CHAP. LII.
Zedekiah's wicked reign, and rebellion against the king of Bab
ylon, 1-3. Jerusalem is taken; Zedekiah made prisoner; his sons and nobles are slain; his eyes are put out, and he is carried in chains to Rabylon, 4-11. The temple and city are
burnt, the sacred treasures, &c. are, with the people, carried to Babylon, 12-23. The nobles are slain at Riblah, 24-27. The numbers, at different times carried captive, 28-30. Evil-merodach shews kindness to Jehoiachin, 31-34.
5 So the city besieged unto the
was
eleventh year of king Zedekiah.
6 And in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.
7 Then the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was the king's garden; (now the Chaldeans were by the city round about;) and they went by the way of the plain.
a 2 Kings 24:13. 2 Chr. 36:11. 7. 6:3-6. 32:24. Lev. 26:25. * Heb. reigned.
b Josh. 10:29. 15:42.
c 1 Kings 14:22. 2 Kings 24: 19,20. 2 Chr. 36:12,13. Ez. 17:16-20. 21:25.
d 26:21-23. 36:21-23,29. 31.
e 2 Sam. 24:1. 1 Kings 10:9. Prov. 28:2. Ec. 10:16. Is. 3: 4,5. 19:4.
f 2 Chr. 36:13. Ez. 17:15-21. g 39:1. 2 Kings 25.1. Ez. 24: h Zech. 8:19.
1,2.
Deut. 28:52-57. Is. 29:3. 42: 24,25. Ez. 4:1-7. 21:22. Luke 19:43. 21:20.
k 39:2. 2 Kings 25:3. Zech. 8:19.
1 15:2. 19:9. 21:9. 25:10. 38:9. Lev. 26:26. Deut. 28:52,53. 32:24. Is. 3:1. Lam. 4:4-6. 5:10. Ez. 4:9-17. 5:10-12. 7:15. 14:21.
m 34:2,3. 2 Kings 25:4. n See on 39:4-7-49:26. 51:32. Lev. 26:17,56. Deut. 28:25. 32:30. Josh. 7:8-12.
own destruction.--Drunken revels and sensual mirth are awful preparations for death: and if men would not fall asleep amidst such excesses, to awake no more but in eternal ruin, they ought not to indulge in them. ( Notes , 1 Sam . 25:36--38. 2 Sam . 13:22--29.)--The wars and desolations, which pervade the earth, should cause our hearts to mourn; but not to faint or fear: for though "violence be in the land, and ruler against ruler," and tremendous slaughter be made; yet the Lord presides, and is preparing to execute judgment on the enemies of his cause, that heaven and earth may sing his praise.--We may indeed, even at this day, complain of reproach and shame; because the sanctuaries of his house are possessed and profaned by those, who are strangers and enemies to his truth and grace: but let us still "remem
8 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him.
9 Then they took the king, and carried him up unto the king of Babylon to 9 Riblah, in the land of Hamath; where he gave judgment upon him.
10 And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: the slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah.
11 Then he put out the eyes of Zed
ekiah, and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his
death.
12 Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzar-adan, || captain of the guard, which served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem,
13 And burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the
great men , burned he with fire.
14 And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, b brake down all the walls of Jerusalem round about.
15 Then Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive certain of the poor of the people, and the residue of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude.
ο 21:7. 32:4. 34:21. 37:18. 38: 23. 39:5. Is. 30:16,17. Lam. 4:19,20. Ez. 12:12-14. 17:20, 21. Am. 2:14,15. 9:1-4.
p 2 Chr. 33:11. Ez. 21:25-27. q 39:5. 2 Kings 23:33. 25:6. r Num. 13:21. Josh. 13:5.1 Kings 8:65. 2 Chr. 8:3.
$ 22:30. 39:6,7. Gen. 21:16. 44:34. Deut. 28:34. 2 Kings 25:7.
t 24-27. 2 Kings 25:18-21. Ez. 9:6. 11:7-11.
u 34:3-5. Ez. 12:13.
† Heb. blinded Zedekiah. † Or, fetters.
Heb. house of the wards.
x 2 Kings 25:8. Zech. 7:3-5.
8:19.
y 29. 2 Kings 24:12. 25:8. || Or, chief marshal. Heb. chief of the executioners, or, slaughtermen, and so. 14. 39: 9. Gen. 37:36. margins. Heb. stood before.
z 7:14. 2 Kings 25:9. 2 Chr. 36:19. Ps. 74:6-8. 79:1. Is. 64:10,11. Lam. 2:7. Ez. 7: 20--22. 24:21. Mic. 3:12. Zech. 11:1. Matt. 242. Acts 6:13,14.
a 22:14. 34:22. 37:8-10. 38:23. 39:8. Ez. 24:1-14. Am. 2: 5. 3:10,11. 6:11.
b 2 Kings 25:10. Neh. 1:3. c 15:1,2. Zech. 14:2.
ber the LORD our God," and pray for the promised, and not far distant, peace of Jerusalem: let us use every means which he has appointed, to promote the cause of genuine Christianity; and confidently expect, that Babylon and every Antichrist will soon sink, to rise no more for ever. We need not be dismayed at the haughtiness, prosperity, or power of the wicked; or at the prospect of mountainous difficulties in our way: for there is "nothing too hard for the LORD." Let us therefore hope in his word, and quietly wait for his salvation: and then we shall see, but never share, the destruction of the wicked who rise up against us.
