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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 37:11-21

We have here a further account concerning Jeremiah, who relates more passages concerning himself than any other of the prophets; for the histories of the lives and sufferings of God's ministers have been very serviceable to the church, as well as their preaching and writing. I. We are here told that Jeremiah, when he had an opportunity for it, attempted to retire out of Jerusalem into the country (Jer. 37:11, 12): When the Chaldeans had broken up from Jerusalem because of Pharaoh's army, upon... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:11

And it came to pass, that when the army of the Chaldeans were broken up from Jerusalem ,.... When the siege of the city was broken up and raised: or, when they "went up from Jerusalem" F3 בחעלות "cum recessisset", Cocceius; "ascendisset", Schmidt. ; were gone from it; for fear of Pharaoh's army ; or rather "because of Pharaoh's army" F4 מפני חיל "propter exercitum", Cocceius, Schmidt; "propter copias", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. . The word "fear" is not in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:12

Then Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem ,.... At least he attempted to do so, taking the opportunity of the siege of the city being broke up: what were his reasons for it are not certain; whether that he might not be put into prison, which he might fear for what he had just prophesied of concerning the return of the Chaldean army, that should take the city, and burn it; or to save himself from the destruction which he was sure would come upon it; or because he found he could do no good by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:13

And when he was in the gate of Benjamin ,.... One of the gates of the city so called, either because it stood in the tribe of Benjamin, as part of Jerusalem did; or because it led to the land of Benjamin, whither the prophet was going: and just as he had got to that gate, and was going through it, he was stopped by a captain of the ward there ; who was placed at this gate, that none should go out to the Chaldeans, according to Kimchi; but rather he was the keeper of the gate, not at this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:14

Then said Jeremiah, it is false ,.... Or a "falsehood" F11 שקר "mendacium est", Vatablus; "falsitas, calumnia", Schmidt. ; as undoubtedly it was; I fall not away to the Chaldeans ; for the Chaldean army was gone from the city; nor did Jeremiah like so well to be with an idolatrous people; for after the city was taken, when Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard gave him his choice, either to go with him to Babylon, where he promised to take care of him; or to go to Gedaliah, who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:15

Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah ,.... For attempting to depart the city, and go off to the Chaldeans, as Irijah had suggested to them, and to whom they hearkened; and perhaps would not hear what the prophet had to say for himself; and if they did, it had no weight with them: and smote him ; either with their fists, or with rods, or a scourge; perhaps he underwent the punishment of forty stripes save one, according to the law; and they may be said to smite or beat him,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:16

When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon ,.... Or, "into the house of the pit" F12 אל בית הבור "in, vel ad domum laci", Pagninus, Montanus; "in domum foveae", Schmidt. ; a dungeon, like a pit or ditch, dark, dirty, or dismal: and into the cabins ; or "cells" F13 ואל החניות "et in cellulas illius", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "et ad cellas", Schmidt. ; into a place more inward than the cells, as the Targum; into the innermost and worst part in all the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:17

Then Zedekiah the king sent and took him out ,.... After Jeremiah had been in prison for some time; and the Chaldean army being returned, and having renewed their siege, the king is frightened; and knowing the prophet was in prison, sends a messenger to take him out from thence, and bring him to him; which was accordingly done: and the king asked him secretly in his house ; he took him into some private apartment, and there alone conferred with him, for fear of his princes and courtiers;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:18

Moreover, Jeremiah said unto King Zedekiah ,.... Having this opportunity with him alone, and perhaps observing the king was melted and softened with what he had said; however, finding liberty in his own mind, he enlarges his discourse, and freely expostulates with him in the following manner: what have I offended against thee, or against thy servants, or against this people, that ye have put me in prison ? or, "what have I sinned?" have I been guilty of treason against thee, O king? or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:19

Where are now your prophets that prophesied unto you ,.... Your false prophets, as the Targum; what is become of their prophecies? where is the truth of them, to which general credit has been given? where are they? let them appear and defend themselves, if they can, from the charge of lying, and of being false prophets? or where are they? tacitly suggesting the different circumstances of him and them; he, who was a true prophet, was laid in a prison; they, who were false prophets, were... read more

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