Westminster Annotations, Jeremiah · Chapter 40
CHAP. XL.
Vers. 1. THe word which came to Jeremiah] These words are as a title, or inscription, to that which is recorded in Chap. 42. & 43. See Chap. 42. 7. See also Chap. 1. 2, 4.
when, &c.] Or, For, &c. as Chap. 36. 9. From these words beginneth a relation, inserted as by way of parenthesis, between the Preface of the Prophecie and the Prophecie it self, or the substance of it: wherein the occasion thereof is from the first beginning related in this Chapter and the next.
he had taken him being bound] Which by oversight had been committed; contrarie to the Kings expresse charge; and the order of his commanders. See Chap 39. 11,—14.
in chains] Or, manicles. vers. 4.
among all that were carried away captive] Heb. in the midst of (as Chap. 39. 14) all the captivitie, as Chap. 29. 1. Being no notice taken of him, untill he came with them to Ramath, Chap. 39. 14.
V. 2. And the captain of the guard] Or, even the Captain. as Chap. 35. 15. & 52. 13.
The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evill upon this place] Thus was an infidel moved to utter that, which the Jews themselves, out of obstinacie, would not see and acknowledge, Chap. 50. 7.
V. 4. the chains which were upon thine hand] Act. 12. 7.
if it seem good unto thee] Heb. be good in thine eyes. Gen. 20. 15.
I will look well unto thee] Heb. I will set mine eye upon thee. Chap. 39. 12.
if it seem ill unto thee] Heb. be ill in thine eyes. Josh. 24. 15.
wither it seemeth good and conventent for thee to go] Heb. unto good and unto right in thine eyes to go. Chap. 26. 14.
V. 5. Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah] Or, (For he was not yet gone back) or go to Gedaliah, &c. Take thy choice, to go with me, or to seat thy self where thou pleasest, or to repair to Gedaliah, that he may provide for thee. Or, And since that he (to wit, Gedaliah) is not yet gone back; (to Jerusalem, but stayeth at Mizpah) go back, &c. repair to him, if thou list not to go with me.
dwell with him] Or, abide. Heb. sit. Gen. 24. 55. 2 Sam. 7. 18. Chap. 39. 14.
among the people] Heb. in the midst of. Chap. 39. 14.
V. 6. to Mizpah] In the land of Benjamin, Josh. 18. 26. 1 King. 15. 22.
dwelt with him] Or, abo…e. vers. 5.
among the people] Heb. in the midst of. vers. 5.
V. 7. When all the captains, &c.] 2 King. 25. 23.
of the forces which were in the fields] Being scattered abroad for fear of the Chaldeans.
V. 8. Ishmael] One of the bloud roiall, Chap. 41. 1.
Johanan] Or, John. as Luk. 1. 13. so vers. 13, 15, &c.
Ephai the Netophathite] The name of a family in the tribe of Judah, so called from the citie or place of their abode, 1 Chron. 2. 54. & 9. 16. & 27. 15.
the sonne of a Maachathite] Another family, so called from some principall man or woman of speciall note in it. See 1 Chron. 2. 48. & 8. 29. & 9. 35. & 27. 16.
their men] Their followers, or complices, Gen. 24. 59. 1 Sam. 23. 8.
V. 9. sware unto them, &c.] 2 King. 25. 24.
dwell in the land] Or, stay, abide. vers. 5.
V. 10. I will dwell at Mizpah] Or, abide. vers. 9.
to serve the Chaldeans] Heb. stand before them. Chap. 35. 19.
gather ye wine, and summer-fruits, and oyl] For their harvest was in before. See Deut. 16. 1, 9. & Chap. 39. 2.
dwell in your cities] Or, abide.
that ye have taken] Seised upon, or seated your selves in, (as Chap. 51. 32.) being left and abandoned, Chap. 51. 29.
V. 11. the Jews that were in Moab, &c.] That had fled into forain parts for succour and safetie, upon the Chaldean invasion, Isa. 16. 4.
V. 13. Johanan] Or, John. vers. 8.
V. 14. Dost thou certainly know] Heb. knowing know. Chap. 13. 12.
the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael] Under colour of entertaining Ishmael, seeking to make them instruments of destroying one another.
to slay thee] Heb. to strike thee in soul. Or, strike thy soul. Num. 35. 11.
V. 15. Johanan] Or, John. vers. 8.
I will slay Ishmael] Heb. smite. 2 King. 6. 21.
wherefore should he slay thee] Heb. strike thee in soul. Or, strike thy soul. vers. 14. See the like emphaticall form by way of interrogation, or expostulation, Chap. 27. 13, 17.
V. 16. Johanan] Or, John. vers. 8.
thou speakest falsly of Ishmael] Heb. falshood. or, a lie. Chap. 29. 9. & 43. 2. Thus the well-minded, intending no evill to others, are soonest deceived, measuring others by themselves; and want not such as conspire their destruction. Chap. 11. 18, 19.