Jeremiah 40 7

Jeremiah 40:7 kjv

Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;

Jeremiah 40:7 nkjv

And when all the captains of the armies who were in the fields, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed to him men, women, children, and the poorest of the land who had not been carried away captive to Babylon,

Jeremiah 40:7 niv

When all the army officers and their men who were still in the open country heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam as governor over the land and had put him in charge of the men, women and children who were the poorest in the land and who had not been carried into exile to Babylon,

Jeremiah 40:7 esv

When all the captains of the forces in the open country and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land and had committed to him men, women, and children, those of the poorest of the land who had not been taken into exile to Babylon,

Jeremiah 40:7 nlt

The leaders of the Judean military groups in the countryside heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam as governor over the poor people who were left behind in Judah ? the men, women, and children who hadn't been exiled to Babylon.

Jeremiah 40 verses

Jeremiah 40 7 Meaning

When Israel, and Judah especially, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Jews in Jerusalem and had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphat, as governor over them, men of military experience who had been scattered throughout Edom, Moab, and Ammon, and other places, began to return. Hearing this good news and seeing Gedaliah, a righteous man appointed by God through the Babylonian king, many began to return to their cities and gathered their crops. This verse describes these returned exiles and refugees in the land of Judah and Jerusalem, arriving and settling there.

Jeremiah 40 7 Context

Jeremiah 40:7 describes the scene following the fall of Jerusalem and the deportation of its people to Babylon. After the devastation and chaos, a remnant remained in the land under the leadership of Gedaliah, whom the Babylonians appointed as governor. This verse specifically highlights the return of military men who had scattered during the siege to various surrounding regions like Edom, Moab, and Ammon. They heard the news of Gedaliah's appointment and the relative stability offered by the Babylonian regime, prompting their return to Judah and Jerusalem to resume their lives and work the land. The historical context is one of a defeated people, a broken land, but a flicker of hope through God's provision of a righteous leader and the return of some of His people.

Jeremiah 40 7 Word Analysis

• וַֽיְהִי (wayə·hî): "And it came to pass" or "And it happened." This is a common Hebrew conjunctive waw, initiating a narrative sequence or introducing a new event.
• כַּֽאֲשֶׁר (ka·’ă·šer): "when," "as." Connects the event described in this verse to previous information, specifically the appointment of Gedaliah.
• שָֽׁמְע֛וּ (šā·mə·‘ū): "they heard." Refers to the scattered military men and possibly other Israelites who had fled.
• שָֽׂרֵי (śā·rê): "captains," "chiefs," "commanders." Denotes men of military authority and standing.
• הַֽחַיִל (ha·ḥayi·l): "the force," "the army," "the host," "the strength." Indicates the military men or warriors.
• וְהַֽשָּֽׁמַיִם (wə·haš·šā·may·im): "and those who were" (an implied subject referring back to the captains of the army). This construct indicates that those who heard were the aforementioned military men.
• בְּאֶדֹם (bə·’ê·ḏōm): "in Edom." Refers to the geographical region south of Judah, inhabited by the descendants of Esau.
• בַּֽעֲמֹן (ba·‘ă·mōn): "in Ammon." Refers to the territory east of the Jordan River, north of Moab, inhabited by the Ammonites.
• וּבְמֹאָב (ū·ḇə·mō·’āḇ): "and in Moab." Refers to the land east of the Dead Sea, inhabited by the Moabites.
• וּבְכָל־ (ū·ḇə·ḵāl): "and in all." Indicates an encompassing reach.
• גַּלֻּ֣יֵ (gal·lū·yê): "the exiles," "the captives." Refers to those who had been displaced or taken captive.
• הָאֵ֜לֶּה (hā·’ēl·lê): "these." A demonstrative pronoun pointing to those specific individuals.
• וַֽיָּשֻׁ֗בוּ (way·yā·šū·ḇū): "and they returned." Indicates a movement back towards their homeland.
• אֶל־ (’el): "to." Directional preposition.
• אֶ֣רֶץ (’e·reṣ): "land."
• יְהוּדָ֑ה (yə·hū·ḏāh): "Judah." The specific region and people.
• אֶל־ (’el): "to."
• גְּדַלְיָ֨הוּ (gə·ḏal·yā·hū): "Gedaliah." The appointed governor.
• שַׂ֤ר (śa·r): "chief," "captain." Reinforces his leadership position.
• הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ): "the king." Refers to the king of Babylon.
• עָלֶ֣י““““`` (‘ā·le·‘ā·lê): "over them." Indicates Gedaliah's authority.
• עַל־ (‘al): "over," "concerning."
• יֽוֹדְעִ֣ים (yō·ḏə·‘îm): "knowing." Those who understood the situation.
• וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl): "and all."
• חֶסֶד (ḥe·seḏ): "steadfast love," "kindness," "mercy." A crucial theological term.
• בָּֽבֶל (bā·ḇel): "Babylon." The ruling empire.
• בְּגָלְיוֹ (bə·gal·yōw): "in his exile" or "in his captivity." Potentially referring to the Babylonian king's exile, but more likely referring to the collective state of being exiled from Judah.

