Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 40:7
Now when all the captains of the forces which [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 poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;
7. all the captains of the forces ] the various leaders of bands among the Jews, who would keep out of the way during the presence of the Babylonian forces and until they found what was likely to be the condition of the country and the nature of the new government.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
7 9. Abbreviated from 2Ki 25:23 f.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
6. Mizpah ] on a hill ( Neby Samwil) 4 miles N.W. of Jerusalem.
Chs. Jer 40:7 to Jer 41:3. Gedaliah is slain by Ishmael
Schmidt ( Enc. Bibl. 238 b), on grounds which, when examined, appear quite insufficient, rejects this and the following section (Jer 40:7 to Jer 41:18). Even Du. on the other hand accepts it as in the main an extract from Baruch’s memoirs, adding that it forms one of the most remarkable and interesting accounts in the O.T. Difficulties in the narrative as it stands will be mentioned in the notes. The section may be summarized as follows. (i) Jer 40:7-12. On Gedaliah’s being made governor of those left in the land, Ishmael and other captains came to him and received an assurance that, if they were loyal to Babylon, they should receive protection. He exhorts them to occupy themselves in gathering the produce of the land. The same is thereupon done by many Jews who now return from taking refuge in neighbouring countries. (ii) Jer 40:13-16. Johanan warns Gedaliah that Baalis, king of Ammon, had instigated Ishmael to kill him, and asks permission to slay the latter. Gedaliah refuses to believe the charge. (iii) Jer 41:1-3. Ishmael, accompanied by ten men, goes to Mizpah, and after being entertained by Gedaliah, murders him and all Jews and Chaldaeans who were with him.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The men would be the old and infirm: the women those whose husbands and protectors had perished in the wars (e. g. Jer 41:10). The word children includes all the inferior members of a household.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
7. captains . . . in the fieldsTheleaders of the Jewish army had been “scattered” throughoutthe country on the capture of Zedekiah (Jer52:8), in order to escape the notice of the Chaldeans.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Now when all the captains of the forces which [were] in the fields,…. Not the captains of the king of Babylon’s forces, but the captains of the king of Judah’s forces; who either during the siege had lurked in the fields and villages, not daring to fall upon the Chaldean army, or attempt to raise the siege; or rather who fled with Zedekiah from Jerusalem, when the city was taken, and who deserted him, when he was apprehended, and shifted for themselves, and were dispersed about in the country, where they continued for some little time: but when
they and their men; their servants, or rather the common soldiers that were under them:
heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land; his viceroy or deputy governor in the land of Judea; being a prince of considerable note among the Jews, and in high favour with the king of Babylon:
and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive unto Babylon; even as many men, women, children, and poor, as were left in the land, and not carried captive; these were all committed to the care of this prince, to rule over and govern them; to keep them in subjection to the king of Babylon; to employ them in cultivating the land, from whence some profit might arise to the conqueror and new proprietor of it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Return of those who had been dispersed: they gather round Gedaliah. – Whilst the country and its capital were being conquered, many of the men of war had dispersed here and there through the land, and fled for refuge to regions difficult of access, where they could not be reached by the Chaldeans; others had even escaped into the territory of the Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites. When these heard that now, after the destruction of Jerusalem and the carrying away of the captives, the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor over the few people who had been left behind in the country, they returned from their several places of refuge, and came to Mizpah to Gedaliah, who promised them protection and safety, on condition that they would recognise the authority of the king of Babylon and peaceably cultivate the soil. , “leaders of the forces, captains.” , “in the country,” as opposed to the city; , “fields,” as in Jer 17:3. , “their men,” the troops under the captains. , “that he had committed to his oversight and care.” “Men,” viz., old, weak, infirm men; “women and children,” whose husbands and fathers had perished; “and some of the poor of the country, of those who had not been carried captive to Babylon” ( partitive), i.e., the poor and mean people whom the Chaldeans had left behind in the country (Jer 39:10).
Jer 40:8-12 These captains came to Mizpah, namely ( explicative), Ishmael the son of Nethaniah (according to Jer 41:1, the grandson of Elishama, and of royal blood), Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah (cf. Jer 40:13 and Jer 41:11, Jer 41:16; Jer 42:1.; the name Jonathan is omitted in 2Ki 25:23; see on this passage), Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite (from Netophah in the vicinity of Bethlehem, 1Ch 2:54; Ezr 2:22), Jezaniah ( ; but in 2Ki 25:23 ), the Maachathite, from Maachah, a district in Syria near Hermon, Deu 3:14; Jos 12:5. These men, who had borne arms against the Chaldeans, were concerned for their safety when they returned into the country. Gedaliah sware to them, i.e., promised them on oath, “Be not afraid to serve the Chaldeans; remain in the country and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you. And as for me, behold, I shall remain at Mizpah to stand before the Chaldeans who will come to us,” i.e., as lieutenant of the king of Babylon, to represent you before the Chaldean officers and armies, to maintain your rights and interests, so that you may be able to settle down where you choose, without anxiety, and cultivate the land. “And as for yourselves, father ye wine and fruit ( , see on 2Sa 16:1) and oil, and put them in your vessels.” is used of the ingathering of the fruits of the ground. It was during the fifth or sixth month (2Ki 25:8), the end of July or beginning of August, that grapes, figs, and olives became ripe; and these had grown so plentifully in comparison with the small number of those who had returned, that they could gather sufficient for their wants. “And dwell in your cities, cities which ye seize,” i.e., which you shall take possession of. Jer 40:11. Those Jews also who had fled, during the war, into the neighbouring countries of Moab, Ammon, Edom, etc., returned to Judah when they learned that the king of Babylon had left a remnant, and placed Gedaliah over them; they came to Mizpah and Gedaliah, who appointed them places to dwell in, and they gathered much wine and fruit, i.e., made a rich vintage and fruit harvest. , “to give a remainder,” as it were to leave a remainder (‘ ‘( r edniamer , Jer 44:7, or ‘ , Gen 45:7).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| Gedaliah’s Address to the People. | B. C. 588. |
7 Now when all the captains of the forces which 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 poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon; 8 Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men. 9 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. 10 As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah to serve the Chaldeans, which will 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. 11 Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan; 12 Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much. 13 Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, 14 And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not. 15 Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he slay thee, that all the Jews which are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish? 16 But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.
We have in these verses,
I. A bright sky opening upon the remnant of the Jews that were left in their own land, and a comfortable prospect given them of some peace and quietness after the many years of trouble and terror with which they had been afflicted. Jeremiah indeed had never in his prophecies spoken of any such good days reserved for the Jews immediately after the captivity; but Providence seemed to raise and encourage such an expectation, and it would be to that miserable people as life from the dead. Observe the particulars.
1. Gedaliah, one of themselves, is made governor in the land, by the king of Babylon, v. 7. To show that he designed to make and keep them easy he did not give this commission to one of the princes of Babylon, but to one of their brethren, who, they might be sure, would seek their peace. He was the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, one of the princes. We read of his father (ch. xxvi. 24) that he took Jeremiah’s part against the people. He seems to have been a man of great wisdom and a mild temper, and under whose government the few that were left might have been very happy. The king of Babylon had a good opinion of him and reposed a confidence in him, for to him he committed all that were left behind.
