Jer 21:1-3 | JFB | STEP | Written probably when, after having repulsed the Egyptians who brought succors to the Jews ( ; ), the Chaldees were a second time advancing against Jerusalem, but were not yet closely besieging it ( , ) [Rosenmuller]. This chapter probably ought to be placed between the thirty-seventh and thirty-eight chapters; since what the "princes," in , represent Jeremiah as having said, is exactly what we find in . Moreover, the same persons as here ( ) are mentioned in ; , namely, Pashur and Zephaniah. What is here more fully related is there simply referred to in the historical narrative. Compare ; [Maurer]. 1. Zedekiah-- a prince having some reverence for sacred things, for which reason he sends an honorable embassy to Jeremiah; but not having moral courage to obey his better impulses. Pashur-- son of Melchiah, of the fifth order of priests, distinct from Pashur, son of Immer ( ), of the sixteenth order ( , ). Zephaniah-- of the twenty-fourth order. They are designated, not by their father, but by their family ( ).

‏ Jeremiah 21:1-3

CHAPTER 21 Jr 21:1-44. Zedekiah Consults Jeremiah What Is to Be the Event of the War: God's Answer.

Written probably when, after having repulsed the Egyptians who brought succors to the Jews (Jr 37:5-8; 2Ki 24:7), the Chaldees were a second time advancing against Jerusalem, but were not yet closely besieging it (Jr 21:4, 13) [Rosenmuller]. This chapter probably ought to be placed between the thirty-seventh and thirty-eight chapters; since what the "princes," in Jr 38:2, represent Jeremiah as having said, is exactly what we find in Jr 21:9. Moreover, the same persons as here (Jr 21:1) are mentioned in Jr 37:3; 38:1, namely, Pashur and Zephaniah. What is here more fully related is there simply referred to in the historical narrative. Compare Jr 52:24; 2Ki 25:18 [Maurer].

1. Zedekiah--a prince having some reverence for sacred things, for which reason he sends an honorable embassy to Jeremiah; but not having moral courage to obey his better impulses.

Pashur--son of Melchiah, of the fifth order of priests, distinct from Pashur, son of Immer (Jr 20:1), of the sixteenth order (1Ch 24:9, 14).

Zephaniah--of the twenty-fourth order. They are designated, not by their father, but by their family (1Ch 24:18).

2. Nebuchadrezzar--the more usual way of spelling the name in Jeremiah than Nebuchadnezzar. From Persiac roots, meaning either "Nebo, the chief of the gods," or, "Nebo, the god of fire." He was son of Nabopolassar, who committed the command of the army against Egypt, at Carchemish, and against Judea, to the crown prince.

according to all his wondrous works--Zedekiah hopes for God's special interposition, such as was vouchsafed to Hezekiah against Sennacherib (2Ki 19:35, 36).

he--Nebuchadnezzar.

go up from us--rise up from the siege which he sat down to lay (Jr 37:5, 11, Margin; Nu 16:24, 27; 1Ki 15:19, Margin).