Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
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 37:13

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 37:13

Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans - Thou art a deserter, and a traitor to thy country. As he had always declared that the Chaldeans should take the city, etc., his enemies took occasion from this to say he was in the interest of the Chaldeans, and that he wished now to go to them, and betray the place. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 37:15

And smote him - Without any proof of the alleged treachery, without any form of justice. In prison to the house of Jonathan - In Asiatic countries there is an apartment in the houses of the officers of the law, to confine all the accused that are brought before them. Jonathan was a scribe or secretary, and had a prison of this kind in his house. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 37:13

Verse 13 But he then adds, that he was intercepted by the prefect of the ward in the gate of Benjamin That gate had its name from its situation, for a part of Jerusalem belonged to the tribe of Benjamin; and hence it was not strange that the gate which led to the heritage of the tribe of Benjamin was so called. There then was Jeremiah intercepted by Irijah, the prefect of the ward, and not without a grievous charge, that he was escaping to the Chaldeans. The Prophet attempted to clear himself,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 37:15

Verse 15 Here Jeremiah pursues the same narrative, and shews how unjustly he was treated, for he found no equity at the hands of the princes any more than in the keeper of the ward. He was no doubt prepared to defend himself before them, and sufficient proof was ready at hand, only he would have had to speak to the deaf. But here he shews by one word that the liberty of speaking was precluded, for a furious madness seized them that they would not hear him. And here we may notice how much... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 37:11-16

The servant of God accused of treason. This attempt of Jeremiah's to go out of Jerusalem, whatever its special purpose may have been (as to this there is great diversity of view), was at once suspected of being treasonable, or, at any rate, it was made an occasion of accusing and punishing him. His asseverations were not listened to, but quickly and with much anger he was consigned to a loathsome prison, where he languished for many days. This teaches that— I. THOSE WHO ARE ... read more

Group of Brands