Chapter Forty

1–6. Jeremiah’s secondary release. 7–16. Governor Gedaliah.

Jer 40:1-6. Jeremiah received from Nebuzaradan full freedom to dispose of his own fate. He could either go with his countrymen to Babylon or remain with Gedaliah, the governor, with a small community of Judeans in Judea. Jeremiah chose the latter and remained with Gedaliah in the city of Mizpah.

Jeremiah 40:1. A word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord after Nebuzaradan, the commander of the guard, had released him from Ramah, where he had taken him bound in chains among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were being carried away to Babylon. The heading contained in this verse properly belongs only to Jer 42:4-22 and Jer 43:8-13, which stand in close connection with the historical narratives contained in chapters XL and XLI. For this reason, the heading that should have appeared before Jer 42:4 is placed at the beginning of chapter XL. – Ramah was the first stopping place of the captured Judeans (this city is located two hours’ journey to the north of Jerusalem).

Jeremiah 40:3. And the Lord brought it about and did what He said; because you sinned before the Lord and did not obey His voice, therefore this calamity has come upon you. Nebuzaradan speaks as Jeremiah spoke, conforming to his perspective. Moreover, according to his pagan way of thinking, he could believe in the God of the Hebrews, whom the Hebrews had angered through their disobedience, and who for that reason began to help the Chaldeans.

Jeremiah 40:5. While he had not yet left, Nebuzaradan said: Go to Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed governor over the cities of Judah, and live with him among the people; or go wherever you wish to go. And the commander of the guard gave him food and a gift and let him go. Jeremiah evidently did not at first express a desire to leave his captive countrymen. But then, when he heard that a community also remained in Judea under the rule of a Judean leader, he decided it was best for the cause to stay in Judea, where theocratic life could be reborn.

Jeremiah 40:6. So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, at Mizpah, and lived with him among the people who remained in the land. Mizpah is located two hours’ journey to the northwest of Jerusalem; it was situated on a height, overlooking the surrounding regions. Jer 40:7-16. Gedaliah began to establish good order among the inhabitants remaining in Judea, and around him the remnants of Judean military units began to gather, those who had been outside the city at the time of the taking of Jerusalem, as well as those Judeans who had escaped and fled from the Chaldeans among the Ammonites and, in general, in the regions beyond the Jordan. But the well-being of the remaining Judean community soon came to an end. A conspiracy was arranged against Gedaliah by a certain Ishmael, about which Gedaliah was informed in good time, but against whom the governor refused to take any measures.

Jeremiah 40:8. Then Ishmael, son of Nathaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan, sons of Kareah, and Seraiah, son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai of Netophah, and Jaazaniah, son of the Maachathite, came to Gedaliah at Mizpah, they and their men. Ishmael, son of Nathaniah, as is evident from Jer 41:1, was of royal descent. This explains why he rebelled against Gedaliah, a man of common origin, whom he could regard as a traitor to his country. – “Netophah” is a city in Judea, not far from Bethlehem.

Jeremiah 40:9. And Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, swore to them and their men, saying, Do not fear to serve the Chaldeans; dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be well with you; “Do not fear to serve the Chaldeans” – more accurately translated, as in the LXX: Do not be afraid of the officials of the Chaldeans, who, of course, were left in Palestine by Nebuchadnezzar.

Jeremiah 40:10. As for me, I will remain at Mizpah to stand before the Chaldeans who will come to us; but you, gather wine and summer fruits and oil, and store them in your vessels, and dwell in the cities that you have taken. “Gather wine.” It is remarkable that the Chaldeans did not destroy the harvest and fruits of the land of Judah – both remained intact several weeks after their withdrawal from Judea. The Assyrians acted differently (compare Isa 1:7-9).

Jeremiah 40:13. Meanwhile Johanan, son of Kareah, and all the military commanders who were in the field came to Gedaliah at Mizpah “Who were in the field” – that is, those hiding here and there in the land of Judah.

Jeremiah 40:14. And said to him, Do you know that Baalis, king of the Ammonites, has sent Ishmael, son of Nathaniah, to take your life? But Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, did not believe them. The king of Ammon was displeased with the restoration of order in Judea, which was being brought about by Gedaliah. He probably intended to take advantage of the land of Judah and therefore could have inspired Ishmael to think that Gedaliah must be killed. The king calculated that in that case the Chaldeans would send a force to punish the Judeans, and no one of them would remain in the land of Judea, which he might even receive for himself as his possession.