2 Kings 25 22

2 Kings 25:22 kjv

And as for the people that remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, ruler.

2 Kings 25:22 nkjv

Then he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, governor over the people who remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left.

2 Kings 25:22 niv

Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, to be over the people he had left behind in Judah.

2 Kings 25:22 esv

And over the people who remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, he appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, governor.

2 Kings 25:22 nlt

Then King Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan as governor over the people he had left in Judah.

2 Kings 25 verses

2 Kings 25 22 Meaning

2 Kings 25:22 details the appointment of Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, as governor over the small number of Judahites whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, chose to leave behind in the desolate land of Judah. This verse describes the administrative structure imposed by the conquering power over the remnant, marking the end of Judah's independent kingdom and the beginning of a period under foreign dominion.

2 Kings 25 22 Context

This verse is set immediately after the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, and the complete collapse of the Kingdom of Judah under Nebuchadnezzar. Chapters 24 and 25 detail the siege, the famine, the capture of King Zedekiah, the plundering and burning of the city, and the exile of the majority of the population, especially the royalty, nobility, skilled craftsmen, and military. Verses 11-21 of chapter 25 describe Nebuzaradan, captain of the Babylonian guard, systematically stripping the temple of its treasures and carrying off key leaders to Babylon, where they are executed. This verse (22) then introduces a glimmer of continuity and governance for the poorest people left behind in the desolate land. Gedaliah's appointment represents Babylon's attempt to establish administrative control over the conquered territory rather than leaving it utterly vacant, creating a brief, fragile period of provincial rule before its swift, tragic end.

2 Kings 25 22 Word analysis

• And: A simple conjunction, connecting this administrative detail to the preceding accounts of destruction and exile. It indicates the immediate aftermath and a new phase.
• as for the people: This phrase draws attention to the specific segment of the population addressed—those who were not taken into exile.
• that remained (Heb. hǎnnish'ārîm): Signifies a remnant. This group was the poorest, agriculturally focused population left to tend the land (2 Kgs 25:12). Their remaining was not a sign of divine favor necessarily, but a strategic move by the Babylonians to prevent the land from becoming entirely desolate and unproductive.
• in the land of Judah: Specifically names the desolate, conquered territory, no longer an independent kingdom but a Babylonian province.
• whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon: Explicitly names the powerful foreign conqueror, highlighting the total subjection of Judah and the complete authority of Babylon in setting up the new order. God used Nebuchadnezzar as an instrument of judgment (Jer 27:6).
• had left: Denotes a deliberate choice by Nebuchadnezzar. This was not an oversight, but a strategic decision to maintain a minimum populace for the land's utility and administration.
• even over them: Emphasizes that Gedaliah's authority was specifically directed towards this remaining group.
• he made Gedaliah: He made (Heb. wayyaphqēd) means he appointed or commissioned. This signifies a formal installation into office by the king of Babylon.
• the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan: This is a crucial detail. Gedaliah comes from a distinguished and known pro-prophet family line. His grandfather Shaphan was a faithful scribe under King Josiah, instrumental in the rediscovery of the Law (2 Kgs 22). His father Ahikam was a royal official who protected the prophet Jeremiah from being put to death (Jer 26:24). This lineage likely made Gedaliah acceptable to Jeremiah and the remnant, and perhaps also appeared less threatening to Babylon than a person of clear royal Davidic lineage.
• governor (Heb. pāqîd): Signifies an appointed overseer or commissioner. Gedaliah's role was not that of an independent king, but a subordinate administrator, managing affairs for Babylon. This underscores Judah's lost sovereignty.

2 Kings 25 22 Bonus section

The appointment of Gedaliah reflects a common administrative strategy of ancient empires: establishing a local governor from among the conquered populace, especially if that individual has some standing but is not seen as a threat to imperial control. This served to stabilize the region with a familiar face, reducing the need for direct military occupation for everyday administration. The trust placed in Gedaliah due to his lineage suggests Babylon recognized his family's positive reputation and possibly their pragmatic, non-rebellious stance during Jeremiah's ministry, making him a suitable intermediary. His subsequent assassination underscores the persistent internal divisions and inability for unity even among the devastated remnant, further demonstrating the complete societal breakdown within Judah.

2 Kings 25 22 Commentary

2 Kings 25:22 is a poignant detail within the account of Judah's downfall. It signals the complete loss of national sovereignty and the establishment of foreign rule. Yet, within this devastating judgment, it highlights God's continued involvement. By allowing Nebuchadnezzar to appoint Gedaliah, who came from a line known for loyalty to God's prophets, there was a brief, divinely orchestrated attempt at local leadership for the surviving remnant. This offered a small flicker of hope for the desolated land and people to perhaps recover and rebuild, maintaining a presence in the covenant land, rather than being completely vacated. However, this fragile hope was tragically cut short, emphasizing the depth of Israel's spiritual decline and the dire consequences of disobedience. The choice of Gedaliah also shows God’s faithfulness to Jeremiah, whose safety and welfare were directly linked to Gedaliah (Jer 39:14, Jer 40:6).