Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 41
Thomas Aquinas Commentary
Jeremiah 41
Thomas Aquinas Commentary
Jeremiah 41
"Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal and [one of] the chief officers of the king, and ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah. Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land. Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, [to wit], with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans that were found there, the men of war." — Jeremiah 41:1-3 (ASV)
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Here, the disturbance of the assembled people by the wickedness of Ishmael is described. This section has three parts:
- First, the deceitful slaughter of certain men is mentioned.
- Second, the burial of their bodies: now the pit into which Ishmael had cast all the bodies of the men... is that which king Asa had made (Jeremiah 41:9).
- Third, the violent capture of the others: and Ishmael led captive (Jeremiah 41:10).
Concerning the first point, the deceitful slaughter, there are two further points:
- First, the slaughter of the leader and his household is mentioned.
- Second, the slaughter of all his followers: and on the second day (Jeremiah 41:4).
Concerning the slaughter of the leader, there are three points:
- First, the author speaks of the ruse of feigned peace. Ishmael was of royal blood, and because of this, he was moved by envy against the one he saw appointed over the Jews, since he himself had been passed over by the king. There is a friend who is a companion at table, but he will not remain in the day of trouble .
- Second, he speaks of the murder of the leader. They arose from the table, the ten men, and struck, while the others suspected nothing of the kind. Abner has not died as cowards usually die (2 Samuel 3:33).
- Third, he speaks of the slaughter of his household: Ishmael struck also all the Jews who were with Gedaliah. Of one spark comes a great fire, and of one deceitful man much blood .
"And it came to pass the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew it, that there came men from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with meal-offerings and frankincense in their hand, to bring them to the house of Jehovah. And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam. And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, [and cast them] into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him. But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not; for we have stores hidden in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren." — Jeremiah 41:4-8 (ASV)
Here, the author discusses the slaughter of the pilgrims.
First, he describes their appearance, noting their signs of mourning: with shaven beards. As Scripture says, Her priests sigh (Lamentations 1:4), and, The Lord has brought great mourning upon me .
He also notes their votive offerings: they had gifts and incense, which was offered with every sacrifice (Leviticus 2). They were going to the house of the
Lord , that is, to the site of the temple. As it is written, They shall worship him with sacrifices and gifts, and they shall swear vows to the Lord, and perform them (Isaiah 19:21).Second, he discusses the slaughter, first noting the deceit in Ishmael's feigned grief: Ishmael went out weeping. As Sirach warns, Though he humble himself and go bowed down, take good heed and beware of him . He also points to his deceitful counsel: and when he had met them. For, a false tongue does not love the truth, and a slippery mouth works destruction (Proverbs 26:28).
Then, he adds the account of the murder: then, when they had come into the midst of the city, Ishmael slew them. This fulfills the laments, My life has fallen into the pit, and they have laid a stone over me (Lamentations 3:53), and, Blood has touched blood (Hosea 4:2).
Third, he discusses the sparing of certain men who were saved because they promised to reveal hidden riches: but ten men. As Proverbs says, The ransom of a man’s life are many riches, but he who is poor bears no reproach (Proverbs 13:8).
"Now the pit wherein Ishmael cast all the dead bodies of the men whom he had slain, by the side of Gedaliah (the same was that which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel,) Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slain." — Jeremiah 41:9 (ASV)
- Here, he speaks of the burial of their bodies: king Asa. In 1 Kings 15:22, it is said that Asa caused Geba of Benjamin in Mizpah to be built from the materials which Baasha had prepared for the fortification of Ramah against him, and as it happens, he had made a cistern for the defense of the city. I am reckoned with those that go down into the pit, I am become as a man without helper, free among the dead (Psalms 87:4–5).
"Then Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people that were in Mizpah, even the king`s daughters, and all the people that remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam; Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the children of Ammon. But when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done, then they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon. Now it came to pass that, when all the people that were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, then they were glad. So all the people that Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah turned about and came back, and went unto Johanan the son of Kareah. But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the children of Ammon. Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah, after that he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, [to wit], the men of war, and the women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought back from Gibeon: and they departed, and dwelt in Geruth Chimham, which is by Beth-lehem, to go to enter into Egypt, because of the Chaldeans; for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor over the land." — Jeremiah 41:10-18 (ASV)
1. Here, he speaks of the taking of captives.
The taking of those who remained is described: the remnant, because he had slain certain men who were of the household of Gedaliah. Hell has enlarged its soul, and opened its mouth without any end (Isaiah 5:14).
He speaks of the liberation, noting the preparation of the liberators: Johanan heard. Rescue those who are being led to death, and do not cease to free those who are handed over to destruction (Proverbs 24:11).
To this he adds the liberation of the captives: and when all the people who were with Ishmael saw Johanan . . . they rejoiced. By the good of the just a city shall be exalted, and in the destruction of the wicked shall be its praise (Proverbs 11:10).
He also notes the escape of their captor: but Ishmael fled with eight men, two having been killed. Woe to you who plunder, shall you not also be plundered? (Isaiah 33:1).
He speaks of their fear; concerning this, there are two points.
- He notes the sign of their fear—namely, their resolve to flee: therefore, Johanan took. The wicked man flees, though no one pursues him (Proverbs 28:1).
- He speaks of the source of their fear: for they feared them. For a troubled conscience always foretells grievous things . Though there be peace, he always suspects treachery (Job 15:21).
Chapter 42
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