Jeremiah 40:5 kjv
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 governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.
Jeremiah 40:5 nkjv
Now while Jeremiah had not yet gone back, Nebuzaradan said, "Go back to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people. Or go wherever it seems convenient for you to go." So the captain of the guard gave him rations and a gift and let him go.
Jeremiah 40:5 niv
However, before Jeremiah turned to go, Nebuzaradan added, "Go back to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the towns of Judah, and live with him among the people, or go anywhere else you please." Then the commander gave him provisions and a present and let him go.
Jeremiah 40:5 esv
If you remain, then return to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon appointed governor of the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people. Or go wherever you think it right to go." So the captain of the guard gave him an allowance of food and a present, and let him go.
Jeremiah 40:5 nlt
If you decide to stay, then return to Gedaliah son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan. He has been appointed governor of Judah by the king of Babylon. Stay there with the people he rules. But it's up to you; go wherever you like." Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, gave Jeremiah some food and money and let him go.
Jeremiah 40 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 39:14 | But Nebuzaradan captain of the guard left some of the poorest of the land to work the vineyards and fields. | Fulfilment of judgement on Jerusalem |
| Jeremiah 39:12 | Nebuzaradan captain of the guard bought Jeremiah out of the court of the prison. | Nebuzaradan's direct involvement |
| Jeremiah 1:8 | Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to rescue you and deliver you," declares the Lord. | God's promise of protection |
| Isaiah 43:2 | When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. | God's presence in trials |
| Psalm 23:4 | Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. | God's comforting presence |
| Romans 8:28 | And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. | God's sovereign purpose |
| Philippians 4:7 | And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. | Peace amidst turmoil |
| Genesis 50:20 | You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. | God turning evil to good |
| 2 Corinthians 4:9 | Persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. | Divine preservation |
| Lamentations 3:31-33 | For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also consoles him with theష kindness of his great compassion. For he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men. | God's compassionate discipline |
| 2 Kings 25:24-26 | All these details concern the events of the siege and the final fall of Jerusalem. | Historical aftermath |
| 2 Chronicles 36:21 | To fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its sabbaths. All its devastated days were fulfilled at last. | Fulfillment of prophecy |
| Acts 9:15 | But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel." | God's choice of instruments |
| Jeremiah 20:11 | But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed because they have failed, in their disgrace will be everlasting. | God's empowerment of Jeremiah |
| Psalm 37:23 | The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every aspect of their lives. | God's guidance |
| Proverbs 3:5-6 | Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. | Trust and guidance |
| John 10:29 | My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. | Security in God's hands |
| Romans 11:29 | for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. | God's faithfulness |
| 2 Timothy 2:13 | if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. | God's unchanging faithfulness |
| Jeremiah 41:1-3 | Describes Ishmael's actions, contrasting with Nebuzaradan's clemency. | Contrast in human actions |
| Jeremiah 40:4 | And if it is your wish that I go with you to Babylon, then go. But if you wish to stay here, then stay. Whatever you think best, just do it. | Jeremiah's choice offered |
| Jeremiah 40:3 | The Lord your God brought all this upon this land and city as he had said. And the Lord brought the disaster and did not turn it aside, but the Lord has given them into your hand. | God's sovereignty in judgment |
Jeremiah 40 verses
Jeremiah 40 5 Meaning
Jeremiah 40:5 speaks of Nebuzaradan, captain of Nebuchadnezzar's guard, releasing Jeremiah. The decree is to allow Jeremiah to go wherever he chooses, implying his freedom after his capture. This act signifies divine intervention and protection for Jeremiah, allowing him to continue his prophetic ministry even amidst the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile.
Jeremiah 40 5 Context
Jeremiah chapter 40 follows the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians. Jeremiah, who had been imprisoned for prophesying against Judah, is now released by Nebuzaradan. Nebuzaradan shows Jeremiah favor and offers him a choice: to go to Babylon or remain in the ravaged land. This moment is crucial because it marks the continuation of Jeremiah's prophetic work after the catastrophic climax of his ministry's message to Judah. The surrounding verses highlight Nebuzaradan's authority and his acknowledgement of God's hand in the events, showing a pragmatic, perhaps even reverent, approach to his captive prophet.
Jeremiah 40 5 Word Analysis
- Now (וְעַתָּה / wə‘at-tâ): Indicates present time, a transition to a new situation.
- Nebuzaradan (נְבֽוּזַרְאֲדָ֣ן / Nəḇû-zar’ăḏān): Name of the Babylonian captain of the guard, often associated with carrying out Nebuchadnezzar's brutal policies. His specific role is evident in the sacking of Jerusalem.
- captain of the guard (שַׂר־טַבָּחִ֗ים / śar-ṭabbāḥîm): Literally "chief of the executioners" or "chief of the slaughterers," emphasizing his powerful and often deadly role in the Babylonian army. This title suggests authority over the military forces responsible for maintaining order and enforcing royal will.
