Jer 39:11-18 | JFB | STEP | 11. Jeremiah's prophecies were known to Nebuchadnezzar through deserters ( ; ), also through the Jews carried to Babylon with Jeconiah (compare ). Hence the king's kindness to him.

‏ Jeremiah 39:11-18

11. Jeremiah's prophecies were known to Nebuchadnezzar through deserters (Jr 39:9; Jr 38:19), also through the Jews carried to Babylon with Jeconiah (compare Jr 40:2). Hence the king's kindness to him.

12. look well to him--Hebrew, "set thine eyes upon him"; provide for his well-being.

13. Nebuzara-dan ... sent--He was then at Ramah (Jr 40:1).

14. Gedaliah--son of Ahikam, the former supporter of Jeremiah (Jr 26:24). Gedaliah was the chief of the deserters to the Chaldeans, and was set over the remnant in Judea as one likely to remain faithful to Nebuchadnezzar. His residence was at Mizpah (Jr 40:5).

home--the house of Gedaliah, wherein Jeremiah might remain as in a safe asylum. As in Jr 40:1 Jeremiah is represented as "bound in chains" when he came to Ramah among the captives to be carried to Babylon, this release of Jeremiah is thought by Maurer to be distinct from that in Jr 40:5, 6. But he seems first to have been released from the court of the prison and to have been taken to Ramah, still in chains, and then committed in freedom to Gedaliah.

dwelt among the people--that is, was made free.

15-18. Belonging to the time when the city was not yet taken, and when Jeremiah was still in the court of the prison (Jr 38:13). This passage is inserted here because it was now that Ebed-melech's good act (Jr 38:7-12; Mt 25:43) was to be rewarded in his deliverance.