Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 52:33
And changed his prison garments: and he did continually eat bread before him all the days of his life.
33. changed his prison garments ] Cp. Gen 41:14; Luk 15:22.
did eat bread before him continually ] was admitted to the king’s own table. Cp. 2Sa 9:7; 2Sa 19:33. So this privilege was accorded to Democds the Greek physician after his cure of Darius (Herod. III. 132).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 33. And changed his prison garments] That is, Jehoiachin changed his own garments, that he might be suited in that respect to the state of his elevation. Kings also, in token of favour, gave caftans or robes to those whom they wish to honour.
And he did continually eat bread before him] Was a constant guest at the king’s table.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
33. changed . . . garmentsgavehim garments suitable to a king.
did . . . eat bread beforehim (2Sa 9:13).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And changed his prison garments,…. Which were filthy, and of an ill smell; and put on him raiment more comfortable, as well as more honourable, and suitable to his dignity, and more fit to appear in, in the presence of the king and his court:
and he did continually eat bread before him all the days of his life: either at the same table with the king; or at other near him, in his sight, in the same apartment; though the former seems more likely; and this he did as long as he lived; either Evilmerodach, or rather Jeconiah; though perhaps they both died much about the same time. All this was done about the year of the world 3444, and about five hundred sixty years before Christ, according to Bishop Usher t and Mr. Bedford u; the authors of the Universal History w place it a year earlier.
t Annales Vet. Test. p. 138. u Scripture Chronology, p. 710. w Vol. 21. p. 64.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
bread Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), for all kinds of food.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
changed: Presented him with a caftan, or robe, as a mark of favour, as is still the practice in the East. Gen 41:14, Gen 41:42, Psa 30:11, Isa 61:1-3, Zec 3:4
he did: 2Sa 9:7, 2Sa 9:13, 1Ki 2:7
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 52:33. Prison garments were replaced by those worn by free men in civilian life. Since eating with another meant so much in ancient times, thiB dining with the king of Babylon meant much for Jehoiachin.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 52:33-34. And changed his prison garments This has been considered by some an act of generosity in Evil-merodach, giving the captive king new garments, more suitable to his royal dignity than those he wore in prison. But Blaney thinks it was rather the act of Jehoiachin himself, who, out of respect to the king of Babylons presence, and to mark his just sense of the favour shown him, no longer neglected his person and dress, as when a prisoner, and in affliction: but put on new apparel more adapted to the change in his circumstances. So Joseph, when he was sent for out of prison to appear before Pharaoh, first shaved himself, and changed his raiment, Gen 41:14. David did the same after he had ceased mourning for his child, before he went into the house of God, 2Sa 12:20. Mr. Harmer, (chap. 6. obs. 44, 45,) observes, both that to change the garments often is in the East a mark of respect in visiting; and also that the putting on of new clothes is thought by those people to be very requisite, and indeed almost necessary, for the due solemnization of a time of rejoicing. And there was a continual diet given him of the king As it appears from the preceding verse that Jehoiachin himself sat at the king of Babylons own table, this seems to have been an allowance for the maintenance of his attendants and family.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
52:33 And changed his prison {p} garments: and he continually ate bread before him all the days of his life.
(p) And gave him princely apparel.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Jehoiachin left prison. He even took his meals with Evilmerodach, and received a daily allowance for the rest of his life, probably to support his family. His personal experience was a foreview of the national experience of the Israelites.
"There is considerable theological significance in these four verses. The fact that Jehoiachin lived on long after the exile and that he was finally released from prison may have seemed like the first signs of the fulfilment [sic] of Jeremiah’s promise of a day of restoration. To the last, the future of Israel is seen as lying with the exiles in Babylon and not with those in Egypt or in their old homeland." [Note: Thompson, p. 784.]
However, Jeremiah had prophesied that none of Jehoiachin’s sons would rule over Judah (Jer 22:24-30). So, while Evilmerodach’s treatment of Jehoiachin was encouraging, the future would require a supernatural act of God to perpetuate the Davidic dynasty and to produce the Messiah.
"In its present context the chapter seems to say: the divine word both has been fulfilled-and will be fulfilled!" [Note: Bright, Jeremiah, p. 370.]