2. There is great resort to him from all parts, and all those that were now the Jews of the dispersion came and put themselves under his government and protection. (1.) The great men that had escaped the Chaldeans by force came and quietly submitted to Gedaliah, for their own safety and common preservation. Several are here named, v. 8. They came with their men, their servants, their soldiers, and so strengthened one another; and the king of Babylon had such a good opinion of Gedaliah his delegate that he was not at all jealous of the increase of their numbers, but rather pleased with it. (2.) The poor men that had escaped by flight into the neighbouring countries of Moab, Ammon, and Edom, were induced by the love they bore to their own land to return to it again as soon as they heard that Gedaliah was in authority there, Jer 40:11; Jer 40:12. Canaan itself would be an unsafe unpleasant country if there were no government nor governors there, and those that loved it dearly would not come back to it till they heard there were. It would be a great reviving to those that were dispersed to come together again, to those that were dispersed into foreign countries to come together in their own country, to those that were under strange kings to be under a governor of their own nation. See here in wrath God remembered mercy, and yet admitted some of them upon a further trial of their obedience.
3. The model of this new government is drawn up and settled by an original contract, which Gedaliah confirmed with an oath, a solemn oath (v. 9): He swore to them and to their men, it is probably according to the warrant and instructions he had received from the king of Babylon, who empowered him to give them these assurances. (1.) They must own the property of their lands to be in the Chaldeans. “Come” (says Gedaliah), “fear not to serve the Chaldeans. Fear not the sin of it.” Though the divine law had forbidden them to make leagues with the heathen, yet the divine sentence had obliged them to yield to the king of Babylon. “Fear not the reproach of it, and the disparagement it will be to your nation; it is what God has brought you to, has bound you to, and it is no disgrace to any to comply with him. Fear not the consequences of it, as if it would certainly make you and yours miserable; no, you will find the king of Babylon not so hard a landlord as you apprehend him to be; if you will but live peaceably, peaceably you shall live; disturb not the government, and it will not disturb you. Serve the king of Babylon and it shall be well with you.” If they should make any difficulty of doing personal homage, or should be apprehensive of danger when the Chaldeans should come among them, Gedaliah, probably by instruction from the king of Babylon, undertakes upon all occasions to act for them, and make their application acceptable to the king (v. 10): “As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah, to serve the Chaldeans, to do homage to them in the name of the whole body if there be occasion, to receive orders, and to pay them their tribute when the come to us.” All that passes between them and the Chaldeans shall pass through his hand; and, if the Chaldeans put such a confidence in him, surely his own countrymen may venture to do it. Gedaliah is willing thus to give them the assurance of an oath that he will do his part in protecting them, but, being apt to err (as many good men are) on the charitable side, he did not require an oath from them that they would be faithful to him, else the following mischief might have been prevented. However, protection draws allegiance though it be not sworn, and by joining in with Gedaliah they did, in effect, consent to the terms of government, that they should serve the king of Babylon. But, (2.) Though they own the property of their lands to be in the Chaldeans, yet, upon that condition, they shall have the free enjoyment of them and all the profits of them (v. 10): “Gather you wine and summer fruits, and take them for your own use; put them in your vessels, to be laid up for winter-store, as those do that live in a land of peace and hope to eat the labour of your hand, nay, the labour of other people’s hands, for you reap what they sowed.” Or perhaps they were the spontaneous products of that fertile soil, for which none had laboured. And accordingly we find (v. 12) that they gathered wine and summer fruits very much, such as were at present upon the ground, for their corn-harvest was over some time before Jerusalem was taken. While Gedaliah was in care for the public safety he left them to enjoy the advantages of the public plenty, and, for aught that appears, demanded no tribute from them; for he sought not his own profit, but the profit of many.
II. Here is a dark cloud gathering over this infant state, and threatening a dreadful storm. How soon is this hopeful prospect blasted! For when God begins in judgment he will make an end. It is here intimated to us, 1. That Baalis the king of the Ammonites had a particular spite at Gedaliah, and was contriving to take him off, either out of malice to the nation of the Jews, whose welfare he hated the thought of, or a personal pique against Gedaliah, v. 14. Some make Baalis to signify the queen-mother of the king of the Ammonites, or queen-dowager, as if she were the first mover of the bloody and treacherous design. One would have thought this little remnant might be safe when the great king of Babylon protected it; and ye it is ruined by the artifices of this petty prince or princess. happy are those that have the King of kings of their side, who can take the wise in their own craftiness; for the greatest earthly king cannot with all his power secure us against fraud and treachery. 2. That he employed Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah, as the instrument of his malice, instigated him to murder Gedaliah, and, that he might have a fair opportunity to do it, directed him to go and enrol himself among his subjects and promise him fealty. Nothing could be more barbarous than the design itself, nor more base than the method of compassing it. How wretchedly is human nature corrupted and degenerated (even in those that pretend to the best blood) when it is capable of admitting the thought of such abominable wickedness! Ishmael was of the seed royal, and would therefore be easily tempted to envy and hate one that set up for a governor in Judah, who was not, as he was, of David’s line, though he had ever so much of David’s spirit. 3. That Johanan, a brisk and active man, having got scent of this plot, informed Gedaliah of it, yet taking it for granted he could not but know of it before, the proofs of the matter being so very plain: Dost thou certainly know? surely thou dost, v. 14. He gave him private intelligence of it (v. 15), hoping he would then take the more notice of it. He proffered his service to prevent it, by taking off Ishmael, whose very name was ominous to all the seed of Isaac: I will slay him. Wherefore should he slay thee? Herein he showed more courage and zeal than sense of justice; for, if it be lawful to kill for prevention, who then can be safe, since malice always suspects the worst? 4. That Gedaliah, being a man of sincerity himself, would by no means give credit to the information given him of Ishmael’s treachery. He said, Thou speakest falsely of Ishmael. Herein he discovered more good humour than discretion, more of the innocency of the dove than the wisdom of the serpent. Princes become uneasy to themselves and all about them when they are jealous. Queen Elizabeth said that she would believe no more evil of her people than a mother would believe of her own children; yet many have been ruined by being over-confident of the fidelity of those about them.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Vs. 7-12: GEDAVAH AS GOVERNOR
1. The responsibility of Gedaliah, as governor, was to assist the remnant to settle down, cultivate the land and pay the appointed tribute to Babylon from their harvests.
2. Since Jerusalem was devastated, he selected Mizpah (where the first king of Judah was selected) as. his seat of government, and many leaders of Judah’s scattered forces came to him there, (vs. 7; comp. 1Sa 10:17-25).
3. Knowing that there could be no political or economic stability until guerrilla activity was halted, Gedaliah endeavored to gain the confidence of the guerrilla leaders.
a. They were urged not to fear the Babylonian officials who dwelt in the land, (vs. 8-9; 2Ki 25:24).
b. Promising to represent them before the king, he set them to harvesting the crops that had been neglected during the conflict (vs. 10), and urged them to dwell in the cities they had taken.
4. When news of Gedaliah’s governorship was spread abroad, many Jews who had fled to Moab, Ammon, Edom, etc., returned to the land of Judah also, (vs. 11-12).
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Mention has been before made of Gedaliah. We have seen that the Prophet was once rescued from death through his kindness, for he interposed for him when almost all with one consent doomed the holy Prophet to death. (119) And God bestowed on him no common honor, that while he was seeking nothing, Nebuchadnezzar should set him as governor over the land. He did not, indeed, enjoy power for any length of time; but it was yet God’s will to extend his hand to the pious man, so that he might have, at least for a time, some evidence of his favor. He was at length, as we shall see, killed by treachery.
