Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 39

This section describes the ordering of the remnant of the people after they were taken captive. It is divided into three parts:

1. The captivity.
2. The preservation of the remnant: the word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD (Jeremiah 40:1).
3. The ordering of the remnant: and all the captains of the men at war came near (Jeremiah 42:1).

Concerning the first point, the captivity, there are two further points:

1. The captivity of the people.
2. The release of certain men, as in the verse: but some of the poor people, who had nothing within (Jeremiah 39:10).

Regarding the first of these points—the captivity of the people—there are three aspects:

1. It speaks of the siege: and they besieged it (Jeremiah 39:1). And I will make a circle around you, and cast up a mound against you, and raise up bulwarks to besiege you (Isaiah 29:3).

2. It speaks of the taking of the city: in the eleventh year, in the fourth month (Jeremiah 39:2), that is, in July. Nevertheless, it was burned in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, as is related in 2 Kings 25:8. Contrary to this, 2 Kings 25:3 says it was on the ninth of the month.

   A possible reconciliation is that people began to flee from hunger on the fifth day, and on the ninth day the city was breached after its guards had been removed. Because they first took the outer wall, it was as if the city had already been taken at that point, before they later captured the inner city.

   For this reason, the text continues: and all the princes sat in the middle gate (Jeremiah 39:3), that is, between the two walls. Alternatively, this could refer to a gate that was between two other gates on the same side of the city. As mentioned above: each one will place his throne in the entry of the gates of Jerusalem, and upon all her walls all around, and upon all the cities of Judah (Jeremiah 1:15).

   The text also speaks of the capture of the king, noting his flight: and when Zedekiah, the king of Judah, and all the men of war saw them, they fled; and they went out by night from the city by way of the king’s garden, and through the gate that was between the two walls (Jeremiah 39:4). These walls were joined to the city wall near the king’s house and surrounded the royal garden, and between them was a road and a gate. Her princes have become like rams that find no pasture; they have gone away without strength before the face of the pursuer (Lamentations 1:6).

   It then describes their capture: but the army of the Chaldeans pursued them (Jeremiah 39:5). Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the sky (Lamentations 4:19).

3. It speaks of the condemnation of the captives, which is broken down into three parts:

   1. The condemnation of the king and the princes to death. The king was led bound to Nebuchadnezzar for judgment to be pronounced: and he passed sentence on him (Jeremiah 39:5). I will judge you with the judgments of adulteresses, and of those who spill blood (Ezekiel 16:38). The execution of the sentence on the princes followed: and the king killed (Jeremiah 39:6). Then came the blinding of his eyes: he also put out the eyes of Zedekiah... so that he would be led to Babylon (Jeremiah 39:7). The same account is found in 2 Kings 25.
   2. The condemnation of the city to destruction: the Chaldeans also burned the king’s house and the people’s house with fire (Jeremiah 39:8). He has thrown down all her walls and destroyed all her strongholds (Lamentations 2:5).
   3. The condemnation of the people to exile: and Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, took the remnant of the people... to Babylon (Jeremiah 39:9). My delicate ones have walked rough ways, for they were taken away as a flock made prey by the enemy .

Here, he speaks of the liberation of certain people.

1. Of the poor people, who had nothing within... and gave them vineyards and cisterns, because the land suffers from a lack of water. The scripture above says, nevertheless, in those days, says the Lord, I will not make an end of you (Jeremiah 5:18).
2. The liberation of the just.
   1. Of the prophet, when he speaks of the command, Nebuchadnezzar had commanded, and its execution, therefore, Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, sent him... to his house—that is, the prophet’s own house.More precisely, it appears that Jeremiah is sent to live in the dwelling-place of Gedaliah, so that now it can be said that he dwelt among the people.

      The just is freed from distress, and the wicked shall be given up for him (Proverbs 11:8).

      What the wicked man fears shall come upon him, his desire shall be given to the just (Proverbs 10:24).

      When the ways of a man are pleasing to the Lord, he shall turn even his enemies to peace (Proverbs 16:7).

   2. The liberation of the eunuch: moreover, the word of the Lord had come to Jeremiah.
      1. He promises liberation from the dominion of the enemy: and you shall not be handed over.

         He kept him from his enemies, and made him safe from the deceivers .

      2. From being slain by the sword: and you shall not fall by the sword.

         A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but to you it shall not approach (Psalms 90:7).

         As it says above: blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and the Lord will be his confidence (Jeremiah 17:7).

         Believe in the Lord, and he will rescue you; direct your way, and hope in him .