1. Ramah] See on Jeremiah 31:15.

4. I will look well unto thee] See on Jeremiah 39:12.

convenient] lit. as mg. right.

but if it seem ill … (5) Go back then, said he] The LXX have simply, “but, if not, depart, return,” and, as giving a much smoother sequence, preserve what is probably the original form. The latter part of Jeremiah 40:4 in MT. may have been suggested by Genesis 13:9, while the words “Now while … back” are also a gloss.

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.

7–9. Abbreviated from 2 Kings 25:23 f.

6. Mizpah] on a hill (Neby Samwil) 4½ miles N.W. of Jerusalem.

Chs. Jeremiah 40:7 to Jeremiah 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 (Jeremiah 40:7 to Jeremiah 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) Jeremiah 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) Jeremiah 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) Jeremiah 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.

8. the Netophathite] Netophah was apparently identical with Beit Nettif, a village W. of Bethlehem at the entrance to the Vale of Elah. See Buhl’s Geographie des alten Palästina, p. 194. It was not far from Jerusalem (Nehemiah 12:28).

Jezaniah] not the “Jezaniah” of ch. Jeremiah 42:1, where see note.

Maacathite] Maacah was S.E. of Hermon.

9. to serve the Chaldeans] The LXX here have “because of the servants of the Chaldaeans,” i.e. the officers placed here and there through the land by the conquerors. This agrees with MT. in 2 Kings 25:24, but probably the original reading of the Hebrew in both places (lost through confusing two very similar consonants) is that preserved by LXX in Kgs, viz. the passing through of the Chaldaeans, i.e. the danger arising from the frequent passage of Babylonian forces in military operations, such as attacks on Egypt.

10. to stand before] probably meaning that, as a servant of the Chaldaeans, he would be able in their presence to defend the interests of the Jews. See on Jeremiah 15:1.

12. gathered wine … very much] This was done in the 6th month (Aug.–Sept.), only two months (cp. Jeremiah 39:2) after the capture of the city. It is clear that the Babylonians had not devastated the country, but “had risen above the methods of barbarism which characterized ancient and have characterized so much modern warfare.” Peake.

13. Moreover … came] The grammatical construction in the Heb. suggests that we should render, Now … had come.

fields] See note on Jeremiah 40:7.

13–16. See introd. summary to section.

14. Baalis the king of the children of Ammon] It is easier to see the motives of Ishmael than those of his instigator Baalis. The former no doubt felt aggrieved that he, although of royal birth (Jeremiah 41:1), should be set aside in favour of Gedaliah, and at once determined to get rid of him and take his place. Baalis may have had a spite against Gedaliah and his family as friends of Jeremiah, and as having probably taken the side of that prophet openly, when (ch. 27) he sent back the messengers of Ammon and the other neighbouring nations, refusing the alliance against the Chaldaeans which they had desired; or it may have been a design against Palestine generally which influenced him on this occasion, and the belief that, if he were to get rid of Gedaliah and the firm and peaceful rule which he seemed to be inaugurating, there would be more chance for himself in carrying out his plans of conquest.

15. the remnant of Judah perish] Johanan no doubt hoped to influence a high-minded man like Gedaliah by this argument that on his life depended the welfare of those who remained yet in the country.

Ch. Jeremiah 40:1-6. Jeremiah is released and returns to Gedaliah

Du., Co. and Erbt agree in the view that there were different legendary accounts in connexion with Jeremiah’s fortunes immediately subsequent to the capture of the city and that this section represents one of them. It is certainly difficult, in the absence of further information, to reconcile satisfactorily Jeremiah 39:11-14 with the present passage. It is, however, possible that, in the absence of his protector Gedaliah from Jerusalem, he was again put in fetters through ignorance of his right to immunity and only set free after reaching Ramah, when the mistake was rectified by the intervention of Gedaliah or otherwise. In any case Jeremiah 40:1 is a later addition, as no utterance from the Lord follows. The captain of the guard’s words in Jeremiah 40:2-3 are obviously unsuited to the speaker, although they are such as a Hebrew writer would put into Nebuzaradan’s mouth. Cp. 2 Kings 18:25.

The section may be summarized thus.

Jeremiah 40:1-6. Jeremiah is taken in chains to Ramah. There Nebuzaradan, after declaring that Jerusalem’s fall was a just consequence of the people’s sins, gives the prophet his choice between going with him to Babylon, and dwelling with Gedaliah or elsewhere as he may choose. Jeremiah decides on going to Gedaliah at Mizpah.