The Prophet now tells us, that the leaders of the forces, before scattered together with their troops, were now come to him. When the Prophet says that they were in the field, I do not think as some, that they were those who fled when the city was taken. But probably they were those who were forced to flee from the cities at the first entrance of the Chaldean army. Nor does it seem probable that they escaped, when all the companions of the king were overtaken and caught in the plain of Jericho, as we have already seen. I then think that they were those who had been scattered here and there, having deserted the cities committed to them at the first approach of their enemies. As then they had been wanderers from their own country and exiles, they now returned to Gedaliah. By saying that the leaders of the forces had heard, he does not mean that they had now an army, but that they had been set over cities and towns in Judea together with their troops.
(119) There is here an oversight; it was his father Ahikam that delivered the Prophet, as recorded in the twenty-sixth chapter (Jer 26:0). — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
B. The Program of Gedaliah Jer. 40:7-12
TRANSLATION
(7) When all the army officers and their men who were in the field heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam over the land and had committed to him those men, women, and children of the poor of the land who had not been deported to Babylon, (8) they came unto Gedaliah to MizpahIshmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite. These came along with their men. (9) And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Do not fear to serve the Chaldeans. Remain in the land and serve the king of Babylon and it will be well with you. (10) And as for me, Behold, I shall dwell in Mizpah to represent you before the Chaldeans. As for you, gather wine, summer fruit, and oil and put them in vessels and live in the cities which you have taken. (11) When also all the Jews who were in Moab, Ammon, Edom, and in all lands heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant to Judah, and that he had appointed over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, (12) all the Jews returned from all the places to which they had been driven; and they came to the land of Judah to Gedaliah at Mizpah. And they gathered wine and very much summer fruit.
COMMENTS
After the fall of Jerusalem, Judah became a province of the Babylonian empire. The Holy City, of course, had been completely destroyed, reduced to a heap of ashes. Jerusalem had been a thorn in the flesh of Nebuchadnezzar for so many years that he had unleashed his vengeance against her. But it was not the intention of Nebuchadnezzar to leave the whole land desolate. In case of future campaigns against Egypt it would be very advantageous to have cultivated land available in that area which could furnish at least part of the provisions for his huge armies.
Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah, a member of a prominent Jewish family, as governor. He did not appoint a Babylonian as governor because he did not wish to arouse the hostility of those Jews who remained in the land. Nor would a descendant of the house of David do, lest ambitions of a restored monarchy be aroused. Gedaliah was an ideal choice. He came from a God-fearing and influential family[343] which through the years had supported the contention of Jeremiah that Nebuchadnezzar had been appointed by God the ruler of the world. Some conjectureand they are probably correctthat Gedaliah had followed the advice of Jeremiah and defected to the Chaldeans early in the siege of Jerusalem. Be that as it may, it would have been very difficult for Nebuchadnezzar to have found a man better qualified than Gedaliah to lead the Jews in reorganizing themselves, Under his leadership Nebuchadnezzar intended to create in Palestine a self-governing commonwealth under Babylonian sovereignty. The great king hoped to maintain the loyalty of the new colony by granting to them as much freedom as possible, especially freedom of religion. Thus he hoped to create a state in western Asia upon which he could depend in any future showdown with Egypt.
[343] Gedaliahs father, Ahikam, had once protected Jeremiah when he was on trial for his life (Jer. 26:24). His grandfather Shaphan had been secretary of state under the godly king Josiah (2Ki. 22:8).
The wisdom of Nebuchadnezzars choice of Gedaliah became evident at once. Gedaliah immediately launched into a program of reconstruction. His first goal was to unite the various factions into which the remnant of the people was divided. Scattered throughout the land were small guerrilla bands which had somehow escaped capture and destruction by the Chaldean army. Once the main body of foreign troops withdrew, these guerrilla units either came voluntarily or were summoned to Mizpah. Gedaliah wished to discuss with the leaders of these troops the future of the community in Palestine. Among those named as participating in the discussions are Ishmael who later turned traitor and murdered Gedaliah; Johanan and his brother Jonathan who later would lead the remnant to Egypt; Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth; the sons of Ephai from the town of Netophah which was located near Bethlehem; and Jezaniah, the son of the Maachathite.[344] With the cooperation of these men Gedaliah hoped to form a central government which would be adequate to the needs of the people during these dark days.
[344] The name Jaazaniah was found on a seal discovered at what is thought to be ancient Mizpah in 1932.
Gedaliah honestly and forthrightly presented his program to these captains and urged them to use their influence to secure peace throughout the land. First he assured these former soldiers that they had no reason to fear serving the Chaldeans. It may have been that Gedaliah had used his influence to secure from Nebuchadnezzar amnesty for all those who participated in the war against Babylon. Secondly, Gedaliah calls upon these leaders and their followers to dwell peacefully in the land and render service to the king of Babylon. If they continue to do this he promises them a life of peace and tranquility (Jer. 40:9). Gedaliah assures them that he would stay at Mizpah and handle the affairs of government,[345] He would act as liaison between Judeans and the Chaldean officials who might appear from time to time in the land. Finally, he urges the people to get busy and gather the harvest for the coming winter (Jer. 40:10).
[345] The verb in 10a translated serve is not the same verb that is used in Jer. 40:9. The verb here literally means stand before and means to be the minister of another and look after his interests.
News of Gedaliahs appointment and the progress he had made in reorganizing the remnant spread far and wide. Many homesick Jews, who had fled across the Jordan some months earlier when hostilities had broken out in Palestine, now began to filter back to their native land. From Moab, Ammon and Edom as well as other lands they came. Catching the spirit of the reorganized community they joined in harvesting the land. After reaping an abundant harvest the remnant settled down in their homeland (Jer. 40:11-12). How thankful they must have been that God had so abundantly cared for their needs even during those difficult months of devastating warfare. How thankful they must have been to be living in the land of their forefathers.
C The Plot of Ishmael Jer. 40:13 to Jer. 41:16
The peace and tranquility of the tiny remnant in Palestine was soon shattered. Ishmael, a member of the royal family, began plotting behind the scenes to assassinate Gedaliah. Just what motivated Ishmael in this ruthless plot is not clear. It may be that he resented the fact that Gedaliah had been appointed governor rather than a member of the royal family. On the other hand Ishmael may have despised and hated Gedaliah for collaborating with the Chaldeans. Whatever the explanation for the dastardly deed which he committed, it is clear that Ishmael is being used as political pawn of Baalis, the king of the Ammonites. Baalis must have coveted the territory of Judah for himself and decided that Gedaliah was standing in the way. Envy, jealousy and greed must surely have been the factors which drove Baalis and Ishmael into their unholy alliance.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(7) Now when all the captains of the forces.A new section of the history begins, ending with the murder of Gedaliah and its sequel. in Jer. 41:18. The commanders of the armies that had fought against the invader in the open country found it hopeless to continue the struggle after the capture of Jerusalem. What were they to do? The king of Babylon had, by appointing Gedaliah, himself a prince of Judah, shown a disposition to treat the conquered people leniently. Could they do better than apply to him for protection?
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
7. Captains in the fields The Jewish army had dispersed, and many of the leaders had taken refuge in the country immediately surrounding. Familiar as they were with the country, they had no difficulty in finding places of concealment and safety. The list of these captains in the following verse is not necessarily exhaustive, but representative.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Re-establishment Of Judah Under The Governorship Of Gedaliah ( Jer 40:7-12 ).
