Jeremiah 40:8

Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah ,.... Having heard that the Chaldean army was gone, and so were in no fear of that; and also that Gedaliah was made deputy governor, one of their own nation, a pious, prudent, good man, a man of ingenuity, mildness, and integrity; under whose government they might expect to live comfortably; and which was much preferable to captivity in a foreign country, though tributary to Babylon:

even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah ; who was of the seed royal, Jeremiah 41:1 ;

and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah ; two brothers, but who they were, or their father, is not known, no mention being made of them but in this story:

and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth ; who he was is also uncertain:

and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite ; so called from Netophah, a city of the tribe of Judah near Bethlehem, and are mentioned together, Ezra 2:22 ; the Netophathites inhabited several villages, 1 Chronicles 9:16 ; mention is made in the Misnic F20 Shebiit, c. 9. sect. 5. & Pea, c. 7. sect. 1. writings of artichokes and olives this place was famous for:

and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite ; a family so called from Maacah, Caleb's concubine, 1 Chronicles 2:48 ;

they and their men ; these generals, and the forces under their command.