Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 39:11
Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying,
11 14. See introd. summary to the section.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
11. Jeremiah’s prophecies wereknown to Nebuchadnezzar through deserters (Jer 39:9;Jer 38:19), also through the Jewscarried to Babylon with Jeconiah (compare Jer40:2). Hence the king’s kindness to him.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard,…. Of whom he had heard, by one or another of his generals or officers; who had been informed, by those Jews that deserted to them, that Jeremiah had prophesied of the taking of the city by the Chaldeans; had advised the people to fall off to them; and had even exhorted the king and princes to surrender up the city, and themselves, unto them; and that he had suffered much on this account; wherefore the Lord put it into the heart of this monarch, otherwise not at all disposed to the prophets of the Lord, to show regard to him; and therefore, when he sent Nebuzaradan upon an expedition to Jerusalem, he gave him a particular charge concerning Jeremiah:
saying; as follows:
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
| Jerusalem Released. | B. C. 588. |
11 Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard, saying, 12 Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee. 13 So Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rab-saris, and Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, and all the king of Babylon’s princes; 14 Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people. 15 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, 16 Go and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee. 17 But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid. 18 For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.
Here we must sing of mercy, as in the former part of the chapter we sang of judgment, and must sing unto God of both. We may observe here,
I. A gracious providence concerning Jeremiah. When Jerusalem was laid in ruins, and all men’s hearts failed them for fear, then might he lift up his head with comfort, knowing that his redemption drew nigh, as Christ’s followers when the second destruction of Jerusalem was hastening on, Luke xxi. 28. Nebuchadnezzar had given particular orders that care should be taken of him, and that he should be in all respects well used, Jer 39:11; Jer 39:12. Hebuzar-adan and the rest of the king of Babylon’s princes observed these orders, discharged him out of prison, and did every thing to make him easy, Jer 39:13; Jer 39:14. Now we may look upon this, 1. As a very generous act of Nebuchadnezzar, who, though he was a haughty potentate, yet took cognizance of this poor prophet. Doubtless he had received information concerning him from the deserters, that he had foretold the king of Babylon’s successes against Judah and other countries, that he had pressed his prince and people to submit to him, and that he had suffered very hard things for so doing; and in consideration of all this (though perhaps he might have heard also that he had foretold the destruction of Babylon at length) he gave him these extraordinary marks of his favour. Note, It is the character of a great soul to take notice of the services and sufferings of the meanest. It was honourably done of the king to give this charge even before the city was taken, and of the captains to observe it even in the heat of action, and it is recorded for imitation. 2. As a reproach to Zedekiah and the princes of Israel. They put him in prison, and the king of Babylon and his princes took him out. God’s people and ministers have often found fairer and kinder usage among strangers and infidels than among those that call themselves of the holy city. Paul found more favour and justice with king Agrippa than with Ananias the high priest. 3. As the performance of God’s promise to Jeremiah, in recompence for his services. I will cause the enemy to treat thee well in the day of evil, ch. xv. 11. Jeremiah had been faithful to his trust as a prophet, and now God approves himself faithful to him and the promise he had made him. Now he is comforted according to the time wherein he had been afflicted, and sees thousands fall on each hand and himself safe. The false prophets fell by those judgments which they said should never come (ch. xiv. 15), which made their misery the more terrible to them. The true prophet escaped those judgments which he said would come, and that made his escape the more comfortable to him. The same that were the instruments of punishing the persecutors were the instruments of relieving the persecuted; and Jeremiah thought never the worse of his deliverance for its coming by the hand of the king of Babylon, but saw the more of the hand of God in it. A fuller account of this matter we shall meet with in the next chapter.
