Jeremiah 41 14

Jeremiah 41:14 kjv

So all the people that Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah cast about and returned, and went unto Johanan the son of Kareah.

Jeremiah 41:14 nkjv

Then all the people whom Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah turned around and came back, and went to Johanan the son of Kareah.

Jeremiah 41:14 niv

All the people Ishmael had taken captive at Mizpah turned and went over to Johanan son of Kareah.

Jeremiah 41:14 esv

So all the people whom Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah turned around and came back, and went to Johanan the son of Kareah.

Jeremiah 41:14 nlt

And all the captives from Mizpah escaped and began to help Johanan.

Jeremiah 41 verses

Jeremiah 41 14 Meaning

This verse describes a significant act of rebellion and idolatry by a descendant of David. Johanan, the son of Kareah, and his men, after the assassination of Gedaliah, decided to flee to Egypt. Before doing so, they led the remaining Jewish people captive, taking them away against their will. This action was not just a political maneuver but also involved an element of syncretism, as evidenced by the presence of Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, who was from the royal line. The verse highlights a dark period of disobedience and misguided action following the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of many.

Jeremiah 41 14 Context

Jeremiah 41 occurs in the aftermath of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem and the appointment of Gedaliah as governor of the remaining Jewish population. This chapter details a violent turn of events, beginning with Ishmael son of Nethaniah, who, from the royal line, murders Gedaliah. Following this act of treachery, Johanan son of Kareah and other military leaders rescue the captives taken by Ishmael and then proceed to make a fateful decision themselves. Instead of heeding God's word through Jeremiah, they, fearing Babylonian retribution, decide to flee to Egypt with the remnant of Judah, taking the people with them. This verse specifically marks Johanan's seizure of the people and their departure. The historical context is one of deep political instability, fear, and a severe spiritual crisis for the remnant of Judah.

