Matthew Henry on Jeremiah 38:14–end
In the foregoing chapter we had the king in close conference with Jeremiah, and here again, though (Jer 38:5) he had given him up into the hands of his enemies; such a struggle there was in the breast of this unhappy prince between his convictions and his corruptions. Observe,
I. The honour that Zedekiah did to the prophet. When he was newly fetched out of the dungeon he sent for him to advise with him privately. He met him in the third entry, or (as the margin reads it) the principal entry, that is in, or leads towards, or adjoins to, the house of the Lord, Jer 38:14. In appointing this place of interview with the prophet perhaps he intended to show a respect and reverence for the house of…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 38:28
he was there when Jerusalem was taken--These words are made the beginning of the thirty-ninth chapter by many; but the accents and sense support English Version.
This chapter consists of two parts: the first describes the capture of Jerusalem, the removal of the people to Babylon, and the fate of Zedekiah, and that of Jeremiah. The second tells of the assurance of safety to Ebed-melech.
Next: Jeremiah Chapter 39
John Gill on Jeremiah 38:28
So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison,.... Where he was ordered to be by the king, before he was cast into the dungeon, and where he was replaced by Ebedmelech; and which was now confirmed by the king, and here he continued:
until the day that Jerusalem was taken; but how long it was from his conversation with the king, to the taking of the city, is not certain:
and he was there when Jerusalem was taken; as appears from Jeremiah 39:14. Kimchi connects this with the beginning of the next chapter; and so the Targum, rendering it,
"and it came to pass when Jerusalem was taken;''
namely, what is related in the following chapter.
John Calvin on Jeremiah 38:28–end
Jeremiah 38:28
28. So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken.
28. Et habitavit Jeremias in atrio custodiae, usque ad diem quo capta fuit Jerusalem; et accidit secundum quod capta fuit Jerusalem.
Some render the last words simply thus, "And it happened that Jerusalem was taken;" and others, "It happened accordingly that Jerusalem was taken;" but this seems unnatural. Others take the relative as a demonstrative pronoun, and of this I approve, "For it happened that according to this Jerusalem was taken."
He first says that he dwelt in the court of the prison. It hence appears that he was not even then at li…