Once the news got about that Gedaliah had been appointed governor, that Judah was now populated by ‘the poor of the land’, and that the land was comparatively at rest, the commanders who were still leading armies of resistance, together with their men, and the Jews who had fled for refuge abroad, determined to return to the land and submit to him. There would no doubt still be many women remaining in the land, tending what remained of the flocks and trying to scratch a living from the land, many of them wives of the resistance fighters.
Jer 40:7
‘Now when all the captains of the forces who 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 to him men, and women, and children, and of the poorest of the land, of those who were not carried away captive to Babylon,’
The news of Gedaliah’s appointment soon reached the ears of the various resistance movements operating throughout Judah (the captains of the forces who were in the countryside, probably operating from the mountains which provided good hiding places and difficulty of access). They learned that the Babylonians had set up a new state under Gedaliah, populated by ‘the poor of the land’, who were no doubt seen as those who had no influence and no political axe to grind, and could thus safely be left in Judah in order to re-establish it. Allowing the land to turn into a wilderness would do no one any good. These men of the resistance clearly recognised that further resistance was useless and decided that it was in the interests of all Judah that they cooperate with a new government under Judean governorship.
Jer 40:8
‘Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, to wit, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.’
So they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah in order to negotiate with him. We have here a list of the resistance leaders, the first of whom would shortly reveal himself a traitor, but who is named first because he was of royal blood. As a result of what they had heard their purpose was to come to an agreement with Gedaliah, whom they knew that they could trust, and to offer to lay down their arms as long as they were given sufficient guarantees of their own safety and the safety of their men.
That Ishmael was of royal birth we know from Jer 41:1, and we may presume from what follows that he resented Gedaliah as a result and saw him as a usurper. But that his aim was one of revenge rather than one of patriotism, comes out in that his intention was not to restore Judah. Indeed he knew perfectly well that Nebuchadrezzar would subsequently seek revenge on Judah for what had happened and thus planned to seek refuge in Ammon. We know almost nothing about the others save that Jezaniah was apparently a resident alien, being the son of a Maacathite, and Netophath was a town near Bethlehem. Jezaniah may or may not be identical with Jezaniah, the son of Hoshaiah mentioned in Jer 42:1.
Jer 40:9
‘And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan swore to them and to their men, saying, “Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be well with you.”
Gedaliah had presumably been briefed by Nebuchadrezzar as to the stance that he must take up, and was therefore able to assure the men that if they laid down their arms and were cooperative they would be safe from reprisals.
Jer 40:10
“As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah, to stand before the Chaldeans who will come unto us, but you, gather for yourselves wine and summer fruits and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that you have taken.”
He pointed out that he would be dwelling at Mizpah acting for the good of Judah and negotiating for Judah with the Babylonian contingent, who would be at Mizpah to oversee his governorship. He would act as a guarantor of their acceptance by the Babylonians. Meanwhile they were free to dwell in the cities that they had taken possession of, presumably due to the Babylonian withdrawal, and to gather the wine, summer fruits and oil which would be growing on the fruit trees left standing by the Babylonians, for present needs and for storage. The grain and barley harvests would have to await the following year, no harvest presumably having been sown or gathered that year due to the invasion.
Jer 40:11-12
‘In the same way when all the Jews who were in Moab, and among the children of Ammon, and in Edom, and who were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, then all the Jews returned out of all places where they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, to Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits in great abundance.’
It is clear that the land soon became fairly well populated again. Apart from ‘the poor of the land’ who would have been numerous, and had been allowed to remain and take land there, refugees who had fled from the invasion to surrounding countries now returned in droves. And there was plenty of food for all from the abundance of wine and summer fruits. Ammon and Moab were to the east of Judah, across the Jordan. Edom was south and south-east of Judah.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Political Events In The New Judah – Gedaliah Re-establishes Judah But Is Assassinated ( Jer 40:7 to Jer 41:18 ).
What follows is a description of the events that followed the appointment of Gedaliah, events in which Jeremiah played no active part. It does, however, set the scene for Jeremiah’s prophecies in chapter 42-43, and reveals that among the patriotic resistance leaders who showed themselves willing to submit to Gedaliah’s governorship, once they recognised that their cause was lost, was one whose loyalties lay outside Judah, with the Ammonites. The Ammonites clearly encouraged the continuing of the plotting of Judah against Babylon, no doubt in order to turn attention from themselves. This man was of royal blood, and may well have been continuing an alliance with the Ammonites previously set up by Zedekiah. But his aim was clearly negative, for his intention was to murder Gedaliah (bringing down Babylon’s wrath on Judah) and find refuge in Ammon. He no doubt saw Gedaliah as a traitor, but his own position was hardly any better. Thus to the end the royal house was to prove to be a thorn in the side to Judah.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gedaliah Made Governor And Threatened By The Jews
v. 7. Now, when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, v. 8. then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah, v. 9. And Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans, v. 10. As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah, to serve the Chaldeans which will come unto us, v. 11. Likewise, when all the Jews that were in Moab and among the Ammonites and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, v. 12. even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, v. 13. Moreover, Johanan, the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, v. 14. and said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis, the king of the Ammonites, v. 15. Then Johanan, the son of Kareah, spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it, v. 16. But Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, said unto Johanan, the son of Kareah, Thou shall not do this thing,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
4. The gathering of the people under Gedaliah
Jer 40:7-16
7Now when all the captains of the forces7 which 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 unto8 him men and women, and children, and of the poor9 of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon; 8then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even10 Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan11 the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a [the] Maachathite, 9they and their men. 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 10in 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 serve the Chaldeans,12 which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put them in your 11vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken. Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant13 of Judah, and that 12he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan; Even all the Jews returned out of all the places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits 13very much. Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the14forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, and said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee?14 But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed 15them not. Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it; wherefore should he slay thee, that all the Jews which are gathered unto thee should be scattered and the remnant in Judah 16perish? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing:15 for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.
EXEGETICAL AND CRITICAL
The leaders of the scattered bands roving through the country, who had managed to escape the Chaldean forces, assembled to Gedaliah in Mizpah on the news that he had been set by Nebuchadnezzar over the country (Jer 40:7-8). Gedaliah, after promising them on oath on his part protection and support, urges them to collect whatever the land contains of the necessaries of life and willingly to serve the Chaldeans (Jer 40:9-10). The dispersed Jews from the neighboring countries also gathered about Gedaliah (Jer 40:11-12). It however came to be rumored that one of those band-leaders, Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah, of the royal stock, had been incited by Baalis, king of the Ammonites, to murder Gedaliah. The rest of the band-leaders, therefore, warned Gedaliah of Ishmael, but Gedaliah believed them not (Jer 40:13-14). One of the leaders, Johanan the son of Kareah, even offered to murder Ishmael secretly. Gedaliah, however, would not permit it, declaring the suspicion prevailing against Ishmael to be based on a lie (Jer 40:15-16).
Jer 40:7-8. Now when all their men. These two verses are also found in 2Ki 25:23 in an abridged form.This Ishmael was, according to Jer 41:1, of royal lineage, which partly explains his enmity to Gedaliah. The other persons named are otherwise altogether unknown.Who the sons of the Netophathite were (the place belonged to Bethlehem, comp. 1Ch 2:54; 1Ch 9:16; Neh 7:26; Ezr 2:22) is as little known as what the proper name of the Maachathite was (Maachah a province of Syria on the northeastern borders of Palestine, Deu 3:14; Jos 12:5 coll. 2Sa 10:6; 2Sa 10:8; Raumer, Palst., S. 226, 7). Comp. rems, on Jer 42:1.
