Jeremiah 52:6

Verse 6. And in the fourth month] See Clarke on Jer 39:1, &c. The fourth month answers nearly to our July.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(6) And in the fourth month.—Omitted in the Hebrew of 2Ki_25:3, but supplied in the English version.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

6. In the fourth month] In memory of this date also, a fast was appointed (Zec_8:19). The numeral, which was dropped out of the Kgs. narrative, here survives.

famine] described in detail in Lamentations (Jer_2:19 f., Jer_4:3 ff., Jer_5:10). Cp. Eze_4:16 f., Jer_5:16 f.

the people of the land] the poorer classes, who had taken refuge in Jerusalem, or who dwelt there.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Then the city was broken up,.... Either its gates were broke open, some one or other of them; or a breach was made in the walls of it, through which the Chaldean army entered:

and all the men of war fled; the soldiers, with their officers, not being able to stand before the army of the king of Babylon:

and went forth out of the city by night; at which time, very probably, the attack was made, and the gates of the city forced open, or the walls broke down; Josephus (p) says it was taken in the middle of the night:

by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden; See Gill on Jer 39:4;

now the Chaldeans were by the city round about; as part of their army entered into it, the other part surrounded it; or, however, were placed at the gates and avenues all around, that none might escape:

and they went by the way of the plain; that is, the men of war or soldiers that fled, together with King Zedekiah, his family and princes; see Jer 39:4.

(p) Antiqu. l. 10. c. 8. sect. 2. Ed. Hudson.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

The famine was sore. (see the pathetic descriptions in Lam_1:19, 20 2:11, 12, 20 4:9, 10)

Famine.

One of the most frightful that over befell any city is told of here. Its ghastly details may be traced out from this verse and different parts of the writings of Jeremiah and Ezekiel. This verse tells how the store of bread gradually failed; Jer_37:21 and Jer_38:2-9 with what difficulty ever so little was gained (also Eze_5:16 Eze_5:16 Eze_12:19) Then Lam_4:7 and Lam_5:10 tell of the sufferings of the nobles; Lam_4:5 and Eze_4:12-15 of the degradation of the high-born ladies of Jerusalem, snatching morsels of bread from the dunghills. The cries of the poor little children; (Lam_2:11, Lam_2:12, 19 4:4) the hard-heartedness of their parents. (Lam_4:3) Fathers ate the flesh of their own sons; (Eze_5:10) mothers that of their new-born babes. (Lam_2:20 Lam_4:10) Thus frightful was this famine. And it is ever a fearful thing, let the cause be what it may. Note

I WHEREFORE THEY ARE SENT.

I As punishment:

(1) For violation of natural law. When men will crowd together in space too limited or on lands that will not yield sufficient, or will out of greed or selfishness refuse to cultivate aright the land they have, then sooner or later famine will come.

(2) For violation of Divine laws. So in the case of famine told of here. But: They are sent as prompters and promoters of repentance and amendment. In case of violated natural laws they have again and again performed this needed office. Men have spread themselves abroad, communications between one district and another have been opened up, improved methods of cultivation have been adopted, wiser and juster laws have been enacted, and men"s energies and thoughts have been roused to devise remedies and safeguards against the recurrence of the evil. And when it is the Divine laws that have been violated, the Divine laws against sin for natural laws are also Divine famine has brought many a prodigal to himself, and led him to say," I will arise and go to my Father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned." It did so in the case of the Jews.

II BUT FAMINE IS AN UNNECESSARY AND UNNATURAL THING. For in our Father"s house there is bread enough and to spare, and none need perish with hunger. The world contains ample store; the resources of nature are in no degree exhausted, and therefore it can only be by negligence of God"s laws in nature that famine can in ordinary cases occur. And why need any go away into the far country of sin, and so compel the righteous and loving Father to send such sore judgment after them in order to bring them back? "O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself!" It is not according to God"s will in any case.

III AND WHAT IS TRUE OF THE LITERAL IS TRUE ALSO OF THE SPIRITUAL FAMINE.

1. It is caused by man"s disobedience. So it was at the first. Sin thrust him forth from the Father"s house, the happy home where he never knew what want was. And so it is still. Had those who knew of Christ and his redemption but obeyed the word, "Let him that heareth say, Come," long ere this the whole world would have been evangelized. And if the same command were obeyed now, the like result would speedily follow. Christ has given a self-propagating power to his Church, which it has failed to use, and therefore spiritual famines are and will be until the Church obeys her Lord"s commands. But:

2. Such famine need not be. Christ is the "Bread of life" for all, and there is enough and to spare for all

CONCLUSION. Let not thy brother hunger if thou canst give him of this bread. Think of what famine means, and let thy charity be aroused. Take care that thou eatest not merely talkest of the Bread of life thyself. C.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

fourth month

i.e. July.

The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

By the ninth day of the fourth month

This is the fourth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the dry season. The ninth day is near the beginning of July on Western calendars. Zedekiah had been king for ten years, three months, and eight days. (See: Hebrew Months and Ordinal Numbers)

city

This refers to Jerusalem.

the city was broken into

This can be translated in active form. AT: "the Babylonians broke through the wall around the city" (See: Active or Passive)

the two walls

the wall of the king's garden and the wall of the city

plains

flat land

All his army was scattered

This can be translated in active form. Possible meanings are 1) "the Chaldeans scattered his entire army" or 2) "all of his soldiers ran away in different directions." (See: Active or Passive)

translationWords

day

year

famine

gate

Chaldea

Arabah

Jordan River

Jericho

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.