Jer 38:14, 42:2-6 | JFB | e4.org | 14. third entry —The Hebrews in determining the position of places faced the east, which they termed "that which is in front"; the south was thus called "that which is on the right hand"; the north, "that which is on the left hand"; the west, "that which is behind." So beginning with the east they might term it the first or principal entry; the south the second entry; the north the " third entry" of the outer or inner court [MAURER ]. The third gate of the temple facing the palace; for through it the entrance lay from the palace into the temple ( ). It was westward ( ) [GROTIUS ]. But in the future temple it is eastward ( ).

‏ Jeremiah 38:14

14. third entry—The Hebrews in determining the position of places faced the east, which they termed "that which is in front"; the south was thus called "that which is on the right hand"; the north, "that which is on the left hand"; the west, "that which is behind." So beginning with the east they might term it the first or principal entry; the south the second entry; the north the "third entry" of the outer or inner court [MAURER]. The third gate of the temple facing the palace; for through it the entrance lay from the palace into the temple (1Ki 10:5, 12). It was westward (1Ch 26:16, 18; 2Ch 9:11) [GROTIUS]. But in the future temple it is eastward (Eze 46:1, 2, 8).

‏ Jeremiah 42:2-6

2. Jeremiah—He probably was one of the number carried off from Mizpah, and dwelt with Johanan (Jer 41:16). Hence the expression is, "came near" (Jer 42:1), not "sent."

Let . . . supplication be accepted—literally, "fall" (see on Jer 36:7; Jer 37:20).

pray for us— (Ge 20:7; Isa 37:4; Jas 5:16).

thy God— (Jer 42:5). The Jews use this form to express their belief in the peculiar relation in which Jeremiah stood to God as His accredited prophet. Jeremiah in his reply reminds them that God is their God ("your God") as well as his as being the covenant people (Jer 42:4). They in turn acknowledge this in Jer 42:6, "the Lord our God."

few of many—as had been foretold (Le 26:22).

3. They consulted God, like many, not so much to know what was right, as wishing Him to authorize what they had already determined on, whether agreeable to His will or not. So Ahab in consulting Micaiah (1Ki 22:13). Compare Jeremiah's answer (Jer 42:4) with Micaiah's (1Ki 22:14).

4. I have heard—that is, I accede to your request.

your God—Being His by adoption, ye are not your own, and are bound to whatever He wills (Ex 19:5, 6; 1Co 6:19, 20).

answer you—that is, through me.

keep nothing back— (1Sa 3:18; Ac 20:20).

5. Lord be a true . . . witness— (Ge 31:50; Ps 89:37; Re 1:5; 3:14; 19:11).

6. evil—not moral evil, which God cannot command (Jas 1:13), but what may be disagreeable and hard to us. Piety obeys God, without questioning, at all costs. See the instance defective in this, that it obeyed only so far as was agreeable to itself (1Sa 15:3, 9, 13-15, 20-23).