Jer 40:9-12. And Gedaliah fruits very much. Jer 40:9 is also found in 2Ki 25:24, reproduced with the noteworthy alteration, to be the servants of the Chaldeans instead of to serve the Chaldeans. The former expression however (we should expect at least servants of the king of the Chaldeans) corresponds neither to the usage of the prophets, nor the connection of the passage. Remarkably also the LXX. translate here: , while in 2Ki 25:24 they have .What Gedaliah has sworn to them is, according to Jer 40:10 a, that he would stand in Mizpah before the Chaldeans, who would come to them. He means by this that he would be the medium of intercourse with the Chaldean ambassadors, officers, soldiers, etc., and would represent the interest of the country with them (comp. Jer 15:1). The Jews on their part are to care for their sustenance by collecting the fruits still to be found in the country (it was now autumn, comp. Jer 52:12; Jer 41:1). In the desolated and plundered land this was naturally a matter of the highest importance. The collected supplies they were to preserve in the cities which, according to their own choice, they had taken into their possession. On the news that Nebuchadnezzar had left of the Jewish people, as it were a remnant of root in their land, and over this feeble remnant had appointed Gedaliah overseer, the dispersed Jews also returned from the neighboring lands, in order to gather around Gedaliah in Mizpah, who must thus have been a persona grata.
Jer 40:13-16. Moreover Johanan of Ishmael. Whether Baalis, king of the Ammonites, had any special hatred towards the person of Gedaliah, or whether he wished to destroy the Jews last point of cohesion and crystalization, is uncertain. His making use of Ishmael may have been due to the personal jealousy of this man, who as a prince royal (Jer 41:1) regarded Gedaliahs post of honor as properly belonging to him. The plan became known. The captains came to Mizpah (in the fields is not a thoughtless repetition from Jer 40:7, but indicates that the bands were still essentially the same, namely, free corps roving through the country) to warn Gedaliah. He, however, did not believe them. And when Johanan alone in secret conference offered to kill Ishmael, he directly forbade him, declaring the accusation to be a lie.
DOCTRINAL AND ETHICAL
1. On Jer 40:1-3. Although the calamity, which has come upon Jerusalem, is great and terrible, God does not allow such evil to befal it that good will not result from it, as the Chaldean captain not obscurely intimates, that he has made a fair beginning in the knowledge of the true God. For he confesses, first, that the God of the prophet is a lord; secondly, that He knows future things; thirdly, that He causes His servants to proclaim these beforehand; fourthly, that God has conducted the war and done everything; fifthly, that He was displeased with the sinful manners of the people (among which idolatry was the worst); sixthly, that He has punished their disobedience to His word. Cramer.
2. On Jer 40:4. The friendliness, shown to the prophet, appears to proceed from men, but it comes from God. For Gods works are all made so that they are hidden among the creatures; for as He conceals His wisdom in the creation of heaven and earth, as He hides His kindness in the fruits of the earth, so also He disguises His help in the king of Babylon. For God executes. His works now by rational and anon by irrational creatures. As when He fed Elijah by the widow and by the ravens and by the angels (1Ki 17:3 sqq.; 14 sqq. and Jer 19:5). For all are His instruments. Cramer.
3. On Jer 40:2-3. Nebusaradan attestatione sua comprobat et confirmat veritatem ac certitudinem prdictionum prophet. Unde haud inscite colligi conjicique potest, quod Satrapa ille Babylonicus prditus fuerit agnitione veri Dei eque salvatus. Et sic Deus subinde aliquos ex Magnatibus ad sui agnitionem et ternam salutem traducit (Psalms 68). Potest istud exemplum obverti absoluto Calvinianorum decreto. Frster.
4. On Jer 40:5. In this, that Jeremiah preferred remaining in the country to going to Babylon, it strikes me furtherthat a discreet man, who knows the world and his heart and the true interest of Gods causeis as much as possible contented, and does not think to better himself by going further. He is willing to remain at court unknown, and at any rate he would rather be taken away than go away.The advice, which Solomon gives, is verified, Stand not in the place of great men. We are a generation of the cross, and our symbol is an evil name and little understood. Zinzendorf.
5. On Jer 40:5. In Babylonia honor and a comfortable life invited the prophet, in Judea danger, dishonor and need in the desolated country. In Babylonia a respectable field of labor was opened to him among the great mass of his people, in Judea he had only rabble and condottieri about him. Jeremiah, however, was not a bad patriot, as many accused him of being. By remaining in Judea he showed that the import of his prophecies, apparently friendly to the Chaldeans and hostile to the Jews, had proceeded from the purest love to his people and his fatherland. Thus he imitated Moses, of whom it is written in Heb 11:25, that he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. The holy ground of the fatherland bound him to it, and in additionif he went, who was to take spiritual oversight of the poor forsaken remnant, to proclaim the word of God and bestow on them consolation and admonition? Those who were in Babylon had Ezekiel. And could not the Lord raise up other prophets for them? So he remained with the sheep, who had no shepherd. Jeremiah had not sought his own through his whole life, nor did he here.
6. On Jer 40:7 sqq. Human reason, and indeed nature shows, that in worldly government men cannot be without a head. For as the been cannot be without a queen, or the sheep without a shepherd, so no large number of people can exist without a head and government. God has wisely ordered it, and we should be thankful for the authorities. Cramer.
7. On Jer 40:11 sqq. We may well perceive in this remnant of Judah a fulfilment of the prophecy in Isa 6:11 sqq.: Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, and Jehovah have removed men far away, and great is the forsaking in the midst of the land. And if a tenth remains in it, this again must be removed. Yet as the terebinth and the oak, in which when they are felled, a ground-stock still remains, so is its stock a holy scion.
8. On Jer 40:13 sqq. Gedaliah, in whom not only Nebuchadnezzar, but also his people, had confidence, must have been a noble man, to whom it was difficult to think evil of his neighbor. Those who are of a pious disposition, cannot believe so much evil, as is told of people. But we must not trust too much, for the world is full of falseness (Wisd. 37:3). He who believes too easily, will be often deceived, and he who believes no one is also deceived. Therefore is he indeed a happy man, who can preserve the golden mean. Cramer.
9. On Jer 40:13 sqq. Misfortune is like the waves of the sea; when one is broken another follows, and the end of one trouble is the beginning of others. Cramer.
10. On Jer 41:1-3. Judass kiss and Jacobs brethren are very common in the world and take after their grandfather Cain, who spake kindly to Abel and yet had blood-thirsty thoughts (Gen 4:8). Yea, they take after their father, the devil, who is a murderous spirit (Joh 8:44), and disguises himself as an angel of light (2Co 11:14). Cramer.
11. On Jer 41:1 sqq. Similia perfidi exempla (simulat fraternitatis): 2Sa 13:24; 2Sa 20:9 sq. Quadrat etiam huc historia nuptiarum Parisiensium celebratum 1572 mense Augusto. Frster.
12. On Jer 41:4 sqq.
Murder and avarice love to go with each other,
And one crime is often a prolific mother.Cramer.
13. On Jer 41:16 sqq. It is very remarkable that even this last centre and rendezvous of the unfortunate people must be destroyed. It might be supposed that with the destruction of the city and deportation of the people the judgments would have terminated. It seems as if the deed of Ishmael and the removal of the remnant to Egypt transcended the measure of punishment fixed by Jehovah, for the Lord did not send Ishmael, and the removal to Egypt He directly forbade. And yet it seems that only by Ishmaels act and the flight to Egypt could the land obtain its Sabbath rest, which is spoken of in Lev 26:34-35.