NOTES.
CHAP. LII. V.1-3. Marg . Ref . Notes , 2 Kings 24:17,20. 2 Chr . 36:13. Ez. 17:12-21
16 But Nebuzar-adan the captain of the ates upon the net-work were an hundred guard left certain of the poor of the land, for vine-dressers, and for husbandmen.
round about.
24 And the captain of the guard 17 Also the pillars of brass that took Seraiah the chief priest, and t Zeph were in the house of the Lord, and the aniah the second priest, and the three bases, and the brazen sea that was in the keepers of the " door:
house of the Lord, the Chaldeans brake, 25 He took also out of the city "an euand carried all the brass of them to Baby-nuch, which had the charge of the men of lon.
18 The & caldrons also, and * the shovels, and the snuffers, and the bowls, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they
away.
19 And the basons, and the fire-pans, and the bowls, and the caldrons, and the candlesticks, and the spoons, and the cups; that which was of gold in gold, and that which was of silver in silver, took the captain of the guard away.
20 The m two pillars, one sea, and twelve brazen bulls that were under the bases, which king Solomon had made in the house of the LORD: the brass of all these vessels was without weight. 21 And
concerning the pillars, the height of one pillar was eighteen cubits; and a fillet of twelve cubits did compass it; and the thickness thereof was four fingers: it was hollow.
22 And a chapiter of brass was upon it; and the height of one chapiter was five cubits, with net-work and pomegranates upon the chapiters round about, all of brass. The second pillar also, and the pomegranates were like unto these.
war; and seven men of them that were near the king's person, which were found in the city; and the tt principal scribe 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.
26 So Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard took them, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah.
27 And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah, in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land.
28 This is the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: a in the seventh year, three thousand Jews and three and twenty:
ГВ. С.
29 In the eighteenth year of Neb- [B. C. uchadrezzar, he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred thirty and two # persons.
ГВ. С. 584.
30 In the three and twentieth year B. of Nebuchadrezzar, Nebuzar-adan the L captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons were four thousand and six hundred.
31 And it came to pass in the гв. с.
23 And there were ninety and six pome-seven and thirtieth year of the captivity L 560. granates on a side; and all the pomegran- of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth
d 39:9,10. 40:5-7. 2 Kings | Or, basons.
25:12. Ez. 33:24.
e 21-23. 27:19-22. 1 Kings 7:15-22. 2 Kings 25:13-17. 2 Chr. 4:12,13. 36:18. Lam. 1:10. Dan. 1:2.
f 1 Kings 7:23-26. 2 Chr. 4: 14,15.
g Ex. 27:3. 38:3. 2 Kings 25: 14,15. Ez. 46:20-24.
* Or, instruments to remove the ashes. Num. 4:14. 1 Kings 7:40,45. 2 Chr. 4:11,16.
h F.x. 37:23. 2 Chr. 4:22.
i Ex. 25:29. 37:16. Num. 4:7, 14. 1 Kings 7:50. 1 Chr. 28: 17. 2 Chr. 4:8. Ezra 1:10.
k Num. 7:13,14,19,20,26,32,33, 44,50,56,62,84,86, 2 Chr. 24:14.
Or, censers. Lev. 16:12. Num. 16:46. Rev. 8:3-5.
1 Ex. 25:31-39. 1 Kings 7:49. 2 Chr. 4:6-23.
V. 4-16. Marg . Ref . Notes , 34:1-5. 39:110. 2 Kings 25:1-12.- Fifth month . (12) Note, 2 Kings 25:8-10.) 'This gave occasion to the 'solemn fast of the fifth month, observed in the 'times of the captivity.' Lowth . (Notes, Zech. 7:2-7.)- Houses , &c. (13) Or, "great houses." 'Every great house, at least, that was in any 'respect considerable.' Blayney .
V. 17-23. ( Marg . and Marg. Ref . - Notes , 1 Kings 7:15-51.- Under the bases . (20) 'Or, in'stead of bases, to support the brazen sea.' Lowth. 'King Ahaz... removed the lavers from off the bases, and most probably converted the lavers to some other use. (2 Kings 16:17.) ... 'We find no mention here made of the lavers, 'but of the bases only.' Blayney .
r See on 12,15.-2 Kings 25:18. s 1 Chr. 6:14. Ezra 7:1.
t 21:1. 29:25,29. 37:3. 2 Kings 25:18.