II. A gracious message to Ebed-melech, to assure him of a recompence for his kindness to Jeremiah. This message was sent to him by Jeremiah himself, who, when he returned him thanks for his kindness to him, thus turned him over to God to be his paymaster. He relieved a prophet in the name of a prophet, and thus he had a prophet’s reward. This message was delivered to him immediately after he had done that kindness to Jeremiah, but it is mentioned here after the taking of the city, to show that, as God was kind to Jeremiah at that time, so he was to Ebed-melech for his sake; and it was a token of special favour to both, and they ought so to account it, that they were not involved in any of the common calamities. Jeremiah is directed to tell him, 1. That God would certainly bring upon Jerusalem the ruin that had been long and often threatened; and, for his further satisfaction in having been kind to Jeremiah, he should see him abundantly proved a true prophet, v. 16. 2. That God took notice of the fear he had of the judgments coming. Though he was bravely bold in the service of God, yet he was afraid of the rod of God. The enemies were men of whom he was afraid, Note, God knows how to adapt and accommodate his comforts to the fears and griefs of his people, for he knows their souls in adversity. 3. That he shall be delivered from having a share in the common calamity: I will deliver thee; I will surely deliver thee. He had been instrumental to deliver God’s prophet out of the dungeon, and now God promises to deliver him; for he will be behind-hand with none for any service they do, directly or indirectly, for his name: “Thou has saved Jeremiah’s life, that was precious to thee, and therefore thy life shall be given thee for a prey.” 4. The reason given for this distinguishing favour which God had in store for him is because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord. God, in recompensing men’s services, has an eye to the principle they go upon in those services, and rewards according to those principles; and there is no principle of obedience that will be more acceptable to God, nor have a greater influence upon us, than a believing confidence in God. Ebed-melech trusted in God that he would own him, and stand by him, and then he was not afraid of the face of man. And those who trust God, as this good man did, in the way of duty, will find that their hope shall not make them ashamed in times of the greatest danger.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Vs. 11-14: LIBERTY AND PROVISION FOR JEREMIAH
1. From this passage it seems evident that Nebuchadnezzar was aware of Jeremiah’s consistent counsel to the kings of Judah against opposing Babylon.
2. Thus, he gave a specific charge to Nebuzar-adan concerning the man of God, (vs. 11-12).
a. He was not to be harmed, (vs. 11; comp. Jer 1:8; Jer 15:20-21; Psa 105:15-16; Pro 21:1; 1Pe 3:13).
b. Rather, the captain of the guard was to treat him well and permit him full liberty to choose his own future course, (vs. 12).
3. A number of Nebuchadnezzar’s chief officers were sent to set Jeremiah free and deliver him to the protective custody of Gedaliah, who was made governor over the remnant that was left in the land.
4. With Gedaliah, Jeremiah lived for a while at Mizpah; there they were joined by a number of Judeans who had deserted to the Babylonians – these being granted asylum to settle here, with the understanding that they would not revolt.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
The Prophet now sets forth the paternal care of God, which he had experienced in the preservation of his life and safety. The innocent, we know, are often killed in a tumult, and the storming of cities is turbulent, so that many things are done without any thought; nay, even the leaders are not able to moderate the excesses of the victorious. When, therefore, the Chaldeans burnt the palace, Jeremiah might have perished at the same time, being suffocated by the very smoke of the fire. We know what happened at the taking of Syracuse. Marcellus did not wish that Archimedes should perish, nay, he commanded that he should be preserved; for he wished to save that man on account of his singular industry and noble genius. However, while he was drawing circles on the ground, he was killed by a common soldier. If no one had come to Jeremiah, he might, as I have said, have been buried under the ruins of the palace, when the king’s court was burnt down. But he says that he had been wonderfully preserved, for Nebuchadnezzar had given a command respecting him, that he might not be exposed to any trouble, but that Nebuzaradan as well as the whole army should secure his safety.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
D. The Command of Nebuchadnezzar Jer. 39:11-14
TRANSLATION
(11) Now Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had commanded Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard concerning Jeremiah, saying, (12) Take him and keep your eye on him and do not do any harm to him, but do with him as he tells you. (13) And Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard, and Nebushasban the Rab-saris, and Nergalsharezer the Rab-mag, and all the officials of the king of Babylon (14) sent and took Jeremiah from the court of the guard and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he might escort him home; and he dwelled in the midst of the people.
