Jeremiah 41 6

Jeremiah 41:6 kjv

And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.

Jeremiah 41:6 nkjv

Now Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went out from Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he went along; and it happened as he met them that he said to them, "Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam!"

Jeremiah 41:6 niv

Ishmael son of Nethaniah went out from Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he went. When he met them, he said, "Come to Gedaliah son of Ahikam."

Jeremiah 41:6 esv

And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah came out from Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he came. As he met them, he said to them, "Come in to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam."

Jeremiah 41:6 nlt

Ishmael left Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he went. When he reached them, he said, "Oh, come and see what has happened to Gedaliah!"

Jeremiah 41 verses

Jeremiah 41 6 Meaning

This verse describes Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, killing Gedaliah, the governor appointed by the Babylonians, along with his Jewish companions and Babylonian soldiers. The act occurs in Mizpah, a significant gathering place, highlighting the betrayal and violence that shattered the fragile peace established after the fall of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 41 6 Context

Chapter 41 of Jeremiah shifts from the initial hopeful post-exile settlement in Mizpah under Gedaliah's governorship to a devastating act of internal betrayal. Gedaliah, appointed by Nebuchadnezzar to govern the remnant left in Judah, represented a fragile attempt at stability. Ishmael, a prince of the royal line, harbored resentment and potentially acted with ulterior motives, perhaps instigated by Ammonite opposition to the Babylonian rule. This murder plunges the remaining community into further crisis, sowing fear and prompting desperate actions.

Jeremiah 41 6 Word Analysis

• Ishmael (Yishma'el): Hebrew name meaning "God hears."
  • Significance: Irony of his name in light of his murderous actions; contrasts with the divine mercy expected from hearing God.
• son of Nethaniah (ben Nethanyahu): Nethaniah likely an honorable figure, possibly descended from royalty.
  • Significance: His lineage adds a layer of internal conflict and royal jealousy to the motive.
• from the royal line (mishshi'erey hammelekh): Indicates his connection to Davidic royalty.
  • Significance: Highlights a motive of seizing power or opposing the Babylonian appointed governor as illegitimate.
• came (bo): Simple verb of movement, indicating his arrival at Mizpah.
  • Significance: Understated entry preceding a shocking act.
• Mizpah (Mitzpah): Hebrew for "watchtower" or "vigil." A significant gathering and religious site.
  • Significance: The betrayal occurs in a place of communal importance, amplifying the sacrilege.
• there (sham): Refers to Mizpah.
• while he wept (bihikho): Ishmael mourns falsely.
  • Significance: Deceptive appearance of grief masking murderous intent, a common tactic of deceit.
• upon his face (al panav): His outward expression.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the calculated deception of his greeting.
• and struck down (vayikkh): To strike, smite, kill.
  • Significance: Violent and decisive action.
• Gedaliah (Gedalyahu): Hebrew name meaning "Yahweh is great."
  • Significance: The protected of God, tragically cut down.
• the governor (hasar): Official appointed by the foreign power.
  • Significance: Ishmael’s action is not just personal but political rebellion.
• the Judeans (hayyehudim): The people of Judah.
  • Significance: Collective targeting of the remnant of God's people.
• who were with him at Mizpah (asher ito b'Mitzpah): Those associated with Gedaliah's administration.
  • Significance: Targeted killings of his inner circle.
• and the soldiers (veta-hayyissilim): The Babylonian military men stationed there.
  • Significance: Ishmael also eliminated the occupying force's presence, a bolder political statement.

Group by Words Analysis

• "came ... while he wept upon his face": This phrase encapsulates the theme of treacherous deception. Ishmael's outward show of grief is a cunning ruse to lower Gedaliah's guard before striking. This echoes instances in Scripture where outwardly religious or sorrowful appearances mask malicious intent (cf. Psalm 55:12-14, 2 Samuel 20:9-10). The manipulation of appearance is a profound moral failure.
• "struck down Gedaliah the governor ... and the Judeans ... and the soldiers": The comprehensive nature of the slaughter reveals Ishmael's ruthless agenda. He targeted not only the leader but also the populace he was meant to protect and the occupying soldiers. This was a purge intended to eliminate the existing authority and sow chaos.

Jeremiah 41 6 Bonus Section

The prophecy of Jeremiah consistently points to judgment for disobedience and the consequences of internal corruption. This verse serves as a potent illustration of how internal malice can dismantle even divinely sanctioned remnants. The subsequent flight of the remaining people to Egypt (Jeremiah 41:17-18) illustrates a further consequence of such faithlessness and violence, leading them away from the promised land, despite Gedaliah’s peaceful administration. This act of Ishmael can be seen as a historical reenactment of Cain's murder of Abel, demonstrating the persistent evil that arises from ungodly hearts even within God's covenant people.

Jeremiah 41 6 Commentary

Ishmael's action is a brutal act of treachery against God's appointed servant, Gedaliah. The use of feigned grief to mask murder highlights the depth of his deceit. This violence not only ended Gedaliah's governorship but also created profound instability and fear among the remaining Jews, leading to their panicked flight. The targeting of both Jews and Babylonian soldiers demonstrates a ruthless intent to annihilate all semblance of the existing order, plunging the remnant into further distress and jeopardizing any hope for recovery. The verse starkly contrasts the fragility of human governance and peace with the ever-present reality of sin and betrayal.