The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon.
Word that came - the heading of a new part of the book (Jeremiah 41:1-18; Jeremiah 42:1-22; Jeremiah 43:1-13; Jeremiah 44:1-30) - namely, the prophecies to the Jews in Word that came - the heading of a new part of the book (Jeremiah 41:1-18; Jeremiah 42:1-22; Jeremiah 43:1-13; Jeremiah 44:1-30) - namely, the prophecies to the Jews in Judea and Egypt after the taking of the city, blended with history. The prophecy does not begin until Jeremiah 42:7, and the previous history is introductory to it.
To Jeremiah ... being bound in chains. Though released from the court of the prison (note, Jeremiah 39:14), in the confusion at the burning of the city, he seems to have been led away in chains with the other captives, and not until he reached Ramah to have gained full liberty. Nebuzaradan had his quarters at Ramah in Benjamin, and there he collected the captives previous to their removal to Babylon (Jeremiah 31:15). He in releasing Jeremiah obeyed the king's commands (Jeremiah 29:11). Jeremiah's "chains" for a time were due to the negligence of those to whom he had been committed, or else to Nebuzar-adan's wish to upbraid the people with their perverse ingratitude in imprisoning Jeremiah (Calvin); hence, he addresses the people (ye ... you) as much as Jeremiah (Jeremiah 40:2-3).