COMMENTS
Nebuchadnezzar had given specific orders to the captain of his guard with regard to the welfare of Jeremiah (Jer. 39:11). No doubt Nebuchadnezzar had learned of the preaching of Jeremiah through some of those who had defected during the siege. He must have regarded Jeremiah as a friend and ally and so consequently ordered that he be given this special treatment. Upon arriving in Jerusalem Nebuzaradan consulted with the Chaldean officials on the scene[336] in order to prevent any possible harm to Jeremiah by conflicting orders or ignorance of the royal decree (Jer. 39:13). Thereafter Jeremiah was removed from the court of the guard (Jer. 38:28) and committed into the care of Gedaliah who had been appointed or would shortly be appointed as governor of the land (Jer. 40:5). Gedaliah was instructed to carry him home[337] (Jer. 39:14). This phrase suggests that Jeremiah was physically infirm at the time of his release from confinement. His age coupled with the deprivation and hardship which he had suffered during those last few months had left the venerable man of God frail and emaciated. And so Jeremiah dwelt among the people. The prophet was free at last.
[336] Nebushasban seems to have replaced Sarsechim in the position of Rabsaris by the time that Nebuzaradan arrived (cf. Jer. 39:3)
[337] This has been taken to be (1) Gedaliahs house; (2) the (chief) house, i.e., the kings palace; (3) Jeremiahs own house. The last is probably the best interpretation.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(11) Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon. . . .It is clear that Nebuchadrezzar had been well informed of the part which Jeremiah had taken from first to last in counselling submission. This he may have heard from the deserters named in Jer. 39:9, or even from the lips of Zedekiah. Possibly the journey to Euphrates, of which we read in Jer. 13:5, may, at even an earlier period, have brought the king and the prophet into contact. From the time of Nebuzar-adans arrival, the position of Jeremiah was obviously changed for the better, and he became an honoured and trusted counsellor. It appears from Jer. 40:1 that the prophet had at first been taken in chains to Ramah, with the other captives. Probably he had been sent back to Jerusalem when the others were carried off to Riblah, or Babylon (Jer. 39:6-9).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
11. Nebuchadrezzar gave charge For what reason we are not informed. Perhaps on account of his prophecies, of which he had knowledge through the deserters; perhaps because he had been imprisoned as an ally of Babylon; perhaps because of some personal influence, which in a royal court is not always known. At all events, this command is no slight recognition of the personal importance accorded to Jeremiah, and of his prophecies as a factor in the history of the times.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Concerning The Fate of Jeremiah and of Ebed-Melech.
v. 11. Now Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, gave charge concerning Jeremiah, v. 12. Take him and look well to him, literally, v. 13. So Nebuzar-adan, the captain of the guard, sent, and Nebu-shasban, Bab-saris, and Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, v. 14. even they sent and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, v. 15. Now the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, v. 16. Go and speak to Ebed-melech, the Ethiopian, v. 17. But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the Lord, v. 18. For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Jer 39:11. Now Nebuchadrezzargave charge, &c. Nebuchadrezzar had evidently been informed of the advice which Jeremiah had given both to king and people; and which, if it had been hearkened to, would have prevented the charge and labour of so long a siege, and the bloodshed which attended it. The king did not give these orders till some time after the taking of the city; for it appears that Jeremiah was carried with the rest of the captives as far as Ramah. See the first verse of the next chapter.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Behold the care the Lord takes of his people, agreeably to his promise, Jer 15:11 . And is it not so in all ages? Oh! Reader, never lose sight of the blessed doctrine that ariseth out of this scripture. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly. 2Pe 2:9 ; Psa 105:14-15 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jer 39:11 Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying,
Ver. 11. Now Nebuchadnezzar gave charge, &c.] He had heard of Jeremiah and his preaching by those Jews that, by the prophet’s persuasion, fell to the Chaldees; and now that promise took place, I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well: Jer 15:11
“ Tandem bona causa triumphat. ”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Jer 39:11-14
11Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard, saying, 12Take him and look after him, and do nothing harmful to him, but rather deal with him just as he tells you. 13So Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard sent word, along with Nebushazban the Rab-saris, and Nergal-sar-ezer the Rab-mag, and all the leading officers of the king of Babylon; 14they even sent and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guardhouse and entrusted him to Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, to take him home. So he stayed among the people.
