Jeremiah 52

21. eighteen cubits--but in 2 Chronicles 3:15 , it is "thirty-five cubits." The discrepancy is thus removed. Each pillar was eighteen common cubits. The two together, deducting the base, were thirty-five, as stated in 2 Chronicles 3:15 [GROTIUS]. Other ways (for example, by reference to the difference between the common and the sacred cubit) are proposed: though we are not able positively to decide now which is the true way, at least those proposed do show that the discrepancies are not irreconcilable.

22. five cubits--so 1 Kings 7:16 . But 2 Kings 25:17 has "three cubits." There were two parts in the chapiter: the one lower and plain, of two cubits; the other, higher and curiously carved, of three cubits. The former is omitted in 2 Kings 25:17 , as belonging to the shaft of the pillar; the latter alone is there mentioned. Here the whole chapiter of five cubits is referred to.

23. on a side--literally, (on the side) towards the air or wind, that is, the outside of the capitals of the pillars conspicuous to the eye, opposed to the four remaining pomegranates which were not seen from the outside. The pomegranates here are ninety-six; but in 1 Kings 7:20 they are two hundred on each chapiter, and four hundred on the two ( 2 Chronicles 4:13 ). It seems there were two rows of them, one above the other, and in each row a hundred. They are here said to be ninety-six, but immediately following one hundred, and so in 1 Kings 7:20 . Four seem to have been unseen to one looking from one point; and the ninety-six are only those that could be seen [VATABLUS]; or, the four omitted here are those separating the four sides, one pomegranate at each point of separation (or at the four corners) between the four sides [GROTIUS].

24. Seraiah--different from the Seraiah ( Jeremiah 51:59 ), son of Neriah; probably son of Azariah ( 1 Chronicles 6:14 ).
Zephaniah--son of Maaseiah

25. seven men--but in 2 Kings 25:19 it is "five." Perhaps two were less illustrious persons and are therefore omitted.
principal scribe of the host--( Isaiah 33:18 ). His office was to preside over the levy and enroll recruits. RAWLINSON observes that the Assyrian records are free from the exaggerated expressions found in the Egyptian. A minute account was taken of the spoil. Two "scribes of the host" are seen in every bas-relief, writing down the various objects brought to them: the heads of the slain, the prisoners, cattle, sheep, &c.

28. seventh year--in 2 Kings 24:12 2 Kings 24:14 2 Kings 24:16 , it is said "the eighth year" of Nebuchadnezzar. No doubt it was in part about the end of the seventh year, in part about the beginning of the eighth. Also in 2 Kings 24:1-20 , ten thousand ( Jeremiah 52:14 ), and seven thousand men of might, and a thousand craftsmen ( Jeremiah 52:16 ), are said to have been carried away, But here three thousand twenty-three. Probably the latter three thousand twenty-three were of the tribe of Judah, the remaining seven thousand out of the ten thousand were of the other tribes, out of which many Israelites still had been left in the land. The a thousand "craftsmen" were exclusive of the ten thousand, as appears, by comparing 2 Kings 24:14 with Jeremiah 52:16 . Probably the three thousand twenty-three of Judah were first removed in the end of "the seventh year"; the seven thousand and a thousand craftsmen in the "eighth year." This was at the first captivity under Jehoiachin.

29. eighteenth year--when Jerusalem was taken. But in Jeremiah 52:15 , and 2 Kings 25:8 , "the nineteenth year." Probably it was at the end of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth [LYRA].
eight hundred and thirty and two--The most illustrious persons are meant, who no doubt were carried away first, at the end of the eighteenth year.

30. Not recorded in Kings or Chronicles. Probably it took place during the commotions that followed the death of Gedaliah ( Jeremiah 41:18 , 2 Kings 25:26 ).
four thousand and six hundred--The exact sum-total of the numbers specified here, namely, three thousand twenty-three, eight hundred thirty-two, seven hundred forty-five, not including the general multitude and the women and children ( Jeremiah 52:15 , Jeremiah 39:9 , 2 Kings 25:11 ).

31. ( 2 Kings 25:27-30 ).
five and twentieth day--but in 2 Kings 25:27 , it is "the twenty-seventh day." Probably on the twenty-fifth the decree for his elevation was given, and the preparations for it made by releasing him from prison; and on the twenty-seventh day it was carried into effect.
Evil-merodach--son and successor of Nebuchadnezzar [LYRA]; and the Hebrew writers say that during Nebuchadnezzar's exclusion from men among beasts, Evil-merodach administered the government. When Nebuchadnezzar at the end of seven years was restored, hearing of his son's misconduct and that he had exulted in his father's calamity, he threw him into prison, where the latter met Jeconiah and contracted a friendship with him, whence arose the favor which subsequently he showed him. God, in his elevation, rewarded his having surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar (compare Jeremiah 38:17 with 2 Kings 24:12 ).
lifted up . . . head--(Compare Genesis 40:13 Genesis 40:20 , Psalms 3:3 , 27:6 ).

32. set his throne above--a mark of respect.
the kings--The Hebrew text reads (the other) kings." "The kings" is a Masoretic correction.

33. changed . . . garments--gave him garments suitable to a king.
did . . . eat bread before him--( 2 Samuel 9:13 ).

34. every day a portion--rather, "its portion," (compare 1 Kings 8:59 , Margin).