Jeremias 41:16

16 But ye turned and profaned my name, to bring back every one his servant, and every one his handmaid, whom ye had sent forth free at their own disposal, to be to you men-servants and maid-servants.

Jeremias 41:16 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 41:16

Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of
the forces that [were] with him
After Ishmael had made his escape, whom they did not think fit to pursue, and the people had committed themselves to their care and protection; and having brought them to Mizpah again, they took them from thence, as follows: all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the
son of Nethaniah from Mizpah, after [that] he had slain Gedaliah the
son of Ahikam:
those whom he had rescued from Ishmael, and had returned to Mizpah, be persuaded to go with him from thence; who are more particularly described, as follows: [even] mighty men of war, and the women, and the children, and the
eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gibeon;
or "men, [even] men of war" ^F17; warlike men, soldiers; by which it appears that Ishmael must have more than ten men with him when he came to Mizpah, as well to do what he did there, as likewise to carry away such a number of captives, among which were mighty men, men of war, some of whom he had slain, besides women and children, to which are added eunuchs, not mentioned before, such as the king of Judah had in his court; see ( Jeremiah 38:7 ) ; but these were of no account with the Chaldeans; and therefore they left them behind with the poor of the land; perhaps Ebedmelech might be among them, whose safety and protection is promised, because of his kindness to Jeremiah, ( Jeremiah 39:15-18 ) . The Targum calls them princes: these were brought back by Johanan from Gibeon, where he met with Ishmael, to Mizpah; from whence they had been carried, and whom he took from thence again.

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 (hmxlmh yvna Myrbg) "mares, viros belli", Schmidt; "nempe vires bellatores", Piscator.

Jeremias 41:16 In-Context

14 When six years are accomplished, thou shalt set free thy brother the Hebrew, who shall be sold to thee: for he shall serve thee six years, and thou shalt let him go free: but they hearkened not to me, and inclined not their ear.

15 And this day they turned to do that which was right in my sight, to proclaim every one the release of his neighbour; and they had concluded a covenant before me, in the house whereon my name is called.

16 But ye turned and profaned my name, to bring back every one his servant, and every one his handmaid, whom ye had sent forth free at their own disposal, to be to you men-servants and maid-servants.

17 Therefore thus said the Lord; Ye have not hearkened to me, to proclaim a release every one to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a release to you, to the sword, and to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will give you up to dispersion all the kingdoms of the earth.

18 And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, who have not kept my covenant, which they made before me, the calf which they prepared to sacrifice with it,