Jer 39:11-14 Jer 40:1-6 seems to be a different account of the same event (similar to chapters 37 and 38). Some have asserted that these are in sequential order and others see two different accounts of the same event. At this point we just do not know. Moderns tend to read ancient literature through the filter of their own culture and era.
Jer 39:12 Nebuchadnezzar must have heard about Jeremiah’s prophetic message from
1. Daniel
2. Jewish deserters
3. spies in the city
He gives several orders.
1. take him – BDB 542, KB 534, Qal IMPERATIVE (meaning locate him)
2. look after – BDB 962, KB 1321, Qal IMPERATIVE
3. do nothing harmful to him – BDB 793, KB 889, Qal JUSSIVE
4. deal with him just as he tells you – BDB 793, KB 889, Qal IMPERATIVE
Jer 39:14 Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam Later Gedaliah became the Babylonian governor of Judah (cf. Jer 40:7). He was not of the lineage of David. His father had been friendly to Jeremiah (cf. Jer 26:24; 2Ki 22:12-14).
take him home At this point Gedaliah chose the city of Mizpah (cf. Jer 40:8) to be his headquarters. Mizpah means watchtower and there were many towns by this name in Palestine.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
to = to the hand of, or through.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Jer 39:11-14
Jer 39:11-14
GOD’S PROTECTION OF JEREMIAH
Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying, Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee. So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushazban, Rab-saris, and Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon; they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guard, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.
Rab-saris. Rab-mag …..
(Jer 39:13). These names were the titles belonging to certain high officers of Babylon. Rabsaris means ‘chief of the eunuchs.’ The precise meaning of Rab-mag is unknown. It has been suggested that the title means, the chief butcher, or chief executioner.
Took him out of the court of the guard…
(Jer 39:14). Keil believed that this mention of the court of the guard was because that was the last place the Bible revealed as his location until this incident, stating that, At the exact moment of his liberation, Jeremiah was no longer in the court of the prison of the palace at Jerusalem, but had already been carried away as a captive to Ramah.
Keil’s opinion here was based on the fact that in Jer 40:1 it is declared that, “Nebuzaradan liberated Jeremiah at Ramah, where he had taken him in chains” among all the captives awaiting their transfer to Babylon.
We. find no difficulty at all here. The taking of Jeremiah “out of the court of the prison in the king’s house,” mentioned here was probably so commanded in the order to his generals from Nebuchadnezzar; and Nebuzaradan’s obedience to that order occurred in the liberation of Jeremiah at Ramah. There is also the possibility that Jeremiah had indeed already been liberated from the prison in the king’s courtyard; but in the subsequent circulation of Jeremiah among the Jewish people, the soldiers, who would not have recognized him, had rounded him up with the other captives awaiting transfer to Babylon, and carried him bound to Ramah. Let it be remembered that we are here dealing with a brief summary, and such quibbles can never be decided without a ton of additional information which no man has, such as, “when did the order of Nebuchadnezzar reach his commanding general; had the house of the king already been burned; exactly where was Jeremiah when the general got his orders; was Jeremiah released twice, once from the prison, and again at Ramah; was Jeremiah’s release from the courtyard prison a formal and official release, or did he and all the other prisoners escape when the palace burned, etc., etc.?”
Such information is irrevocably lost in the ruin of Jerusalem; and there is no way for men living twenty-five centuries after the event to provide complete explanations of all the mysteries in Biblical passages. Our joyful duty is to believe it in the full confidence that God’s Word is true and every man a liar.
