Jeremiah 40:1-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 40:1-6

The title of this part of the book, which begins the chapter, seems misapplied (The word which came to Jeremiah), for here is nothing of prophecy in this chapter, but it is to be referred to Jer. 42:7; where we have a message that God sent by Jeremiah to the captains and the people that remained. The story between is only to introduce that prophecy and show the occasion of it, that it may be the better understood, and Jeremiah, being himself concerned in the story, was the better able to give... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 40:1

The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord ,.... The word of prophecy, as the Targum; but there being no prophecy in this and the following chapter, only a narration of facts, this is generally referred to what came ten days after, and which begins Jeremiah 42:7 ; so Jarchi and Kimchi; all between being included in a parenthesis, or a relation of facts preparatory, to lead on to it; though Abarbinel takes it to be a general title to all histories and prophecies in this book, from... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 40:2

And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah ,.... When he mustered his prisoners, to his great surprise he found the prophet among them, whom he took out from them, and set him free; though, before he dismissed him, he had the following conversation with him: and said unto him, the Lord thy God hath pronounced this evil on this place ; the city of Jerusalem; from whence the prophet and the rest of the captives were just brought, and which now lay in ruins; the houses burnt; the walls... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 40:3

Now the Lord hath brought it , and done according as he hath said ,.... As he purposed, so it came to pass; as he foretold by his prophet, so it was brought about by his providence. This Heathen captain acknowledges the hand of the Lord in all this; and suggests, that his master, the king of Babylon, himself, and the rest of the generals, were only instruments the Lord made use of; which is very piously as well as wisely said; and more is here acknowledged by him than by the Jews... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 40:4

And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hands ,.... Or rather are; for, when he said these words, it is highly probable they were on him, though now ordered to be taken off; these were not what were put upon him by the Jews, when in the court of the prison; for rather his legs, than his hands, would have had fetters on them there; but what were put upon him by the Chaldeans, when he fell into their hands; though inadvertently done by the inferior... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 40:1

The word that came to Jeremiah - This and the four following chapters contain a particular account of what passed in the land of Judea from the taking of the city to the retreat of the people into Egypt, and the prophecies of Jeremiah concerning them there. Had let him go from Ramah - This has embarrassed most of the commentators. Dr. Blayney has thrown much light upon it by his translation and note: - "The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, after that Nebu-Zaradan captain of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 40:2

The Lord thy God hath pronounced - I know that thou art a true prophet, for what thou hast predicted from thy God is come to pass. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 40:4

Come; and I will look well unto thee - Thou art now at full liberty to do as thou pleasest; either to come to Babylon or to stay in thy own land. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 40:1

Verse 1 Here Jeremiah pursues more at large what he had briefly touched upon before; for the Hebrews were wont, in a few words, to state the substance of the whole, and then to explain more diffusely what, they had briefly said. Jeremiah had before told us that some of the Babylonian generals had been sent to release him from prison; and he added that he had been committed to the care of Gedaliah, who had been set over the poor of the land. He now tells us, that he, as yet bound with chains,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 40:3

Verse 3 But before he says this, he administers reproof to the people, and says, Jehovah thy God hath spoken evil on this city; and he hath brought it, and made it to come. Here Nebuzar-adan undertook the prophetic office, and spoke in high terms of God’s righteous vengeance on the people. There is no doubt but that God had raised up such a teacher to the Jews; for they had for forty years and more obstinately rejected celestial truth. God had not ceased kindly to invite them to repentance, and... read more

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