Jeremiah 40

For an introduction into the further prophesies of Jeremiah to the remaining Jews here is related how he was fetched away from the midst of the captives being very favorable dealt with all being adjoined himself with Gedaliah at Mispa verse1 c wither all the fugitive and that they were left and they that were left in the land dead resort and were comforted and advised by Gedaliah 7some of them especially Jobanan advise Gadiliah to beware of Ishmael but he believed them not 13.

1. The word which came unto Jeremiah from the Lord after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Rama[and the other things were also done which are related below after that Jeremiah was set at liberty to wit how that Gedaliah was treacherously murdered and how the Jews intended to go to Egypt see of Rama 1 Kings 15 on verse 17]when he had caused him to be fetched [Heb had taken him see above chapter 37 on verse 17 so straightway verse 2]where he was bound with chains in the midst of the captives [Heb captivity or captive carrying away as elsewhere often]of Jerusalem and Judah which were carried away captive unto Babel [the very words of the prophesy follow not until chapter 42.7&c but here in the sequel is inserted a relation of the passages that gave occasion to the aforesaid prophesy.]

2. For the captain of the guard caused Jeremiah to be fetched unto him the Lord thy God hath spoken this evil [mischief misery evil of punishment] upon this city [that speaketh an heathen man to the shame and confusion of the Jews hence it appeareth that the king of Babel hath understood what Jeremiah hath prophesied compare above chapter 39.11.]

3. And the Lord hath caused it to come and done according as he had spoken for ye have sinned against the Lord and not obeyed his voice therefore this thing has not happened to you[or is this word com unto you or this word of the Lord is accomplished upon you compare above chapter 39.16.]

4. Now then [seeing thou art found to be true prophet]behold I have loosed thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand [others hands] if it be good in thine eyes [if it please thee]to come with me to Babel then come I will set my eyes upon thee [see above chapter 39.12]but if it be evil in thine eyes [that is displease thee dislike thee] to come with to Babel then forbear it behold all the land is before thy face [that is lieth open before thee see Genesis 13 on verse 9]wither it is good and right in thine eyes to go thither go.

5. And seeing he will not return [he namely Gedeliah who is presently named who will not so soon come hither again that thou shouldst need to wait for this coming back for he hath much business to dispatch at Mizpa others and seeing he namely Jeremiah was not yet returned he namely Nebuzaradan said moreover or returneth c by which only few words inserted may be shewed how it came to pass that Jeremiah got among the rest of the captives and was carried away with them to wit because he had not yet repaired unto Gedaliah when he was released out of the court of prison but continued among the people so likewise bound with others and brought hither therefore Nebuzaradan offereth liberty to go to Gedaliah that he might be safe and secure under his protection as followeth others seeing to wit he Zedekiah spoken by way of contempt shall not return anymore c]therefore turn thou to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan whom the king of Babel had set over the cities of Judah and dwell with him in the midst of the people or wither so ever it is right in thine eyes to go thither go and the captain of the guard gave him victual [the Hebrew word signifieth properly but it is also generally taken for daily allowance which is allotted to a man below chapter 52.34 see further Proverbs 15 on verse 17] and a present and let him go.

6. So Jeremiah came to Gedaliah the son of Ahakim and Mizpa [lying in the land of Benjamin as some conceive see judges 10 on verse 17] and he dwelt with him in the midst of the people that were left in the land.

7. Now when all the commanders [that is captains chiefs officers so often in the sequel] of the armies that were in the field [that is the soldiers which they had with them so verse 8] heard that the king of Babel had set Gedaliah the son of Ahikim the man and the women and the children and of the poorest of the land [Heb poverty or thinness of the land see 2Kings 24 on verse 14] of them that were not carried away captive to Babel [compare this relation with 2Kings 25.23c.]

8. Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpa namely Ishmael [see 2kings 25 on verse 23] the son of Nethaniah and Johanan the son of Kareah and Seraiah the son of Tanbumeth and the son of Ephathe Netophathites and Jezeniah the son of Machathile they and their men.

9. And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Saphan swear unto them and their men saying fear not to serve the Chaldean abide [or dwell] in the land to serve the king of Babel so shall it go well with you.

10. And behold I dwell at Mizpa to stand before the face of the Chaldeans [that is to serve them see Deuteronomy 1on verse 38 and 1 Kings 1 on verse 2] which will come unto us ye then gather wine and summer fruits and oil and put them in your vessels and dwell in your cities which ye have taken [that is taken for your dwelling places.]

11. Also all the Jews that were in Moab and the son of Ammon and in Edom that were in all those lands [that is that were fled into the country thereabout] heard that the king of Babel had left [or appointed permitted Heb. Properly given] a remnant in Judah that he had set before them [them that were left] Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan.

12. Then the Jews returned out of the places wither they were driven and came into the land of Judah to Gadaliah to Mizpa and they gathered very much wine and fruits.

13. But Johanan the son of Kariath and all the commanders of the armies [excepting Ishmael of whom in the sequel] came to Gedaliah to Mizpa .

14. And saith unto him dost thou know indeed [Heb dost thou knowing know] that Baalis of the children of Ammon hath sent forth Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to smite thee on the life [Heb smite thee on the soul that is to take away thy life see Deuteronomy 19:6 with the annotate so in the next verse]but Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.

15. Yet Jonathan the son of Kareah spoke unto Gedaliah secretly at Mizpa saying let me go I pray thee and smite Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and no man shall know it why should he smite thy life and all Judah that are gathered unto thee be scattered and the remnant of the Judah perish?

16. But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johannan the son of Kareah do not this thing for thou speaketh falsely of Ishmael [ or against Ishmael this was a token of Gedeliah sincerity of heart but he ought to have duly sifted out of the truth of business and to have been upon his guards to prevent the mischief which afterward happened unto him by this traitor see the next chapter.