Heb. threshold. 35:4. 1 Chr. 9:19-26. Ps. 84:10. marg. u 2 Kings 25:19.
** Heb. saw the face of the king. Esth. 1:14. Matt. 18: 10.
†† Or, scribe of the captain of the host.
x 6:13-15. 2 Kings 25:20,21. Ez. 8:11-18. 11:1-11.
y See on 9.-Num. 34:8-11.
2 Sam. 8:9.
z 24:9,10. 25:9-11. Lev. 26: 33-35. Deut. 4:26. 28:36,64. 2 Kings 17:20,23. 23:27. 25: 21. Is. 6:11,12. 24:3. 27:10. 32:13,14. Ez. 33:28. Mic. 4: 10.
a 2 Kings 24:2,3,12-16. Dan. 1:1-3.
b 12. 39:9. 2 Kings 25:11. 2 Chr. 36:20.
Heb. souls. Gen. 12:5. Ex. 1:5.
с 15. 6:9.
d 2 Kings 25:27-30.
V.24-27. ( Marg . Ref . -Note , 2 Kings 25:18 -21.)-These were eminent persons, who had 'concealed themselves, but were afterwards 'discovered.' Lowth .
V. 28, 29. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Note , 2 Kings 24:8-16.) 'Archbishop Usher ... supposes, that this, and the two following verses, 'give an account of the lesser captivities, which the Jews suffered under Nebuchad'nezzar: whereas there were three others, 'in which many more persons were carried 'away; viz. in the first year of his reign, ( Dan . 1:3.) in the eighth year, (2 Kings 24:12.) and 'in the nineteenth, when the city was destroy'ed.' Lowth .
V. 30. This event is no where else mention
in the five and twentieth day of the
33 Andh changed his prison-garments month, that Evil-merodach king of Baby- and he did continually eat bread before
lon, in the first year of his reign, lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison,
32 And spake * kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings, that were with him in Babylon,
e Prov. 21:1.
f Gen. 40:13,20. Job 22:29. Ps. 33. 27 : 6
* Heb. good things with him.
Prov. 12:25.
g 27:6-11. Dan. 2:37. 5:18,19.
him all the days of his life.
34 And for his diet, there was a continual diet given him of the king of Babylon, every day a portion, until the day of his death, all the days of his life.
h Gen. 41:14,42. Ps. 30:11. Is. k 2 Sam. 9:10. Matt. 6:11. 61:1-3. Zech. 3:4. i 2 Sam. 9:7,13.
† Heb. the matter of the day in his day. Ex. 5:13. marg.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. When nations provoke God to give them up to ruin, he leaves their princes to infatuat
ed: but it seems that a remnant continued, dispersed in different parts of the land, after Johanan retired into Egypt; and perhaps some escaped from Egypt and joined them: but Neb-ed counsels, which bring deserved punishment
uzar-adan at length carried them away also. (Notes, 44:1-14.) - Nebuchadnezzar, at this time, seems to have been occupied in the siege of Tyre. ( Note , Ez . 29:17-20.)-On any supposition, the numbers mentioned, as carried captive, must appear exceedingly small, compared with the immense population of the land in preceding times: but it is probable, that vast numbers were removed into other countries, by one means or another; and the miseries and massacres of the Jews seem to have been very tremendous, previous to this catastrophe. V. 31-34. Five and twentieth . (31) ( Marg . and Marg. Ref .
Note, 2 Kings 25:27-30.) This advancement might be resolved upon 'the twenty-fifth day, but not brought to pass 'till the twenty-seventh.' Lowth . -Evil -merodach.] This name seems to mean, Foolish Merodach; alluding to his previous character. ( Note , Is . 3 Is . 39:1.)- Prison - garments . (33) Gen. 41:14. Diet , &c. (34) "His allowance." This may have been an allowance for the 'maintenance of his family; if by "eating bread 'continually before him"... be meant Jehoia'chin's sitting at the king of Babylon's own ta'ble. 2 Sam . Sam. 9:7,10,11. Blayney. (Notes, 2 Sam . 9:7,9-11.)
on them and their subjects. Would we then have wise and successful rulers, we must pray for them, and study ourselves to walk consci- entiously before God. When sinners follow one another in the ways of rebellion; it may be expected, that God will follow them with similar judgments.
Ringleaders in impiety will have the heavier load of misery: external privileges and sacredness of character aggra- vate the wickedness of transgressors, and will increase their punishment: and the ruin of churches and nations is often chargeable on the crimes of the leading ministers of religion. -But let us, with serious application to our- selves, observe, how certainly the word of God takes effect; and how fatal are the conse- quences of obstinate iniquity and impiety.