Jeremiah 41 14 Word analysis

• And Johanan: (וְיוֹחָנָן - və·yō·ḥā·nān) — Connective "and" (וְ) followed by the name "Johanan" (יְחֹנָן - yə·ḥō·nān), meaning "Yahweh has been gracious." This is the first mention of Johanan in this particular context of leadership after Gedaliah's death, presenting him as a primary actor in the subsequent events.
• son of Kareah: (בֶּן־קָרֵחַ - ben-qā·rē·aḥ) — "Son of Kareah." Kareah means "baldness" or "bareness," possibly a personal characteristic or a place name. It identifies Johanan's lineage, linking him to other commanders.
• and all the captains of the forces: (וְכָל־שָׂרֵי הַחַיִל - wə·ḵāl-śā·rê–ha·ḥă·yil) — "And all the commanders/leaders of the army/strength." This emphasizes the widespread support Johanan had among the military elite, indicating a significant segment of the remaining Judean force was involved.
• who were with him: (אֲשֶׁר־אִתּוֹ - ’ă·šer-‘it·tō) — Denotes association and unity with Johanan.
• took all the remaining people: (לָקְחוּ אֶת־כָּל־הָעָם הַנִּשְׁאָר - lā·qə·ḥū ’et-kāl-hā·‘ām·ha·niš·’ār) — "Took all the people that remained." This phrase signifies Johanan's decisive action of commandeering the entire remnant of Judah under his control, irrespective of their individual desires.
• whom he had rescued: (אֲשֶׁר־הִצִּילָם — ’ă·šer-hi·ṣ·ṣî·lām) — "Whom he saved/delivered them." This points back to Johanan's earlier action of saving these people from Ishmael's massacre at Mizpah. It frames his subsequent action as a misguided 'rescue' into exile.
• from Ishmael son of Nethaniah: (מֵאֵת־יִשְׁמָעֵאל בֶּן־נְתַנְיָה - mē·’ēṯ-yiš·mā·‘ēl ben-ne·ṯan·yāh) — Identifies the perpetrator from whom the people were rescued and whom Ishmael had killed Gedaliah. Nethaniah means "God has given."
• at Mizpah: (מִצְפָּה - miṣ·pāh) — The location where Ishmael committed the murders and from where Johanan rescued the people. Mizpah means "watchtower" or "vigil," a place often associated with prayer and assembly.
• after Ishmael son of Nethaniah: (אַחֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר־הִכָּה אֶת־גְּדַלְיָהוּ — ’a·ḥă·rê ’ă·šer-hik·kāh ’et-ge·ḏal·yā·hū) — "After he struck/killed Gedaliah son of Ahikam." This clarifies the chronological sequence and the preceding heinous act. Gedaliah means "greatness of Yahweh." Ahikam means "he has confirmed."
• son of Ahikam: (בֶּן־אֲחִיקָם — ben-’ă·ḥî·qām) — Identifies Gedaliah's lineage. Ahikam was known to have supported Jeremiah.
• the governor: (הַפָּקִיד - ha·pā·qîḏ) — Gedaliah's appointed position by the Babylonians, underscoring the legitimacy of his leadership in the eyes of the occupying power.
• and with him: (וְאִתּוֹ - wə·’it·tō) — Refers to those rescued with Gedaliah from Ishmael's massacre.
• even the women: (אֶת־הַנָּשִׁים - ’et-han·nā·šîm) — Explicitly mentions women, highlighting that the entire population, vulnerable and unprotected, was taken.
• and the children: (וְהַטַּפְּ– - wə·haṭ·ṭāp·pō), — "And the little ones/children." Their inclusion emphasizes the severity of the act, involving the most defenseless members of society.
• and the captives: (וְהַשִּׁבִים — wə·haš·šî·ḇîm) — "And the captives." This refers to those Ishmael had taken, creating a continuation of captivity but under new leadership.
• that Ishmael son of Nethaniah had taken captive: (אֲשֶׁר־שָׁבָה — ’ă·šer-šā·ḇāh) — Reinforces that Johanan seized the very people Ishmael had previously captured.
• at Mizpah: (מִצְפָּה — miṣ·pāh) — Repeating the location emphasizes that this new movement originated from the same place of tragedy.
• and Johanan son of Kareah: (וְיוֹחָנָן בֶּן־קָרֵחַ — wə·yō·ḥānān ben-qā·rê·aḥ) — Repeats Johanan and his lineage, emphasizing his pivotal role.
• and the military captains: (וְשָׂרֵי הַחַיִל — wə·śā·rê-ha·ḥă·yil) — Repeats the leadership group.
• went to wage war: (לָלֶכֶת לַעֲשׂוֹת מִלְחָמָה — lā·le·ḵet·la·‘ă·śō·ṯim·li·ḥām·āh) — This phrase, used here, indicates their intention to fight against or resist potential Babylonian retaliation or perhaps seek military advantage elsewhere. However, the preceding context focuses on flight, making this potentially a misunderstanding or mistranslation in some older versions, as the primary action is fleeing to Egypt, not waging war against the Babylonians at this moment. The LXX rendering is key here: it implies the intent to conquer something. More directly, they were leading people away. The context implies a movement of peoples under threat, not necessarily direct offensive warfare at this precise moment in this verse, but preparation for possible conflict and secure passage. Later verses clarify their flight motive.
• against Baalis king of the Ammonites: (בַּמֶּלֶךְ־בַּעֲלִישׁ מֶלֶךְ־בְּנֵי־עַמּוֹן — bam·me·leḵ-ba·‘ă·liš·me·leḵ-bə·nê-‘am·mōn) — This phrase is a later part of the chapter (Jer 41:10) detailing the reason why Ishmael acted, due to connivance with Baalis. It's not part of Johanan's immediate action in Jer 41:14 as stated, but the wider narrative context. The verse 14 focuses on Johanan's action of seizing the people after the event. (Correction: Upon re-examination, this clause referring to fighting Baalis is actually found in verse 10 of the same chapter. Verse 14 states they seized the people and went towards Egypt).
• who had sent Ishmael: (אֲשֶׁר שָׁלַח אֶת־יִשְׁמָעֵאל - ’ă·šer-šā·laḥ ’et-yîš·mā·‘ēl) — Explains the alliance and motive behind Ishmael's action, revealing a plot against Gedaliah supported by the Ammonite king.
• But when Johanan son of Kareah and all the captains... heard: (וַאֲנַ ּ; When Johanan and the leaders heard... — wa-’ănîhū wə-kāl śārê hāḥêl wa-šə·mū‘û) — The turning point where Johanan's group becomes aware of Ishmael's deeds.

Jeremiah 41 14 Bonus section

This act of fleeing to Egypt was a profound rejection of Jeremiah's counsel, which had been confirmed by God. Jeremiah 42 details how the people themselves pressed Jeremiah to seek God's will. When God's will was clearly stated through Jeremiah: stay in Judah, and He would build them up, otherwise, if they went to Egypt, they would be consumed by sword, famine, and pestilence. Johanan's action, therefore, was not just a civilian decision but a collective act of defiance against a specific prophetic command. The future history of this group in Egypt is depicted in Jeremiah 44 as one of apostasy and destruction due to their continued idolatrous practices, specifically worshipping the Queen of Heaven, a practice they believed provided security when they lived in Egypt previously. This illustrates the tragic outcome when fear overrides faith, and human counsel replaces divine command.

Jeremiah 41 14 Commentary

This verse marks a pivotal moment of further descent for the remnant of Judah after the fall of Jerusalem. Johanan, acting perhaps with good intentions initially to rescue the people from Ishmael, ultimately makes a disastrous decision to lead them away to Egypt. This is presented as a violation of God's clear directive given through Jeremiah, who had advised staying in the land. The group, driven by fear and distrust of divine promises, chooses a path that leads to exile and idolatry in Egypt. It highlights how human leadership, even with seemingly sound motives (protecting people), can stray from God's path due to fear and a lack of faith, leading to catastrophic consequences for those they lead. The presence of women, children, and the royal family emphasizes the magnitude of this failure to protect and guide the people according to God's will. Their migration to Egypt fulfills prophecy of Deut 28:68.