Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 38:19
19. afraid of the Jews—more than of God (Proverbs 29:25; John 9:22; John 12:43). mock me—treat me injuriously (1 Samuel 31:4). read more
19. afraid of the Jews—more than of God (Proverbs 29:25; John 9:22; John 12:43). mock me—treat me injuriously (1 Samuel 31:4). read more
Zedekiah’s last interview with Jeremiah 38:14-28 read more
Zedekiah admitted that he feared the Jews who had already surrendered. He feared that if he surrendered, the Babylonians would turn him over to those Jews, and they would torture him. read more
1-3. The removal of Jeremiah from the prison was favourable to the publication of his message. Hence the alarm of the princes.1. Pashur] see on Jeremiah 20:2.2. He that goeth forth] i.e. submits: so Jeremiah 38:17.6. Dungeon] RM ’pit,’or cistern. It is conjectured that Psalms 69 may have been composed by Jeremiah on this occasion.7-13. Jeremiah is rescued by Ebed-melech. 10. Thirty] possibly a copyist’s error for ’three.’The two words resemble each other much more closely in Hebrew than in... read more
(19) I am afraid of the Jews . . .—The special form of fear was characteristic of the weak and vacillating king. It was not enough to know that his life would be safe. Would he also be saved from the insults of his own subjects, who had already deserted to the enemy? These were, in the nature of the case, friends and followers of the prophet, and had acted on his advice (Jeremiah 21:9). The king, who had shrunk from Jeremiah’s taunts (Jeremiah 37:19), could not, for very shame, expose himself... read more
1CHAPTER XIIJEREMIAH’S IMPRISONMENTJeremiah 37:11-21, Jeremiah 38:1-28, Jeremiah 39:15-18"Jeremiah abode in the court of the guard until the day that Jerusalem was taken."- Jeremiah 38:28"WHEN the Chaldean army was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh’s army, Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin "to transact certain family business at Anathoth. {Cf. Jeremiah 32:6-8}He had announced that all who remained in the city should perish, and that only those who... read more
CHAPTER 38 1. Jeremiah in the dungeon and his rescue (Jeremiah 38:1-13 ) 2. Jeremiah with Zedekiah: His last appeal (Jeremiah 38:14-28 ) Jeremiah 38:1-13 . Jeremiah is next accused of high treason. The charge is based on his message, given to him by the Lord: “He that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live.” Like the conscientious objectors during the past war, they accused him of being unpatriotic. “This man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.” They demand his life. In... read more
38:19 And Zedekiah the king said to Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that have fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they {i} mock me.(i) Which declares that he more feared the reproach of men than the threatenings of God. read more
CLOSING EVENTS OF THE SIEGE We are again in Zedekiah’s reign (Jeremiah 37:1 ), and the same disobedience as before marks the period (Jeremiah 37:2 ). We are astonished at the effrontery accompanying it, (Jeremiah 37:3 ). Note the occasion when this prayer is solicited (Jeremiah 37:4-5 ). Egypt has come up to help, and the Babylonians in consequence, have raised the siege in order to meet the approaching army. Is it not an indication that God has changed His mind about Judah after all? The... read more
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Jeremiah 38:19
afraid = apprehensive. read more