Глава 40

1–6. Second release of Jeremiah. 7–16. Governor of Gedaliah. Jeremiah 40:1–6. Jeremiah received from Nebuzaradan complete freedom to decide his destiny. He could either go with his compatriots to Babylon or stay with Gedaliah, the governor, with the small Jewish community in Judea. Jeremiah chose the latter and remained with Gedaliah in the city of Mizpah. Jer.40:1. The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, after Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, released him from Ramah, where he took him bound in chains among the other captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were being deported to Babylon. The inscription contained in this verse refers strictly only to Jer 42.4-22 and Jer 43.8-13, which stand in close connection with the historical narratives contained in chapters XL and XLI. Because of this, the inscription, which should have been before Jeremiah 42.4 v., is assigned to the beginning of the XLth chapter. – Rama was the first stop of the captive Jews (this city is 2 hours north of Jerusalem). Jer.40:3. and the Lord led him and did what he said; because you sinned against the Lord and did not obey His voice, that is why this happened to you. Nebuzaradan speaks as Jeremiah spoke, applying his point of view. However, due to his pagan mindset, he could believe in the Jewish God, Whom the Jews offended by their disobedience and Who began to help the Chaldeans for this. Jer.40:5. While he had not yet departed, Nebuzaradan said, Go to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has made ruler over the cities of Judah, and remain with him among the people; or go wherever you like to go. And the captain of the guard gave him food and a gift and sent him away. Jeremiah apparently did not at first express any desire to leave his captive compatriots behind. But then, when he heard that in Judea there was still a community under the control of the Jewish leader, he considered it best for the matter to remain in Judea, where theocratic life could be revived again. Jer.40:6. And Jeremiah came to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam at Mizpah, and dwelt with him among the people that remained in the country. Mizpah - 2 hours northwest of Jerusalem; it was located in the east, dominating the surrounding areas. Jeremiah 40:7–16. Gedaliah began to introduce good order among the inhabitants remaining in Judea, and the remnants of the Jewish detachments who were outside this city during the capture of Jerusalem, as well as those Jews who were fleeing from the Chaldeans from the Ammonites and, in general, in the Trans-Jordanian regions, began to gather around him. But the prosperity of the remaining Jewish community soon came to an end. A conspiracy was hatched against Gedaliah by a certain Ishmael, about which Gedaliah was informed in a timely manner, but against which the governor did not want to take any measures. Jer.40:8. Then came Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to Gedaliah in Mizpah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Phanasmeth, and the sons of Ophi from Netophatha, and Jezoniah the son of Mahaphah, they and their squad. Ishmael, the son of Nathaniah, as can be seen from Jeremiah 41.1, was of a royal family. Hence it is clear why he rebelled against Gedaliah, a man of simple origin, whom he, moreover, could look upon as a traitor to the fatherland. – “Netophath” is a city in Judea, not far from Bethlehem. Jer.40:9. Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, swore to them and to their people, saying: Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans, stay on earth and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be good for you; “Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans” - it is more correct to translate, as in LXX: do not be afraid of the ministers (or officials) of the Chaldeans, who, of course, were left in Palestine by Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah 40:10. but I will remain in Mizpah to plead before the Chaldeans who will come to us; But you, gather the wine and the summer fruits and the oil, and put them in your vessels, and live in your cities which you have occupied. "Collect wine". It is remarkable that the Chaldeans did not destroy the harvest and fruits of the land of Judea - both were intact a few weeks after their removal from Judea. The Assyrians acted differently (cf. Isa 1.7–9). Jeremiah 40:13. Meanwhile Johanan the son of Kareah and all the military commanders who were in the field came to Gedaliah at Mizpah. “Those who were in the field,” i.e., hiding here and there in the land of Judea. Jer.40:14. and they said to him, “Do you know that Baalis king of the sons of Ammon has sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to kill you?” But Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, did not believe them. The king of Ammon was displeased by the restoration of order in Judea, which was accomplished by Gedaliah. He probably had the intention of taking advantage of the land of Judah and, therefore, could instill in Ishmael the idea of ​​​​the need to kill Gedaliah. The king hoped that in this case the Chaldeans would send an army to take revenge on the Jews and would not leave any of the Jews in the land of Judea, which, perhaps, would be transferred to his possession. You might be interested in: