Jeremiah 38:23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 38:14-28

In the foregoing chapter we had the king in close conference with Jeremiah, and here again, though (Jer. 38:5) he had given him up into the hands of his enemies; such a struggle there was in the breast of this unhappy prince between his convictions and his corruptions. Observe, I. The honour that Zedekiah did to the prophet. When he was newly fetched out of the dungeon he sent for him to advise with him privately. He met him in the third entry, or (as the margin reads it) the principal entry,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 38:23

So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans ,.... Not the citizens of Jerusalem; but, as Kimchi observes, the Chaldeans that should enter the city shall bring them out to the Chaldeans without: or it may be rendered impersonally, "they shall be brought out": not only the ladies at court, that waited on him and his queen, as before; but all his wives and concubines, and his children, or his sons rather; for at the taking of the city no mention is made of daughters,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 38:23

They shall bring out all thy wives and thy children - These were the women of the first rank, by whom the king had children. These had no temptation to go out to the Chaldeans, nor would they have been made welcome; but the others being young, and without children, would be well received by the Chaldean princes. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 38:23

Verse 23 Jeremiah pursues the same subject; but he sets forth at large the calamity, that the king being at least frightened with horror, might submit to a right counsel; for when we hear that death is at hand, this indeed fills us with horror; and when many evils are mentioned, we must necessarily be roused; and this, no doubt, was what the Prophet looked for. Then he says that Zedekiah would come into the hands of his enemies, hut he adds other indignities, which would bring greater... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 38:1-28

CONTINUATION . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 38:17-23

God's terms of salvation hard. I. IN WHAT THEY ARE HARD . 1 . They attack our pride. Zedekiah was afraid of the mockery of "the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans." He did not like to acknowledge himself in error. There was no glory in surrender. Pride is one of the first hindrances to salvation. We want to be our own saviours. 2 . They crush self-will. "Not as I will, but as thou wilt"—the first and last prayer of the true child of God. It was not Zedekiah's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 38:19-23

The fear of ridicule. I. THE FEAR OF RIDICULE IS A COMMON FAILING OF WEAK MEN . Zedekiah is a weak man. His first thought when he contemplates the possible effects of obedience to the Divine command is that it may result in his being delivered into the hands of the captives at Babylon to be mocked by them ( Jeremiah 38:17 ). This he dreads above all things. Many men who would stand up without flinching to be shot at cower before a laugh. Let them understand that their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 38:23

So they, etc.; rather, and they, etc. The women spoken of are different from those in Jeremiah 38:22 . Thou shalt cause this city to be burned. The literal rendering is, Thou shalt burn this city; but the Septuagint, Peshito, and Targum have "As for this city it shall be burned," which suits the parallelism better. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 38:23

The end of Zedekiah's irresolution. Irresolution it may be called rather than disobedience. There is nothing to show that he had definitely made up his mind not to obey the voice of the Lord. In spite of the clear announcement made to him, he seems to have gone on, hoping against hope that some decisive disaster would overtake the Chaldeans. Yet Jeremiah closes his address by this sentence, so well calculated to bring even an irresolute man to decision: "Thou shalt cause this city to be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 38:23

So - And. In addition to the ridicule there shall be the miseries of the capture.Thou shalt cause this city to be burned - literally, as margin. It shall be thy own act as completely as if done with thine own hand. read more

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