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Matthew Henry

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 40:6

Then went Jeremiah to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah ,.... A city in the tribe of Benjamin, not far from Ramathon; which, as Josephus says, was about five miles from Jerusalem. Jeremiah took the captain's advice, though it might have been better with him had he gone along with him to Babylon; but he chose rather to dwell in his own land, and suffer affliction with the people of God, than to dwell at ease in a foreign and idolatrous land: and dwelt with him among the people that were... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 40:6

Verse 6 Here is shown to us the firmness of the Prophet, that he hesitated not to reject, what Nebuzaradan kindly offered to him, and yet he might have committed a great offense in making light, as it were, of Chaldea. It was, as we know, a very pleasant country, and very fertile; and tyrants cannot bear their bounty to be despised; for when they are pleased to honor any one, however little may be what they offer, if he refuses, they regard it as a dishonor done to them. The Prophet, then,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 40:2-6

Jeremiah a free agent. We have here an expansion of verses 13 and 14 of the previous chapter. I. ONE OF THE BEST THINGS A MAN CAN HAVE IS FULL INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY . The royal master of the captain of the guard was anxious to do the best he could for the prophet; and he seems to have understood fully that only the prophet could decide on this best. The captain of the guard, in all he says, is but the mouthpiece of the king. Very likely the captain, if he had been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 40:6

To Mizpah. A place in the tribe of Benjamin, where Samuel judged, and where Saul was elected king ( 1 Samuel 7:15 , 1 Samuel 7:16 ; 1 Samuel 10:17 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 40:6

The choice of a residence. The captain of the guard gave to Jeremiah the choice between an honourable asylum in Babylon and a return to his own land. The prophet selected the latter course. Why did he do so? Although the circumstances of the case were peculiar, the answer to this question may throw light on some of the considerations which should guide men generally in the selection of their places of abode. Several characteristics may be noted in Jeremiah's decision, viz.:— I. ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 40:5-6

Jeremiah 40:5-6. Now while he was not yet gone back Hebrew, ועודנו לא ישׁוב , while he would not yet return, he said, &c. The prophet seems to have been in doubt at first what course to take. The Chaldee reads the clause, If thou wilt not abide [here] go back to Gedaliah. understanding the verb ישׁוב as if it were derived from ישׁב , to abide, words of a like sound having often a promiscuous signification. This Gedaliah was a person of considerable interest and authority. So... 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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