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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 38:1-13

Here, 1. Jeremiah persists in his plain preaching; what he had many a time said, he still says (Jer. 38:3): This city shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon; though it hold out long, it will taken at last. Nor would he have so often repeated this unwelcome message but that he could put them in a certain way, though not to save the city, yet to save themselves; so that every man might have his own life given him for a prey if he would be advised, Jer. 38:2. Let him not stay in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 38:11

So Ebedmelech took the men with him ,.... The thirty men, as the king ordered: as soon as ever he had got the grant, he immediately set about the work, and lost no time to save the prophet's life: and went unto the house of the king under the treasury ; from the gate of Benjamin he went to the king's palace, and to a particular place under the treasury; by which "treasury" may be meant the treasury of garments, or the royal wardrobe, under which was a place, where clothes worn out, or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 38:12

And Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah ,.... Being come to the dungeon, and at the mouth of it, he addressed him in a very humane and friendly manner, and directed him how to make use of the rags he let down for his ease and benefit: put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine arm holes under the cords ; the cords were first put under his arm holes to draw him up with, and then these clouts and rags were put under the cords; lest they should cut into his flesh, at... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 38:11

Went into the house of the king - and took thence - The eastern kings had their wardrobes always well furnished; as garments were a usual present to ambassadors, etc. I cannot think that, in the proper acceptation of the words, these were in any part of the king's house. Old cast clouts, and old rotten rags - The fact seems to be this: there were several garments that had been used, and would not be used again; and there were others which, through continuing long there, had by insects,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 38:11

Verse 11 Here Jeremiah goes on with the history of his deliverance. The courage of Ebedmelech ought ever to be noticed by us, for he went immediately to the holy Prophet. And it is said, that he took from some hidden place old tatters, De vieux haillons , as we call them. It is properly a noun substantive. But if its harshness be displeasing, we may give this rendering, “old tatters which had been dragged, and old tatters which were rotten.” Yet some render the words thus, “Worn out clothes... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 38:12

Verse 12 We find the same words here as before, Put now the old tatters, dragged or torn and rotten, (111) under the pits of thy hands underneath the cords. This is an improper mode of speaking in Latin, but not in Hebrew. Then it is, “Put them under thine armpits underneath the cords.” This was to be done, lest the Prophet should receive any hurt; for he was to be drawn up by the cords, and he was fixed in the mud: and this could not have been done without lacerating his skin and injuring his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 38:1-13

Jeremiah in the pit. I. JEREMIAH PREACHES FAITHFULLY . (Verses 2, 5.) His conduct is wise, brave, and noble. On the surface it savours of pusillanimity. But so much the greater the wisdom and courage that inspire it. Personally Jeremiah is in greater danger from his fellow citizens than from the invaders. To rouse the anger of the people amongst whom he is living by apparently favouring the plans of their enemies requires no little firmness of character. Moreover, strong moral... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 38:4-13

Foreshadowings and analogies of the cross. The pitiable fate of Jeremiah, so uncalled for and unexpected both in its inflictions and deliverances, the light and shade so strongly contrasted, become charged as we proceed with a certain suggestiveness of something unspeakably greater yet to come. In other words, Jeremiah is perceived to be not only a prophet, but a type of Christ. The charge of treason, the defiance of legal safeguards and requirements by the princes, the wavering and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 38:6-13

Cast down, but not forsaken. As we look on the prophet as here portrayed, these words of St. Paul are brought to our mind. We have here, as there— I. A SERVANT OF GOD CAST DOWN . See the prophet's allusions to his sad condition in Lamentations 3:52-57 ; and Psalms 69:1-36 . can hardly be other than descriptive of Jeremiah at this time. And such seasons of depression and distress seem to be the appointed lot of all God's servants. Not one, from our Lord downwards, has been... read more

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