Jeremiah 40:8
Ver. 8. Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,.... Having heard that the Chaldean army was gone, and so were in no fear of that; and also that Gedaliah was made deputy governor, one of their own nation, a pious, prudent, good man, a man of ingenuity, mildness, and integrity; under whose government they might expect to live comfortably; and which was much preferable to captivity in a foreign country, though tributary to Babylon:
even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah; who was of the seed royal, Jer 41:1;
and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah; two brothers, but who they were, or their father, is not known, no mention being made of them but in this story:
and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth; who he was is also uncertain:
and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite; so called from Netophah, a city of the tribe of Judah near Bethlehem, and are mentioned together, Ezr 2:22; the Netophathites inhabited several villages, 1Ch 9:16; mention is made in the Misnic {t} writings of artichokes and olives this place was famous for:
and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite; a family so called from Maacah, Caleb's concubine, 1Ch 2:48;
they and their men; these generals, and the forces under their command.
{t} Shebiit, c. 9. sect. 5. & Pea, c. 7. sect. 1.