Jeremiah 40 8

Jeremiah 40:8 kjv

Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.

Jeremiah 40:8 nkjv

then they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah? Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.

Jeremiah 40:8 niv

they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah?Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maakathite, and their men.

Jeremiah 40:8 esv

they went to Gedaliah at Mizpah ? Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, Johanan the son of Kareah, Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.

Jeremiah 40:8 nlt

So they went to see Gedaliah at Mizpah. These included: Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, Jezaniah son of the Maacathite, and all their men.

Jeremiah 40 verses

Jeremiah 40 8 Meaning

This verse introduces Gedaliah, a Jewish leader appointed by the Babylonians after the fall of Jerusalem. Gedaliah was tasked with governing the remnant of the people left in the land. The verse highlights his appointment and the composition of his advisory council, comprised of individuals who, like him, chose to remain loyal to God and the established leadership, even under Babylonian rule. It signifies a glimmer of hope and a renewed attempt at ordered life for the exiles remaining in Judah.

Jeremiah 40 8 Context

Jeremiah chapter 40 describes the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple. The Babylonian army, led by Nebuzar-Aradan, the captain of the guard, had carried away many into exile but left a portion of the poorer population and land laborers behind. The scene shifts to Mizpah, a significant administrative center, where the remaining Jewish leaders who had been in the field gathered. Jeremiah, who was released by the Babylonians, also went to Mizpah. This verse establishes Gedaliah as the appointed governor by the conquering Babylonian power over this remnant population in the land of Judah. It sets the stage for the fragile existence of those left behind and the efforts to rebuild amidst devastation. The historical context is critical: Judah had fallen, its infrastructure destroyed, and its people largely exiled. The appointment of Gedaliah, a Jew himself, indicates a strategy by Babylon to maintain some semblance of local governance.

Jeremiah 40 8 Word Analysis

• וּבְהִשָּׁמְעָם (u'vishāmmʻam): "And when it was heard" or "and when they heard".
  • From the root meaning "to hear," emphasizing the communication and spread of news regarding the assembly of military leaders.
• כָּל־ (kol-): "all".
  • A universal quantifier, indicating every one of the captains.
• שָׂרֵי֙ (śārêi): "captains" or "princes".
  • Plural of שַׂר (sar), indicating military leaders or commanders.
• הַחֲיָלִ֖ים (hacha’yā’līm): "of the forces" or "of the armies".
  • Plural of חַיִל (chayil), referring to soldiery, troops, or strength. It denotes the organized military bodies.
• אֲשֶׁר֙ (ashēr): "who" or "that".
  • A relative pronoun connecting the captains to their location.
• בַּחוּץ (bachūtz): "without" or "outside".
  • Indicates a location outside the immediate city walls or, in a broader sense, outside the established governance structures, perhaps having fled or operated in the surrounding territories during the siege.
• לִּירוּשָׁלִַ֛ם (līrūshālāyim): "to Jerusalem".
  • The name of the capital city, now in ruins.
• כִּי־ (kī-): "that" or "for".
  • A conjunction introducing the reason or content of what was heard.
• נִתְּנָה (nitnah): "was given" or "had been appointed".
  • The feminine singular passive form of נָתַן (nātan), "to give." It refers to the action of appointing Gedaliah to a position.
• בִּמְצָדָ֖ה (bimtzādāh): "in Mizpah" or "to Mizpah".
  • The place name, a significant gathering point.
• בְּתוֹךְ (bə’tōch): "in the midst" or "among".
  • Indicates presence within or amongst.
• הָאֲדָמָ֑ה (hā’ādāmāh): "the land" or "the earth".
  • Refers to the land of Judah, the homeland.
• לְשִׂימָ֔ה (lǝshīmāh): "to set" or "to place".
  • From the root שִׂים (sim), meaning "to put" or "to set." Here it refers to the appointment or positioning of someone.
• אֶת־ (et-): Direct object marker.
• גְּדַלְיָ֖הוּ (Gǝdalyāhū): "Gedaliah".
  • The name of the appointed governor, meaning "Yahweh is great."
• אֶת־ (et-): Direct object marker.
• נְשֵׁי־ (nǝshêi): "the women".
  • Plural of אִשָּׁה (ishah), meaning "woman."
• גְּדֹלָ֑יִךְ (gədolāyāh): "the great women" or "his women" or "Gedaliah's women." This is a less common phrasing; typically, it would be understood as "the women of Gedaliah" or "the women appointed to Gedaliah," referring to those entrusted to his care or present with him. More contextually it likely means the womenfolk who were among those left in the land.
• וְאֶת־ (wǝ’et-): "and" + direct object marker.
• הַנָּשִׁ֕ים (hannāshīm): "the women".
  • The definite article + "women," further emphasizing those gathered.
• וְאֶת־ (wǝ’et-): "and" + direct object marker.
• הַטַּ֥ף (hattāf): "the little ones" or "the infants/children".
  • From a root related to leading or moving, often referring to those who follow, implying children and perhaps the elderly or weak.
• וְאֶת־ (wǝ’et-): "and" + direct object marker.
• הַגְּדוֹלִ֖ים (haggǝdolīm): "the great ones" or "the adults/elders".
  • Plural of גָּדוֹל (gadol), "great" or "big," referring to the significant people or adults, distinct from the "little ones."

