Chapter 39
Jr 39:1-18. Jerusalem Taken. Zedekiah's Fate. Jeremiah Cared for. Ebed-melech Assured
This chapter consists of two parts: the first describes the capture of Jerusalem, the removal of the people to Babylon, and the fate of Zedekiah, and that of Jeremiah. The second tells of the assurance of safety to Ebed-melech.
1. ninth year ... tenth month--and on the tenth day of it ([Jr 52:4]; [2Ki 25:1-4]). From [Jr 39:2], "eleventh year ... fourth month ... ninth day," we know the siege lasted one and a half years, excepting the suspension of it caused by Pharaoh. Nebuchadnezzar was present in the beginning of the siege, but was at Riblah at its close ([Jr 39:3], ; compare [Jr 38:17]).
3. sat--expressing military occupation or encampment.
middle gate--the gate from the upper city (comprehending Mount Zion) to the lower city (north of the former and much lower); it was into the latter (the north side) that the Chaldeans forced an entry and took up their position opposite the gate of the "middle" wall, between the lower and upper city. Zedekiah fled in the opposite, that is, the south direction ([Jr 39:4]).
Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo--proper names formed from those of the idols, Nergal and Nebo ([2Ki 17:30]; [Is 46:1]).
Rab-saris--meaning "chief of the eunuchs."
Rab-mag--chief of the magi; brought with the expedition in order that its issue might be foreknown through his astrological skill. Mag is a Persian word, meaning "great," "powerful." The magi were a sacerdotal caste among the Medes, and supported the Zoroastrian religion.
4. the king's garden--The "gate" to it from the upper, city above was appropriated to the kings alone; stairs" led down from Mount Zion and the palace to the king's garden below ([Ne 3:15]).
two walls--Zedekiah might have held the upper city longer, but want of provisions drove him to flee by the double wall south of Zion, towards the plains of Jericho ([Jr 39:5]), in order to escape beyond Jordan to Arabia-Deserta. He broke an opening in the wall to get out ([Eze 12:12]).
5. Riblah--north of Palestine (see [Jr 1:14]; [Nu 34:11]). Hamath is identified by commentators with Antioch, in Syria, on the Orontes, called Epiphania, from Antiochus Epiphanes.
gave judgment upon him--literally, "spake judgments with him," that is, brought him to trial as a common criminal, not as a king. He had violated his oath ([Eze 17:13-19]; [2Ch 36:13]).
6. slew ... sons ... before his eyes--previous to his eyes being "put out" ([Jr 39:7]); literally, "dug out." The Assyrian sculptures depict the delight with which the kings struck out, often with their own hands, the eyes of captive princes. This passage reconciles [Jr 32:4], "his eyes shall behold his eyes"; with [Eze 12:13], "he shall not see Babylon, though he shall die there."
slew all ... nobles--([Jr 27:20]).
8. burned ... the houses--([Jr 52:12], ). Not immediately after the taking of the city, but in the month after, namely, the fifth month (compare [Jr 39:2]). The delay was probably caused by the princes having to send to Riblah to know the king's pleasure as to the city.
9. remnant--excepting the poorest ([Jr 39:10]), who caused Nebuchadnezzar no apprehensions.
those ... that fell to him--the deserters were distrusted; or they may have been removed at their own request, lest the people should vent their rage on them as traitors, after the departure of the Chaldeans.
rest ... that remained--distinct from the previous "remnant"; there he means the remnant of those besieged in the city, whom Nebuchadnezzar spared; here, those scattered through various districts of the country which had not been besieged [Calvin].
10. left ... the poor ... which had nothing--The poor have least to lose; one of the providential compensations of their lot. They who before had been stripped of their possessions by the wealthier Jews obtain, not only their own, but those of others.
11. Jeremiah's prophecies were known to Nebuchadnezzar through deserters ([Jr 39:9]; [Jr 38:19]), also through the Jews carried to Babylon with Jeconiah (compare [Jr 40:2]). Hence the king's kindness to him.
12. look well to him--Hebrew, "set thine eyes upon him"; provide for his well-being.
13. Nebuzara-dan ... sent--He was then at Ramah ([Jr 40:1]).
14. Gedaliah--son of Ahikam, the former supporter of Jeremiah ([Jr 26:24]). Gedaliah was the chief of the deserters to the Chaldeans, and was set over the remnant in Judea as one likely to remain faithful to Nebuchadnezzar. His residence was at Mizpah ([Jr 40:5]).
home--the house of Gedaliah, wherein Jeremiah might remain as in a safe asylum. As in [Jr 40:1] Jeremiah is represented as "bound in chains" when he came to Ramah among the captives to be carried to Babylon, this release of Jeremiah is thought by Maurer to be distinct from that in [Jr 40:5], . But he seems first to have been released from the court of the prison and to have been taken to Ramah, still in chains, and then committed in freedom to Gedaliah.
dwelt among the people--that is, was made free.
