Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 34:2
Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire:
Verse 2. He shall burn it with fire] This was a newly-added circumstance. Among many ancient nations they burned the bodies of the more illustrious dead. Odours were used in the burning: they then gathered the ashes, and put them into an urn or pitcher, sometimes into a strong vessel, and buried them. Many of these have been digged up in different parts of England, where the Romans had stations.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel,…. Who, though the covenant God of Israel, yet provoked by their sins, sends the following message to their king:
go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him: alone; and tell it to no other but him, at least at present; the message being more peculiar to him, and must, had it been told to the people, been very disheartening to them:
behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon,
and he shall burn it with fire; see Jer 32:3; which was exactly accomplished, Jer 52:13.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Now the Prophet says, Behold, I will deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon Had he simply said that the city would in a short time be taken, it would have been a general truth, not effectual but frigid. It was therefore necessary to add this, — that the ruin of the city was a just punishment inflicted by God. And Zedekiah was also thus reminded, that though he were stronger than his enemy, yet he could not effectually resist him, for the war was carrid on under the authority of God, as though he had said, “Thou thinkest that thou contendest with men; it would be difficult enough for thee and more than enough, to contend with the eastern monarchy and so many nations and kingdoms; farther than this, God himself is thine enemy; have regard to him, that thou mayest learn to dread his judgment.” And that the words might be more forcible, God himself speaks in his own person, Behold, he says, I will deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will burn it with fire This last sentence was a dreadful aggravation; for it often happens that cities are taken, and the conquerors are satisfied with the spoils. When, therefore, Nebuchadnezzar came against the city of Jerusalem with so much rage that he burnt it, it was a proof of the dreadful vengeance of God. It now follows —
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(2, 3) Go and speak to Zedekiah . . .See Notes on Jer. 32:3-4.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. Burn it with fire Suggesting the fierceness and fury of the king of Babylon and the cruelty of oriental warfare.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jer 34:2 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire:
Ver. 2. Go and speak unto Zedekiah. ] Tell him plainly what shall become of him and his, though thou be sent to prison for thy plain dealing.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the LORD, the God of Israel. See note on Jer 11:3.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Go: Jer 22:1, Jer 22:2, Jer 37:1-4, 2Ch 36:11, 2Ch 36:12
Behold: Jer 34:22, Jer 21:4, Jer 21:10, Jer 32:3, Jer 32:28, Jer 32:29, Jer 37:8-10, Jer 38:23, Jer 39:8
Reciprocal: Deu 28:55 – in the siege 2Ki 25:1 – in the ninth Jer 38:18 – then Jer 39:16 – Behold Jer 52:7 – the city
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 34:2. Zedekiah was stilt resisting the siege and thought he could avoid capture by the king of Babylon; Jeremiah was Instructed to go to him with a message.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 34:2-5. Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and thou shalt not escape, &c. This prophecy, which threatened the king in particular, as well as the city and nation in general, so much displeased Zedekiah that he shut up Jeremiah in prison. See notes on Jer 32:2-5, where the same things are related that occur here. But thou shalt die in peace Namely, by a natural death. The king of Babylon took him, killed his sons before his eyes, then put out his eyes, and bound him with chains, (Jer 39:7,) but did not put him to death, as we here learn. With the burning of thy fathers, &c., so shall they burn odours for thee It was customary among the Jews, at the funerals of their kings, especially of those whose memories they honoured, to prepare a bed of spices, of which they made a perfume by burning them, and therein to deposite the body of the deceased prince: see 2Ch 16:14; 2Ch 21:19. And they will lament thee, saying, Ah lord! In these, and the foregoing words, God promises Zedekiah an honourable interment, and suitable to his quality; a favour he did not vouchsafe to Jehoiakim, Jer 22:18.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The prophet was to go to King Zedekiah and tell him that Israel’s God was going to deliver Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar, who would burn it (cf. Jer 21:4-7; 2Ki 25:6-9). His rebellion against Babylon’s authority would not succeed.