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Now when all the captains of the forces were heard...": This opening phrase establishes the primary recipients of the news—the military leadership operating in the field. It underscores that these leaders were aware of the ongoing developments.
• "...that were without Jerusalem": This specifies their location, indicating they were not within the fallen city but were active in the surrounding territories, possibly having retreated or being involved in patrols after the main siege concluded.
• "...that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor": This is the core message. The word "made" (nis-tanah) implies an appointment or delegation of authority by the Babylonian king, signifying Babylon's administrative decision for the conquered territory.
• "...in Mizpah, in the midst of the land, to set Gedaliah...": This highlights the administrative center chosen (Mizpah) and the general location (the land, indicating the settled territories of Judah, not in exile). The phrase "to set Gedaliah" signifies his placement in authority.
• "...even Gedaliah, and his women, and the women, and the little ones, and the great ones of the remnant that remained in the city...": This lists the categories of people placed under Gedaliah's care. It’s not necessarily his women, but rather the women and different age/status groups of the remnant population who remained in the land and were under his authority. This demonstrates the scope of his leadership over the surviving populace.

Jeremiah 40 8 Bonus Section

This verse, and indeed chapter 40, speaks to the faithfulness of God to His promises of remnant and restoration, even though judgment had occurred. Gedaliah's appointment, though by foreign powers, can be seen as an instrument of God's sovereignty, preserving a foothold for His people in the land. The "captains of the forces" hearing the news also reflects the dispersion and the need for communication and gathering among those who survived or fled. The specific naming of various segments of the population under Gedaliah's care illustrates that God's concern extends to all His people, not just the leaders, highlighting His holistic care for the remnant. The significance of Mizpah as a gathering place is also notable, a site where prayer and commitment occurred in the past (Judges 20, 1 Samuel 7).

Jeremiah 40 8 Commentary

Jeremiah 40:8 presents a pivotal moment of governance following catastrophic defeat. The news reaching the captains outside Jerusalem concerning Gedaliah's appointment by Nebuchadnezzar marks the establishment of a fragile Jewish administration under Babylonian overlordship. Gedaliah, a descendant of Shaphan, who had served under Josiah, represents a continuation of a righteous lineage, a potentially positive sign. His appointment to govern "the land" signifies Babylon's attempt at order and localized control. The mention of "women," "little ones," and "great ones of the remnant" underscores the totality of the surviving population entrusted to his care, emphasizing the weight of responsibility. This verse sets the stage for the brief, hopeful period under Gedaliah's leadership, a period tragically cut short by internal betrayal, as recounted later in the chapter. The underlying theme is God’s continued providence in providing leadership and hope even in the darkest hours, as seen in the promise of restoration and His watchful eye over His people, even in their dispersed and defeated state.