Jeremiah 40

1 Jeremiah, being set free by Nebuzar-adan, goes to Gedaliah.

7 The dispersed Jews repair unto him.

13 Johanan revealing Ishmael's conspiracy is not believed.

The word.This, and the four following chapters, record the events which occurred in Judea from the taking of Jerusalem to the retreat of the remnant of the people to Egypt; and contain several prophecies of Jeremiah concerning them there; which were "the word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord." It appears that Jeremiah, after being freed from prison, continued among the Jews, till he was bound, with others of them, and carried to Ramah; where he was set a liberty in the manner related.

after.

39:11-14

Ramah.

31:15; Jos 18:25; 1Sa 7:17

bound.

Ps 68:6; 107:16; Ac 12:6,7; 21:13; 28:20; Eph 6:20; *marg:

chains. or, manacles.

The Lord.

22:8,9; De 29:24-28; 1Ki 9:8,9; 2Ch 7:20-22; La 2:15-17

because.

50:7; Ne 9:28,33; Da 9:11,12; Ro 2:5; 3:19

4

Go back.

39:14; 41:2; 2Ki 25:22-24

Ahikam.

26:24; 2Ki 22:12,14; 2Ch 34:20

or go.

4; 15:11; Ezr 7:6,27; Ne 1:11; 2:4-8; Pr 16:7; 21:1

gave him.

52:31-34; 2Ki 8:7-9; Job 22:29; Ac 27:3,43; 28:10; Heb 13:6

victuals and a reward.Rather, "victuals, ({aruchah,} a stated allowance, sufficient for the journey,) and a present," {masseäth.}

Then.It has been doubted whether Jeremiah acted prudently in this decision, as the event seems to indicate the contrary, and as it was the evident meaning of all his predictions that the Jews should not prosper in their own country till the expiration of seventy years. But he was evidently influenced by the most unbounded love to his country, for whose welfare he had watched, prayed, and lived; and he now chose rather to share her adversities, her sorrows, her wants, her afflictions, and her disgrace, than to be the companion of princes, and to sit at the table of kings. His patriotism was as unbounded as it was sincere: he only ceased to live for country when he ceased to breathe.

39:14

Mizpah.

Jos 15:38; Jud 20:1; 21:1; 1Sa 7:5,6

Mizpeh.

all the.

39:4; 2Ki 25:4,22,23-26

the poor.

39:10; Eze 33:24-29; 45:16

came.

6,11,12

even.

14; 41:1-16; 2Ki 25:23,25

Johanan.

41:11,16; 42:1,8; 43:2,5

Jonathan.

37:15,20; 38:26

Netophathite.

2Sa 23:28,29; 1Ch 2:54; 11:30; Ezr 2:2,22; Ne 7:26

Maachathite.

De 3:14; Jos 12:5; 2Sa 10:6,8; 23:34; 1Ch 2:48

sware.

1Sa 20:16,17; 2Ki 25:24

Fear.

27:11; 38:17-20; Ge 49:15; Ps 37:3; 128:2

serve. Heb. stand before.

35:19; De 1:38; Pr 22:29; Lu 21:36

gather.

39:10

summer.

12; 48:32; 2Sa 16:1; Isa 16:9; Mic 7:1

all the Jews.

24:9; Isa 16:4; Eze 5:3,12; 25:2,6,8,12; 35:5,15; Ob 1:11-14

12

Johanan.Johanan and his companions seem to have acted honestly in this affair. They had received intelligence of designs formed against Gedaliah's life, and consequently against the whole new settlement. Ishmael, being a branch of David's family, was probably displeased that another was preferred above him; and the king of the Ammonites, out of hatred to the Jews, employed him to slay Gedaliah. But Gedaliah, conscious of his own integrity and benevolence, took the portrait of others from his own mind; and therefore believed evil of no man, because he felt none towards any in his own breast. He may be reproached for being too credulous and confiding; but this only serves to shew the greatness of his soul; for a little mind is always suspicious, and ready to believe the worst of every person and thing.

6-8

Ammonites.

25:21; 41:10; 49:1-6; 1Sa 11:1-3; 2Sa 10:1-6; Eze 25:2-6

Am 1:13-15

Ishmael.

8; 41:2,10; Pr 26:23-26; Isa 26:10; Mic 7:5

slay thee? Heb. strike thee in soul. believed.

1Co 13:5-7

Let.

1Sa 24:4; 26:8; Job 31:31

wherefore.

12:3,4; 2Sa 18:3; 21:17; Eze 33:24-29; Joh 11:50

Thou shalt.

41:2; Mt 10:16,17; Ro 3:8
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