14. On Jer 42:1-6. Had not Johanan and his people asked for advice, but gone directly to Egypt, their sin would not have been so great. They feigned, however, submission to the will of God, while they yet adhered to their own will. It is a common fault for people to ask advice while they are firmly resolved what they will do. For they inquire not to learn what is right, but only to receive encouragement to do what they wish. If we advise them according to their inclination they take our advice, if not, they reject it.We must be on our guard when we appeal to Gods decision, that we do not previously decide for ourselves. For thus we fall into hypocrisy, which is the most fatal intoxication and blindness. Heim and Hoffman, The Major Prophets. [Those will justly lose their comfort in real fears, that excuse themselves in sin with pretended fears. Henry.S. R. A.]
15. On Jer 42:7. After the murder of Gedaliah the anger of Nebuchadnezzar seemed inevitable. But the Lord, to whom nothing is impossible (Jer 32:17), promises to perform a miracle, and restore Israel to new prosperity in their land if they will give Him the honor and trust in Him. Nebuchadnezzars heart is indeed in His hand. If this is not acknowledged and Nebuchadnezzar more feared than the Lord, their sin is then against the first commandment.
16. On Jer 42:13 sqq. God reminds His people of the favor with which He adopted them as His people, which was the most sacred obligation to obedience; that Egypt was to them a land of destruction, a forbidden land, as indeed all confidence in human aid is forbidden to those who would live by faith, which was known to them from the history of their fathers and all the prophets. It is a great sin to deem ones self safer under the protection of man than under that of God. It is incomprehensible, how blind unbelief makes people, so that the Jews have not yet learned the truth in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple of God. Heim and Hoffman. Fides futurorum certa est ex prcedentibus. Tertull. Venient hc quoque sicut ista venerunt. Augustin.Frster.
17. On Jer 43:2 sqq. Hypocrites forsooth do not wish to be regarded as rejecting and setting themselves in opposition to Gods word, or accusing God of falsehood. For then is all the world pious, and no one refuses to be submissive to the dear Lord. God is truly God and remains so. It is only against this parson Jeremiah that they must act he lies, he is not sent, his ruling and preaching cannot be endured. Cramer.
18. On Jer 43:3. Observe the old diabolical trick: when preachers practice Gods word and their office with zeal, the world understands how to baptize it with another name and call it personal interest, as even here Baruch must bear the blame, as if he only wished to vent his anger on them and be contrary, Cramer.
19. On Jer 43:6. The ancients here examine the question why Jeremiah accompanied the people to Egypt and take occasion to discuss the 1 Comm. de fuga ministrorum with reference to Augustin. Epist. 150 ad Honorar. With respect to Jeremiah, it is clear that he did all in his power to avert the journey to Egypt. After the whole people, however, were once on their way it was impossible for him and Baruch to remain alone in the deserted country. They were obliged to go with their flock. The more these were wandering, the more need they had of the shepherds. Thus, even if they were not compelled, they had to go with them. It seems, however, to follow from the expression , Jer 43:5, that no choice was given them. The people wished to have the prophet with them. In no case can we say that Jeremiah fled, for according to his own prophecy, he knew that he was going to meet ruin in Egypt.
20. On Jer 43:8-13. At the present day when we wish to convey to posterity the account of some accomplished fact, or the prediction of some fact to be accomplished (ex. gr. a last testament), we take paper and ink, write it down, seal it, have it subscribed by witnesses and preserve it in the registrars or recorders office. In ancient times they took a simpler and surer way. Jacob and Laban simply erected a heap of stones (Genesis 31), the two and a half tribes (Joshua 22) built an altar on the bank of the Jordan. As long as the heap and the altar were standing, the record was transmitted from generation to generation for what object these stone witnesses were set up, and thus, that which it was desired to convey to posterity lived in the memory of men. Jeremiah also knows how to use ink and pen (Jeremiah 32), but here he returns once more to the old manner of preserving archives. He simply places great stones in the clay, declaring what they signify, viz., that here, on this spot, Nebuchadnezzars tent shall stand. Whether the Egyptians and Jews then believed him or not, is of no consequence. The record of these stones and their meaning at any rate remained alive, and the Lords word was thus safely preserved till the day of its fulfilment.
HOMILETICAL AND PRACTICAL
1. On Jer 40:1-12; Jer 41:1-3; Jer 42:1-16. Israel, the chosen nation, is in its destinies a type of human life in general. Consider only the exodus from Egypt. So also the destinies of the people of Israel, after the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, are pretypical. For 1. The deportation of the whole people in chains and fetters is a type of our universal human misery, from which no one (not even Jeremiah) is free. 2. The fate of Gedaliah and the journey to Egypt is a type of the insufficiency of all mere human help. 3. As the Jews after Gedaliahs murder, so men at all times, find protection and deliverance in the Lord alone.
2. On Jer 40:1-6. The Christian in the tumult of the world. 1. He is regarded externally like others. 2. The eye of the Lord watches with special care over him, so that (a) not a hair of his head is bent, (b) all his wants are provided for. 3. He, however, on his part directs all his efforts to the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and will not be turned aside from this either by the violence or the friendliness of the world.
3. On Jer 40:7 to Jer 41:3. Gedaliahs fate an example of what befals even the most noble in times of deep corruption. 1. They enjoy general confidence. 2. They are incapable of attributing extreme wickedness to men. 3. They become a sacrifice to their confidence. 4. They are therefore not in a condition to stay the divine judgments.
4. On Jer 42:1-16. What is the surest way of coming to the right conclusion in difficult cases? 1. To inquire of the Lord. 2. To obey unconditionally the direction which the Lord communicates. [We must still in faith pray to be guided by a spirit of wisdom in our hearts, and the hints of Providence. Henry.S. R. A.]
5. On Jer 43:1-7. Characteristic example of the artfulness of the human heart: the Jews inquire of the Lord and promise to obey His direction (Jer 42:20). But when the direction does not accord with their wish, they at once declare it to be supposititious, not from the Lord. The prophet must be a liar, an alleged enemy has incited him. But what was long previously determined in the heart is obstinately brought to execution. [Those that are resolved to contradict the great ends of the ministry, are industrious to bring a bad name upon it. It is well for persons who are thus misrepresented that their witness is in heaven, and their record on high. Henry.S. R. A.].
6. On Jer 43:8-13. The ways of the Lord are wonderful. Israel flees before Nebuchadnezzar far away to Egypt. But there they are not safe. The Lord causes it to be proclaimed to them that at the entrance of the kings palace at Tahpanhes Nebuchadnezzars tent shall stand. Now indeed there is a brick-kiln there, in the clay of which Jeremiah is to place stones, the foundation stones, as it were, for the Chaldean kings pavilion. Thus the Lord lays the germs of future events, and whatever He prepares in secret He reveals in His own time to the glory of His wisdom, omniscience and omnipotence.
Footnotes:
[7]Jer 40:7.. The word is found in the sense of riches in Isa 30:6. In the sense of forces, bands, it occurs only in Jeremiah (Jer 40:13; Jer 41:11; Jer 41:13; Jer 41:16; Jer 42:1; Jer 42:8; Jer 43:4-5), and in later books (1Ki 15:20; 2Ki 25:23; 2Ki 25:26; Ecc 10:10; 1Ch 7:5-7; Dan 11:10). By the addition of these bands are distinguished from the main forces of the regular army in the capital.
