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Jeremiah 38 Introduction
英文原文
The object of the princes in imprisoning Jeremiah in Jonathan's house had been to get him out of the way, as his predictions depressed the minds of the people. This purpose was frustrated by his removal to the guard-house, where he was with the soldiery, and his friends had free access to him Jeremiah 32:12. Therefore, the princes determined upon the prophet's death. Zedekiah was powerless Jeremiah 38:5, and Jeremiah was thrown into a miry pit.
1
Jeremiah 38:1
「所说的话」 - 原文可作「说了」，或作「正在说」。
英文原文
Had spoken - Spake; or, was speaking.
4
Jeremiah 38:4
「因为他说这话」…… - 因为他使战士们灰心丧志。这无疑属实。然而耶利米说话并非以平民的身份，而是以政权代表的身份；在神权政体中，属世的统治者须直接向神负责。
英文原文
For thus ... - Because he makes the men of war dispirited. No doubt this was true. Jeremiah, however, did not speak as a private person, but as the representative of the government; the temporal ruler in a theocracy being responsible directly to God.
5
Jeremiah 38:5
一切实权都操在他们手中，而且他们既宣称耶利米之死乃势在必行，王就不敢加以拒绝。
英文原文
All real power was in their hands, and as they affirmed that Jeremiah's death was a matter of necessity, the king did not dare refuse it to them.
6
Jeremiah 38:6
「牢狱」 - 即蓄水池。耶路撒冷每家每户都有地下蓄水池，建造得极为精良，以致城被围困时从不因缺水受苦。这些水池十分宽大，干涸之后似乎被用作监牢（Zechariah 9:11）。
「哈米勒」 - 见 Jeremiah 36:26 注。
「监牢」 - 即护卫兵的院子。他们把耶利米扔进最近的蓄水池，存心要让他饿死其中。有人认为 Psalm 69 便是耶利米在这蓄水池中时所作。
英文原文
The dungeon - The cistern. Every house in Jerusalem was supplied with a subterranean cistern, so well constructed that the city never suffered in a siege from want of water. So large were they that when dry they seem to have been used for prisons Zechariah 9:11.
Hammelech - See Jeremiah 36:26 note.
The prison - The guard. They threw Jeremiah into the nearest cistern, intending that he should die of starvation. Some have thought that Psalm 69 was composed by Jeremiah when in this cistern.
7
Jeremiah 38:7
「以伯米勒」 - 意即「王的仆人」。所谓「埃提阿伯人」即古实人，指非洲的古实人，即黑人。看来（比较 2 Kings 23:11），这类太监（或内臣）的名字取自君王，而王室成员与贵族的名字通常则含有神之尊号的成分。
英文原文
Ebed-melech - i. e., the king's slave. By "Ethiopian" or Cushite is meant the Cushite of Africa, or negro. It seems (compare 2 Kings 23:11) as if such eunuchs (or, chamberlains) took their names from the king, while the royal family and the princes generally bore names compounded with the appellations of the Deity.
10
Jeremiah 38:10
「三十个人」 - 这样多的人数表明西底家预想到会有某种抗拒。（有人读作「三个」人。）
英文原文
Thirty men - So large a number suggests that Zedekiah expected some resistance. (Some read "three" men.)
11
Jeremiah 38:11
「旧碎布……」 - 即撕破之衣的破布和穿旧之衣的烂布。
英文原文
Old cast clouts ... - Rags of torn garments and rags of worn-out garments.
14
Jeremiah 38:14
「第三门」——这门处大概有从王宫通往圣殿的通道，会面可能就在附近某个密室中进行。
英文原文
The third entry - There was probably a passage from the palace to the temple at this entry, and the meeting would take place in some private chamber close by.
15
Jeremiah 38:15
「你岂不听从……！」 - 更好的译法是：“你必不听从。”
英文原文
Wilt thou not hearken ...! - Rather, Thou wilt not hearken.
16
Jeremiah 38:16
「那造我们性命的」 - 在起誓的套语上加上这一异常的补充（1 Samuel 20:3），是为了加强誓言。西底家承认自己的性命是神的作为，也就表明他相信神有掌管这性命的大能。
英文原文
That made us this soul - This very unusual addition to the formula of an oath 1 Samuel 20:3 was intended to strengthen it. By acknowledging that his soul was God's workmanship Zedekiah also implied his belief in God's power over it.
19
Jeremiah 38:19
「那些已经投降迦勒底人的犹太人」 - 这些投敌者大概已结成相当大的党派，如今对西底家当初拒绝他们投降的建议更为愤慨。
英文原文
The Jews that are fallen to the Chaldaeans - These deserters probably formed a numerous party, and now would be the more indignant with Zedekiah for having rejected their original advice to submit.
22
Jeremiah 38:22
「所剩下的众妇人」——指属先前诸王后宫的妇人（参较1 Kings 2:22），以及宫女和奴婢。
「你的朋友……」——这首讽刺的歌（参较Obadiah 1:7）应译作对句：
你的朋友怂恿你，且说服了你； 你的脚陷在泥中，他们却转身退去。
「你的朋友」——按字面是「你的平安之人」，即你的相识（见Jeremiah 20:10）。他们怂恿西底家与迦勒底人作无望的抗争，及至他陷入困境，便将他撇弃不顾。
英文原文
All the women that are left - Belonging to the harems of former kings (compare 1 Kings 2:22), attendants, and slaves.
Thy friends ... - This satirical song (compare Obadiah 1:7) should be translated as a distich:
Thy friends have urged thee on and prevailed upon thee:
Thy feet are stuck in the mire; they have turned back.
Thy friends - literally "men of thy peace," thy acquaintance Jeremiah 20:10. They urge Zedekiah on to a hopeless struggle with the Chaldaeans, and when he gets into difficulties leave him in the lurch.
23
Jeremiah 38:23
「于是」——即「而且」。在讥嘲之外，还必有城破被掳的惨祸。
「你必使这城被火焚烧」——按字面，如旁注所记。这城被焚将完全是出于你的作为，就如同你亲手所为一般。
英文原文
So - And. In addition to the ridicule there shall be the miseries of the capture.
Thou shalt cause this city to be burned - literally, as margin. It shall be thy own act as completely as if done with thine own hand.
28
Jeremiah 38:28
「他还在那里，当……」——有人将这句改作「当……的时候」等，并以此作为Jeremiah 39章的开端。
英文原文
And he was there when ... - These words are altered by some to "and it came to pass when" etc., and taken to form the opening of Jeremiah 39.
众首领将耶利米囚禁在约拿单屋中的目的，是要除掉这个碍事之人，因为他的预言使百姓的心消沉。然而，他既被转移到护卫兵的院，这一图谋便落空了；他在那里与士兵们同处，他的朋友可以自由接近他（Jeremiah 32:12）。于是众首领决意要置先知于死地。西底家无力阻止（Jeremiah 38:5），耶利米便被扔进一个淤泥坑里。