As what follows is mainly a historical narrative, it seems that the
title “The word ...” was appropriate not merely to a prediction of
the future, but to an account of the past, if written by a prophet.
The Jews regarded history as inspired if written by a seer, and thus
their historical books are c... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHILE HE WAS NOT YET GONE BACK - Most modern commentators render
“And as he yet answered nothing, Return then, he said, to Gedaliah
...”
VICTUALS - A ration of food.
A REWARD - A present.... [ Continue Reading ]
The men would be the old and infirm: the women those whose husbands
and protectors had perished in the wars (e. g. Jeremiah 41:10). The
word children includes all the inferior members of a household.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO SERVE THE CHALDEANS - literally, as margin; to be their minister
and lieutenant. Gedaliah supposed that officers of high rank would
come from time to time from Babylon to look after the king’s
interests. But whatever was ordered would be done through him, as
being the prime minister.
GATHER YE W... [ Continue Reading ]
It is difficult to say what object Baalis can have had in murdering
Gedaliah. As an ally of Zedekiah Jeremiah 27:3, he may have had a
spite against the family of Ahikam for opposing, as most probably they
did at Jeremiah’s instigation, the league proposed Jeremiah 27.
Ishmael’s motive was envy and s... [ Continue Reading ]