Jeremiah 40:15 kjv
Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he slay thee, that all the Jews which are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish?
Jeremiah 40:15 nkjv
Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke secretly to Gedaliah in Mizpah, saying, "Let me go, please, and I will kill Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no one will know it. Why should he murder you, so that all the Jews who are gathered to you would be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish?"
Jeremiah 40:15 niv
Then Johanan son of Kareah said privately to Gedaliah in Mizpah, "Let me go and kill Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and no one will know it. Why should he take your life and cause all the Jews who are gathered around you to be scattered and the remnant of Judah to perish?"
Jeremiah 40:15 esv
Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke secretly to Gedaliah at Mizpah, "Please let me go and strike down Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no one will know it. Why should he take your life, so that all the Judeans who are gathered about you would be scattered, and the remnant of Judah would perish?"
Jeremiah 40:15 nlt
Later Johanan had a private conference with Gedaliah and volunteered to kill Ishmael secretly. "Why should we let him come and murder you?" Johanan asked. "What will happen then to the Judeans who have returned? Why should the few of us who are still left be scattered and lost?"
Jeremiah 40 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 40:15 | "When Johanan the son of Kareah spoke secretly to Gedaliah in Mizpah..." | Gen 4:3-8 (Cain's jealousy and murder) |
| Jeremiah 41:2 | "And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah arose, with the ten men who were with him..." | Psalm 41:9 (Betrayal by a friend) |
| Jeremiah 41:3 | "...and struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword..." | Psalm 55:12-14 (Close betrayal) |
| Jeremiah 41:6 | "...and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah mourned over him with weeping." | Matt 26:49-50 (Judas's betrayal) |
| Jeremiah 41:7 | "Now when Ishmael heard of what was done, he and the eight men who were with him fled." | John 18:3 (Judas leading captors) |
| Jeremiah 40:10 | "As for me, I will remain at Mizpah to serve the Chaldeans who come to us..." | Psalm 37:35-36 (Wicked prospering temporarily) |
| 2 Kings 25:25-26 | "But in the seventh month, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, son of Elishama, a royal descendant..." | Hosea 13:14 (Hope against death/destruction) |
| Jeremiah 42:1-6 | "Then all the commanders of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah..." | Romans 8:31-39 (God's protection) |
| Jeremiah 43:1-7 | "Then Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces spoke to Jeremiah..." | Galatians 1:6-7 (Different gospel) |
| Jeremiah 44:15-19 | "Then all the men who knew that their wives had made offerings to other gods..." | 1 Cor 10:20-21 (Idolatry's danger) |
| John 1:4-5 | "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness..." | Isaiah 42:3 (A bruised reed He will not break) |
| Proverbs 29:2 | "When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan." | Titus 3:1 (Subjection to rulers) |
| Galatians 5:17 | "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh..." | Exodus 15:20 (Miriam's dance of victory) |
| Acts 7:9-10 | "And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt. But God was with him..." | Acts 4:23-24 (Giving testimony) |
| Revelation 12:10 | "And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, 'Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom..." | Psalm 82:3-4 (Defend the weak and fatherless) |
| Philippians 2:3 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." | Colossians 3:12 (Put on compassion, kindness) |
| Matthew 26:50 | "Jesus said to him, 'Friend, do what you came to do...'" | 1 Peter 2:19 (Endure suffering unjustly) |
| Psalm 55:21 | "His speech was smooth as butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil..." | Proverbs 12:18 (Lying tongue heals not) |
| Jeremiah 40:9 | "Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan said to them and to their men, 'Fear not to serve the Chaldeans.'" | Joshua 1:9 (Be strong and courageous) |
| Exodus 18:21 | "Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate..." | Acts 6:3 (Seven men full of the Spirit) |
Jeremiah 40 verses
Jeremiah 40 15 Meaning
This verse describes Ishmael's conspiracy against Gedaliah, the appointed governor of Judah after the Babylonian conquest, and his followers. Ishmael, a member of the royal family, harbored resentment and potentially sought to restore a Davidic line by illegitimate means, possibly instigated by foreign powers like Ammon.