15-18. Belonging to the time when the city was not yet taken, and when Jeremiah was still in the court of the prison ([Jr 38:13]). This passage is inserted here because it was now that Ebed-melech's good act ([Jr 38:7-12]; [Mt 25:43]) was to be rewarded in his deliverance.
Chapter 40
Jr 40:1-16. Jeremiah Is Set Free at Ramah, and Goes to Gedaliah, to Whom the Remnant of Jews Repair. Johanan Warns Gedaliah of Ishmael's Conspiracy in Vain
1. word that came--the heading of a new part of the book (the forty-first through forty-fourth chapters), namely, the prophecies to the Jews in Judea and Egypt after the taking of the city, blended with history. The prophecy does not begin till [Jr 42:7], and the previous history is introductory to it.
bound in chains--Though released from the court of the prison (see on [Jr 39:14]), in the confusion at the burning of the city he seems to have been led away in chains with the other captives, and not till he reached Ramah to have gained full liberty. Nebuzara-dan had his quarters at Ramah, in Benjamin; and there he collected the captives previous to their removal to Babylon ([Jr 31:15]). He in releasing Jeremiah obeyed the king's commands ([Jr 39:11]). Jeremiah's "chains" for a time were due to the negligence of those to whom he had been committed; or else to Nebuzara-dan's wish to upbraid the people with their perverse ingratitude in imprisoning Jeremiah [Calvin]; hence he addresses the people (ye ... you) as much as Jeremiah ([Jr 40:2], ).
2. The Babylonians were in some measure aware, through Jeremiah's prophecies ([Jr 39:11]), that they were the instruments of God's wrath on His people.
3. ye--(See on [Jr 40:1]). His address is directed to the Jews as well as to Jeremiah. God makes the very heathen testify for Him against them ([De 29:24], ).
4. look well unto thee--the very words of Nebuchadnezzar's charge ([Jr 39:12]).
all the land is before thee ... seemeth good--([Ge 20:15], Margin). Jeremiah alone had the option given him of staying where he pleased, when all the rest were either carried off or forced to remain there.
5. while he was not yet gone back--parenthetical. When Jeremiah hesitated whether it would be best for him to go, Nebuzara-dan proceeded to say, "Go, then, to Gedaliah," (not as English Version, "Go back, also"), if thou preferrest (as Nebuzara-dan inferred from Jeremiah's hesitancy) to stop here rather than go with me.
victuals--([Is 33:16]).
reward--rather, "a present." This must have been a seasonable relief to the prophet, who probably lost his all in the siege.
6. Mizpah--in Benjamin, northwest of Jerusalem ([Jr 41:5], [6, 9]). Not the Mizpah in Gilead, beyond Jordan ([Jud 10:17]). Jeremiah showed his patriotism and piety in remaining in his country amidst afflictions and notwithstanding the ingratitude of the Jews, rather than go to enjoy honors and pleasures in a heathen court ([He 11:24-26]). This vindicates his purity of motive in his withdrawal ([Jr 37:12-14]).
7. captains ... in the fields--The leaders of the Jewish army had been "scattered" throughout the country on the capture of Zedekiah ([Jr 52:8]), in order to escape the notice of the Chaldeans.
8. Netophathite--from Netophah, a town in Judah ([2Sa 23:28]).
Maachathite--from Maachathi, at the foot of Mount Hermon ([De 3:14]).
9. Fear not--They were afraid that they should not obtain pardon from the Chaldeans for their acts. He therefore assured them of safety by an oath.
serve--literally, "to stand before" ([Jr 40:10]; [Jr 52:12]), that is, to be at hand ready to execute the commands of the king of Babylon.
10. Mizpah--lying on the way between Babylon and Judah, and so convenient for transacting business between the two countries.
As for me ... but ye--He artfully, in order to conciliate them, represents the burden of the service to the Chaldeans as falling on him, while they may freely gather their wine, fruits, and oil. He does not now add that these very fruits were to constitute the chief part of the tribute to be paid to Babylon: which, though fruitful in corn, was less productive of grapes, figs, and olives [Herodotus, 1.193]. The grant of "vineyards" to the "poor" ([Jr 39:10]) would give hope to the discontended of enjoying the best fruits ([Jr 40:12]).
11. Jews ... in Moab--who had fled thither at the approach of the Chaldeans. God thus tempered the severity of His vengeance that a remnant might be left.