Jeremiah 41 5

Jeremiah 41:5 kjv

That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD.

Jeremiah 41:5 nkjv

that certain men came from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, eighty men with their beards shaved and their clothes torn, having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD.

Jeremiah 41:5 niv

eighty men who had shaved off their beards, torn their clothes and cut themselves came from Shechem, Shiloh and Samaria, bringing grain offerings and incense with them to the house of the LORD.

Jeremiah 41:5 esv

eighty men arrived from Shechem and Shiloh and Samaria, with their beards shaved and their clothes torn, and their bodies gashed, bringing grain offerings and incense to present at the temple of the LORD.

Jeremiah 41:5 nlt

eighty men arrived from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria to worship at the Temple of the LORD. They had shaved off their beards, torn their clothes, and cut themselves, and had brought along grain offerings and frankincense.

Jeremiah 41 verses

Jeremiah 41 5 Meaning

This verse describes Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah, going to Gedaliah, the governor, with ten men. They arrived at Mizpah while Gedaliah was eating. This event marks the beginning of the treacherous act that Ishmael and his men would soon commit against Gedaliah and those with him.

Jeremiah 41 5 Context

Jeremiah 41 is set after the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple. Gedaliah had been appointed governor over the remnant of the people in Judah by Nebuchadnezzar. He established a center at Mizpah, gathering those who had returned from exile or escaped the Babylonian advance. Despite the desolation, there was a measure of peace and rebuilding under Gedaliah's leadership. This chapter, however, details a brutal assassination and its aftermath, highlighting the deep-seated political intrigue and despair that characterized this period. Ishmael, of royal lineage, emerges as a betrayer of Gedaliah's administration, fueled by a potential grievance or an agenda to undermine the appointed authority.

Jeremiah 41 5 Word Analysis

• Ishmael (Hebrew: יִשְׁמָעֵל, Yishma'el): Means "God hears." A significant name in Israelite history, known for being the son of Abraham and Hagar. In this context, the name carries a stark contrast to his actions, as his deeds brought devastation rather than God's attentive mercy to his own people.
• son of Nethaniah (Hebrew: בֶּן־נְתַנְיָה, ben-Netanyah): "Nethaniah" means "Yahweh has given." This lineage suggests a background that should have been honorable, yet Ishmael deviates sharply.
• ten men (Hebrew: עֲשָׂרָה אֲנָשִׁים, asarah anashim): The small number suggests a clandestine operation, relying on surprise rather than overt force. It underscores the treacherous nature of the act, not an open rebellion but a surprise attack by a select group.
• Mizpah (Hebrew: מִצְפָּה, Mitzpah): A significant place meaning "watchtower" or "vigil." It was a place of assembly and prayer, including sacrifices. Ironically, it becomes the scene of treachery and bloodshed, defiling a place of communal gathering.
• Gedaliah (Hebrew: גְּדַלְיָה, Gedalyahu): Means "Yahweh is great." Appointed governor by the Babylonians, he represented a fragile hope for the remnant in Judah.
• Mizpah, while he was eating (Hebrew: בְּמִצְפָּה בְּאָכְלוֹ, b'Mitzpah b'okhlô): The act of eating together often signifies fellowship and peace. Ishmael's arrival during a meal highlights the extreme violation of trust and hospitality. This emphasizes the shock and unexpectedness of the violence.

Groups of Words Analysis:

• "arose and struck down" (Hebrew: וַיָּקֻמוּ וַיַּכֻּ, vayakumū vayakku): This powerful phrase conveys sudden action and decisive violence, painting a picture of the swiftness and brutality of the assault.

Jeremiah 41 5 Bonus Section

The choice of Ishmael, a name associated with Abraham's lineage but also with a nomadic, often antagonistic people in relation to Israel, carries symbolic weight. His actions foreshadow a deeper breakdown of communal unity and the difficult path the remnant had to face, including flight to Egypt and further instability. The timing, "in the seventh month," points to the Jewish civil calendar, likely indicating a time associated with harvest or other significant activities, amplifying the disruption caused by the violence. This event highlights the vulnerability of those trying to rebuild after catastrophic loss, demonstrating how internal enemies could be as dangerous as external conquerors.

Jeremiah 41 5 Commentary

Ishmael's arrival with ten men while Gedaliah was eating underscores a calculated betrayal. The scene depicts a violation of trust, as Ishmael abused hospitality and safety. Gedaliah, having been appointed to lead the remnant of Judah after the Babylonian conquest, represented a new, albeit fragile, beginning. Ishmael's actions not only assassinate a leader but also plunge the remaining people back into fear and instability. This event serves as a tragic illustration of internal division and the pervasiveness of treachery even in dire circumstances. The contrast between the peaceful act of eating and the ensuing violence is a powerful literary device highlighting the depth of Ishmael's wickedness. It mirrors biblical themes of betrayal by close associates, emphasizing the potential for evil within seemingly normal settings.