That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes torn, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD.
All Commentaries on Jeremiah 41:5 Go To Jeremiah 41
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Rent, as people mourning. Literally, "dirty. "Hebrew and Septuagint, "cut. "(Haydock) (Chap. xvi. 6., and Leviticus xix. 28.)
Lord, at Masphath, where people performed their devotions, as well as they could, Judges xx. 1., and 1 Machabees iii. 46.) Jeremias had probably ordered an altar to be erected, as Samuel had done, 1 Kings vii. 6. (Calmet)
Others think that these people went thither for a priest, to offer what they had brought on the altar of Jerusalem, Baruch i. 10. (Tirinus)
Masphath lay to the south. (Calmet)
It seems many of the people about Samaria were true believers, and even more affected at the destruction of the temple. (Haydock)
Their city had been demolished by Salmanasar (Calmet) long before, and many fresh inhabitants introduced, who adhered to idols. (Haydock)
