HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

JEREMIAS 52

CHAPTER LII.

Ver. 1. Sedecias. This is purely historical, taken from 4 K. xxiv. 18, &c. Many doubt with reason the Jeremias inserted it, as he could not well be alive at the time when Joakim was honoured. v. 31. If he had written both this and the Book of Kings, the variations which we here discover would not be seen. It seems, therefore, that Esdras or some other has inserted it, to explain the fall of Jerusalem and the lamentations; as a similar addition has been made to Isaias. C. xxxvi. &c. See Grot. C. --- The history occurs more at large, Par. ult. W.

Ver. 3. Revolted, breaking his oath, which greatly offended God.

Ver. 12. Tenth: 4 K. seventh, on which day Nabuzardan set out from Reblatha, according to some. But it was above sixty leagues, or hours journey, distant. C. --- He entered the city on the 7th, and put his orders in execution on the 10th. Usher. --- Nothing of the king's imprisonment, or of the city poor occurs. 4 K.

Ver. 15. Poor. He took those of the city, and left the poor of the country. v. 16. C. --- Sept. Alex. omits this verse, which Grabe inserts: 16. "And the rest of the people, the chief cook or general, left for," &c. H.

Ver. 20. Under the sea the bases, (H.) or bowls, which, &c.

Ver. 23. Hundred; four next the wall were not seen, or were fixed to the chaptrels.

Ver. 24. Second in dignity to the high priest, a chief officer of the temple.

Ver. 25. Seven: 4 K. has five. But this seems more correct, as seven were commonly employed. Est. i. 10. Tob. xii. 15. C. --- Two might be taken later. H. --- A scribe. S. Jerom has Sopher, (4 K.) as if it were a proper name, and not an office.

Ver. 28. Seventh year of Nabuchodonosor, and last of Joakim. 4 K. Sept. Rom. omits this and the next verse, which are found in Theodoret and the Compl. edit. C. --- Grabe supplies all from, And Juda, v. 27, to 31. H. --- Zuinglius observes that the Sept. have not a fragment of it, and that it has been added by some one to hide the ignominy of the Jews. It is interpolated in the Arab. of the Lond. Polyglot, and seems contrary to the true history. 4 K. xxiv. 14. Kennicott, Diss. 2.

Ver. 31. Joachin. He had been thrown into prison when 18 years old, and continued there 37 years. It is not probable that Jeremias wrote this. Evilmerodach had also been the same in prison. --- Five: 4 K. has seven. Probably Nabuchodonosor died on the 25th, and his son then resolved to liberate Joachin; which he did on the 27th.

Ver. 32. Kings, who had been conquered, and kept at court for parade. C.