Jeremias 40
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Jeremias 40:1-6
40:1 "The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord" Notice no word/message is recorded. One wonders if the theological quote from Jer. 40:2-3 were a part of that message. The theology recorded is so specific and unexpected from the lips of a Babylonian military commander. This phrase, "the word of the Lord came," is repeated often in the major prophets. It was a way to clearly denote that the message was YHWH's, not the prophets'. This is similar to Paul's use of being called an Apostle in his letters to establish his authority. For a good brief discussion, see Hard Sayings of the Bible, pp. 66-69. ▣ "Nebuzaradan captain of the bodyguard" From 2 Kgs. 25:3,8 it seems that this man came one month after the capture of Jerusalem to oversee the complete destruction of the city. ▣ "Ramah" This city was on the route of the Judean exiles to Babylon (cf. Jer. 31:15). ▣ "he had taken him bound in chains" The Jewish Midrash says Jeremiah saw the young men in chains and joined them. But it seems he was mistakenly arrested and taken as far north as Ramah before Nebuchadnezzar's orders (cf. Jer. 39:11-14) were finally carried out. 40:2-4 These verses are often rejected by scholars because of their high theological content. It is quite possible that Jeremiah's prophecies were relayed to the Neo-Babylonians by spies in Jerusalem after the city's downfall 40:4 This verse has several idioms and IMPERATIVES. "if you would prefer" is literally "it is good in your eyes" "came. . .came" ‒ This is a Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT and a Qal IMPERATIVE (BDB 97, KB 112) "I will look after you" is literally "set my eyes on" "if you would prefer" is literally "it is evil in your eyes" "never mind" is literally "cease" ‒ BDB 292, KB 292, Qal IMPERATIVE "look" ‒ BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal IMPERATIVE "go. . .to go" ‒ This is an INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT and Qal IMPERATIVE (BDB 229, KB 246). This same phrase is repeated in Jer. 40:5. 40:5 "Jeremiah was still not going back" "now while Jeremiah had not yet gone back" "if you remain" "when I did not answer" "before Jeremiah could answer" "before Jeremiah retired" "then he said to him again" It is obvious the phrase is ambiguous. The MT has "and still he will remain." This phrase seems to reflect some hesitation on Jeremiah's part on where to go. The UBS Text Project discusses the options on p. 285. It gives the MT a "C" rating (considerable doubt). ▣ "Gedaliah the son of Ahikam" This man's father was a supporter and helper of Jeremiah (cf. Jer. 26:24). Gedaliah was entrusted with Jeremiah's care in Jer. 39:14. He came from a godly family (cf. 2 Kgs. 22:14). 40:6 "Mizpah" This means "watchtower" (BDB 859). There are several cities by this name (see The MacMillan Bible Atlas, p. 211). One of them was the location of Saul being chosen as king (cf. 1 Sam. 10:17ff). It became a central meeting place for the tribes (cf. Jgds. 20:1-3). This is where Gedaliah had his headquarters. It was about 8 miles north of Jerusalem in the tribal allocation of Benjamin.
Jeremias 40:7-12
40:7 "the commanders of the forces that were in the field" This refers to Jewish military units not captured by Nebuchadnezzar's army because they were not in Jerusalem when it fell. ▣ "those of the poorest of the land who had not been exiled to Babylon" This links with Jer. 39:10. 40:8 "and their men" There are at least two ways to understand this phrase. There were Judean military units in the countryside that escaped the Neo-Babylonian invasion. The "men of war" were country folk who, in times of crisis, became part time soldiers, but after the crisis returned to their vocations. 40:9 "Gedaliah. . .swore to them" The new governor's first responsibility was convincing the Jewish forces to lay down their arms (cf. 2 Kgs. 25:23-24). Notice what Gedaliah swore (BDB 989, KB 1396, Niphal IMPERFECT with waw). do not be afraid ‒ BDB 431, KB 432, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense stay in the land ‒ BDB 442, KB 444, Qal IMPERATIVE serve the king of Babylon ‒ BDB 712, KB 773, Qal IMPERATIVE that it may go well with you ‒ BDB 405, KB 408, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense ▣ NASB, NJB "serving the Chaldeans" NKJV, NRSV, REB, JPSOA, Peshitta "tp serve the Chaldeans" "to surrender to the Babylonians" The Septuagint (LXX) has "do not be afraid of the Chaldean officials" (cf. 2 Kgs. 25:24). The UBS Text Project, p. 286, gives the MT VERB "to serve" (BDB 712, KB 773, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) a "B" rating, instead of "the servants" (NEB). SPECIAL TOPIC: SEPTUAGINT SPECIAL TOPIC: MASORETIC TEXT 40:10 "to stand before the Chaldeans" This term (BDB 763, KB 840, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) is often used of priests standing before God on behalf of sinful humans. Therefore, we can understand the word to mean "mediator" in this context. SPECIAL TOPIC: CHALDEANS ▣ "gather in wine and summer fruit and oil" The war had left the fields unattended. If this fruit was not gathered it would spoil and they would have no food for winter. There are three commands in Gedaliah's statement. gather ‒ BDB 62, KB 74, Qal IMPERATIVE put ‒ BDB 962, KB 1321, Qal IMPERATIVE live ‒ BDB 442, KB 444, Qal IMPERATIVE 40:11-12 Many Jewish exiles in the neighboring countries returned to take advantage of the free land and prepare for winter by harvesting the ripe crops.
Jeremias 40:13-16
40:14 "Are you well aware" Johanan thought that it was common knowledge that Ishmael was going to attempt to assassinate Gedaliah. This is an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and IMPERFECT VERB of the same root (BDB 393, KB 390), used for emphasis. ▣ "Baalis the king of the sons of Ammon" Baalis' name is related to the Canaanite fertility god Ba'al. The Jewish Study Bible (p. 1008) asserts that he may be the "ba'alyash" from a 6 th century Ammonite seal impression (also note NASB Study Bible, p. 1122 footnote). ▣ "Ishmael" Ishmael was of the Davidic line (cf. Jer. 41:1; 2 Kgs. 25:25). The exact reason for his assassination of Gedaliah is uncertain. attempt to restore the ancient covenant promises to the house of David jealousy because he had been overlooked (he, not Gedaliah, was of the lineage of David) acting on behalf of Baalis, King of Ammon to take over control of Judah at this weakened moment to help restore Davidic rule he was just a cruel man (cf. Jer. 41:4-10) ▣ "did not believe them" The reason is not stated. Maybe he felt YHW had brought him to a time like this. 40:15-16 Gedaliah did not believe the rumor about Ishmael. He did nothing to protect himself.