Jeremiah 40 15 Context
The context is the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of many of its people. Gedaliah, a Jewish official appointed by Nebuchadnezzar, was left as governor over the remaining people in the land. This chapter begins with the hopeful appointment of Gedaliah, emphasizing his charge to remain loyal to the Babylonians. Johanan's warning to Gedaliah in verse 15 sets the stage for the tragic assassination plot that will unfold in the next chapter. The prevailing sentiment among the surviving Jews is fear and uncertainty, and Gedaliah's appointment represents a fragile period of attempted stability and recovery.
Jeremiah 40 15 Word Analysis
- כִּי (ki): This conjunction signifies "for," "because," "that," introducing the reason or content of what is spoken.
- שֹׁ֣מַע (shoma'): From the root שׁמע (shama'), meaning "to hear," "to listen," indicating not just auditory reception but also understanding and heeding.
- יוֹחָנָ֥ן (Yochanan): The Hebrew name "Johanan," meaning "Yahweh is gracious."
- בֶּן (ben): "Son of."
- קָרַ֙חַ (Qarach): The Hebrew name "Kareah," likely meaning "baldness."
- סָתֹ֥ם (satom): From the root סתם (satom), meaning "to hide," "to keep secret," implying a clandestine conversation or counsel.
- אֶל (el): "To."
- גְּדַלְיָה (Gedalyah): The Hebrew name "Gedaliah," meaning "Yahweh is great."
- בְּמִצְפָּ֔ה (b'Mitzpah): "In Mizpah," a significant city and assembly point in Benjamin, often associated with prayer and governance.
- וְאִישְׁמָאֵ֖ל (v'Yishma'el): "And Ishmael," from the root שׁמע (shama'), meaning "God hears."
- בֶּן (ben): "Son of."
- נְתַנְיָ֗ה (Nethanyah): The Hebrew name "Nethaniah," meaning "Yahweh has given."
- בֶּן (ben): "Son of."
- אֶלְשָׁמָֽע (Elshamua): The Hebrew name "Elishama," meaning "God has heard."
- בְּפִ֔י (b'fi): "With the mouth of," or "in the speech of," referring to what is spoken.
- לַֽהֲרֹ֖ג (laharog): "To kill," "to slay."
- אֹת֗וֹ (oto): "Him."
Groups of Words Analysis:
- "When Johanan the son of Kareah spoke secretly to Gedaliah in Mizpah": This phrase highlights the beginning of a conspiracy, characterized by secrecy and proximity to Gedaliah, suggesting a trusted circle involved. The location, Mizpah, underscores the violation of safety and trust within this vulnerable community.
- "and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, son of Elishama, with the ten men who were with him, devised evil concerning Gedaliah": This segment explicitly names the conspirators and their malevolent intent. Ishmael's lineage, tracing back to "God hears," adds a poignant irony to his destructive actions. The "ten men" signifies a small but significant group forming the core of the plot. The phrase "devised evil" directly points to a deliberate, malicious plan.
Jeremiah 40 15 Bonus Section
The name Ishmael itself carries significant theological weight, referring to the son of Abraham and Hagar, often associated with opposition or those outside the direct covenant line through Isaac. While this Ishmael is a different individual, the name might subtly allude to themes of contention or unfulfilled aspirations related to leadership and national identity. Johanan's act of warning Gedaliah, though spoken in secret, contrasts sharply with Ishmael's open violence and hidden treachery, offering a moment where good intentions were still present, albeit failing to avert disaster due to subsequent actions and unheeded warnings. This event serves as a tragic precursor to the scattering of the remaining Judeans, further demonstrating the consequences of sin and disunity.
Jeremiah 40 15 Commentary
Johanan, recognizing a looming threat, attempts to warn Gedaliah, though it is expressed here as a secret conversation. The presence and actions of Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, are foreshadowed, indicating his role as the instigator of further bloodshed. This verse reveals the inherent instability and the presence of hidden animosities within the remnant community left in Judah. The intention to "kill him" highlights the depth of the treachery and the precariousness of Gedaliah's position, making him vulnerable even among his own people. Ishmael's plotting underscores the recurring theme of internal division and betrayal that plagued Israel throughout its history, especially during times of exile and restoration.