Having spoken of the fate that has fallen on Judah as a nation, Nebuzaradan continues by speaking directly to Jeremiah about his personal circumstances. The you
in Jeremiah 40:4–5 is singular.1 It is unclear whether the words that Nebuzaradan speaks regarding Jeremiah are to be taken as part of the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord.
Jeremiah Jeremiah 40:4 starts with the words, Now, behold, I,
which would seem to suggest that these are the words of Nebuzaradan and not words from the Lord. In some ways the question is mute, since the reader should understand by now that it is the Lord who is directing and overseeing what happens to his faithful prophet. Jeremiah is presented with two options. He can either return to Babylon with Nebuzaradan who promises to look after him well, or he can remain in the land and go wherever you think it is good and right to go.
In other words, Jeremiah is being treated as a free man to do as he wishes.
Nebuzaradan does, however, urge Jeremiah, if he chooses to remain in Judah, to return to Gedaliah.
It is obviously in the interest of the Babylonians to have someone like Jeremiah, with what they would see as pro-Babylonian views, supporting the person they have left in charge of those who remain in Judah.2 He repeats again, however, that Jeremiah is free to go wherever he chooses. He also gave Jeremiah an allowance of food and a present
before letting him go. It is not clear what the present is, but what is clear is that Jeremiah is set free with the blessings of the Babylonian empire.
4 Now, behold, I release you today from the chains on your hands. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you well, but if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, do not come. See, the whole land is before you; go wherever you think it good and right to go.