# Jeremiah 40 đź“–
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> [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]]
[[#đź“– Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
[[#đź§ Chapter Summary]]
[[#🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application]]
[[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#🤔 Interesting Facts]]
[[#đź”— Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
[[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]]
## 📜 Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
### Jeremiah Is Set Free A Second Time
[[#Verse 01.]] The Lord spoke to Jeremiah after Nebuzaradan the captain of the royal guard had set him free at Ramah. He had taken him there in chains along with all the people from Jerusalem and Judah who were being carried off to exile to Babylon.Â
[[#Verse 02.]] The captain of the royal guard took Jeremiah aside and said to him, “The Lord your God threatened this place with this disaster.Â
[[#Verse 03.]] Now he has brought it about. The Lord has done just as he threatened to do. This disaster has happened because you people sinned against the Lord and did not obey him.Â
[[#Verse 04.]] But now, Jeremiah, today I will set you free from the chains on your wrists. If you would like to come to Babylon with me, come along and I will take care of you. But if you prefer not to come to Babylon with me, you are not required to do so. You are free to go anywhere in the land you want to go. Go wherever you choose.”Â
[[#Verse 05.]] Before Jeremiah could turn to leave, the captain of the guard added, “Go back to Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon appointed to govern the towns of Judah. Go back and live with him among the people. Or go wherever else you choose.” Then the captain of the guard gave Jeremiah some food and a present and let him go.Â
[[#Verse 06.]] So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah and lived there with him. He stayed there to live among the people who had been left in the land of Judah.
### A Small Judean Province is Established at Mizpah
[[#Verse 07.]] Now some of the officers of the Judean army and their troops had been hiding in the countryside. They heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam to govern the country. They also heard that he had been put in charge over the men, women, and children from the poorer classes of the land who had not been carried off into exile in Babylon.Â
[[#Verse 08.]] So all these officers and their troops came to Gedaliah at Mizpah. The officers who came were Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah son of the Maacathite.
[[#Verse 09.]] Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, took an oath so as to give them and their troops some assurance of safety. “Do not be afraid to submit to the Babylonians. Settle down in the land and submit to the king of Babylon. Then things will go well for you.Â
[[#Verse 10.]] I for my part will stay at Mizpah to represent you before the Babylonians whenever they come to us. You for your part go ahead and harvest the wine, the dates, the figs, and the olive oil, and store them in jars. Go ahead and settle down in the towns that you have taken over.”Â
[[#Verse 11.]]Â Moreover, all the Judeans who were in Moab, Ammon, Edom, and all the other countries heard what had happened. They heard that the king of Babylon had allowed some people to stay in Judah and that he had appointed Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, to govern them.Â
[[#Verse 12.]]Â So all these Judeans returned to the land of Judah from the places where they had been scattered. They came to Gedaliah at Mizpah. Thus they harvested a large amount of wine and dates and figs.
### Ishmael Murders Gedaliah and Carries Off the Judeans at Mizpah as Captives
[[#Verse 13.]]Â Johanan, son of Kareah, and all the officers of the troops that had been hiding in the open country came to Gedaliah at Mizpah.Â
[[#Verse 14.]] They said to him, “Are you at all aware that King Baalis of Ammon has sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to kill you?” But Gedaliah son of Ahikam would not believe them.Â
[[#Verse 15.]] Then Johanan son of Kareah spoke privately to Gedaliah there at Mizpah, “Let me go and kill Ishmael the son of Nethaniah before anyone knows about it. Otherwise he will kill you and all the Judeans who have rallied around you will be scattered. Then what remains of Judah will disappear.”Â
[[#Verse 16.]] But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanan son of Kareah, “Do not do that because what you are saying about Ishmael is not true.”
## ==đź“– Verse-by-Verse Commentary==
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
- coming soon.
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PRIVATE NOTES (only I see this)
Write down things that are not straight from commentary but interesting facts that ground the text in history.
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## đź§ Chapter Summary
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PRIVATE NOTES (only I see this)
Write a short paragraph (3–5 sentences) summarizing what happens in this chapter.
- What is the main event or teaching?
- How does this chapter fit the book’s overall story?
- What stands out immediately?
Anything Apologetic to point out?
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## 🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application
- coming soon.
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PRIVATE NOTES (only I see this)
- 📌 Observation 1
- 📌 Observation 2
- 📌 Observation 3
- (Add more as needed.)
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#### Today, I can apply this chapter by:
- âś… Application 1
- âś… Application 2
Make these very practical:
- "Trust God's timing in an uncertain situation."
- "Speak truth even when it’s unpopular."
Think:
- What do we learn about God here?
- What do we learn about people?
- Are there promises, commands, or warnings?
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## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember
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PRIVATE NOTES (only I see this)
- 📖 [Verse Reference] – "Quote of important verse."
- 📖 [Verse Reference] – "Quote of another important verse."
(You can link to deeper notes if you want later.)
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## đź”— Related Passages/Cross Reference
- đź”— coming soon.
- đź”— coming soon.
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Examples:
- John 1:1 and Genesis 1
- Romans 5 and Genesis 3
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## 🙏 Devotional Reflection
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PRIVATE NOTES (only I see this)
Write 3–6 sentences reflecting on:
- How this chapter encourages your faith,
- Convicts your heart,
- Reveals God's character.
Optional format: "In light of this chapter, I am challenged to..." or "I am comforted by..."
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##### đź“‚ Internal Links/Personal Notes