John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And the king spake unto Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs , etc.] That is, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon spake to this officer of his, whose name was Ashpenaz; which, according to Saadiah, signifies a man of an angry countenance; but Hillerus derives it from the Arabic word “schaphan”, as designing one that excels in wit and understanding; for which reason he might have the command of the eunuchs, many of which the eastern princes had about them, particularly to wait upon their women, or to educate youth, as the Turks have now; though, as R. Jeshuah in Aben Ezra observes, the word signifies ministers, and may intend the king’s nobles and courtiers, his ministers of state; and so this Ashpenaz may be considered as his prime minister, to whom he gave orders, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel ; whom he had taken and brought captive to Babylon, and were disposed of in some part or another of the city and country; and out of these it was his will that some should be selected and brought to his court: and of the king’s seed, and of the princes : or, “even of the king’s seed, and of the princes”; not any of the children of Israel, but such as were of the blood royal, or of the king of Judah’s family, or some way related to it; or, however, that were of princely birth, the children of persons of the first rank, as the word may signify; or of nobles and dukes, as Jarchi interprets it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Here is a description of the several portions of the land belonging to each tribe. In gospel times, behold all things are become new. Much i wrapped up in emblems and numbers. This method God has used to stat mysterious truths in his word, not to be more clearly revealed till the proper time and season. But into the church of Christ, both in it state of warfare and triumph, there is free access by faith, from ever side. Christ has opened the kingdom of heaven for all believers Whoever will, may come, and take of the water of life, of the tree of life, freely. The Lord is there, in his church, to be nigh unto them in all they call upon him for. This is true of every real Christian whatever soul has in it a living principle of grace, it may truly be said, The Lord is there. May we be found citizens of this holy city and act agreeably to that character; and have the benefit of the Lord' presence with us, in life, in death, and for evermore _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 המלך4428 לאשׁפנז828 רב7227 סריסיו5631 להביא935 מבני1121 ישׂראל3478 ומזרע2233 המלוכה4410 ומן4480 הפרתמים׃6579
