Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 40:5

5 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 governour over the cities of Judah and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient for thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go .

It is not much material whether we interpret the He here mentioned of Jeremiah or Gedaliah if we interpret it of Jeremiah the sense is, That before Jeremiah was gone out of the presence of Nebuzar-adan. he either by his silence or by some declaration of his Mind that is not here recorded, declaring that he was more inclined to stay in his own country, bid him Go back, &c. If we understand it of Gedaliah, the sense must be, Because Gedaliah is not to come back any more to me▪ Go thou to him, &c.

We read that the King of Babylon left Gedaliah as his Vice-Roy or Deputy in Judah. What he was, more then the son of Ahikam, and Grandchild of Shaphan, the Scripture tells us not onely that he was left by the King of Babylon as Ruler over the people he thought fit to leave, 2 King. 25.22. probably he was one of them who during the Siege had gone out to the King of Babylon, to him the Captain of the Guard directeth the Prophet, but gives him liberty▪ to dwell where he pleaseth.

So sends him away with Victuals and a Reward. It is more then probable that the King of Babylon had heard from some of the Jews who during the Siege had made an escape to his Army that the Scope of the Prophets prophesies were for the delivery of the City, and the Jews submission to him as was before said.