This is the word that came, &c.] Here seemeth to begin another Sermon, or prophecie, distinct from the former, both for matter, and time of delivery: that being made, when they of Jerusalem were in some distresse by the Chaldean forces set down before the citie: vers. 1. 7. this when the siege was for some space of time broken up, upon the approach of some Egyptian aids. Vers. 21. Chap. 37. 5. See vers. 1.
after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant] Heb. had cut a covenant. Vers. 18. for, when the enemy was at hand, and they saw themselves in danger; they made shew of remorse and repentance, renewed their covenants with God, and made some kinde of reformation. as Judges 10:15-16. Psal. 78. 34, 35. Hosea 6:1.
to proclaim liberty unto them] To their servants, who had served them the full tearm of time limited by the Law: Exodus 21:2. but they against law and right kept still in servitude. vers. 11.