Jeremías 41:17

17 Y fueron y habitaron en Geruth-chimham, que es cerca de Bethlehem, á fin de partir y meterse en Egipto,

Jeremías 41:17 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 41:17

And they departed
From Mizpah, Johanan, and the captains of the forces, and all the people rescued from Ishmael: and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Bethlehem:
so called perhaps from Chimham, the son of Barzillai the Gileadite, to whom David or Solomon might give this place to dwell in, ( 2 Samuel 19:37 ) ( 1 Kings 2:7 ) . The Targum is express for the former, calling it

``the habitation which David gave to Chimham, the son of Barzillai the Gileadite;''

and as it was near Bethlehem, it might be a part of the patrimony which belonged to David, as a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite; which he might give to Chimham, out of respect to his father Barzillai, who showed kindness to him when he was obliged to flee from Absalom; which, though it returned to David's family in the year of jubilee, as all inheritances did, yet might continue to be called after the name of Chimham, in commemoration of the royal grant of it to him. Josephus ^F18 calls the name of the place Mandra. The reason why Johanan and those with him pitched on this place was, because it lay in the way to go to enter into Egypt;
where they had an inclination to go; having still a friendly regard to that people, and a confidence in them, as appears by some following chapters; and that they might be ready and at hand to flee thither, should the Chaldeans come against them, which they feared.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 Antiqu. l. 10. c. 9. sect. 5.

Jeremías 41:17 In-Context

15 Mas Ismael hijo de Nethanías se escapó delante de Johanán con ocho hombres, y se fué á los hijos de Ammón.

16 Y Johanán hijo de Carea, y todos los príncipes de la gente de guerra que con él estaban, tomaron todo el resto del pueblo que habían recobrado de Ismael hijo de Nethanías, de Mizpa, después que hirió á Gedalías hijo de Ahicam: hombres de guerra, y mujeres, y niños, y los eunucos que Johanán había hecho tornar de Gabaón;

17 Y fueron y habitaron en Geruth-chimham, que es cerca de Bethlehem, á fin de partir y meterse en Egipto,

18 Por causa de los Caldeos: porque temían de ellos, por haber herido Ismael hijo de Nethanías á Gedalías hijo de Ahicam, al cual el rey de Babilonia había puesto sobre la tierra.