Now while he was not yet gone back, [he said], Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.
Ver. 5. Now while he was not yet gone back.] But yet showed by his looks or otherwise, a that he was not willing to go to Babylon; Nebuchadnezzar, who had already set his eyes upon him, as Jer 40:4 perceiving it, said,
Go back unto Gedaliah.] Who shall both protect thee and provide for thee.
So the captain of the guard gave him victuals,] i.e., Necessaries for his journey; for he came out of prison nudus tanquam ex mari, bare and needy.
And a reward.] Or, A present, fit for a prophet, donum honorarium, such as they used to give the seers, 1 Samuel 9:8 1Ki 14:3 and such as he might safely and comfortably take, as from God himself, who had promised it. Jer 15:11
a Ex ipso vultu vel silentio Ieremiae, &c.