Jeremiah 40:8

8 they went to Gedali'ah at Mizpah--Ish'mael the son of Nethani'ah, Joha'nan the son of Kare'ah, Serai'ah the son of Tanhu'meth, the sons of Ephai the Netoph'athite, Jezani'ah the son of the Ma-ac'athite, 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 Jeremiah went to Gedali'ah the son of Ahi'kam, at Mizpah, and dwelt with him among the people who were left in the land.
7 When all the captains of the forces in the open country and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedali'ah the son of Ahi'kam governor in the land, and had committed to him men, women, and children, those of the poorest of the land who had not been taken into exile to Babylon,
8 they went to Gedali'ah at Mizpah--Ish'mael the son of Nethani'ah, Joha'nan the son of Kare'ah, Serai'ah the son of Tanhu'meth, the sons of Ephai the Netoph'athite, Jezani'ah the son of the Ma-ac'athite, they and their men.
9 Gedali'ah the son of Ahi'kam, son of Shaphan, swore to them and their men, saying, "Do not be afraid to serve the Chalde'ans. Dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
10 As for me, I will dwell at Mizpah, to stand for you before the Chalde'ans who will come to us; but as for you, gather wine and summer fruits and oil, and store them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that you have taken."
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.