Verse 64
Thus shall Babylon sink, etc. - This is the emblem of its overthrow and irretrievable ruin. See [Rev 18:21], where we find that this is an emblem of the total ruin of mystical Babylon.
Herodotus relates a similar action of the Phocaeans, who, having resolved to leave their country, and never return to it again, μυδρον σιδηρεον κατεπονωσαν, και ωμοσαν μη πριν ες Φωκαιην ἡξειν, πριν η τον μυδρον τουτον αναφηναι· "threw a mass of iron into the sea, and swore that they would never return to Phocaea till that iron mass should rise and swim on the top." The story is this: The Phocaeans, being besieged by Harpagus, general of the Persians, demanded one day's truce to deliberate on the propositions he had made to them relative to their surrendering their city; and begged that in the mean while he would take off his army from the walls. Harpagus having consented, they carried their wives, children, and their most valuable effects, aboard their ships; then, throwing a mass of iron into the sea, bound themselves by an oath never to return till that iron should rise to the top and swim. See Herodotus, lib. 1 c. 165.
Horace refers to this in his epode Ad Populum Romanum, Epode 16 ver. 25: -
Sed juremus in haec: simul imis saxa renarint
Vadis levata, ne redire sit nefas. "As the Phocaeans oft for freedom bled,
At length with imprecated curses fled."
Francis.
Thus far are the words of Jeremiah - It appears that the following chapter is not the work of this prophet: it is not his style. The author of it writes Jehoiachin; Jeremiah writes him always Jeconiah, or Coniah. It is merely historical, and is very similar to 2 Kings 24:18-25:30. The author, whoever he was, relates the capture of Jerusalem, the fate of Zedekiah, the pillage and burning of the city and the temple. He mentions also certain persons of distinction who were slain by the Chaldeans. He mentions the number of the captives that were carried to Babylon at three different times; and concludes with the deliverance of King Jehoiachin from prison in Babylon, in which he had been for thirty-seven years. It is very likely that the whole chapter has been compiled from some chronicle of that time, or it was designed as a preface to the Book of the Lamentations; and would stand with great propriety before it, as it contains the facts on which that inimitable poem is built. Were it allowable, I would remove it to that place.
Introduction
This chapter was added after Jeremiah's time probably by Ezra, after the return from the captivity, of which it gives a short account, nearly the same as in [2Kgs 24:18-20], and [2Kgs 24:18-20]. It is very properly subjoined to the preceding prophecies, in order to show how exactly they were fulfilled. It likewise forms a proper introduction to the following Lamentations, as it gives an account of the mournful events which gave rise to them. Zedekiah's evil reign and rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar, [Jer 52:1-3]. Jerusalem is taken by the Chaldeans after a siege of eighteen months, [Jer 52:4-7]. Zedekiah pursued and taken in the plains of Jericho, and his whole army dispersed, [Jer 52:8], [Jer 52:9]. The king's sons and all the princes of Judah slain in Riblah, [Jer 52:10]. Zedekiah has his eyes put out by order of the Chaldean monarch; and is afterward bound in chains, carried to Babylon, and imprisoned for life, [Jer 52:11]. Nebuzar-adan, the captain of the guard, burns and spoils the city and temple, [Jer 52:12-19]. The two pillars of the temple, with their dimensions and ornaments, [Jer 52:20-23]. The officers of the temple, and several others, carried away captives into Babylon, and then slain by order of Nebuchadnezzar, [Jer 52:24-27]. The number of Jews that Nebuchadnezzar carried away captive in the seventh year of his reign, [Jer 52:28]; in his eighteenth year, [Jer 52:29]; and in his twenty-third year, [Jer 52:30]. Evil-merodach, the son of Nebuchadnezzar, in the year of his accession to the throne of Babylon, (which was in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity, and the one hundred and ninety-first from the building of Rome, according to the computation of Varro), orders Jehoiachin to be taken out of prison, and treats him kindly for the remainder of his life, [Jer 52:31-34].
Verse 1
Zedekiah was one and twenty years old - See [2Kgs 24:18].
Verse 2
And he did - evil - This and the following verse are the same as [2Kgs 24:19].
Verse 3
Through the anger of the Lord - Here is a king given to a people in God's anger, and taken away in his displeasure.
Verse 4
Ninth year - tenth month - Answering nearly to our January.
Verse 5
So the city was besieged - It held out one year and six months.
Verse 6
And in the fourth month - See the notes on [Jer 39:1], etc. The fourth month answers nearly to our July.
Verse 8
The army of the Chaldeans pursued - See on [2Kgs 25:5] (note).
Verse 9
King of Babylon to Riblah - See the note on [Jer 39:5].
Verse 11
He put out the eyes of Zedekiah - See on [Jer 39:7] (note).
Verse 12
Now in the fifth month - Answering nearly to our August.
Verse 13
And burned the house of the Lord - Thus perished this magnificent structure, after it had stood four hundred and twenty-four years three months and eight days. It was built A.M. 2992, and destroyed A.M. 3416.
Verse 15
Those that fell away - The deserters to the Chaldeans during the siege.
Verse 16
The poor of the land - See on [Jer 39:1] (note).
Verse 17
Also the pillars - See on [Jer 27:19] (note).
Verse 18
In reference to these verses see the parallel texts [Exo 27:3] (note); [2Kgs 25:14-16] (note); [1Kgs 7:47] (note); [1Kgs 7:15] (note); [2Chr 3:15] (note); [1Kgs 7:20] (note), and the notes.
Verse 24
The second priest - See the note on [2Kgs 25:18].
The three keepers - The priests who stood at the door to receive the offerings of the people, see [2Kgs 20:9], and [2Kgs 23:4].