Chapter 40

1
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 Jer 39:11-14

Ramah Jer 31:15; Josh 18:25; 1Sam 7:17

bound Ps 68:6, Ps 107:16; Acts 12:6-7, Acts 21:13, Acts 28:20; Eph 6:20 *marg.

chains or, manacles


2
The Lord Jer 22:8-9; Deut 29:24-28; 1Kgs 9:8-9; 2Chr 7:20-22; Lam 2:15-17


3
because Jer 50:7; Neh 9:28, Neh 9:33; Dan 9:11-12; Rom 2:5, Rom 3:19


5
Go back Jer 39:14, Jer 41:2; 2Kgs 25:22-24

Ahikam Jer 26:24; 2Kgs 22:12, 2Kgs 22:14; 2Chr 34:20

or go Jer 40:4, Jer 15:11; Ezra 7:6, Ezra 7:27; Neh 1:11, Neh 2:4-8; Prov 16:7, Prov 21:1

gave him Jer 52:31-34; 2Kgs 8:7-9; Job 22:29; Acts 27:3, Acts 27:43, Acts 28:10; Heb 13:6

victuals and a reward Rather, "victuals (aruchah a stated allowance, sufficient for the journey), and a present," masseatḣ


6
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. Jer 39:14

Mizpah Josh 15:38; Judg 20:1, Judg 21:1; 1Sam 7:5-6, Mizpeh


7
all the Jer 39:4; 2Kgs 25:4, 2Kgs 25:22, 2Kgs 25:23-26

the poor Jer 39:10; Ezek 33:24-29, Ezek 45:16


8
came Jer 40:6, Jer 40:11-12

even Jer 40:14, Jer 41:1-16; 2Kgs 25:23, 2Kgs 25:25

Johanan Jer 41:11, Jer 41:16, Jer 42:1, Jer 42:8, Jer 43:2, Jer 43:5

Jonathan Jer 37:15, Jer 37:20, Jer 38:26

Netophathite 2Sam 23:28-29; 1Chr 2:54, 1Chr 11:30; Ezra 2:2, Ezra 2:22; Neh 7:26

Maachathite Deut 3:14; Josh 12:5; 2Sam 10:6, 2Sam 10:8, 2Sam 23:34; 1Chr 2:48


9
sware 1Sam 20:16-17; 2Kgs 25:24

Fear Jer 27:11, Jer 38:17-20; Gen 49:15; Ps 37:3, Ps 128:2


10
serve Heb. stand before, Jer 35:19; Deut 1:38; Prov 22:29; Luke 21:36

gather Jer 39:10

summer Jer 40:12, Jer 48:32; 2Sam 16:1; Isa 16:9; Mic 7:1


11
all the Jews Jer 24:9; Isa 16:4; Ezek 5:3, Ezek 5:12, Ezek 25:2, Ezek 25:6, Ezek 25:8, Ezek 25:12, Ezek 35:5, Ezek 35:15; Obad 1:11-14


13
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. Jer 40:6-8


14
Ammonites Jer 25:21, Jer 41:10, Jer 49:1-6; 1Sam 11:1-3; 2Sam 10:1-6; Ezek 25:2-6; Amos 1:13-15

Ishmael Jer 40:8, Jer 41:2, Jer 41:10; Prov 26:23-26; Isa 26:10; Mic 7:5

slay thee Heb. strike thee in soul

believed 1Cor 13:5-7


15
Let 1Sam 24:4, 1Sam 26:8; Job 31:31

wherefore Jer 12:3-4; 2Sam 18:3, 2Sam 21:17; Ezek 33:24-29; John 11:50


16
Thou shalt Jer 41:2; Matt 10:16-17; Rom 3:8


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