Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on Jeremiah 21:1

CHAPTER 21

Jr 21:1-44. 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 (Jr 37:5-8; 2Ki 24:7), the Chaldees were a second time advancing against Jerusalem, but were not yet closely besieging it (Jr 21:4, 13) [Rosenmuller]. This chapter probably ought to be placed between the thirty-seventh and thirty-eight chapters; since what the "princes," in Jr 38:2, represent Jeremiah as having said, is exactly what we find in Jr 21:9. Moreover, the same persons as here (Jr 21:1) are mentioned in Jr 37:3; 38:1, namely, Pashur and Zephaniah. What is here more fully related is there simply referred to in the historical narrative. Compare Jr 52:24; 2Ki 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 (Jr 20:1), of the sixteenth order (1Ch 24:9, 14).

Zephaniah--of the twenty-fourth order. They are designated, not by their father, but by their family (1Ch 24:18).