Jeremiah 41

Jeremiah 41:1

Month; Tisri, the third of which is still observed as a fast by the Jews. (Calmet) — Godolias had given a supper to the traitors, and had drunk plentifully. They set upon him while he and the people were retired to rest. (Josephus, Antiquities x. 11.) — This happened two months after the burning of Jerusalem, chap. xxix. 2. Nabuchodonosor soon after punished this perfidy of the Ammonites. (Calmet) — Bread: feasted. (Haydock) — Such tragedies are usually performed with the show of friendship. (Worthington)

Jeremiah 41:4

Second, or next day. All had been slain in the night but some captives. (Calmet)

Jeremiah 41:5

Rent, as people mourning. Literally, “dirty.” Hebrew and Septuagint, “cut.” (Haydock) (Chap. xvi. 6., and Leviticus xix. 28.) — Lord, Masphath, were people performed their devotions, as well as they could, Judges xx. 1., and 1 Machabees iii. 46.) Jeremias had probably ordered an altar to be erected, as Samuel had done, 1 Kings vii. 6. (Calmet) — Others think that these people went thither for a priest, to offer what they had brought on the altar of Jerusalem, Baruch i. 10. (Tirinus) — Masphath lay to the south. (Calmet) — It seems many of the people about Samaria were true believers, and even more affected at the destruction of the temple. (Haydock) — Their city had been demolished by Salmanasar (Calmet) long before, and many fresh inhabitants introduced, who adhered to idols. (Haydock)

Jeremiah 41:6

He . Septuagint, “they.” Yet Hebrew intimates that Ismahel feigned tears. (Calmet) — He did not weep sincerely. (Worthington)

Jeremiah 41:7

Into. Literally, “slew them about the,” &c. (Haydock) — The pit was not full of water, but had been intended by Asa for a reservoir, (ver. 9., and 3 Kings xv. 20.; Calmet) when he built Maspha. (Worthington)

Jeremiah 41:8

Field. It was usual to cover them up carefully. (Chardin.) — Avarice sometimes will set bounds to cruelty, when nothing else will. (Worthington)

Jeremiah 41:10

King’s; Sedecias, (Calmet) or some of his predecessors, as all the women were taken, (chap. xxxviii. 22, 23.) unless those had escaped before. (Haydock)

Jeremiah 41:11

Johanan. He and the rest of the fugitives thus shewed that they were clean. (Worthington)

Jeremiah 41:12

Gabaon, famous for the battle of Abner, 2 Kings ii. 13.

Jeremiah 41:15

Eight. He had brought ten, ver. 1.

Jeremiah 41:16

CHAPTER XLI.

Eunuchs; officers of Sedecias, who had escaped, chap. xl. 9.

Jeremiah 41:17

As. Hebrew, “at the station or inn of Chamaam,” the son of Berzellai. (Chaldean) Perhaps our Saviour was born in this (Calmet) “inn,” (Eusebius, Dem. vii. 4.) which was then deserted. (Haydock) — Egypt. These poor wretches find no repose. (Calmet)