[8]Jer 40:7. This Hiphil denotes not only inspicientem, but also inspiciendum facere: Jer 41:10; Jer 36:20; Jer 37:21; Psa 31:6; Isa 10:28; 2Ch 12:10, in which case he to whom the inspectio is committed is designated in various ways by , by , by or
[9]Jer 40:7.. Comp. Jer 39:10; 2Ki 25:12. The partitive expresses that not all the poor of the land were left behind, which also follows from Jer 52:15 coll. 16. In the following before there is a sort of attraction, and it is therefore not to be emphasized, as it would then signify that Gedaliah was not set as inspector over all the remaining people.
[10]Jer 40:8.The Vau is explicative=and indeed. Comp. Naegelsb. Gr., 111, 1.
[11]Jer 40:8.2Ki 25:23 has only Johanan son of Kareah. The words and the sons of Ephai are also omitted, so that the Netophathite is referred to Tanhumeth. Instead of finally we read there . From these alterations it follows that the present text is the original. For the similarity of the names Johanan and Jonathan, which appears more in writing than in speaking, as well as the obscurity of the name (which according to the Chethibh is to be spoken , according to the Keri Comp. , Gen 25:4; Isa 60:6; 1Ch 2:46-47) well explains the omission of these words, while their insertion in the text appears in the highest degree improbable.
[12]Jer 40:10.[Literally, to stand at the face of the Chaldeans: to be their representative, and to do their will, and also to mediate with them in your behalf (Hitzig). Wordsworth.S. R. A.]
[13]Jer 40:11. . Comp. Jer 44:7; Gen 45:7; 2Sa 14:7.
[14]Jer 40:14. . Comp. Gen 37:21; Deu 19:6; Deu 19:11; Deu 27:25; Naegelsb. Gr., 70, f.
[15]Jer 40:16.. The Keri would read (comp. on this form Olsh., 240, a Anm.), unnecessarily. Comp. Jer 39:12; Gen 22:12; Job 13:20.
Fuente: A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, Critical, Doctrinal, and Homiletical by Lange
It appears by the appointment of one of their own people among the Jews to be Governor, that the King of Babylon meant kindness to the lower orders of the people, though he had slain their king and nobles. And the gathering of the summer fruits for themselves seems to have been a confirmation of it.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jer 40:7 Now when all the captains of the forces which [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 poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;
Ver. 7. Now when all the captains of the forces that were in the fields. ] The dispersed Jews, with their captains and centurions, such as had lain lurking during the siege, or had fled when Zedekias did, and escaped.
Heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Jer 40:7-12
7Now all the commanders of the forces that were in the field, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam over the land and that he had put him in charge of the men, women and children, those of the poorest of the land who had not been exiled to Babylon. 8So they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah, along with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, both they and their men. 9Then Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, swore to them and to their men, saying, Do not be afraid of serving the Chaldeans; stay in the land and serve the king of Babylon, that it may go well with you. 10Now as for me, behold, I am going to stay at Mizpah to stand for you before the Chaldeans who come to us; but as for you, gather in wine and summer fruit and oil and put them in your storage vessels, and live in your cities that you have taken over. 11Likewise, also all the Jews who were in Moab and among the sons of Ammon and in Edom and who were in all the other countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant for Judah, and that he had appointed over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan. 12Then all the Jews returned from all the places to which they had been driven away and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, and gathered in wine and summer fruit in great abundance.
Jer 40:7 the commanders of the forces that were in the field This refers to Jewish military units not captured by Nebuchadnezzar’s army because they were not in Jerusalem when it fell.
those of the poorest of the land who had not been exiled to Babylon This links with Jer 39:10.
Jer 40:9 Gedaliah. . .swore to them The new governor’s first responsibility was convincing the Jewish forces to lay down their arms (cf. 2Ki 25:23-24).
Notice what Gedaliah swore (BDB 989, KB 1396, Niphal IMPERFECT).
1. do not be afraid – BDB 431, KB 432, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense
2. stay in the land – BDB 442, KB 444, Qal IMPERATIVE
3. serve the king of Babylon – BDB 712, KB 773, Qal IMPERATIVE
4. that it may go well with you – BDB 405, KB 408, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense
serving the Chaldeans The Septuagint (LXX) has do not be afraid of the Chaldean officials (cf. 2Ki 25:24).
Jer 40:10 to stand before the Chaldeans This term (BDB 763, KB 840, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) is often used of priests standing before God on behalf of sinful humans. Therefore, we can understand the word to mean mediator in this context.
gather in wine and summer fruit and oil The war had left the fields unattended. If this fruit was not gathered it would spoil and they would have no food for winter.
There are three commands in Gedaliah’s statement.
1. gather – BDB 62, KB 74, Qal IMPERATIVE
2. put – BDB 962, KB 1321, Qal IMPERATIVE
3. live – BDB 442, KB 444, Qal IMPERATIVE
Jer 40:11-12 Many Jewish exiles in the neighboring countries returned to take advantage of the free land and prepare for winter by harvesting the ripe crops.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
men. Hebrew pi. of ‘enosh. App-14.
governor. No more attempts to make a king, after Zedekiah’s perjury. See Eze 17:15-19.
children = young children.
poor. Hebrew “poverty”, put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for poor people. See Pro 6:11.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Jer 40:7-12
Jer 40:7-9
THE PEOPLE COME TO GEDALIAH
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; then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, [to wit], Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men. 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.
The forces that were in the fields…
(Jer 40:7). These were straggling remainders of the defenders of Jerusalem. There were only seven of these captains of small groups; and they had not been considered important enough for Nebuzaradan to bother with mopping them up.
Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon…
(Jer 40:9). Gedaliah’s message was one of peace and encouragement. As representative of the king of Babylon, Gedaliah assured them that there would be no reprisals. Those persons against whom Nebuchadnezzar sought revenge were already dead or on their way into captivity; and all that remained for the pitiful remnant of a once proud nation to do was to settle down in peace and submission to their new masters.
Jer 40:10-12
SURROUNDING NATIONS COME TO GEDALIAH
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. Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the children of Ammon, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan; then all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.
I will dwell at Mizpah. to stand before the Chaldeans …..
(Jer 40:10). Mizpah was probably chosen as the headquarters of Gedaliah because it was apparently spared of any devastation during the war. Archaeologists have found no evidence of its destruction.
Gather ye wine and summer fruits…
(Jer 40:10). The city had fallen in July; winter was coming on with spring and part of the summer gone; and Gedaliah here urged the people to concern themselves with the food problem. They were confronted with the necessity of survival largely upon dried fruits and vegetables; and there was also the prospect of an olive harvest.
In your cities which ye have taken…
(Jer 40:10) This means: (1) in the cities which you have adopted as residences, or (2) in the cities you have taken over following the end of the war.
Out of all the places whither they were driven…
(Jer 40:12). Many of the Jews during the siege of Jerusalem had fled to surrounding places of refuge; but now they returned from throughout the whole region.
The Program of Gedaliah Jer 40:7-12
After the fall of Jerusalem, Judah became a province of the Babylonian empire. The Holy City, of course, had been completely destroyed, reduced to a heap of ashes. Jerusalem had been a thorn in the flesh of Nebuchadnezzar for so many years that he had unleashed his vengeance against her. But it was not the intention of Nebuchadnezzar to leave the whole land desolate. In case of future campaigns against Egypt it would be very advantageous to have cultivated land available in that area which could furnish at least part of the provisions for his huge armies.
Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah, a member of a prominent Jewish family, as governor. He did not appoint a Babylonian as governor because he did not wish to arouse the hostility of those Jews who remained in the land. Nor would a descendant of the house of David do, lest ambitions of a restored monarchy be aroused. Gedaliah was an ideal choice. He came from a God-fearing and influential family which through the years had supported the contention of Jeremiah that Nebuchadnezzar had been appointed by God the ruler of the world. Gedaliahs father, Ahikam, had once protected Jeremiah when he was on trial for his life (Jer 26:24). His grandfather Shaphan had been secretary of state under the godly king Josiah (2Ki 22:8).Some conjecture-and they are probably correct-that Gedaliah had followed the advice of Jeremiah and defected to the Chaldeans early in the siege of Jerusalem. Be that as it may, it would have been very difficult for Nebuchadnezzar to have found a man better qualified than Gedaliah to lead the Jews in reorganizing themselves, Under his leadership Nebuchadnezzar intended to create in Palestine a self-governing commonwealth under Babylonian sovereignty. The great king hoped to maintain the loyalty of the new colony by granting to them as much freedom as possible, especially freedom of religion. Thus he hoped to create a state in western Asia upon which he could depend in any future showdown with Egypt.
The wisdom of Nebuchadnezzars choice of Gedaliah became evident at once. Gedaliah immediately launched into a program of reconstruction. His first goal was to unite the various factions into which the remnant of the people was divided. Scattered throughout the land were small guerrilla bands which had somehow escaped capture and destruction by the Chaldean army. Once the main body of foreign troops withdrew, these guerrilla units either came voluntarily or were summoned to Mizpah. Gedaliah wished to discuss with the leaders of these troops the future of the community in Palestine. Among those named as participating in the discussions are Ishmael who later turned traitor and murdered Gedaliah; Johanan and his brother Jonathan who later would lead the remnant to Egypt; Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth; the sons of Ephai from the town of Netophah which was located near Bethlehem; and Jezaniah, the son of the Maachathite. The name Jaazaniah was found on a seal discovered at what is thought to be ancient Mizpah in 1932. With the cooperation of these men Gedaliah hoped to form a central government which would be adequate to the needs of the people during these dark days.
Gedaliah honestly and forthrightly presented his program to these captains and urged them to use their influence to secure peace throughout the land. First he assured these former soldiers that they had no reason to fear serving the Chaldeans. It may have been that Gedaliah had used his influence to secure from Nebuchadnezzar amnesty for all those who participated in the war against Babylon. Secondly, Gedaliah calls upon these leaders and their followers to dwell peacefully in the land and render service to the king of Babylon. If they continue to do this he promises them a life of peace and tranquility (Jer 40:9). Gedaliah assures them that he would stay at Mizpah and handle the affairs of government. The verb in 10a translated serve is not the same verb that is used in Jer 40:9. The verb here literally means stand before and means to be the minister of another and look after his interests. He would act as liaison between Judeans and the Chaldean officials who might appear from time to time in the land. Finally, he urges the people to get busy and gather the harvest for the coming winter (Jer 40:10).
News of Gedaliahs appointment and the progress he had made in reorganizing the remnant spread far and wide. Many homesick Jews, who had fled across the Jordan some months earlier when hostilities had broken out in Palestine, now began to filter back to their native land. From Moab, Ammon and Edom as well as other lands they came. Catching the spirit of the reorganized community they joined in harvesting the land. After reaping an abundant harvest the remnant settled down in their homeland (Jer 40:11-12). How thankful they must have been that God had so abundantly cared for their needs even during those difficult months of devastating warfare. How thankful they must have been to be living in the land of their forefathers.
The Plot of Ishmael Jer 40:13 to Jer 41:16
The peace and tranquility of the tiny remnant in Palestine was soon shattered. Ishmael, a member of the royal family, began plotting behind the scenes to assassinate Gedaliah. Just what motivated Ishmael in this ruthless plot is not clear. It may be that he resented the fact that Gedaliah had been appointed governor rather than a member of the royal family. On the other hand Ishmael may have despised and hated Gedaliah for collaborating with the Chaldeans. Whatever the explanation for the dastardly deed which he committed, it is clear that Ishmael is being used as political pawn of Baalis, the king of the Ammonites. Baalis must have coveted the territory of Judah for himself and decided that Gedaliah was standing in the way. Envy, jealousy and greed must surely have been the factors which drove Baalis and Ishmael into their unholy alliance.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
all the: Jer 39:4, 2Ki 25:4, 2Ki 25:22, 2Ki 25:23-26
the poor: Jer 39:10, Eze 33:24-29, Eze 45:16
Reciprocal: 2Ki 24:14 – the poorest sort 2Ki 25:12 – left of the poor Jer 41:2 – whom Jer 41:10 – whom Jer 41:11 – Johanan Jer 43:6 – every
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 40:7. Captains of the forces means the war officers who had been serving Judah at the time of the Babylonian invasion. When Jerusalem fell these men ceased their operations, and they learned that Gedaliah had been made governor over the Jews who were left in the land by the commander-in-chief of the Babylonians.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 40:7-10. Now when all the captains of the forces heard, &c., they came to Gedaliah By the taking of Jerusalem the Chaldeans made a complete conquest of Judea; whereupon that part of the Jewish army which had escaped destruction dispersed themselves into several parts of the country. And Gedaliah sware unto them They might reasonably suspect that the Chaldeans would have a jealous eye upon any conflux of people to Jerusalem, especially military men, and therefore might be somewhat suspicious of him, who was the Chaldean deputy governor; the securing them from fears on that account was the cause of Gedaliahs giving them this voluntary oath; saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans The same advice Jeremiah had formerly given to the Jews, Jer 27:11. As for me, I will dwell at Mizpah, to serve the Chaldeans I keep my residence here, a place upon the frontiers, that I may be ready to obey any orders that the king of Babylon sends me by his servants. But ye, gather ye wine, and summer-fruits, and oil But do you live in the country, and gather such fruits as the country affords, and do not fear being spoiled of them; but do as ye used to do in the times of the greatest peace and security. Wine and oil are here put by a metonymy for grapes and olives. It was now about the month of August, which was the proper season for gathering in the summer-fruits in that country.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jer 40:7-12. The Governorship of Gedaliah.The scattered Jewish forces which remained heard of Gedaliahs appointment as governor, and made submission to him at Mizpah. He guaranteed their security, and encouraged them to proceed with agriculture. Their example was followed by Jews who had migrated to the surrounding districts. The hope of this community to become the nucleus of future growth is reflected in Eze 33:24.
Jer 40:8. Netophah: E. of Bethlehem; Maacah: a district SE. of Hermon.
Jer 40:9. For to serve read, with LXX and 2Ki 25:24, because of the servants of.
Jer 40:10. to stand before: to serve, Jer 15:19, Jer 35:19; i.e. Gedaliah is responsible to Babylon, and implies that he will protect Jewish interests.ye have taken: should be ye will take.
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
40:7 Now when all the captains of the forces {d} who [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 to him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;
(d) Which were scattered abroad for fear of the Chaldeans.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Gedaliah’s leadership of the surviving community 40:7-12
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Several of the Judean guerrilla commanders, who had escaped from the Babylonian invaders, came to Gedaliah in Mizpah, with some of their men, when they heard that Nebuchadnezzar had appointed him over the region.