Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 39:12
Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.
12. If we are to accept this as historical (see introd. note to ch.), Nebuchadnezzar’s action was due to the fact that Jeremiah had consistently throughout counselled submission to him on the part of the Jews. See Jer 40:4.
look well to him ] Heb. set thine eyes upon him.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 12. Take him – look well to him] Nebuchadnezzar had heard that this prophet had foretold his capture of the city, and had frequently used all his influence to induce Zedekiah to pay the tribute, and not rebel against him; and on this account would be inclined to show the prophet especial favour.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
It is more than probable that Nebuchadrezzar had been informed by some of the chief commanders of his army, who had it from some of the Jews that had escaped out of the city to the Chaldean army, that Jeremiah had constantly told the king and the nobles that the Chaldeans should take the city, and as steadily persuaded both the king, and princes, and people to surrender it to them, and prevent the effusion of blood; and that he was imprisoned for this, and had been a great sufferer that way; and that this made, this heathen prince so kind to the prophet as to give this order. In the mean time the hand of God is to be taken notice of, who undoubtedly put this into the heart of this pagan prince; and we may learn that none shall lose any thing at last by being faithful to the commands of God, though they may be for the present losers. What we translate,
look well to him, is in the Hebrew, set thine eyes upon him; and expounded by the following words, commanding him to
do him no harm, and to give or grant to him whatever he desired.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. look well to himHebrew,“set thine eyes upon him”; provide for his well-being.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Take him, and look well to him,…. Take him out of prison; take him under your immediate care; receive him kindly, and use him humanely; provide everything necessary for him, and let him not want for anything: or, “set thine eyes upon him” m look pleasantly at him, and let him be always under your view and inspection; treat him not with neglect and contempt, but see to it that nothing is wanting to him:
and do him no harm; no injury to his person by beating, imprisoning, or starving him; nor suffer any to be done to him by the common soldiers, or by his own people:
but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee: let him have whatever he asks for: this was great favour from a Heathen prince indeed, and more than he met with from his own countrymen.
m “et oculos tuos pone super eum”, V. L. Vatablus, Pagninus, Montanus, Schmidt.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
It is indeed probable that the king of Babylon had heard of Jeremiah; and though he was in prison, yet the Word of God, which he boldly proclaimed, was not bound. Then the report of this might have reached the king of Babylon: and hence it was, that he was disposed to preserve him; for he had given a faithful counsel to Zedekiah. But Nebuchadnezzar no doubt regarded only his own advantage; and hence we ought to bear in mind the wonderful goodness of God in preserving, as it were, by his own hand, the life of the Prophet; so that in extremities no one touched him, but he remained free and quiet, as we shall hereafter see. But we must put off the rest until to-morrow.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
Jer 39:12 Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.
Ver. 12. Take him, and look well to him. ] A wicked man, we see, may be loving and liberal to a godly minister for self ends. Let no man, therefore, rest in it alone as a sure sign of an honest man.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
look well to him. Not the first, rejected by the Jews, who was honoured by the Gentiles.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
look well to him: Heb. set thine eyes upon him, Jer 24:6, Jer 40:4, *marg. Pro 23:5, Amo 9:4, 1Pe 3:12
do him: Psa 105:14, Psa 105:15, Pro 16:7, Pro 21:1, Act 7:10, 1Pe 3:13
Reciprocal: Jer 15:11 – verily I
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 39:12. He was commanded to treat Jeremiah with special kindness, even permitting him to be granted any of his wishes. Of course we will understand that all these favors would have to be In harmony with his status as a prisoner of the Babylonians.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
39:12 Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do to him {e} even as he shall say to thee.
(e) Thus God preserved his prophet by his means, whom he made the scourge to punish the king, and them that were his enemies.