Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryJeremiah 40

Ramah. Most probably what is now Ramallah, not Ramah of Benjamin (see on ch. 31:15). This town was evidently used by the Babylonians as a station for prisoners brought there from Jerusalem subject to further orders as to their final disposition. Nebuzar-adan apparently had not met Jeremiah before, and used this opportunity to surprise the prophet with the good news that he was to be released immediately (see on ch. 39:14).

The Lord thy God. Word having come to him that Jeremiah was the Jewish prophet who had advocated submission to Babylon, the captain of the guard graciously recognizes the God of Israel and His mission through Jeremiah, and respectfully leaves it to the prophet to go where he will (vs. 4, 5).

From the chains. It is evident from the detailed account that Jeremiah was given his actual physical freedom here at Ramah (see on ch. 39:14).

Hath made governor. Like Jeremiah, Gedaliah was doubtless one of the leaders who had supported the policy of submission to the Chaldeans (see on chs. 26:24; 36:10). During excavations at Lachish a seal impression was discovered bearing the inscription “Belonging to Gedaliahu, who is over the house.” Victuals and a reward. The RSV reads “an allowance of food and a present.” Because of the privation Jeremiah had suffered on account of the siege, these “victuals” were a great blessing. The “reward” was probably a gift of money to compensate for the opposition and consequent discomforts suffered by the prophet because he advocated submission to Babylon.

Mizpah. Mizpah was evidently chosen to be the new center of government. This city, whose name means “watchtower” (see on Gen. 31:49), was probably in the territory of Benjamin (see on Joshua 18:26; 2 Kings 25:23). It was there that Samuel “judged Israel” (1 Sam. 7:15, 16) and Saul was chosen king (1 Sam. 10:17–25). Mizpah has been identified with Tell en–Naṣbeh, which was excavated by an expedition led by Prof. W. F. Badè.

The captains. The leaders of isolated units of the Jewish army that were “in the fields,” who now realized that further opposition to the Babylonians was futile. Therefore nothing remained for them but to seek protection from Gedaliah.

Netophathite. Netophah was 25/8 mi. (4.2 km.) southeast of Bethlehem. Jezaniah. Probably a naturalized foreigner from the small kingdom of Maachah east of the Jordan (see on 2 Sam. 10:6).

Gather ye wine. This places this incident in the fall of the year. Since the owners of the fields, vineyards, and olive orchards had been taken captive to Babylon, Gedaliah offered the “captains” these products to meet their immediate needs and to provide food for the approaching winter season.

When all the Jews. Those who fled to nearby countries to escape capture by the Chaldeans.

Very much. The fields, though unattended for the summer, evidently produced by themselves a great abundance for the pitiful remnant left in Judah.

Dost thou certainly know? The king of the Ammonites had been in league with Zedekiah against the Babylonians (ch. 27:3). If he dared not resist Nebuchadnezzar openly, he still hoped through the instrumentality of Ishmael to accomplish his purpose. Johanan learned of the plot, and in fidelity to his new protector warned Gedaliah; but in vain, for the latter, in guileless trustfulness, refused to believe in Ishmael’s guilt (see v. 16).

Thou speakest falsely. Perhaps Gedaliah did not trust Johanan, of late a “captain” in Zedekiah’s army. In any event the upright Gedaliah would not stoop to follow Johanan’s advice of preventive murder, even though Ishmael was threatening his very life.