Jeremiah 21

Jeremiah 21:1-14 . ZEDEKIAH CONSULTS JEREMIAH WHAT IS TO BE THE EVENT OF THE WAR: GOD'S ANSWER.

Written probably when, after having repulsed the Egyptians who brought succors to the Jews ( Jeremiah 37:5-8 , 2 Kings 24:7 ), the Chaldees were a second time advancing against Jerusalem, but were not yet closely besieging it ( Jeremiah 21:4 Jeremiah 21:13 ) [ROSENMULLER]. This chapter probably ought to be placed between the thirty-seventh and thirty-eight chapters; since what the "princes," in Jeremiah 38:2 , represent Jeremiah as having said, is exactly what we find in Jeremiah 21:9 . Moreover, the same persons as here ( Jeremiah 21:1 ) are mentioned in Jeremiah 37:3 , 38:1 , namely, Pashur and Zephaniah. What is here more fully related is there simply referred to in the historical narrative. Compare Jeremiah 52:24 , 2 Kings 25:18 [MAURER].

1. Zedekiah--a prince having some reverence for sacred things, for which reason he sends an honorable embassy to Jeremiah; but not having moral courage to obey his better impulses.
Pashur--son of Melchiah, of the fifth order of priests, distinct from Pashur, son of Immer ( Jeremiah 20:1 ), of the sixteenth order ( 1 Chronicles 24:9 1 Chronicles 24:14 ).
Zephaniah--of the twenty-fourth order. They are designated, not by their father, but by their family ( 1 Chronicles 24:18 ).

2. Nebuchadrezzar--the more usual way of spelling the name in Jeremiah than Nebuchadnezzar. From Persiac roots, meaning either "Nebo, the chief of the gods," or, "Nebo, the god of fire." He was son of Nabopolassar, who committed the command of the army against Egypt, at Carchemish, and against Judea, to the Brown prince.
according to all his wondrous works--Zedekiah hopes for God's special interposition, such as was vouchsafed to Hezekiah against Sennacherib ( 2 Kings 19:35 2 Kings 19:36 ).
he--Nebuchadnezzar.
go up from us--rise up from the siege which he sat down to lay ( Jeremiah 37:5 Jeremiah 37:11 , Margin; Numbers 16:24 Numbers 16:27 , 1 Kings 15:19 , Margin).

4. God of Israel--Those "wondrous works" ( Jeremiah 21:2 ) do not belong to you; God is faithful; it is you who forfeit the privileges of the covenant by unfaithfulness. "God will always remain the God of Israel, though He destroy thee and thy people" [CALVIN].
turn back the weapons--I will turn them to a very different use from what you intend them. With them you now fight against the Chaldees "without the walls" (the Jewish defenders being as yet able to sally forth more freely, and defend the fountains outside the walls in the valley under Mount Zion; see Jeremiah 21:13 , Jeremiah 19:6 Jeremiah 19:7 ); but soon ye shall be driven back within the city [MAURER], and "in the midst" of it, I will cause all your arms to be gathered in one place ("I will assemble them," namely, your arms) by the Chaldean conquerors [GROTIUS], who shall slay you with those very arms [MENOCHIUS].

5. The Jews shall have not merely the Chaldees, but Jehovah Himself in wrath at their provocations, fighting against them. Every word enhances the formidable character of God's opposition, "I myself . . . outstretched hand . . . strong arm (no longer as in Exodus 6:6 , and in the case of Sennacherib, in your behalf, but) in anger . . . fury . . . great wrath."