Jeremiah under Scrutiny Once Again (38:14–28)

Third entrance to the temple (38:14). This entrance to the temple in Jerusalem is mentioned only here. Its location is unknown. The most that we can suggest at this point is that it is a private place and thus can be considered as the king’s private entrance into the temple.

All your wives and children will be brought out to the Babylonians (38:23). When a nation or city was conquered in the ancient Near East, the defeated were vulnerable to the whims and appetites of the victors. The Babylonians normally exiled the best of society, thus depriving them of their land, identity, religion, and sense of worth. Others were raped, tortured, and killed. There are reliefs from the time of king Shalmaneser III of Assyria (858–824 B.C.) that show women and children being marched away.301

Lachish relief shows women and children being taken into exile.

Todd Bolen/www.BiblePlaces.com