Jeremiah
Verse 1. Sedecias. He was less impious than his two predecessors; but too weak to do good.
EXPLANATIONS
Jeremiah 37
Historical chapter commentary
Jeremiah
Verse 3. Pray, or consult. He wished to know whether the Chaldees would return. Calmet.—He feared, yet ill-treated the prophet, as Herod did the baptist. Worthington.
Jeremiah
Verse 6. Return, routed. Calmet. 46:15. His army was small. Ezekiel 17:17 and 30:21. This king Ephree, (Calmet. 44:30) or Apries, had succeeded Psammis, after an interregnum of ten years’ continuance. Herod. ii. 161.—He foresaw that his own dominions would be invaded, after Jerusalem, the key, was taken. The other allies of Juda perfidiously sat still, or joined the Chaldees. Calmet.
Jeremiah
Verse 8. Away. They departed indeed, but for a short time.
Jeremiah
Verse 9. Tent. So easy it is for God to destroy by few as well as by many! Bible.
Jeremiah
Verse 11. Possession, lately purchased. Calmet. 32. Lyran.—Yet some think this had not yet taken place. Calmet.—Septuagint “to buy provisions among.” Hebrew “to slip away thence in the midst of the people.” Bible.—He wished to escape the fury of his enemies at Jerusalem. Calmet.—It is an old device of persecutors to lay false charges on the innocent, as Julian and the Arians did. Hist. Tripart. vi. 27. Worthington.
Jeremiah
Verse 14. Beat him, as a traitor and fugitive.—Prison, very deep. verse 19. Calmet.
Jeremiah
Verse 15. Prison. Lit. “lake or pit,” ( Bible.) such as was used to keep wine. Thus God tries his chosen friends, according to their strength!
Jeremiah
Verse 18. Prophets. He insults over these impostors, and speaks boldly. The Chaldees were now returned. Calmet. 38.
Jeremiah
Verse 19. Be. Hebrew “fall prostrate.” Calmet. 36:7.
Jeremiah
Verse 20. Entry, where he had been already. Calmet. 32:1 and 34:1. 7.—Piece. Roll, sufficient for a day’s maintenance. Calmet.—Prot. “a piece of bread (Septuagint a loaf) out of the baker’s street.” Bible.