Westminster Annotations, Jeremiah · Chapter 37
CHAP. XXXVII.
Vers. 1. ANd] Or, Now. as Ezr. 7. 2. Chap. 29. 1. Vers. 4.
Zedekiah reigned] 2 King. 24. 17. 2 Chron. 36. 10. Chap. 22. 24.
in stead of Coniah] Elsewhere called Jehoiachin, 2 King. 24. 8. and Jechoniah, 1 Chron. 3. 16. See Chap. 22. 24.
whom Nebuchadrezzar made king] So calling him, whereas his name was Mattaniah before, 2 King. 24. 17.
V. 2. neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land, did hearken unto the words of the LORD, &c.] 2 Chron. 36. 12.
which he spake by the prophet Jeremiah] Heb. by the hand of the prophet, &c. Isa. 20. 2. Chap. 50. 1.
V. 3. Zedckiah the king sent to the prophet Jeremiah] Being afraid of the Chaldeans; and doubting that they might return, for all they were now risen; vers. 5. he sent to Jeremiah; not as Hezekiah to Isaiah, Isa. 37. 2, 4. but as Pharaoh rather to Moses and Aaron, Exod. 8. 8, 28. & 28. Thus the wicked in their distresses seek to Gods servants for their prayers, whose advice yet they refuse to follow. vers. 2. Chap. 38. 15. 1 King. 13. 6. Act. 8. 22, 24.
V. 4. Jeremiah came in and went out] Or, was coming and going. Went at large: was yet at libertie.
among the people] Heb. in the midst of. Chap. 40. 5. 10.
they had not put him into prison] Heb. into the house of restraint. Isa. 42. 7.
V. 5. Then] Or, And.
Pharaohs armie was come forth out of Egypt] To relieve the Jews, and raise the siege of Jerusalem: for, though Pharaoh came no more in person abroad, after the great overthrow given him by Nebuchadnezzar, in the reign of Jehoiakim, Chap. 46. 2. 2 King. 24. 7. yet it appeareth hence, that he sent Zedekiah some succours; but in vain. vers. 7.
they departed from Jerusalem] Heb. went up. Chap. 34. 21.
V. 6. came the word of the LORD, &c.] See Chap. 1. 2, 4.
V. 7. to the king of Judah, that sent you] Vers. 3. Chap. 21. 2.
shall return to Egypt] When they shall perceive that they can do you no good against the Chaldeans. Thus no counsell, nor course, can prevail against God, Psal. 33. 10, 11, 16, 17. Pro. 21. 30. 31. Isa. 14. 27.
V. 8. take it, and burn it] Chap. 38. 18.
V. 9. Deceive not your selves] Heb. souls. as Chap. 17. 21. and 51. 6.
The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us] Heb. departing depart.
V. 10. there remained but wounded men] Heb. thrust through. Chap. 51. 4.
yet should they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this citie] The weakest and feeblest shall be able enough to prevail against those, whom God will have to be destroyed, Isa. 40. 29. Chap. 49. 20. & 50. 45.
V. 11. the armie of the Chaldeans was broken up] Heb. made to ascend, or, depart. Vers. 5.
V. 12. Then] Or, That.
to go into the land of Benjamin] To Anathoth, where his dwelling formerly was, Chap. 1. 1.
to separate himself thence in the mids of the people] Or, to slip away from thence, in the midst of, or, among the people. Vers. 4. Chap. 39. 14. That left Jerusalem, and returned to their wonted places of abode: supposing they might now be there againe in safetie; the siege of the citie being broken up, and the Chaldean forces thence withdrawn. vers. 5. 11.
V. 13. when he was in the gate of Benjamin] By which men passed into those parts, Chap. 38. 7.
captain of the ward] Appointed to look to it, that none should passe out, to agree, or joyn with the enemie.
V. 14. It is false] Heb. falshood. or, a lie. Chap. 14. 14.
he hearkened not to him] Regarded not his words.
V. 15. the princes were wroth with Jeremiah] Upon the Captains mis-information. vers. 13.
and smote him] Caused him to be smitten: as Chap. 39. 6. and 52. 10. Act. 5. 40. & 16. 22, 37.
put him in prison] Heb. the house of the bond. Judg. 16. 21. Eccl. 4. 14.
in the house of Jonathan] Beeing, it seemeth, a place very inconvenient. vers. 20. And this might befall the Prophet, for attempting to relinquish the place, where his Office, by Gods appointment, was principally to be performed. See Chap. 26. 20. 21.
they had made that the prison] Heb. house of restraint. Vers. 4.
V. 16. When Jeremiah was entred into the dungeon] Heb. house, or, room, of the pit, or, hole. Exod. 12. 29.
into the cabins] Or, cells; or, wards.
V. 17. the king sent and took him out] Caused him to be brought to him, Chap. 38. 14.
thou shalt be delivered] Chap. 32. 4. & 34. 3.
into the hand] Or, power. Chap. 24. 7.
V. 18. ye have put me in prison] Heb. house of restraint. Vers. 5. 15.
V. 19. Where are now your prophets] Chap. 28. 4.
V. 20. let my supplication, I pray thee, be accepted before thee] Heb. let my supplication fall before thee. Chap. 36. 7. & 42. 2. Give me leave, humbly to present my supplication in thy presence, Psal. 119. 170.
V. 21. that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison] Heb. custodie. Chap. 32. 2. & 28. 6, 13. Taking him out of the hole, and the wards, where before he lay. vers. 16.
untill all the bread in the citie were spent] So long as there was any bread left in the citie. Thus God made the Prophets enemies instruments to provide for him.
remained in the court of the prison] Heb. sat, &c. as Chapter 38. 28.