Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 40

Verses 1-16

Chapters forty and forty-one, which contain the prophecies of Jeremiah after the fall of Jerusalem, constitute his last messages to the chosen people. These fall into two parts-first, prophecies against going into Egypt, and, second, prophecies in Egypt.

Jeremiah was evidently taken with the captives, but was released, and Nebuzaradan offered him his choice between going into Babylon and settling anywhere in the land he chose. Jeremiah chose to go to Gedaliah, the governor appointed by the king of Babylon over the cities of Judah. To him certain of the people submitted, and he sought to restore order. There gathered back many of the Jews who were scattered in the surrounding countries. It was reported to the governor by Johanan that Ishmael was there as the emissary of the king of the children of Ammon, and that with intent to take his life. Gedaliah refused to believe the story, and declined to allow Johanan to take the life of Ishmael as he desired to do. This chapter gives us some idea of the appalling condition of affairs. All the rulers and leading men had been carried captive to Babylon. Only the poorest were left, and among them was a spirit of disaffection threatening to manifest itself in many ways.