The city was broken up. Such breaches were made in the walls, that the army of the Chaldeans, with their commanders, entered, and took possession of the city. (See the following verse.) * -

Jeremiah 39:3

Then all the princes of the king of Babylon came, and sat in the middle gate. The gate between the wall that encompassed the city, and that which enclosed the temple. Even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo.] It was customary among the Chaldeans to give the names of their idols, as an

Jeremiah 39:5

But the Chaldeans — overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. Compare Josh. v. 10. This is called the way of the plain, or wilderness, Josh. viii. 15. and the plain of the wilderness, 2 Sam. xv. 28. xvii. 1C. and elsewhere the wilderness ofJudea. (See Matt. iii. 1.) To Riblah, in the land of Hamath.]See the note on xlix. 23. Most interpreters suppose this city to be the same which was called Antioch, in aftertimes, when it was reedified by Seleucus. In this sense the Jerusalem Targum, upon Numb, xxxiv. 11. understands the word. WJiere he gave judgment upon him.] Pronounced sentence upon him, as one who bad broke his oath of fidelity to the king of Babylon, which he took when he made him king of Judea. (See 2 Chron. xxxvi. 10. 13. 2 Kings xxiv. 20. Ezek. xvii. 15. 18.)

Jeremiah 39:7

He put out Zedekiah s eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.* See lii. 11. where the text adds, that ho put him in prison till the day of his death. And thus were fulfilled two prophecies that seemed at first hearing to contradict one another; the first that of Jeremiah, that Zedekiah’s eyes should behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, Jer. xxxii. 4. and the other that of Ezekiel, that lie should not see Babylon, though he should die there, Ezek. xii. 14.

Jeremiah 39:9

77im Nebuzar-adan—^carried away captive — the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away. Compare 2 Kings xxv. 11. He carried away the fugitives, or deserters, that fell away to the Chaldeans during the siege, as well as those whom he took that were shut up in the city.

Jeremiah 39:11

Now Nebuchadnezzar gave charge concerning Jeremiah, &c. He was informed that the prophet had exhorted both king and people to submit themselves to his authority; (see xxviii. 11. xxxviii. 17, 18.) whose advice, if it had been hearkened to, would have prevented the charge and labour of so long a siege, and the bloodshed which attended it.

Jeremiah 39:14

Even they sent and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison. WhcTe he was when the city was taken, (xxxviii. 28.) And committed him to Gedaliah.] After he had first been carried out of Jerusalem, with the rest of the captives, as far as Ramah. (See xl. 1. 5.) Vcr. 15. Wliile he was shut up in the court of the prison.] Before the taking of the city. (See the foregoing verse.)

Jeremiah 39:18

But thy life shall be for a prey unto thee. See.the note on xxi. 9. Because thou hast put thy trust in me.] See the nxrte on xxxviii. 9.