Entry, where he had been already, chap. xxxii. 1., and xxxiv. 1, 7. --- Piece. Roll, sufficient for a day's maintenance. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "a piece of bread (Septuagint, a loaf) out of the baker's street." (Haydock) CHAPTER XXXVII. And Phassur, the violent priest, chap. xx. 1. --- People, who might come to the entry of the prison. Safe. Hebrew, "a booty," chap. xxi. 9. --- Septuagint, "like a thing found." (Calmet) --- The Hebrew idiom implies that he shall most surely live. Voluntary offerings prevent eternal misery. (Worthington) Lawful. This is a compliment, or Sedecias complains indirectly that they had only left him the name of king. He grieved at the treatment of the prophet. (Calmet) Mire, up to the neck; so that he would soon have been smothered. (Josephus, Antiquities x. 10.) Eunuch. Officer over 30, ver. 10. (Haydock) --- He was afterwards rewarded, chap. xxxix. 15. (Calmet) --- God moves some to pity the distressed, till he recompense their patience. (Worthington) City. It was useless, therefore, to add the torment of the dungeon, since he must soon have perished. (Calmet) Arms. He was probably naked. (Sanctius) Third, or officers of the guard's gate, leading from the palace to the temple, 4 Kings xi. 19. (Calmet) --- Hebrew hashelishi; (Haydock) the third denotes also an officer of the army. King. He was at Reblatha. Though an usurper, he had claims upon Sedecias, whom he had appointed ruler, on his swearing to be faithful and to pay tribute. The prophet's advice was just. (Calmet) --- Even conditional prophecies are certain, and the king would have been treated differently if he had complied. But on his refusal, great misery ensued. (Worthington) Jews. Traitors, whom Sedecias had perhaps treated ill. (Calmet) CHAPTER XXXVIII. Say. At parting, bewailing thy blindness, which has entailed misery upon all. (Haydock) --- Of peace. That is, thy false friends, promising thee peace and happiness, and by their evil counsels involving thee in misery. (Challoner) --- Mire. He alludes to his own treatment, (Calmet) which he had received from these false counsellors or princes, ver. 4. (Haydock) There. This he had actually done, chap. xxxvii. 19. He perhaps renewed the petition, at this interview, to satisfy the king. (Haydock) --- We may conceal the truth, but must never speak what is false. (Calmet) --- "In a matter, says Puffendorf, which I am not obliged to declare to another, if I cannot with safety conceal the whole, I may fairly discover no more than a part." Who can require a privy counsellor to reveal the king's secret? Yet Paine accuses the prophet of duplicity! (Watson) Fifth. The parallel passages and other editions read ninth. Some pretend that (Calmet) the city was taken on the 5th of the 4th month, and after being pillaged was burnt on the 7th (4 Kings xxiv. 8.) or 10th of the 5th month, chap. lii. 12. (Sanctius; Cornelius a Lapide) --- But the city was taken on the 9th of the 4th month, and Nabuzardan entered on the 7th of the 5th month, and burnt it and the temple on the 10th. (Salien, &c.) (Calmet) --- From the beginning of the siege (the year of the world 3414) to the end (the year 3416.; Usher), two years and a half elapsed. It was interrupted a short time. Two fasts are still observed by the Jews to deplore these events, Zacharias vii. 3., and viii. 19. Neregel, Sereser. Perhaps Nabuzardan should be read, (ver. 13.; Haydock) or these names are mentioned twice, probably by mistake of transcribers. The former was an idol; (4 Kings xvii. 30.) the latter word means "treasurer." (Calmet) --- (Protestants) Nergal-Sharezer seems to be one person, as in Septuagint, or "treasurer of Nergel." (Haydock) --- Samgar-nebu, was "prefect of the temple of Nabo." --- Sarsachim, "prince of the sac\'e6, or Scythians." --- Rabsares, "master of the eunuchs," or officers within the palace. Such a one was employed by Sennacherib, 4 Kings xviii. 17. --- Rebmag, "chief of the magi," (Calmet) or "master of the camp." (Junius) --- These entered the first wall, chap i. 15., and Isaias xxii. 7. Walls. This gate had not yet been seized, (Calmet) leading to Jericho, ver. 5. (Haydock) (Ezechiel xii. 4.) --- Roman Septuagint passes over the next 12 verses, which seem to be taken from 4 Kings xxv. 4. (Calmet) --- Grabe supplies ver. 4. to 13., inclusively. "And they sent," &c., which is well connected with ver. 3. --- The possession of one gate would let all the army enter: whereupon Sedecias fled by a postern gate. (Worthington) In the land, or environs of Emesa, in Syria. (Theodoret) --- Judgment. Reproaching him with perfidy and ingratitude. (Worthington) --- He slew the nobles, as his accomplices. Army. Hebrew, "slayers," denoting soldiers, cooks, and sacrificers, Genesis xxxvii. 36. --- Remained, having escaped the sword, &c. They had been spared when Joakim and Jechonias were taken. Cisterns, and fields, 4 Kings xxv. 12. They were thus attached to the Chaldeans. Had given, after the prisoners had got to Rama, chap. xl. 1. Nabusezban perhaps stand for Semegar, Nabu, and Sarsachim. The other four officers occur [in] ver. 3. (Calmet) Godolias. The Jews say he had gone over to assist the Chaldeans. (Tirinus) Saved. Hebrew, "a booty," chap. xxi. 9. Thus God rewards what is done to his servants, Matthew xxv. 40. (Calmet)