Jeremiah 40:1-6

Jeremiah Freed

1 The word came to Jeremiah from the LORD after Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard had released him at Ramah. He had found Jeremiah bound in chains among all the captives from Jerusalem and Judah who were being carried into exile to Babylon.
2 When the commander of the guard found Jeremiah, he said to him, “The LORD your God decreed this disaster for this place.
3 And now the LORD has brought it about; he has done just as he said he would. All this happened because you people sinned against the LORD and did not obey him.
4 But today I am freeing you from the chains on your wrists. Come with me to Babylon, if you like, and I will look after you; but if you do not want to, then don’t come. Look, the whole country lies before you; go wherever you please.”
5 However, before Jeremiah turned to go,[a] Nebuzaradan added, “Go back to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the towns of Judah, and live with him among the people, or go anywhere else you please.” Then the commander gave him provisions and a present and let him go.
6 So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah and stayed with him among the people who were left behind in the land.

Jeremiah 40:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 40

This chapter treats of the release of Jeremiah, and the care taken of him; of the gathering of the princes and people of the Jews to Gedaliah, appointed their governor, dispersed about Judea, and other countries; and of a conspiracy against him, of which information was given him. The release of Jeremiah, where, and by whom, Jer 40:1-4; the liberty granted him to go to Babylon, or stay in Judea, as he thought fit; and, if he chose the latter, is advised to go to Gedaliah, appointed governor, or where he would; and is dismissed with food, and a reward, Jer 40:4-6; upon which he went and dwelt with Gedaliah, Jer 40:7; to whom also the captains of the dispersed forces joined themselves, to whom he swore, and bid them be of good cheer; and exhorted them to serve the Chaldeans, which he urged from the profit of it to them, and by his own example, Jer 40:8-10; and to whom also gathered the Jews in other countries, Jer 40:11,12; by the captains he is informed of a conspiracy against his life, and one of them offers to destroy the conspirator, which Gedaliah would not agree to, disbelieving the information, Jer 40:13-16.

Cross References 18

  • 1. S Joshua 18:25; 1 Samuel 8:4; Matthew 2:18
  • 2. S Deuteronomy 21:10; S 2 Kings 24:1; S 2 Chronicles 36:10; Nahum 3:10
  • 3. Romans 13:4
  • 4. S Isaiah 10:22
  • 5. S 2 Chronicles 34:24; S Psalms 18:18; S Proverbs 8:36; Galatians 6:7-8
  • 6. S Joshua 23:15; Jeremiah 50:7
  • 7. S Proverbs 13:21; Romans 6:23; James 1:15; Daniel 9:11
  • 8. S Leviticus 26:33; Deuteronomy 28:45-52; Deuteronomy 29:24-28; Deuteronomy 31:17-18; S 1 Kings 9:9; Jeremiah 22:8-9; Daniel 9:14; Acts 7:39; Romans 2:5-9
  • 9. Psalms 105:18-20; S Jeremiah 37:14
  • 10. Lamentations 3:7
  • 11. S Genesis 13:9; Jeremiah 39:11-12
  • 12. S 2 Kings 25:22
  • 13. 2 Kings 22:12-14
  • 14. Nehemiah 5:14; Jeremiah 41:2
  • 15. Jeremiah 44:2; Zechariah 1:12
  • 16. Jeremiah 39:14
  • 17. S Genesis 32:20; S 1 Samuel 9:7
  • 18. ver 10; Judges 20:1; 1 Samuel 7:5-17

Footnotes 1

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