Jeremiah 40:8

8 then they came to Gedalyahu to Mitzpah, [to wit], Yishma'el the son of Netanyah, and Yochanan and Yonatan the sons of Kareach, and Serayah the son of Tanchumet, and the sons of `Efai the Netofatite, and Yezanyah the son of the Ma`akhatite, they and their men.

Jeremiah 40:8 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 40:8

Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah
Having heard that the Chaldean army was gone, and so were in no fear of that; and also that Gedaliah was made deputy governor, one of their own nation, a pious, prudent, good man, a man of ingenuity, mildness, and integrity; under whose government they might expect to live comfortably; and which was much preferable to captivity in a foreign country, though tributary to Babylon: even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah;
who was of the seed royal, ( Jeremiah 41:1 ) ; and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah;
two brothers, but who they were, or their father, is not known, no mention being made of them but in this story: and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth;
who he was is also uncertain: and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite;
so called from Netophah, a city of the tribe of Judah near Bethlehem, and are mentioned together, ( Ezra 2:22 ) ( Nehemiah 7:26 ) ; the Netophathites inhabited several villages, ( 1 Chronicles 9:16 ) ; mention is made in the Misnic ^F20 writings of artichokes and olives this place was famous for: and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite;
a family so called from Maacah, Caleb's concubine, ( 1 Chronicles 2:48 ) ; they and their men;
these generals, and the forces under their command.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F20 Shebiit, c. 9. sect. 5. & Pea, c. 7. sect. 1.

Jeremiah 40:8 In-Context

6 Then went Yirmeyahu to Gedalyahu the son of Achikam to Mitzpah, and lived with him among the people who were left in the land.

7 Now when all the captains of the forces who were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Bavel had made Gedalyahu the son of Achikam governor in the land, and had committed to him men, and women, and children, and of the poorest of the land, of those who were not carried away captive to Bavel;

8 then they came to Gedalyahu to Mitzpah, [to wit], Yishma'el the son of Netanyah, and Yochanan and Yonatan the sons of Kareach, and Serayah the son of Tanchumet, and the sons of `Efai the Netofatite, and Yezanyah the son of the Ma`akhatite, they and their men.

9 Gedalyahu the son of Achikam the son of Shafan swore to them and to their men, saying, Don't be afraid to serve the Kasdim: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Bavel, and it shall be well with you.

10 As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mitzpah, to stand before the Kasdim who shall come to us: but you, gather you wine and summer fruits and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that you have taken.