the pit: or, cistern. Not mentioned elsewhere, but see 1 Kings 15:22 and 2 Chronicles 16:6 . because of = besides. was it. By regrouping the letters, this reads "[was] a large pit which", &c. read more
Jeremiah 41:9. Now the pit, &c.— בור bor, signifies a basin, cistern, or reservoir; a large pit for receiving rain water, which Asa, who built and fortified Mizpah at the time he was at war with Baasha king of Israel (1 Kings 15:22.) caused to be made in the midst of the city, in order that the people might not be in want of so necessary an article in case of a siege. Reservoirs of this kind were much in use in Palestine, as Jerome tells us in his commentary upon Amos 4:7-8. And Josephus... read more
9. because of Gedaliah—rather, "near Gedaliah," namely, those intercepted by Ishmael on their way from Samaria to Jerusalem and killed at Mizpah, where Gedaliah had lived. So :-, "next"; Nehemiah 3:2, Margin, literally, as here, "at his hand." "In the reign of Gedaliah" [CALVIN]. However, English Version gives a good sense: Ishmael's reason for killing them was because of his supposing them to be connected with Gedaliah. read more
Ishmael’s further atrocities and Johanan’s intervention 41:4-18 read more
The cistern that Ishmael filled with dead bodies was one that King Asa of Judah had constructed while battling against King Baasha of Israel (cf. 1 Kings 15:22; 2 Chronicles 16:6). Good King Asa had built the cistern to preserve life, but wicked Ishmael now polluted it by filling it with corpses. To give these pilgrims such a burial showed no respect for them. read more
Plot against Gedaliah and its Results (586 b.c.)1-10. Ishmael murders Gedaliah and others, and carries off captives.1. And the princes] RV ’and one of the chief officers’; a further description of Ishmael himself, not an addition to his band. Even] RV ’and.’5. Having their beards shaven, etc.] in mourning for the destruction of the Temple: see on Jeremiah 16:6. 6. Weeping all along] feigning equal concern with them, so as to put them off their guard. 7. Pit] RV ’cistern.’8. Treasures] RV... read more
(9) Because of Gedaliah.—Literally, by the hand of Gedaliah; i.e., by using his name to entrap the unsuspecting pilgrims.Which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha . . .—See 1 Kings 15:22; 2 Chronicles 16:6. Baasha had tried to fortify Ramah as an outpost of his kingdom. Asa called in the help of Benhadad, king of Syria, and compelled him to desist, and then carried off the stones and timber to strengthen Mizpah as a position of defence. The “pit” was probably a trench with a drawbridge... read more
CHAPTER XIIIGEDALIAHJeremiah 39:1-18; Jeremiah 40:1-16; Jeremiah 41:1-18; Jeremiah 52:1-34"Then arose Ishmael ben Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote with the sword and slewGedaliah ben Ahikam ben Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon had made king over the land." Jeremiah 41:2WE now pass to the concluding period of Jeremiah’s ministry. His last interview with Zedekiah was speedily followed by the capture of Jerusalem. With that catastrophe the curtain falls upon another act in... read more
III. AFTER THE FALL OF JERUSALEM (40-45) CHAPTERS 40-41 The Treachery in the Land and the Flight to Egypt 1. Jeremiah’s choice (Jeremiah 40:1-6 ) 2. Gedaliah and Ishmael’s deed (Jeremiah 40:7-16 ; Jeremiah 41:1-3 ) 3. Ishmael’s further atrocities and retreat (Jeremiah 41:4-18 ) Jeremiah 40:1-6 . The opening paragraph of this chapter tells us of the choice which was given to Jeremiah. He was loosed from the prisoner’s chains and told by the captain of the guard “If it seems good unto... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 41:1-18
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