Jer 40:4 | NETfull | STEP | But now, Jeremiah, today I will set you free from the chains on your wrists. If you would like to come to Babylon with me, come along and I will take care of you. But if you prefer not to come to Babylon with me, you are not required to do so. You are free to go anywhere in the land you want to go. Go wherever you choose.”

Jeremiah 40:4

4 But now, Jeremiah, today I will set you free ^{▼▼ The verb here is an example of the perfect of resolve where the speaker announces his intention to do something according to IBHS 488–89 #30.5.1d. The word “Jeremiah” is supplied in the translation to avoid the possible misunderstanding that the you is still plural.} from the chains on your wrists. If you would like to come to Babylon with me, come along and I will take care of you. ^{▼▼ Or “look out for you.” See 39:12 and the translator’s note there.} But if you prefer not to come to Babylon with me, you are not required to do so. ^{▼▼ Or “Stay here”; Heb “Forbear.” The imperative is used in a permissive sense; “you may forbear.” See GKC 324 #110.b and compare usage in Gen 50:6.} You are free to go anywhere in the land you want to go. ^{▼▼ Heb “See all the land [or the whole land] is before you.” For this idiom see BDB 817 s.v. פָּנֶה II.4.a(f) and compare the usage in Gen 20:15; 47:6.} Go wherever you choose.” ^{▼▼ Heb “Unto the good and the right in your eyes to go, go there.”}