Gedaliah…
(Jer 39:14). This man was appointed by Nebuchadnezzar as governor of the conquered Judah and its remnant of the remaining poor people to whom the Babylonians had divided the fields and vineyards of the area. He was in control for the next five years; and Jeremiah was safe in his hands.
Take him home…
(Jer 39:14). Some think this meant the king’s house which presumably belonged to the new governor; but the palace had already been burned, It probably means that wherever Gedaliah the new governor lived, there also Jeremiah would be quartered and protected. Christians also have a firm assurance of God’s loving care and concern for their welfare, as in Mat 10:28-30; Mat 28:18-20.
The Command of Nebuchadnezzar Jer 39:11-14
Nebuchadnezzar had given specific orders to the captain of his guard with regard to the welfare of Jeremiah (Jer 39:11). No doubt Nebuchadnezzar had learned of the preaching of Jeremiah through some of those who had defected during the siege. He must have regarded Jeremiah as a friend and ally and so consequently ordered that he be given this special treatment. Upon arriving in Jerusalem Nebuzaradan consulted with the Chaldean officials on the scene[336] in order to prevent any possible harm to Jeremiah by conflicting orders or ignorance of the royal decree (Jer 39:13). Nebushasban seems to have replaced Sarsechim in the position of Rabsaris by the time that Nebuzaradan arrived (cf. Jer 39:3) Thereafter Jeremiah was removed from the court of the guard (Jer 38:28) and committed into the care of Gedaliah who had been appointed or would shortly be appointed as governor of the land (Jer 40:5). Gedaliah was instructed to carry him home” (Jer 39:14). This has been taken to be (1) Gedaliahs house; (2) the (chief) house, i.e., the kings palace; (3) Jeremiahs own house. The last is probably the best interpretation. This phrase suggests that Jeremiah was physically infirm at the time of his release from confinement. His age coupled with the deprivation and hardship which he had suffered during those last few months had left the venerable man of God frail and emaciated. And so Jeremiah dwelt among the people. The prophet was free at last.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Now: Nebuchadnezzar must have frequently heard of Jeremiah’s predictions, many of which were now fulfilled, which would dispose him to respect his character and treat him with kindness.
gave: Jer 15:11, Jer 15:21, Job 5:19, Act 24:23
to: Heb. by the hand of, Jer 37:2, *marg.
Reciprocal: Jer 39:9 – captain of the guard Jer 40:1 – after
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 39:11. Nebuzar-adan was captain of the guard or commander-in-chief for Nebuchadnezzar, and he managed the military affairs under the direction of the king. He was thus following the orders of his superior in what he did with the captives.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 39:11-12. Now Nebuchadrezzar gave charge concerning Jeremiah He had undoubtedly been informed of the advice which Jeremiah had given, both to the king and people, to submit themselves to his authority: which advice, if it had been taken, would have prevented the charge and labour of so long a siege, and the bloodshed that attended it. Saying, Take him and look well to him Through this order of the king of Babylon, God fulfilled his promise made Jer 15:11, I will cause the enemy to treat thee well in the day of evil. Jeremiah had been faithful to his God as a prophet, and now God approves himself faithful to him, and the promise he had made him. Now he is comforted, according to the time wherein he had been afflicted, and sees many fall on each hand while he is safe. The false prophets fell by those judgments which they affirmed would never come, (Jer 14:15,) which made their misery the more terrible to them. The true prophet escaped those judgments which he said would come, and that made his escape the more comfortable to him. The same persons who were the instruments of punishing the persecutors, were the instruments of relieving the persecuted; and Jeremiah did not the less prize his deliverance, because it came by the hand of the king of Babylon, but saw thereby more of the hand of God in it.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The first account of Jeremiah’s release 39:11-14
The more specific accounts of two men’s deliverance follow in the rest of this chapter. In contrast to Zedekiah’s horrible fate, Jeremiah enjoyed the attentive care of the Babylonians. This contrast reflects on their previous responses to the word of the Lord.
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Nebuchadnezzar ordered Nebuzaradan to take good care of Jeremiah and to do for him whatever he requested.