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1
An Unusually Solemn Oath
Commentators note that Zedekiah's oath is exceptionally strong. By adding "that made us this soul" to the standard "As the Lord lives," he wasn't just swearing by God's existence, but by God as the personal Creator of his very life. Scholars explain this as Zedekiah offering his own soul as a pledge, inviting God to take his life if he should break his promise to protect Jeremiah.
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Book Overview
Jeremiah
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Commentaries
5
Albert Barnes
On Jeremiah 38:16
18th Century
Theologian
That made us this soul - This very unusual addition to the formula of an oath (1 Samuel 20:3) was intended to strengthe…
Charles Ellicott
On Jeremiah 38:16
19th Century
Bishop
As the Lord liveth, that made us this soul. —The formula of the oath was obviously intended to be one of unusual solemnit…
John Calvin
On Jeremiah 38:16
16th Century
Theologian
The king, desiring a new revelation, promised safety to the Prophet by an oath. He then swore that he would not take revenge, though he might be di…
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John Gill
On Jeremiah 38:16
17th Century
Pastor
So Zedekiah the king swore secretly unto Jeremiah
The king not only gave the prophet his word, but also annexed to i…
Matthew Henry
On Jeremiah 38:14–28
17th Century
Minister
Jeremiah was not eager to repeat the warnings, which seemed only to endanger his own life and add to the king's guilt, but asked whether he feared …