Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Babylonia. Septuagint “Babylon,” where Jechonias was in prison, ( Bible.) now the 5th year. verse 2. Baruch accompanied his brother Saraias. Jeremiah 51:59. Calmet.—Capel. supposes that the author confounded them together, which is not probable. Houb.
Verse 2. Month, in which the king was taken. Calmet.—This was the fifth anniversary. Bible.—Fire: but soon extinguished. Usher—The taking of the city was effected at intervals, ( Bible.) during eleven years, in the fifth of which this book was written. Jerusalem was at last reduced to ashes. As yet there were priests, a temple, and so forth verse 7, 14. Worthington. Calmet.
Verse 3. Jechonias. He was in prison, where the Jews met to hear the words of Jeremias; (51:59. and so forth Calmet.) or the king might hear the letter in private. Houbig.
Verse 4. Sodi. Hebrew zud, ( Bible.) means “pride,” and probably denotes the great river Euphrates. Calmet.—Bochart reads Sur, (Houb.) or Sori. The city Sura was there. Calmet.
Verse 7. Joakim, or Eliacim, high priest under Manasses, and so forth Isaiah 22:20. Calmet.—The text only says that he was priest, and Capellus asserts there was no pontiff then. Houbigant.
Verse 8. Siven; a Syriac month, corresponding with our May. Menochius.—Vessels; or, “the vessels were of silver.” Bible.—By retrenching a, which, it would seem that they asked for the golden vessels. Sedecias had made silver ones to supply their place. These also might have been taken away. Calmet.—Baltassar had still those of gold, (Daniel 5:2. Menochius.) or at least some of them. Bible.—Sedecias, now in favour, only asked for what he had made while a private man. Houbig.
Verse 9. All. Cunctos should be vinclos, according to the Greek “prisoners.” Calmet.
Verse 10. Meat. Lit. “manna,” as Septuagint express Hebrew monée; ( Bible.) or as it is pointed, mincha; which properly means an “oblation” (Jeremiah 17:26. Menochius.) of bread, wine, and so forth Calmet.—And offerings. Lit. “offer.”—Greek “has for sin before frankincense. Bible.
Verse 11. King. Gratitude and duty prompted them. Jeremiah 29:7 and 1 Timothy 2:2.—Baltassar. Evilmerodac, his elder brother, was in disgrace. Lyran. Jeremiah 52:31. Calmet.—Heaven, as long and prosperous as possible. Bible.—It was a customary salutation to say, O king, live for ever. Daniel 2:4. Psalms 88:30. Calmet.—Cappel. says Baltassar was not yet born. But how does he know this? It might be the title of the heir apparent, ( Bible.) or of the king’s sons. We need not decide in a point of such antiquity. Houbig.
Verse 12. Eyes, putting an end to our captivity, (Badwell) or causing us to detest our sins. Calmet.—Days. This they knew was God’s decree, and they submit. Bible.—They prefer serving the Chaldees before other foreign nations. Worthington.
Verse 14. Proper festival days. Calmet.—Hebrew mohed, or muád. They were still observed ( Bible.) in the temple.
Verse 20. Curses against transgressors. Leviticus 26. Daniel 9:11. Calmet.—Day. We feel the effects of sin. The land of Juda was not flourishing, though not yet laid waste. Bible.
Verse 22. Serve, or sacrifice unto: (Sanct.) operata Deo: (Tibul.) or to worship. Calmet. 2:21. Calmet.
Another reading is, and vowed vows.
See Deuteronomy 11:21.