Let us consider the manifold changes of this world; that we may mourn without desponding, even under long continued afflictions, as we know not what good may be reserved for us; and rejoice in prosperity without presuming, for we know not what fatal reverse may await us. And let us "set our affections on things above," where there are no changes or death, because no more temptation or sin, for evermore. ( Note , Rev. 21:1-4.)
THE
LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH.
'THE Jews denominate this Book Echah , ( How ,) from the first word of the text; or sometimes 'they call it Kinnoth , ( Tears ; ) alluding to the mournful character of the work. Josephus and 'other writers ... suppose that it was written on the occasion of Josiah's death.
The gene'rality of commentators are, however, of a contrary opinion: and indeed Jeremiah here be'wails the desolations of Jerusalem, the captivity of Judah, the miseries of famine, and the 'cessation of all public worship, in terms so forcible and pathetic, that they appear rather 'applicable to some period after the destruction of Jerusalem, when, agreeably to his own 'predictions, every circumstance of complicated distress overshadowed Judea.
Gray's Key. ( Note , 2 Chr . 35:25-27.)-It is indeed wonderful, that any man, having attentively perused the book, should doubt concerning the occasion, on which it was written.-'It came to pass, 'that after Israel was carried captive, and Jerusalem was desolated, Jeremiah sat weeping, 'and bewailed this wailing (εθρηνησε τον θρηνον τουτον) over Jerusalem, and said, How, &c.' Sept.
The last clause of the fifty-first chapter of Jeremiah, "Thus far are the words of Jeremiah," are omitted in the LXX, which are by many writers considered as introducing the Lamentations; and the words above cited are added.
They shew, however, the view of these ancient translators as to the occasion of the book before us. -The prophet had said, that if the people "would not hear, his soul should weep in secret places for their pride:" ( Note , Jer . 13:15– 17.) and though the awful catastrophe was a remarkable attestation of his character, as a true prophet, and confuted all his opposers; yet his lamentations over it, constitute beyond ali comparison, the most tender and pathetic elegy, which is extant in any language.
This 'poem affords the most elegant variety of affecting images, that ever probably were collected into so small a compass. The scenes of affliction, the circumstances of distress, are painted 'with such beautiful combination; that we contemplate every where the most affecting pic'ture of desolation and misery. The prophet reiterates his complaints in the most pathetic 'style; and aggravates his sorrow, with a boldness and force of description, that correspond 'with the magnitude and religious importance of the calamities displayed to view.
In the 'instructive strains of an inspired writer, he reminds his countrymen of the grievous rebel'lions, which had provoked the Lord to "abhor his sanctuary;" confesses that "it was of God's 'mercies, that they were not utterly consumed;" and points out the sources of evil in the in'iquities of their false prophets and priests.
He then with indignant irony threatens Edom 'with destruction, for rejoicing over the miseries of Judea; opens a consolatory prospect ... to 'Zion; and concludes with an affecting address to God, to consider the reproach of his peo'ple, and to renew their prosperity.' Gray's Key. - 'Never was there a more rich and elegant 'variety of beautiful images and adjuncts arranged together within so small a compass, nor 'more elegantly chosen and applied.' Bp .
Lowth . - The primary design indeed of this sacred Poem seems to have been, to teach the captive Jews the due medium, between obdurate insensibility and rebellious despondency, under their calamities; to lead them to consider God as the righteous Author, and sin as the deserving cause, of their suffering; to call them to the exercise of submission, repentance, faith, and prayer; to shew them the way of finding support under every trial, and benefit from it; to inspire them with abhorrence of those crimes, which had involved them in such complicated miseries, and with hopes of promised deliverance, from the mercy of God.
This view of the subject will likewise occasionally lead us to look to Him, who for our salvation became "a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief," and who, in these things, and in all others, has left us a perfect "example that we should follow his steps." ( Notes , 1:12-17.3:1.) The nature of the subject precludes the expectation of direct prophecies, as proofs of the divine inspiration of the poem; except as it introduces and adopts the predictions of other scriptures, and anticipates the accomplishment of them. Neither is it expressly quoted in the New Testament; unless St.
Paul intended to refer to it; (Comp. 3:45. with 1 Cor : 4:13.) but there never was a doubt so much as hinted by the Jews, against its being the genuine work of Jeremiah and a part of the sacred oracles: and the instructions conveyed in it remarkably coincide with those of the New Testament.-Each of the chapters consists of twenty-two stanzas; (for no doubt the work is poetical;) each verse in the two first begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in regular order; after the manner of some of the Psalms.
The third has three short verses to each stanza; each beginning with the Hebrew letters as before; but with one variation as to the order of them. The fourth accords to the first and second: but the fifth, though consisting of the same number of verses, is not arranged according to the initial letters. - There are many traditions extant about the death of this prophet; but no great dependence can be placed on them.
NOTES.