Group of Words Analysis:

• "Captains of the force" (שָֽׂרֵי הַֽחַיִל - śā·rê ha·ḥayi·l): This phrase emphasizes that the leaders of the military forces, men of action and experience, were the ones who responded to the opportunity of return. Their decision carries weight, indicating a perceived stability.
• "Those who were in Edom, in Ammon, and in Moab" (וְהַֽשָּֽׁמַיִם בְּאֶדֹם בַּֽעֲמֹן וּבְמֹאָב - wə·haš·šā·may·im bə·’ê·ḏōm ba·‘ă·mōn ū·ḇə·mō·’āḇ): This enumeration shows the widespread scattering of these key men due to the conflict in Judah. They sought refuge and then, upon hearing the news, made the deliberate choice to return.
• "They returned unto the land of Judah, unto Gedaliah" (וַֽיָּשֻׁ֗בוּ אֶל־ אֶ֣רֶץ יְהוּדָ֑ה אֶת־ גְּדַלְיָ֨הוּ שַׂ֤ר הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ עָלֶ֣י““““`` - way·yā·šū·ḇū ’el-’e·reṣ yə·hū·ḏāh ’et-gə·ḏal·yā·hū śa·r ham·me·leḵ ‘ā·le·‘ā·lê): This signifies a dual return: a return to their homeland and a return of allegiance to the new appointed leadership under Gedaliah, who was empowered by the Babylonian king.

Jeremiah 40 7 Bonus Section

This verse and chapter underscore the theme of God's sovereignty over nations and His unfailing covenant with His people. Even when human plans and power lead to destruction, God can use these circumstances for ultimate good. Gedaliah's appointment, though made by a pagan king, is presented as an act of divine providence, providing a stable leadership for the returning remnant. The emphasis on the "captains of the force" and their return to their lands and to Gedaliah suggests that stability and security are key factors in a people's willingness to resettle and rebuild. The mention of "knowing there was favour" points to a divine enablement and a specific assurance that peace and prosperity were possible under the new arrangement. This also mirrors the eventual return of Israel in a spiritual sense through Christ, gathering His scattered flock from all nations.

Jeremiah 40 7 Commentary

The verse marks a crucial turning point from destruction and despair to the beginnings of recovery. It highlights God's persistent faithfulness even in judgment. Despite the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem, God orchestrates a remnant's return. The scattered warriors, men accustomed to fighting and perhaps responsible for the city's defense, are now returning. Their return to Gedaliah, a man known for his righteousness and piety (appointed governor by the Babylonians, signifying God's hand in their governance, much like Joseph in Egypt), signals a return to order and an opportunity for rebuilding. This also represents the first step in the fulfillment of prophetic promises of restoration. The exiles heard about Gedaliah’s appointment and the relative peace and gathered their crops, signifying hope, sustenance, and continuity of life and faith.