Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 40
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 40
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 40
"The word which came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah, that were carried away captive unto Babylon." — Jeremiah 40:1 (ASV)
As what follows is mainly a historical narrative, it seems that the title “The word ...” was appropriate not only to a prediction of the future but also to an account of the past, if written by a prophet. The Jews regarded history as inspired if written by a seer, and therefore their historical books are called “the early prophets.”
Ramah – Probably all the notable prisoners were collected at Ramah indiscriminately and examined there.
Bound in chains – The prisoners were probably fastened together in couples by one hand, and a rope was passed down the center to bind them in a long line and prevent escape attempts.
"Now while he was not yet gone back, Go back then, [said he], to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people; or go wheresoever it seemeth right unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a present, and let him go." — Jeremiah 40:5 (ASV)
Now while he had not yet gone back - Most modern commentators render, “And as he still answered nothing, Return then, he said, to Gedaliah...”
Victuals - A ration of food.
A reward - A present.
"Now when all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poorest of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;" — Jeremiah 40:7 (ASV)
The men would be the old and infirm: the women those whose husbands and protectors had perished in the wars (for example, Jeremiah 41:10). The word children includes all the inferior members of a household.
"And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you. As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah, to stand before the Chaldeans that shall come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine and summer fruits and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken." — Jeremiah 40:9-10 (ASV)
To serve the Chaldeans - literally, as noted in the margin: to be their minister and lieutenant. Gedaliah supposed that officers of high rank would come from time to time from Babylon to look after the king’s interests. But whatever was ordered would be done through him, since he was the prime minister.
Gather ye wine - As Jerusalem was captured in the fifth month, August, it would now be autumn, and there would be fruit on the trees, enough to maintain the scanty population during the winter.
Taken - Or, seized. Every captain had probably occupied some place by force as his headquarters, and Gedaliah instructs them to retain them. He frankly accepts the whole existing situation as a necessary step toward re-establishing confidence.
"and said unto him, Dost thou know that Baalis the king of the children of Ammon hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take thy life? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not." — Jeremiah 40:14 (ASV)
It is difficult to say what motive Baalis could have had for murdering Gedaliah. As an ally of Zedekiah (Jeremiah 27:3), he may have had a spite against the family of Ahikam for opposing, as they most probably did at Jeremiah’s urging, the league proposed (Jeremiah 27:1). Ishmael’s motive was envy and spite at seeing a subject who had always opposed the war now invested with kingly power, in place of the royal family.
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