Compare Translations for Jeremiah 39:5

Commentaries For Jeremiah 39

  • Chapter 39

    The taking of Jerusalem. (1-10) Jeremiah used well. (11-14) Promises of safety to Ebed-melech. (15-18)

    Verses 1-10 Jerusalem was so strong, that the inhabitants believed the enemy could never enter it. But sin provoked God to withdraw his protection, and then it was as weak as other cities. Zedekiah had his eyes put out; so he was condemned to darkness who had shut his eyes against the clear light of God's word. Those who will not believe God's words, will be convinced by the event. Observe the wonderful changes of Providence, how uncertain are earthly possessions; and see the just dealings of Providence: but whether the Lord makes men poor or rich, nothing will profit them while they cleave to their sins.

    Verses 11-14 The servants of God alone are prepared for all events; and they are delivered and comforted, while the wicked suffer. They often meet with more kindness from the profane, than from hypocritical professors of godliness. The Lord will raise them up friends, do them good, and perform all his promises.

    Verses 15-18 Here is a message to assure Ebed-melech of a recompence for his great kindness to Jeremiah. Because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord. God recompenses men's services according to their principles. Those who trust God in the way of duty, as this good man did, will find that their hope shall not fail in times of the greatest danger.

  • CHAPTER 39



    1. ninth year . . . tenth month--and on the tenth day of it ( Jeremiah 52:4 , 2 Kings 25:1-4 ). From Jeremiah 39:2 , "eleventh year . . . fourth month . . . ninth day," we know the siege lasted one and a half years, excepting the suspension of it caused by Pharaoh. Nebuchadnezzar was present in the beginning of the siege, but was at Riblah at its close ( Jeremiah 39:3 Jeremiah 39:6 ; compare Jeremiah 38:17 ).

    3. sat--expressing military occupation or encampment.
    Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo--proper names formed from those of the idols, Nergal and Nebo ( 2 Kings 17:30 , Isaiah 46:1 ).

    two walls--Zedekiah might have held the upper city longer, but want of provisions drove him to flee by the double wall south of Zion, towards the plains of Jericho ( Jeremiah 39:5 ), in order to escape beyond Jordan to Arabia-Deserta. He broke an opening in the wall to get out ( Ezekiel 12:12 ).

    5. Riblah--north of Palestine (see Jeremiah 1:14 , Numbers 34:11 ). Hamath is identified by commentators with Antioch, in Syria, on the Orontes, called Epiphania, from Antiochus Epiphanes.
    gave judgment upon him--literally, "spake judgments with him," that is, .brought him to trial as a common criminal, not as a king. He had violated his oath ( Ezekiel 17:13-19 2 Chronicles 36:13 ).

    6. slew . . . sons . . . before his eyes--previous to his eyes being "put out" ( Jeremiah 39:7 ); literally, "dug out." The Assyrian sculptures depict the delight with which the kings struck out, often with their own hands, the eyes of captive princes. This passage reconciles Jeremiah 32:4 , "his eyes shall behold his eyes"; with Ezekiel 12:13 , "he shall not see Babylon, though he shall die there."
    slew all . . . nobles--( Jeremiah 27:20 ).

    8. burned . . . the houses--( Jeremiah 52:12 Jeremiah 52:13 ). Not immediately after the taking of the city, but in the month after, namely, the fifth month (compare Jeremiah 39:2 ). The delay was probably caused by the princes having to send to Riblah to know the king's pleasure as to the city.

    9. remnant--excepting the poorest ( Jeremiah 39:10 ), who caused Nebuchadnezzar no apprehensions.


    11. Jeremiah's prophecies were known to Nebuchadnezzar through deserters ( Jeremiah 39:9 , 38:19 ), also through the Jews carried to Babylon with Jeconiah (compare Jeremiah 40:2 ). Hence the king's kindness to him.


    13. Nebuzara-dan . . . sent--He was then at Ramah ( Jeremiah 40:1 ).

    14. Gedaliah--son of Ahikam, the former supporter of Jeremiah ( Jeremiah 26:24 ). Gedaliah was the chief of the deserters to the Chaldeans, and was set over the remnant in Judea as one likely to remain faithful to Nebuchadnezzar. His residence was at Mizpah ( Jeremiah 40:5 ).
    home--the house of Gedaliah, wherein Jeremiah might remain as in a safe asylum. As in Jeremiah 40:1 Jeremiah is represented as "bound in chains" when he came to Ramah among the captives to be carried to Babylon, this release of Jeremiah is thought by MAURER to be distinct from that in Jeremiah 40:5 Jeremiah 40:6 . But he seems first to have been released from the court of the prison and to have been taken to Ramah, still in chains, and then committed in freedom to Gedaliah.

    15-18. Belonging to the time when the city was not yet taken, and when Jeremiah was still in the court of the prison ( Jeremiah 38:13 ). This passage is inserted here because it was now that Ebed-melech's good act ( Jeremiah 38:7-12 , Matthew 25:43 ) was to be rewarded in his deliverance.

    before thee--in thy sight.

    17. the men of whom thou art afraid--( Jeremiah 38:1 Jeremiah 38:4-6 ). The courtiers and princes hostile to thee for having delivered Jeremiah shall have no power to hurt. Heretofore intrepid, he was now afraid; this prophecy was therefore the more welcome to him.

    18. life . . . for a
    put . . . trust in me--( Jeremiah 38:7-9 ). Trust in God was the root of his fearlessness of the wrath of men, in his humanity to the prophet ( 1 Chronicles 5:20 , Psalms 37:40 ). The "life" he thus risked was to be his reward, being spared beyond all hope, when the lives of his enemies should be forfeited ("for a prey").