Smote Gedaliah. The day of the murder of Gedaliah (the third day of the seventh month) was kept as a fast day by the post-Captivity Jews (see Zechariah 7:5 ; Zechariah 8:19 ). It was the day on which the hope of living a separate life in the promised land, for a time at least, vanished; and the murder was avenged by a new captivity (see above). read more
The seventh month - Gedaliah’s government lasted less than two months.Even - Rather, and. Ishmael was descended probably from Elishama the son of David 2 Samuel 5:16. Ten grandees each with his retinue would have aroused suspicion, but the smallness of Ishmael’s following put Gedaliah completely off his guard. read more
Jeremiah 41:1. Now, in the seventh month Answering partly to our September, and partly to October; two months after the taking of Jerusalem. The murder of Gedaliah gave occasion to the fasts of the seventh month, which the Jews observed after their return from captivity, Zechariah 7:5; Zechariah 8:19. Ishmael the son of Nethaniah The same Ishmael that came to Gedaliah, Jeremiah 40:8-9, and to whom he sware protection; of the seed royal Being of the family of David, he supposed he had a... read more
Ishmael’s plot against Gedaliah (40:13-41:18)One of the former army commanders, Ishmael, was opposed to Gedaliah’s policy of submission to Babylon. With Ammonite support he plotted to kill Gedaliah. So sincere and trusting was Gedaliah, that when told of the plot, he refused to believe it (13-16). Gedaliah apparently took no precautions against the reported treachery, and when a suitable time arrived Ishmael carried out his brutal plot. He murdered Gedaliah, along with all the Judean officials... read more
Elishama. A seal has been found with his name on it. even = and. Gedaliah. See note on Jeremiah 26:24 ; and Compare Jeremiah 39:14 , and Jeremiah 40:5 . Mizpah. See note on Jeremiah 40:6 . read more
Ishmael. See note on Jeremiah 40:8 . had made. Compare Jeremiah 40:5 . read more
JEREMIAH 41ISHMAEL'S MURDER OF GEDALIAHAll of the events of this chapter revolve around the shameful and treacherous murder of the new governor Gedaliah by Ishmael. The chapter divisions are: (1) the murder of the governor (Jeremiah 41:1-3); (2) the murder of the pilgrims (Jeremiah 41:4-7); (3) captives at Mizpah taken (Jeremiah 41:8-10); (4) Ishmael defeated, escapes to Ammon (Jeremiah 41:11-15); and (5) the people gathered by Johanan to go to Egypt (Jeremiah 41:16-18).The length of Gedaliah's... read more
Jeremiah 41:1. In the seventh month— Answering partly to our September, and partly to October, two months after the taking of Jerusalem. The murder of Gedaliah gave occasion to the fast of the seventh month, which the Jews observed after their return from the captivity. See Zechariah 7:5; Zechariah 8:19. Ishmael was of the family of David. read more
1. seventh month—the second month after the burning of the city (Jeremiah 52:12; Jeremiah 52:13). and the princes—not the nominative. And the princes came, for the "princes" are not mentioned either in Jeremiah 52:13- : or in 2 Kings 25:25: but, "Ishmael being of the seed royal and of the princes of the king" [MAURER]. But the ten men were the "princes of the king"; thus MAURER'S objection has no weight: so English Version. eat bread together—Ishmael murdered Gedaliah, by whom he was hospitably... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 41:1-18
A great crime and its consequence. I. A GREAT CRIME . The slaying of Gedaliah was accompanied by circumstances making it peculiarly atrocious. 1 . The breach of good fellowship. There had been professions of amity before. Gedaliah shows by deed his confidence in Ishmael, sitting down with him at a common meal. 2 . The subsequent slaughter. The slaying of Gedaliah was not enough to serve the purpose. A man, once entered on the ways of crime, cannot say, "So far I will go,... read more