The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.
Verily - literally, Shall it not be? i:e., Surely it shall be well with.
Thy remnant - the final issue of thy life; thy life, which now seems to thee so sad, shall eventuate in prosperity (Calvin). The Hebrew is, literally, 'thy remarks (shall be) for good' [from the root shaa'ar (H7604), to leave]. They who think that they shall be the surviving remnant, whereas thou shalt perish, shall themselves fall, whereas thou shalt remain and be favoured by the conquerors (Junius). Nebuzaradan, by Nebuchadnezzar's orders, treated Jeremiah well, and "gave him victuals, and a reward, and let him go" (Jeremiah 40:4-5; Jeremiah 39:11-12). The Qeri' reads [shriytikaa, for the Kethibh, sheeriwtikaa: from shaaraah (H8281), to set free], 'I will set thee free.' Maurer retains the Kethibh [but points it as: shaarrowtikaah, from shaarar (H8324)], 'I will establish thee for good' (Jeremiah 14:11; Ezra 8:22; Psalms 119:122).
I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well - literally, cause to meet thee [hipga`tiy]: so 'to be placable, nay, of their own accord to anticipate in meeting thee with kindness' (Calvin). I prefer this translation as according with the event (Jeremiah 39:11-12; Jeremiah 40:4-5). Gesenius, from the use of the Hebrew word (Jeremiah 7:16; Jeremiah 27:18; Job 21:15), translates (not only will I relieve thee from the enemy's vexations, but, 'I will make thine enemy (that now vexeth thee) apply to thee with prayers,' as Zedekiah, and subsequently Johanan, did (Jeremiah 38:14; Jeremiah 42:2-6).