Verse 1

Sedecias. This is purely historical, taken from 4 Kings xxiv. 18., &c. Many doubt with reason the Jeremias inserted it, as he could not well be alive at the time when Joakim was honoured, ver. 31. If he had written both this and the Book of Kings, the variations which we here discover would not be seen. It seems, therefore, that Esdras or some other has inserted it, to explain the fall of Jerusalem and the lamentations; as a similar addition has been made to Isaias, chap. xxxvi., &c. See Grotius. (Calmet) --- The history occurs more at large, Paralipomenon ultra.[last chapter?] (Worthington)

Verse 3

Revolted, breaking his oath, which greatly offended God.

Verse 12

Tenth: 4 Kings seventh, on which day Nabuzardan set out from Reblatha, according to some. But it was above sixty leagues, or hours journey, distant. (Calmet) --- He entered the city on the 7th, and put his orders in execution on the 10th. (Usher) --- Nothing of the king's imprisonment, or of the city poor occurs, 4 Kings.

Verse 15

Poor. He took those of the city, and left the poor of the country, ver. 16. (Calmet) --- Alexandrian Septuagint omits this verse, which Grabe inserts: 16. "And the rest of the people, the chief cook or general, left for," &c. (Haydock)

Verse 20

Under the sea the bases, (Haydock) or bowls, which, &c.

Verse 23

Hundred; four next the wall were not seen, or were fixed to the chaptrels.

Verse 24

Second in dignity to the high priest, a chief officer of the temple.

Verse 25

Seven: 4 Kings has five. But this seems more correct, as seven were commonly employed, Esther i. 10., and Tobias xii. 15. (Calmet) --- Two might be taken later. (Haydock) --- A scribe. St. Jerome has Sopher, (4 Kings) as if it were a proper name, and not an office.

Verse 28

Seventh year of Nabuchodonosor, and last of Joakim, 4 Kings. Roman Septuagint omits this and the next verse, which are found in Theodoret and the Complutensian edition. (Calmet) --- Grabe supplies all from, And Juda, ver 27, to 31. (Haydock) --- Zuinglius observes that the Septuagint have not a fragment of it, and that it has been added by some one to hide the ignominy of the Jews. It is interpolated in the Arabic of the Lond. Polyglot, and seems contrary to the true history, 4 Kings xxiv. 14. (Kennicott, Diss. 2.)

Verse 31

Joachin. He had been thrown into prison when 18 years old, and continued there 37 years. It is not probable that Jeremias wrote this. Evilmerodach had also been the same in prison. --- Five: 4 Kings has seven. Probably Nabuchodonosor died on the 25th, and his son then resolved to liberate Joachin; which he did on the 27th.

Verse 32

Kings, who had been conquered, and kept at court for parade. (Calmet)

Verse 64

CHAPTER LII.