Jer 38:14-23 | Clarke | STEP | Verse 14 Into the third entry - A place to enter which two others must be passed through.

Jeremiah 38:14-23

Verse 14

Into the third entry - A place to enter which two others must be passed through. Verse 16

As the Lord liveth, that made us this soul - He is the living God, and he is the Author of that life which each of us possesses; and as sure as he lives, and we live by him, I will not put thee to death, nor give thee into the hands of those men who seek thy life. A very solemn oath; and the first instance on record of the profane custom of swearing by the soul. Verse 17

Wilt assuredly go - On the king's obedience to the advice of the prophet the safety of the city depended.

Unto the king of Babylon's princes - The generals of the army then returning to the siege from the defeat of the Egyptians; for Nebuchadnezzar himself was then at Riblah, in Syria, Jer 39:5, Jer 39:6. Verse 19

They mock me - Insult me, and exhibit me in triumph. Verse 22

All the women - brought forth - I think this place speaks of a kind of defection among the women of the harem; many of whom had already gone forth privately to the principal officers of the Chaldean army, and made the report mentioned in the end of this verse. These were the concubines or women of the second rank. Verse 23

They shall bring out all thy wives and thy children - These were the women of the first rank, by whom the king had children. These had no temptation to go out to the Chaldeans, nor would they have been made welcome; but the others being young, and without children, would be well received by the Chaldean princes.