Jer 37:12-13, 38:7 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 12. Jeremiah went forth ] At the time that Nebuchadnezzar had raised the siege, and gone to meet the Egyptian army. Go into the land of Benjamin ] To Anathoth , his native city. To separate himself thence ] "To receive a portion thereof among the people;"- Blayney : who supposes that Jeremiah went to receive a portion of the proceeds of his patrimony at Anathoth , which had, previously to the siege, been in the hands of the Chaldeans. The siege being now raised, he thought of looking thus after his own affairs. The Chaldee is to the same sense. "He went that he might divide the inheritance which he had there among the people." Dahler translates, 'He went to withdraw himself from the siege , as many others of the inhabitants ." I believe he went to withdraw himself from a city devoted to destruction, and in which he could no longer do any good.

‏ Jeremiah 37:12-13

Verse 12. Jeremiah went forth] At the time that Nebuchadnezzar had raised the siege, and gone to meet the Egyptian army.

Go into the land of Benjamin] To Anathoth, his native city.

To separate himself thence] "To receive a portion thereof among the people;"-Blayney: who supposes that Jeremiah went to receive a portion of the proceeds of his patrimony at Anathoth, which had, previously to the siege, been in the hands of the Chaldeans. The siege being now raised, he thought of looking thus after his own affairs. The Chaldee is to the same sense. "He went that he might divide the inheritance which he had there among the people."

Dahler translates, 'He went to withdraw himself from the siege, as many others of the inhabitants." I believe he went to withdraw himself from a city devoted to destruction, and in which he could no longer do any good.

Verse 13. Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans.] Thou art a deserter, and a traitor to thy country. As he had always declared that the Chaldeans should take the city, &c., his enemies took occasion from this to say he was in the interest of the Chaldeans, and that he wished now to go to them, and betray the place.

‏ Jeremiah 38:7

Verse 7. Ebed-melech] The servant of the king, one of the eunuchs who belonged to the palace. Perhaps it should be read, "Now, a servant of the king, a Cushite, one of the eunuchs," &c.

The king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin] To give audience, and to administer justice. We have often seen that the gates of cities were the places of public judicature.