Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 41:18
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 in the land.
Here was one slain whom the conqueror Nebuchadnezzar had made governor in the land of Judah, and it was but reasonable for them to think that Nebuchadnezzar would take the affront done to himself, he being constituted governor by him; and though Johanan had nothing to do in that murder, yet he did not know but that the king of Babylon, being ignorant of any parties amongst the Jews, might look upon them, all as guilty who were Jews, and revenge Gedaliahs blood upon all the remainder of that nation; he therefore chooseth them a habitation for the present, from whence they might in a short time go down into Egypt, which was Johanans design, as we shall read in, the next chapter.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
18. afraidlest the Chaldeansshould suspect all the Jews of being implicated in Ishmael’s treason,as though the Jews sought to have a prince of the house of David (Jer41:1). Their better way towards gaining God’s favor would havebeen to have laid the blame on the real culprit, and to have clearedthemselves. A tortuous policy is the parent of fear. Righteousnessinspires with boldness (Psa 53:5;Pro 28:1).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Because of the Chaldeans,…. Which clause some think should have been joined to Jer 41:17. This is a reason given why they departed from Mizpah, and dwelt at the habitation of Chimham in the way to Egypt; and which is explained in the next words:
for they were afraid of them; at least this they pretended, that the Chaldeans would come upon them, and cut them off, and revenge themselves on them:
because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land; no doubt it was provoking to them to hear that the viceroy or deputy governor of the king of Babylon was slain in this manner; and still more so, as there were many Chaldeans slain with him; but there was no reason to believe that the king of Babylon would carry his resentment against the Jews with Johanan, or take vengeance on them, who had so bravely appeared against the murderers, and had rescued the captives out of their hands: this seems only a pretence for their going into Egypt; for though they were promised safety in Judah by the Prophet Jeremiah, yet they were still for going into Egypt, as the following chapters show.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
He then says, that they were there for a time, but that they looked forward to Egypt, on account, he says, of the Chaldeans, because they feared them, and for this reason, because Ishmael had killed Gedaliah, whom Nebuchadnezzar had set over the land This fear was not without reason; but they might have sent persons to the king of Babylon, and have thrown the blame on the right person, and cleared themselves; and the matter might have been settled. They might then have easily obtained pardon from King Nebuchadnezzar; but as no fear of God prevailed in them, they did not consider what was lawful, and were by a blind impulse led into Egypt. Thus fear was no alleviation to their crime, for there was another remedy at hand, which God would have blessed. But when they disregarded God’s word, and followed what their own feelings dictated to them, they contrived in a very bad way for themselves. But far worse is what follows.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
REFLECTIONS
READER! the great relief to a Child of God, when turning over continued pages in the word of God in relating man’s depravity, is the view of Jesus, who was manifested, as an apostle saith, to take away our sin, and in him is no sin. Precious Lord Jesus! I would ask, both for myself and Reader! what could support the soul, under the consciousness of one common nature of evil, but the consciousness also, that thy people have one common nature of righteousness in thee? As by one man’s disobedience, many were made sinners; so by the obedience of one, many were made righteous. Every way, and by every view, to which the mind directs her attention, in Zedekiah, Ishmael, and all the residue of the people, we see nothing but evil; and in ourselves feel the breaking out of the same. But in thee, blessed Jesus, we behold a fulness of grace and truth; and those graces abounding for thy people. Oh! Lord! give both to him that writes, and to him that reads, if it be thy blessed will, the needed grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ; that of thy fulness we may all receive and grace for grace. Amen!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jer 41:18 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 in the land.
Ver. 18. Because of the Chaldeans, for they were afraid of them. ] But they should rather have “sanctified the Lord God in their hearts, and made him their dread.” Isa 8:13 “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Pro 29:25 See Trapp on “ Pro 29:25 “
Because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah.
a Ob incastodiam.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
for they: Jer 42:11, Jer 42:16, Jer 43:2, Jer 43:3, 2Ki 25:25, Isa 30:16, Isa 30:17, Isa 51:12, Isa 51:13, Isa 57:11, Luk 12:4, Luk 12:5
because: Jer 41:2
whom: Jer 40:5
Reciprocal: Jer 36:14 – Nethaniah Lam 5:9 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 41:18. The Chaldeans (or Babylonians) had appointed Gedaliah as governor at Mizpah, and his murder might be regarded as an act of war against them. Since Ishmael wa3 a Jew, the Chaldeans might develop a new feeling against the others. At least this was the panicky fear that possessed Johanan, so he planned to flee.