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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 40:7-16

We have in these verses, I. A bright sky opening upon the remnant of the Jews that were left in their own land, and a comfortable prospect given them of some peace and quietness after the many years of trouble and terror with which they had been afflicted. Jeremiah indeed had never in his prophecies spoken of any such good days reserved for the Jews immediately after the captivity; but Providence seemed to raise and encourage such an expectation, and it would be to that miserable people as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 40:12

Even all the Jews returned from all places whither they were driven ,.... Through fear of the Chaldean army; they came all of them from the several countries before mentioned; so that here was like to be a happy settlement and a flourishing commonwealth again; here being princes and generals, soldiers and common people, in large numbers, that were returned and coalesced under the government of Gedaliah: and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah ; they came out of the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 40:12

Verse 12 He says that all the Jews; he puts in the particle גם, gam, for the sake of emphasis, and even all the Jews, who had fled either to the Moabites or to the children of Ammon, or to the Idumeans, or to other parts in other countries. There is no doubt but they made up a considerable number. Then the whole land must have had many inhabitants; and though it was not populous, yet the desolation that might have been feared, was not extreme. We hence conclude, that there was no over-statement... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 40:7-12

The Jewish fugitives resort to Gedaliah, who promises them protection as long as they are loyal to Babylon. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 40:7-12

The duties of adversity and their reward. I. THE DUTIES . 1 . Submission. We are not required to yield before avoidable troubles; but finding some to be irresistible, we are to learn the wisdom and obligation of bending to them without further demur. The captains were no cowards; they had fought and had lost. Their resistance against the inevitable was a mistake; continued resistance after defeat would have been nothing but folly. Submission is much easier when we remember that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 40:7-12

That we may be godly and quietly governed. These verses are an illustration of men's desire for such government. In the disorder and confusion of the times, men were looking out for some settled rule. Companies of armed men were camping about, only waiting for some sign to indicate to whose standard they should repair. That which they wanted seemed to be found in Gedaliah. Hence they go to him ( Jeremiah 40:8 ). The incident here recorded suggests, in regard to government generally— ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 40:7-12

The difficulties of a governor. To govern a country is never an easy task; but how difficult it must be when the work is that of reconstruction! Gedaliah has to begin, as it were, at the beginning. One of his first difficulties is to know exactly what he has to deal with. There are turbulent as well as peaceful dements, bands of free-lances, who, now that the Chaldean has gone, make their appearance before the governor to see what the prospect may be. Another difficulty is that of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 40:11-12

Jeremiah 40:11-12. Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, &c. Probably, upon the king of Babylon’s first invading Judea, many fled, and more as he proceeded in his conquests, overrunning the country; and it is likely, at the taking of the city, many escaped and fled into different countries, as they had opportunity, or judged this or that country would be the safest place of refuge. Some, therefore, fled to Moab, some to Ammon, some to Edom, and some to other countries; but when... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 40:1-12

Jeremiah and Gedaliah (40:1-12)After being released from prison, Jeremiah was apparently recaptured when the Babylonian soldiers were assembling the people to be taken captive to Babylon. When the Babylonian leaders discovered what had happened, they realized a mistake had been made and released him again (40:1). They gave him freedom either to go to Babylon or to remain in Judah (2-4). Jeremiah chose to remain in his homeland. There he maintained his close association with Gedaliah, whom the... read more

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