Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 37
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 37
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 37
"And Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned as king, instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah." — Jeremiah 37:1 (ASV)
It is evident that Zedekiah was well-disposed toward Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 37–38, dealing with events during the siege of Jerusalem, we have an account of his relationship with Jeremiah and of the prophet’s personal history up to the capture of the city.
"And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto Jehovah our God for us." — Jeremiah 37:3 (ASV)
This embassy is not to be confused with that (Jeremiah 21:1) which took place when Nebuchadnezzar was just marching upon Jerusalem; this was in the brief interval of hope occasioned by the approach of an Egyptian army to raise the siege. The Jews were elated by this temporary relief and miserably abused it (Jeremiah 34:11). Zedekiah seems to some extent to have shared their hopes and to have expected that the prophet would intercede for the city as successfully as Isaiah had done (Isaiah 37:6). Jehucal was a member of the warlike party (Jeremiah 38:1), as also was the deputy high priest Zephaniah, but otherwise he was well-disposed toward Jeremiah.
"And Pharaoh`s army was come forth out of Egypt; and when the Chaldeans that were besieging Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they brake up from Jerusalem." — Jeremiah 37:5 (ASV)
Then—And. Pharaoh-Hophra (Jeremiah 44:30), the Apries of Herodotus, probably withdrew without giving Nebuchadnezzar battle. After a reign of 25 years, he was dethroned by Amasis, but allowed to inhabit his palace at Sais, where finally he was strangled.
"Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to inquire of me: Behold, Pharaoh`s army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land. And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city; and they shall take it, and burn it with fire. Thus saith Jehovah, Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us; for they shall not depart. For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yea would they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire." — Jeremiah 37:7-10 (ASV)
Jeremiah’s answer here is even more unfavorable than that which is given in (Jeremiah 21:4–7). So hopeless is resistance that the disabled men among the Chaldeans would alone suffice to capture the city and burn it to the ground.
"And it came to pass that, when the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh`s army," — Jeremiah 37:11 (ASV)
Was broken up for fear of - Or, "had led them out from." It was simply a strategic movement.
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