Charles Ellicott Commentary Jeremiah 52:25

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Jeremiah 52:25

1819–1905
Anglican
Charles Ellicott
Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Jeremiah 52:25

1819–1905
Anglican
SCRIPTURE

"and out of the city he took an officer that was set over the men of war; and seven men of them that saw the king`s face, that were found in the city; and the scribe of the captain of the host, who mustered the people of the land; and threescore men of the people of the land, that were found in the midst of the city." — Jeremiah 52:25 (ASV)

An eunuch, which had the charge of the men of war. —Omit the article before “charge.” The Hebrew term (Pakid) conveys the meaning of “deputy,” a superintendent under a chief commander. The officer in question had probably, together with the persons named in Jeremiah 52:24, been more conspicuous than his fellows in resisting the Chaldeans.

Seven men.2 Kings 25:19 gives “five” as the number. Here also we have to think of the exile as the punishment of prominence in the defence of the city. The chief scribe of the army, the “secretary of war,” would naturally occupy such a position. The description of the men as those “that were near the king’s person” (literally, saw the king’s face) implies a high official rank.