Jeremiah 40

Jeremiah 40:1

THe word which came to Jeremiah] These words are as a title, or inscription, to that which is recorded in Chap. 42. & 43. See Chap. 42. 7. See also Chap. 1. 2, 4.

when, &c.] Or, For, &c. as Chap. 36. 9. From these words beginneth a relation, inserted as by way of parenthesis, between the Preface of the Prophecie and the Prophecie it self, or the substance of it: wherein the occasion thereof is from the first beginning related in this Chapter and the next.

he had taken him being bound] Which by oversight had been committed; contrarie to the Kings expresse charge; and the order of his commanders. See Chap 39. 11,—14.

in chains] Or, manicles. vers. 4.

among all that were carried away captive] Heb. in the midst of (as Chap. 39. 14) all the captivitie, as Chap. 29. 1. Being no notice taken of him, untill he came with them to Ramath, Chap. 39. 14.

Jeremiah 40:2

And the captain of the guard] Or, even the Captain. as Chap. 35. 15. & 52. 13.

The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evill upon this place] Thus was an infidel moved to utter that, which the Jews themselves, out of obstinacie, would not see and acknowledge, Chap. 50. 7.

Jeremiah 40:4

the chains which were upon thine hand] Acts 12:7.

if it seem good unto thee] Heb. be good in thine eyes. Genesis 20:15.

I will look well unto thee] Heb. I will set mine eye upon thee. Chap. 39. 12.

if it seem ill unto thee] Heb. be ill in thine eyes. Joshua 24:15.

wither it seemeth good and conventent for thee to go] Heb. unto good and unto right in thine eyes to go. Chap. 26. 14.

Jeremiah 40:5

Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah] Or, (For he was not yet gone back) or go to Gedaliah, &c. Take thy choice, to go with me, or to seat thy self where thou pleasest, or to repair to Gedaliah, that he may provide for thee. Or, And since that he (to wit, Gedaliah) is not yet gone back; (to Jerusalem, but stayeth at Mizpah) go back, &c. repair to him, if thou list not to go with me.

dwell with him] Or, abide. Heb. sit. Genesis 24:55. 2 Samuel 7:18. Chap. 39. 14.

among the people] Heb. in the midst of. Chap. 39. 14.

Jeremiah 40:6

to Mizpah] In the land of Benjamin, Joshua 18:26. 1 Kings 15:22.

dwelt with him] Or, aboe. vers. 5.

among the people] Heb. in the midst of. vers. 5.

Jeremiah 40:7

When all the captains, &c.] 2 Kings 25:23.

of the forces which were in the fields] Being scattered abroad for fear of the Chaldeans.

Jeremiah 40:8

Ishmael] One of the bloud roiall, Chap. 41. 1.

Johanan] Or, John. as Luke 1:13. so vers. 13, 15, &c.

Ephai the Netophathite] The name of a family in the tribe of Judah, so called from the citie or place of their abode, 1 Chron. 2. 54. & 9. 16. & 27. 15.

the sonne of a Maachathite] Another family, so called from some principall man or woman of speciall note in it. See 1 Chron. 2. 48. & 8. 29. & 9. 35. & 27. 16.

their men] Their followers, or complices, Genesis 24:59. 1 Samuel 23:8.

Jeremiah 40:9

sware unto them, &c.] 2 Kings 25:24.

dwell in the land] Or, stay, abide. vers. 5.

Jeremiah 40:10

I will dwell at Mizpah] Or, abide. vers. 9.

to serve the Chaldeans] Heb. stand before them. Chap. 35. 19.

gather ye wine, and summer-fruits, and oyl] For their harvest was in before. See Deuteronomy 16:1; Deuteronomy 16:9. & Chap. 39. 2.

dwell in your cities] Or, abide.

that ye have taken] Seised upon, or seated your selves in, (as Chap. 51. 32.) being left and abandoned, Chap. 51. 29.

Jeremiah 40:11

the Jews that were in Moab, &c.] That had fled into forain parts for succour and safetie, upon the Chaldean invasion, Isaiah 16:4.

Jeremiah 40:13

Johanan] Or, John. vers. 8.

Jeremiah 40:14

Dost thou certainly know] Heb. knowing know. Chap. 13. 12.

the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael] Under colour of entertaining Ishmael, seeking to make them instruments of destroying one another.

to slay thee] Heb. to strike thee in soul. Or, strike thy soul. Numbers 35:11.

Jeremiah 40:15

Johanan] Or, John. vers. 8.

I will slay Ishmael] Heb. smite. 2 Kings 6:21.

wherefore should he slay thee] Heb. strike thee in soul. Or, strike thy soul. vers. 14. See the like emphaticall form by way of interrogation, or expostulation, Chap. 27. 13, 17.

Jeremiah 40:16

Johanan] Or, John. vers. 8.

thou speakest falsly of Ishmael] Heb. falshood. or, a lie. Chap. 29. 9. & 43. 2. Thus the well-minded, intending no evill to others, are soonest deceived, measuring others by themselves; and want not such as conspire their destruction. Chap. 11. 18, 19.