Jeremiah 39

1

In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem, and besieged it.

2

In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 2. Fifth. The parallel passages and other editions read ninth. Some pretend that ( Calmet.) the city was taken on the 5th of the 4th month, and after being pillaged was burnt on the 7th (4 Kennicott. 24:8) or 10th of the 5th month. Calmet. 52:12. Sanct. A. Lap.—But the city was taken on the 9th of the 4th month, and Nabuzardan entered on the 7th of the 5th month, and burnt it and the temple on the 10th. Salien, and so forth Calmet.—From the beginning of the siege ( A. 3414) to the end ( A. 3416. Usher), two years and a half elapsed. It was interrupted a short time. Two fasts are still observed by the Jews to deplore these events. Zechariah 7:3 and 8:19.

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3

All the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate: Nergal Sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim the Rabsaris, Nergal Sharezer the Rabmag, with all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 3. Neregel, Sereser. Perhaps Nabuzardan should be read, (verse 13. Bible.) or these names are mentioned twice, probably by mistake of transcribers. The former was an idol; (4 Kennicott. 17:30) the latter word means “treasurer.” Calmet.—Prot. Nergal—Sharezer seems to be one person, as in Septuagint or “treasurer of Nergel.” Bible.—Samgar-nebu, was “prefect of the temple of Nabo.”—Sarsachim, “prince of the sacæ, or Scythians.”—Rabsares, “master of the eunuchs,” or officers within the palace. Such a one was employed by Sennacherib. 4 Kennicott. 18:17.—Rebmag, “chief of the magi,” ( Calmet.) or “master of the camp.” Jun.—These entered the first wall. Calmet. 1:15. Isaiah 22:7.

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4

When Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, then they fled and went out of the city by night, by the way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls; and he went out toward the Arabah.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 4. Walls. This gate had not yet been seized, ( Calmet.) leading to Jericho. verse 5. Bible. Ezekiel 12:4.—Septuagint Rom. passes over the next 12 verses, which seem to be taken from 4 Kennicott. 25:4. Calmet.—Grabe supplies verse 4 to 13 inclusively. “And they sent,” and so forth which is well connected with verse 3.—The possession of one gate would let all the army enter: whereupon Sedecias fled by a postern gate. Worthington.

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5

But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. When they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; and he pronounced judgment on him.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 5. In the land, or environs of Emesa, in Syria. Theod.—Judgment. Reproaching him with perfidy and ingratitude. Worthington.—He slew the nobles, as his accomplices.

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6

Then the king of Babylon killed Zedekiah’s sons in Riblah before his eyes. The king of Babylon also killed all the nobles of Judah.

7

Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.

8

The Chaldeans burned the king’s house and the people’s houses with fire and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.

9

Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the rest of the people who remained in the city, the deserters also who fell away to him, and the rest of the people who remained.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 9. Army. Hebrew “slayers,” denoting soldiers, cooks, and sacrificers. Genesis 37:36.—Remained, having escaped the sword, and so forth They had been spared when Joakim and Jechonias were taken.

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10

But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, who had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 10. Cisterns, and fields. 4 Kennicott. 25:12. They were thus attached to the Chaldees.

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11

Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon commanded Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard concerning Jeremiah, saying,

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 11. Had given, after the prisoners had got to Rama. Calmet. 40:1.

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12

“Take him and take care of him. Do him no harm; but do to him even as he tells you.”

13

So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, Nebushazban, Rabsaris, and Nergal Sharezer, Rabmag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 13. Nabusezban perhaps stand for Semegar, Nabu, and Sarsachim. The other four officers occur verse 3. Calmet.

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14

sent and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guard, and committed him to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he should bring him home. So he lived among the people.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 14. Godolias. The Jews say he had gone over to assist the Chaldees. Tirinus.

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15

Now the LORD’s word came to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the guard, saying,

16

“Go, and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will bring my words on this city for evil, and not for good; and they will be accomplished before you in that day.

17

But I will deliver you in that day,” says the LORD; “and you will not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid.

18

For I will surely save you. You won’t fall by the sword, but you will escape with your life, because you have put your trust in me,” says the LORD.’”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 18. Saved. Hebrew “a booty.” Calmet. 21:9. Thus God rewards what is done to his servants. Matthew 25:40. Calmet.

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