Jeremiah 37:7-10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 37:1-10

Here is, 1. Jeremiah's preaching slighted, Jer. 37:1, 2. Zedekiah succeeded Coniah, or Jeconiah, and, though he saw in his predecessor the fatal consequences of contemning the word of God, yet he did not take warning, nor give any more regard to it than others had done before him. Neither he, nor his courtiers, nor the people of the land, hearkened unto the words of the Lord, though they already began to be fulfilled. Note, Those have hearts wretchedly hard indeed that see God's judgments on... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:7

Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel ,.... Which are the usual titles and characters the Lord takes to himself, when he spake by the prophet; see Jeremiah 34:2 ; thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me, to inquire of me ; in an oracular way; for by this it seems that they were not only sent to desire the prophet to pray for them, but to obtain an oracle from the Lord, confirming it to them, that the Chaldean army which was gone would not return any more; this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:8

And the Chaldeans shall come again ,.... To Jerusalem, after they have defeated or drove back the Egyptian army: and fight against this city ; with fresh rigour and resolution; being exasperated by the methods taken to oblige them to raise the siege: and take it, and burn it with fire ; as they did, Jeremiah 39:8 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:9

Thus saith the Lord, deceive not yourselves ,.... Or, "your souls"; with a false opinion, a vain persuasion and belief of the departure of the Chaldeans never to return; which they would have confirmed by the Lord; or, "lift not up your souls" F2 אל תשאו נפשתיכם "ne efferatis animas vestras", Tigurine version, Calvin; "ne tollatis (in spem) animas vestras", Schmidt. ; with vain hopes of the above things: self or soul deception is a dreadful thing; and sad is the disappointment... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:10

For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you ,.... Supposing the whole army of the Chaldeans had been vanquished and slain by the Egyptians, the confederates of the Jews; or should they be slain by them in a second siege of them, excepting a few next mentioned: and there remained but wounded men among them ; and supposing that those of them that were left, that were not slain, were everyone of them wounded men, and so disabled for fighting, as might... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 37:7

Pharaoh's army - shall return to Egypt - They were defeated by the Chaldeans; and, not being hearty in the cause, returned immediately to Egypt, leaving Nebuchadnezzar unmolested to recommence the siege. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 37:10

For though ye had smitten the whole army - Strong words; but they show how fully God was determined to give up this city to fire and sword, and how fully he had instructed his prophet on this point. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 37:7

Verse 7 Now follows the answer: Jeremiah says that the word of Jehovah came to him, and that he was to tell the messengers of Zedekiah, that the Chaldeans would shortly return. He then says, Behold the army of Pharaoh, which has come forth to deliver you, shall return to their own land; that is, being compelled to do so, the Egyptians being either conquered in battle or smitten with fear, and returning of their own accord to secure themselves in their own cities. The Prophet says, that no... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 37:9

Verse 9 The Prophet confirms the former verse, and it was indeed necessary that this should be added, for though Zedekiah might not have divested himself of all anxiety and fear, he must yet have been moved by that prophecy, and thus he might have become more hardened in his obduracy, as it is the case with hypocrites; who, when they find that they can gain nothing, become furious against God, and run on headlong in their course. This might then have been the case with Zedekiah and also the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 37:10

Verse 10 The Prophet shews how foolishly and absurdly the Jews acted, in casting their eyes on fortunate events, and thus forming their opinions. He therefore exhorts them to cease to rely on such a confidence as would deceive them; for he says, that though they gained many battles, and the war turned on their side, yet they could not escape final ruin, for they had to do with God. It was hence the same thing, as though he had said, that they were not to judge by their state at that time, as to... read more

Group of Brands