Jer 39:16-18 | JFB | STEP | 16. Go —not literally, for he was in confinement, but figuratively. before thee

Jeremiah 39:16-18

16. Go—not literally, for he was in confinement, but figuratively.

before thee—in thy sight.

17. the men of whom thou art afraid— (Jer 38:1, 4-6). The courtiers and princes hostile to thee for having delivered Jeremiah shall have a danger coming so home to themselves as to have no power to hurt. Heretofore intrepid, he was now afraid; this prophecy was therefore the more welcome to him.

18. life . . . for a prey—(See on Jer 21:9; Jer 38:2; Jer 45:5).

put . . . trust in me— (Jer 38:7-9). Trust in God was the root of his fearlessness of the wrath of men, in his humanity to the prophet (1Ch 5:20; Ps 37:40). The "life" he thus risked was to be his reward, being spared beyond all hope, when the lives of his enemies should be forfeited ("for a prey").