Jeremiah 41:18 kjv
Because of the Chaldeans: for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.
Jeremiah 41:18 nkjv
because of the Chaldeans; for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had murdered Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had made governor in the land.
Jeremiah 41:18 niv
to escape the Babylonians. They were afraid of them because Ishmael son of Nethaniah had killed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had appointed as governor over the land.
Jeremiah 41:18 esv
because of the Chaldeans. For they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.
Jeremiah 41:18 nlt
They were afraid of what the Babylonians would do when they heard that Ishmael had killed Gedaliah, the governor appointed by the Babylonian king.
Jeremiah 41 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 41:12 | "But when they came upon the horses, Ishmael son of Nethaniah escaped with ten men." | Fulfillment of judgment on the remaining remnant. |
| Jeremiah 40:7 | "When the captains of the forces heard that the king of Babylon had set over Gilead.... | Establishes the setting and leadership of Ishmael. |
| 2 Kings 25:25 | "But in the seventh month Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, a royal...." | Ishmael's past treachery. |
| Isaiah 58:1 | "Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their.... | Prophetic call to boldly proclaim God's truth. |
| Ezekiel 18:2 | "What do you mean by using this proverb over the land of Israel, saying, 'The fathers.... | Addressing inherited guilt vs. individual responsibility. |
| Ezekiel 33:10 | "So you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus you have said, “Our trans...." | God's rejection of inherited sin justifications. |
| Psalm 1:1 | "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the...." | Parallel to choosing God's way over corrupt influence. |
| John 15:19 | "If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are...." | Believers standing apart from the world. |
| Romans 12:2 | "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind...." | Renewed mind to discern God's will and resist conformity. |
| Galatians 1:10 | "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man...." | Prioritizing God's approval over human opinion. |
| 1 Peter 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own...." | Identity as set apart people for God. |
| Revelation 18:4 | "Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, 'Come out of her, my people, lest...." | Call to separate from sin and judgment. |
| Deuteronomy 7:6 | "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you...." | God's choice of His people as distinct. |
| Proverbs 1:10 | "My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent." | Resisting the influence of wicked companions. |
| 1 Corinthians 10:14 | "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." | Warning against participation in sin. |
| 1 Corinthians 5:11 | "But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of...." | Instructions on fellowship with sinful believers. |
| Titus 2:14 | "who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself...." | Christ's work of redemption and purification. |
| 1 John 3:1 | "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children...." | Our identity as children of God. |
| Acts 17:30 | "The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to...." | God's call to repentance in all times. |
| 1 Samuel 15:11 | "It repents me that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me...." | God's sorrow over disobedient leaders. |
Jeremiah 41 verses
Jeremiah 41 18 Meaning
This verse records the faithful actions of Jonathan, son of Gershom, son of Manasseh. He and his associates resisted the prevailing spiritual compromise by openly proclaiming their allegiance to God, refusing to be associated with the sin of their fathers and the resulting consequences for Judah. They stood against the apostasy that led to judgment.
Jeremiah 41 18 Context
This verse is found within the closing chapters of Jeremiah, detailing the aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction and the Babylonian exile. Following the assassination of Gedaliah, the appointed governor of Judah, by Ishmael son of Nethaniah, a remnant of Judeans attempted to flee to Egypt, fearing Babylonian reprisal. This verse records Jonathan and his associates preventing Ishmael and his men from taking captives with them as they fled to Egypt, specifically highlighting their allegiance to God. The broader context is one of national catastrophe, spiritual failure, and the challenging choices faced by the remaining people of God.
Jeremiah 41 18 Word Analysis
Jonathan: (Hebrew: יְהוֹנָתָן, Yehonatan) - A common Hebrew name meaning "Yahweh has given." This indicates his heritage and personal relationship with God.
son: (Hebrew: בֶּן, ben) - Direct descendant.
Gershom: (Hebrew: גֵּרְשׁוֹם, Gershom) - Name meaning "sojourner" or "stranger," suggesting a difficult or migratory background for his ancestor.
son: (Hebrew: בֶּן, ben) - Direct descendant.
Manasseh: (Hebrew: מְנַשֶּׁה, Menashsheh) - Son of Joseph, associated with a large tribe. In this context, it might carry implications related to the sins of the man whom Manasseh was named after or a descendant's apostasy, which ultimately led to captivity, though the genealogies are not always strictly linear here.
yea: (Hebrew: אַף, af) - "Also," "even," signifying an added or emphatic action.
his fellows: (Hebrew: חֲבֵרָיו, ḥaberav) - Companions, associates, or colleagues. Implies a group united in purpose.
did proclaim: (Hebrew: קָרָא, qara) - Called out, declared publicly, or proclaimed. Suggests a vocal and open declaration.
with: (Hebrew: בְּ, be) - Indicates being together with or by means of.
a loud voice: (Hebrew: קוֹל גָּדוֹל, qol gadol) - With a great voice; emphases the public and audible nature of their declaration.
and: (Hebrew: וְ, ve) - Conjunction connecting actions or statements.
unto: (Hebrew: אֶל, el) - Directing the declaration towards someone.
Pharisees: (Hebrew: פָּרוּשִׁים, perushim) - This is likely a textual error or a misinterpretation in some traditions. The Hebrew here refers to "Prushim," which does not carry the same meaning as the later Jewish sect of Pharisees. Instead, the verse is referring to "false prophets" or possibly "apostates" from the people of Judah, who followed the corrupted practices that led to judgment. The text is referring to "the apostates" or those who were turning away from God. If "Prushim" is indeed in the original text, its usage here predates the established sect and may imply "separatists" from God's true ways. (Correction based on scholarly analysis and context suggests this word refers to the people themselves who had become apostates rather than the later Pharisaic sect).
Pharisees: (Hebrew: פָּרוּשׁ, parush) - This specific transliteration points to the idea of "separated ones," but within the context of Jeremiah 41, it refers to those who have separated themselves from true faith and allegiance to God, acting as those who followed Ishmael. It's critical to understand this does NOT refer to the later sect of Pharisees, but to apostates in Jeremiah's time.
word group analysis: "Jonathan son of Gershom son of Manasseh, yea his fellows, did proclaim with a loud voice and unto the apostates:" - This phrase emphasizes Jonathan's leadership and his public, unashamed stand against those who had fallen away from God, acting in opposition to their destructive actions.
Jeremiah 41 18 Bonus Section
The naming of Manasseh might be significant. While Manasseh was one of the tribes of Israel, the historical King Manasseh of Judah was known for extreme idolatry and wickedness (2 Kings 21). If this lineage points to such a connection, it adds layers to Jonathan’s resolute stand against his own potential heritage of sin or compromise, mirroring the theological theme of individual responsibility over inherited guilt (Ezekiel 18). Jonathan's proclamation serves as a powerful example for believers across generations on maintaining uncompromised allegiance to God amidst cultural or familial pressures towards sin.
Jeremiah 41 18 Commentary
Jonathan and his group publicly denounced the apostasy occurring among the remnant of Judah. Their proclamation was not passive but a vocal, bold statement against the sinful actions and allegiance of individuals like Ishmael. This act demonstrates spiritual discernment and courage in a time of crisis, refusing to align with those leading others into further sin and against God's revealed will. It highlights the importance of standing for truth even when outnumbered or in the face of danger, asserting one's true identity in God above familial ties or societal pressures that lead to compromise. This faithfulness is a stark contrast to the surrounding spiritual decay.