Commentary on Jeremiah (In Jeremiam)

Here is set forth the disturbance of the gathered people through the wickedness of Ishmael: and first is set forth the fraudulent slaying of certain men; second, the burial of the corpses, at "but the pit into which Ishmael had cast all the corpses of the men (...) it is the one that king Asa made"; third, the violent captivity of others, at "and he led away captives." Concerning the first, two things. First is set forth the slaying of the leader and of his household; second, the slaying of certain pilgrims, at "and on the second day" et cetera. Concerning the first, three things. First he sets forth the deceit of feigned peace: concerning one of royal seed, on account of which envy was stirred up against him whom he saw set over the Jews, since he himself had been excluded from the kingdom. Ecclesiasticus 6: "There is a friend, a companion at table, and he will not remain in the day of necessity." Second he sets forth the accomplished homicide of the leader: "they rose," from the table, "ten men, and struck," the others suspecting nothing of the kind. 2 Kings 3: "Not as cowards are wont to die, hast thou died, Abner." Third he sets forth the slaying of the household: "all the Jews also who were with Gedaliah (...) he struck." Ecclesiasticus 10: "From one spark the fire is increased, and from one deceitful man blood is increased."

Here he sets forth the slaying of the pilgrims: and first he describes their condition as to mourning: shaven of beard, Lamentations 1: her priests groaning. Baruch 4: God has brought upon me great mourning, etc. And as to the vow: gifts, they had, incense, which was offered in every oblation. Leviticus 2: in the house of the Lord, that is, in the place of the temple. Isaiah 19: they will worship him with sacrifices and gifts, and will vow vows to the Lord, and pay them. Secondly he sets forth the slaying, prefacing the deceit in the feigning of sorrow: going out and weeping, Ecclesiasticus 12: and if he goes humbled, bowed down, cast away your soul, and guard yourself from him. And in the fraudulent counsel: but when he had met them. Proverbs 26: a lying tongue does not love truth, and a slippery mouth works ruin. And he adds the murder: and when they had come into the middle of the city, Ishmael slew them. Lamentations 3: my life is fallen into a pit, they have laid a stone upon me. Hosea 4: blood has touched blood. Thirdly he sets forth the deliverance of certain men, on account of the promise of riches which they said they had: but ten men, Proverbs 13: the ransom of a man's soul is many riches: but he who is poor endures no rebuke.

Here he sets down the burial of the corpses, Asa the king. 3 Kings 16: it is said that Asa had Gabaa of Benjamin built at Masphat, from the things which Baasa had prepared for building Rama against him: and perhaps he made some cistern there for the fortification of the place. Psalm 87: I am reckoned with those going down into the pit, I am made, without help, free among the dead.

Here he sets forth the captivity. And first, the captivity of those who remained is set forth, "the remnant," because he had killed some who were of Godolias's family. Isa. 5: Hell has enlarged its soul, and opened its mouth without any limit. Second, the deliverance is set forth, prefacing the preparation of those who deliver, "he heard," Prov. 24: Deliver those who are led to death, and cease not to free those who are handed over to destruction. And he adds the deliverance of the captives: "and when all the people who were with Ismahel had seen Johanan (...) they rejoiced." Proverbs 11: In the good of the just the city shall be exalted, and in the destruction of the wicked there shall be praise. And he subjoins the escape of the captor: "but Ismahel fled with eight, two having been killed." Isa. 33: Woe to you who plunder, shall you not yourself also be plundered? Third, he sets forth their fear; and concerning this, two things. First, he sets forth the sign of fear, namely the resolve to flee: "Johanan therefore took." Prov. 28: The wicked flees though no one pursues. Second, he sets forth the incitement of fear: "for they feared them." Wis. 17: for a troubled conscience always presumes harsh things. Job 15: though there is peace, he always suspects ambushes.