Jeremiah 40

Jer 40:1-16.

JEREMIAH

IS

SET

FREE AT

RAMAH, AND

GOES TO

GEDALIAH, TO

WHOM THE

REMNANT OF

JEWS

REPAIR.

JOHANAN

WARNS

GEDALIAH OF

ISHMAEL'S

CONSPIRACY IN

VAIN.

1. word that came--the heading of a new part of the book (the

forty-first through forty-fourth chapters), namely, the prophecies to

the Jews in Judea and Egypt after the taking of the city, blended

with history. The prophecy does not begin till

Jer 42:7,

and the previous history is introductory to it.

bound in chains--Though released from the court of the prison

(see on

Jer 39:14),

in the confusion at the burning of the city he seems to have been led

away in chains with the other captives, and not till he reached Ramah

to have gained full liberty. Nebuzara-dan had his quarters at Ramah, in

Benjamin; and there he collected the captives previous to their removal

to Babylon

(Jer 31:15).

He in releasing Jeremiah obeyed the king's commands

(Jer 39:11).

Jeremiah's "chains" for a time were due to the negligence of those to

whom he had been committed; or else to Nebuzara-dan's wish to upbraid

the people with their perverse ingratitude in imprisoning Jeremiah

[CALVIN]; hence he addresses the people

(ye . . . you) as much as

Jeremiah

(Jer 40:2, 3).

2. The Babylonians were in some measure aware, through Jeremiah's

prophecies

(Jer 39:11),

that they were the instruments of God's wrath on His people.

3. ye--(See on

Jer 40:1).

His address is directed to the Jews as well as to Jeremiah. God makes

the very heathen testify for Him against them

(De 29:24, 25).

4. look well unto thee--the very words of Nebuchadnezzar's charge

(Jer 39:12).

all the land is before thee . . . seemeth good--

(Ge 20:15,

Margin). Jeremiah alone had the option given him of staying

where he pleased, when all the rest were either carried off or forced

to remain there.

5. while he was not yet gone back--parenthetical. When Jeremiah

hesitated whether it would be best for him to go, Nebuzara-dan

proceeded to say, "Go, then, to Gedaliah," (not as

English Version, "Go back, also"), if thou preferrest

(as Nebuzara-dan inferred from Jeremiah's hesitancy) to stop here rather

than go with me.

victuals--

(Isa 33:16).

reward--rather, "a present." This must have been a seasonable relief

to the prophet, who probably lost his all in the siege.

6. Mizpah--in Benjamin, northwest of Jerusalem

(Jer 41:5, 6, 9).

Not the Mizpah in Gilead, beyond Jordan

(Jud 10:17).

Jeremiah showed his patriotism and piety in remaining in his country

amidst afflictions and notwithstanding the ingratitude of the Jews,

rather than go to enjoy honors and pleasures in a heathen court

(Heb 11:24-26).

This vindicates his purity of motive in his withdrawal

(Jer 37:12-14).

7. captains . . . in the fields--The leaders of the Jewish army had

been "scattered" throughout the country on the capture of Zedekiah

(Jer 52:8),

in order to escape the notice of the Chaldeans.

8. Netophathite--from Netophah, a town in Judah

(2Sa 23:28).

Maachathite--from Maachathi, at the foot of Mount Hermon

(De 3:14).

9. Fear not--They were afraid that they should not obtain pardon

from the Chaldeans for their acts. He therefore assured them of safety

serve--literally, "to stand before"

(Jer 40:10;

Jer 52:12),

that is, to be at hand ready to execute the commands of the king of

Babylon.

10. Mizpah--lying on the way between Babylon and Judah, and so

convenient for transacting business between the two countries.

As for me . . . but ye--He artfully, in order to

conciliate them, represents the burden of the service to the Chaldeans

as falling on him, while they may freely gather their

wine, fruits, and oil. He does not now add that these very fruits were

to constitute the chief part of the tribute to be paid to Babylon:

which, though fruitful in corn, was less productive of grapes, figs,

and olives [HERODOTUS, 1.193]. The grant of

"vineyards" to the "poor"

(Jer 39:10)

would give hope to the discontended of enjoying the best fruits

(Jer 40:12).

11. Jews . . . in Moab--who had fled thither at the approach of the

Chaldeans. God thus tempered the severity of His vengeance that a

remnant might be left.

13. in the fields--not in the city, but scattered in the country

(Jer 40:7).

14. Baalis--named from the idol Baal, as was often the case in

heathen names.

Ammonites--So it was to them that Ishmael went after murdering

Gedaliah

(Jer 41:10).

slay--literally, "strike thee in the soul," that is, a deadly

stroke.

Ishmael--Being of the royal seed of David

(Jer 41:1),

he envied Gedaliah the presidency to which he thought himself entitled;

therefore he leagued himself with the ancient heathen enemy of Judah.

believed . . . not--generous, but unwise unsuspiciousness

(Ec 9:16).

16. thou speakest falsely--a mystery of providence that God should

permit the righteous, in spite of warning, thus to rush into the trap

laid for them!

Isa 57:1

suggests a solution.