Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, by R.A. Torrey, [ca. 1880], at sacred-texts.com
Jeremiah Chapter 40
Overview
Jer 40:1, Jeremiah, being set free by Nebuzar-adan, goes to Gedaliah; Jer 40:7, The dispersed Jews repair unto him; Jer 40:13, Johanan revealing Ishmael's conspiracy is not believed.
The word: This, and the four following chapters, record the events which occurred in Judea from the taking of Jerusalem to the retreat of the remnant of the people to Egypt; and contain several prophecies of Jeremiah concerning them there; which were "the word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord." It appears that Jeremiah, after being freed from prison, continued among the Jews, till he was bound, with others of them, and carried to Ramah; where he was set a liberty in the manner related.
after: Jer 39:11-14
Ramah: Jer 31:15; Jos 18:25; Sa1 7:17
bound: Psa 68:6, Psa 107:16; Act 12:6, Act 12:7, Act 21:13, Act 28:20; Eph 6:20 *marg.
chains: or, manacles
The Lord: Jer 22:8, Jer 22:9; Deu 29:24-28; Kg1 9:8, Kg1 9:9; Ch2 7:20-22; Lam 2:15-17
because: Jer 50:7; Neh 9:28, Neh 9:33; Dan 9:11, Dan 9:12; Rom 2:5, Rom 3:19
Go back: Jer 39:14, Jer 41:2; Kg2 25:22-24
Ahikam: Jer 26:24; Kg2 22:12, Kg2 22:14; Ch2 34:20
or go: Jer 40:4, Jer 15:11; Ezr 7:6, Ezr 7:27; Neh 1:11, Neh 2:4-8; Pro 16:7, Pro 21:1
gave him: Jer 52:31-34; Kg2 8:7-9; Job 22:29; Act 27:3, Act 27:43, Act 28:10; Heb 13:6
victuals and a reward: Rather, "victuals (aruchah a stated allowance, sufficient for the journey), and a present," masseatḣ
Then: It has been doubted whether Jeremiah acted prudently in this decision, as the event seems to indicate the contrary, and as it was the evident meaning of all his predictions that the Jews should not prosper in their own country till the expiration of seventy years. But he was evidently influenced by the most unbounded love to his country, for whose welfare he had watched, prayed, and lived; and he now chose rather to share her adversities, her sorrows, her wants, her afflictions, and her disgrace, than to be the companion of princes, and to sit at the table of kings. His patriotism was as unbounded as it was sincere. he only ceased to live for country when he ceased to breathe. Jer 39:14
Mizpah: Jos 15:38; Jdg 20:1, Jdg 21:1; Sa1 7:5, Sa1 7:6, Mizpeh
all the: Jer 39:4; Kg2 25:4, Kg2 25:22, Kg2 25:23-26
the poor: Jer 39:10; Eze 33:24-29, Eze 45:16
came: Jer 40:6, Jer 40:11, Jer 40:12
even: Jer 40:14, 41:1-16; Kg2 25:23, Kg2 25:25
Johanan: Jer 41:11, Jer 41:16, Jer 42:1, Jer 42:8, Jer 43:2, Jer 43:5
Jonathan: Jer 37:15, Jer 37:20, Jer 38:26
Netophathite: Sa2 23:28, Sa2 23:29; Ch1 2:54, Ch1 11:30; Ezr 2:2, Ezr 2:22; Neh 7:26
Maachathite: Deu 3:14; Jos 12:5; Sa2 10:6, Sa2 10:8, Sa2 23:34; Ch1 2:48
sware: Sa1 20:16, Sa1 20:17; Kg2 25:24
Fear: Jer 27:11, Jer 38:17-20; Gen 49:15; Psa 37:3, Psa 128:2
serve: Heb. stand before, Jer 35:19; Deu 1:38; Pro 22:29; Luk 21:36
gather: Jer 39:10
summer: Jer 40:12, Jer 48:32; Sa2 16:1; Isa 16:9; Mic 7:1
all the Jews: Jer 24:9; Isa 16:4; Eze 5:3, Eze 5:12, Eze 25:2, Eze 25:6, Eze 25:8, Eze 25:12, Eze 35:5, Eze 35:15; Oba 1:11-14
Johanan: Johanan and his companions seem to have acted honestly in this affair. They had received intelligence of designs formed against Gedaliah's life, and consequently against the whole new settlement. Ishmael, being a branch of David's family, was probably displeased that another was preferred above him; and the king of the Ammonites, out of hatred to the Jews, employed him to slay Gedaliah. But Gedaliah, conscious of his own integrity and benevolence, took the portrait of others from his own mind; and therefore believed evil of no man, because he felt none towards any in his own breast. He may be reproached for being too credulous and confiding; but this only serves to shew the greatness of his soul; for a little mind is always suspicious, and ready to believe the worst of every person and thing. Jer 40:6-8
Ammonites: Jer 25:21, Jer 41:10, Jer 49:1-6; Sa1 11:1-3; Sa2 10:1-6; Eze 25:2-6; Amo 1:13-15
Ishmael: Jer 40:8, Jer 41:2, Jer 41:10; Pro 26:23-26; Isa 26:10; Mic 7:5
slay thee: Heb. strike thee in soul
believed: Co1 13:5-7
Let: Sa1 24:4, Sa1 26:8; Job 31:31
wherefore: Jer 12:3, Jer 12:4; Sa2 18:3, Sa2 21:17; Eze 33:24-29; Joh 11:50