- the chief of the guard (רַ֤ב־חַרָשִׁ֔ים / rav-ḥarāšîm): This phrase, translated differently in some versions, likely refers to Nebuzaradan's high rank and direct authority over the royal household guards or a specialized unit.
- went forth (צָ֥א / ṣā’) : Means to go out, to come out.
- and took (וְלָקַ֥ח / wə-lāqaḥ): Means to take, to seize, to receive.
- him (אֹת֜וֹ / ’ō·ṯō): Refers to Jeremiah.
- among (מִתּוֹךְ / mit-tōḵ): Indicates being in the midst of, from within.
- all the prisoners (כָּל־הָאֲסוּרִ֗ים / kol-hā’ăsūrîm): All those who were bound or imprisoned. This highlights that Jeremiah was among those captured and suffering the consequences of Jerusalem's fall.
- that were carried captive toward Babylon (אֲשֶׁר֩ הָיוּ֩ אֲסוּרִ֨ים לָבֶ֜לֶא / ’ăšær-ḥāyû ’ăsūrîm lāḇælæʾ): The prisoners who were being taken to Babylon. This clarifies the context of Jeremiah's release – he was about to be deported.
- And he separated him (וַֽיַּבְדִּלֵ֥הוּ / way-yav·dî·lê·hû): Means to separate, to distinguish, to set apart. This signifies a deliberate action by Nebuzaradan to treat Jeremiah differently.
- and gave him liberty (וַיִּתֵּ֧ן־לוֹ / way-yit·tên-lō): To give, to grant. Here, it signifies granting freedom.
- and he said unto him (וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֛יו / way-yō·měr ’ê·lāw): He spoke to him.
- Whither (אָנָה / ’ānāh): Where, to what place.
- you will go (תִּרְצֶ֥ה / tir-ṣe): To desire, to will, to choose.
- go (לֵ֣ךְ / lē·ḵ): An imperative verb, commanding to go.
- unto (אֶל־ / ’el): To, towards.
- your (אֶתְכֶּם / ’eṯ-ḵem): Your (plural). The verse transitions to Nebuzaradan speaking directly to Jeremiah, so this refers to Jeremiah's intended destination or people.
- Thus (כֹּ֖ה / kō): In this manner, so.
- speaketh the Lord (אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה / ’ā·mar Yə·hō·wāh): Says the Lord. This indicates that Nebuzaradan is either relaying a message from God, or acknowledges God's sovereign hand in the events, influencing his own decision regarding Jeremiah. This could be his interpretation of God's will concerning the prophet.
Groups of words analysis:
- "Nebuzaradan captain of the guard... took him": This highlights the power and direct involvement of the Babylonian authority in handling Jeremiah.
- "among all the prisoners that were carried captive toward Babylon": This places Jeremiah's release within the context of the wider exile, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the uniqueness of his exemption.
- "separated him... and gave him liberty": This action emphasizes that Jeremiah was intentionally set apart from the common fate of the deported Jews, signifying special consideration.
- "Whither you will go... go": This offers Jeremiah a significant choice, a level of autonomy granted by his captor, which is highly unusual in such circumstances.
- "Thus speaketh the Lord": This crucial phrase attributed to Nebuzaradan implies a recognition, either genuine or strategic, of divine authority guiding his actions concerning Jeremiah. It connects Nebuzaradan's mercy to God's purported will.
Jeremiah 40 5 Bonus Section
Nebuzaradan's decision could also be interpreted through the lens of Babylonian foreign policy, which sometimes treated respected individuals or religious figures with consideration to avoid inciting further unrest or to gain intelligence. However, within the biblical narrative, the overriding emphasis is on God's sovereign hand guiding Nebuzaradan's actions. This instance foreshadows the future release of the Jewish exiles by Cyrus the Great, another gentile ruler acting, as the Bible states, under God's direction (2 Chronicles 36:22-23). The kindness shown to Jeremiah by Nebuzaradan demonstrates that even amidst destruction, divine grace can intervene, offering hope and continued purpose to God's servants.
Jeremiah 40 5 Commentary
Nebuzaradan's clemency towards Jeremiah is a remarkable moment. Despite being the captain of the Babylonian forces that devastated Jerusalem, he shows unusual respect and kindness to the prophet. This action aligns with the broader theme of God working through gentile nations for His purposes, even in judgment. Nebuzaradan's acknowledgment, "Thus speaketh the Lord," suggests an awareness of Jeremiah's divine calling and perhaps a prophetic sense that this particular captive was set apart. This freedom allows Jeremiah to fulfill his remaining role in comforting the remnant and prophesying about the future restoration. The choice offered to Jeremiah highlights God's provision and protection, ensuring His message would continue to be proclaimed.