Jeremiah 40:1

CHAPTER XL

This and the four following chapters contain a distinct account

of what passed in the land of Judah from the taking of

Jerusalem to the retreat of the remnant of the people to Egypt;

together with the prophecies of Jeremiah concerning that place,

whither he himself accompanied them. In this chapter we have an

account of the enlargement of Jeremiah by Nebuzar-adan, the

captain of the guard, who advises him to put himself under the

jurisdiction of Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, whom the king of

Babylon had made governor over the land of Judea, 1-5.

The prophet and many of the dispersed Jews repair to Gedaliah,

6-12.

Johanan acquaints the governor of a conspiracy against him, but

is not believed, 13-16.

NOTES ON CHAP. XL.

Verse Jeremiah 40:1. The word that came to Jeremiah] This and the four following chapters contain a particular account of what passed in the land of Judea from the taking of the city to the retreat of the people into Egypt, and the prophecies of Jeremiah concerning them there.

Had let him go from Ramah] This has embarrassed most of the commentators. Dr. Blayney has thrown much light upon it by his translation and note:-

"The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, after that Nebu-Zaradan captain of the guards had taken him, and let him go from Ramah: for he had been bound with chains among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah, who were carried away captive to Babylon."

"HAD TAKEN HIM, AND LET HIM GO. - Most interpreters have understood בקחתו אתו bekachto otho of Nebuchadnezzar's having first taken Jeremiah as a captive unto Ramah. But if the order of the sentence be well observed, as well as the more common use of the verb לקח lakach, it will, I think, rather appear that those words relate to his taking or having him brought to him, in order to give him his discharge."