Jeremiah 41 7

Jeremiah 41:7 kjv

And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.

Jeremiah 41:7 nkjv

So it was, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah killed them and cast them into the midst of a pit, he and the men who were with him.

Jeremiah 41:7 niv

When they went into the city, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the men who were with him slaughtered them and threw them into a cistern.

Jeremiah 41:7 esv

When they came into the city, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the men with him slaughtered them and cast them into a cistern.

Jeremiah 41:7 nlt

But as soon as they were all inside the town, Ishmael and his men killed all but ten of them and threw their bodies into a cistern.

Jeremiah 41 verses

Jeremiah 41 7 Meaning

This verse describes Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, acting with a group of men to slay Gedaliah and others who were in Mizpah, including Jews and Chaldeans. Their motive was to prevent reconciliation and allegiance with the Babylonian invaders.

Jeremiah 41 7 Context

Jeremiah 41 is set in the aftermath of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. Gedaliah had been appointed governor by the Babylonians over the remnant of the people left in the land. This appointment was intended to bring a semblance of order and administration. However, there were factions within the Jewish populace who resented Babylonian rule and looked to Egyptian support. Ishmael, of royal lineage, represented one such faction that opposed Gedaliah's pragmatic approach to coexisting with the Babylonian overlords. The chapter details a brutal act of betrayal where Ishmael, under the guise of friendship, murders Gedaliah and other prominent figures, thereby destabilizing the fragile situation and leading to further despair for the remnant. The preceding chapter (40) describes the establishment of Mizpah as the administrative center, and Jeremiah's presence there. Chapter 42 details the people’s request for divine guidance through Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 41 7 Word Analysis

• וְהָיָה (vəhāyâ): "and it came to pass" or "and it was." This common Hebrew phrase introduces a narrative event, signaling the continuation of the story. It establishes a sequential connection to the previous verses, highlighting the unfolding of events.

• בַּחֹ֫דֶשׁ (bachṓdesh): "in the month." Specifies the temporal setting.

• הַשְּׁבִיעִ (hashshebiʻî): "the seventh." Further refines the temporal context, indicating the specific month of the events. The seventh month (Tishri) was a significant month in the Jewish calendar, often associated with autumn festivals.

• כִּ֛י (kî): "that" or "when." This conjunction introduces the subject of the narrative.

• יִשְׁמָעֵ֥אל (Yishmāʻēl): "Ishmael." The name of the main antagonist in this chapter, meaning "God hears." This name contrasts sharply with his cruel actions, possibly indicating a divine irony or a perversion of his heritage. Ishmael himself was a figure associated with division and hostility from the Old Testament narrative (Gen 16:12).

• בֶּן־נְתַנְיָ֛ה (ben-Nəthanyāh): "son of Nethaniah." Identifies Ishmael's parentage, which may carry familial or political significance, possibly linking him to a more established or defiant lineage.

• וְאִתּ֔וֹ (wəʼittô): "and with him." Indicates that Ishmael was not alone but had companions.

• עֲשָׂרָ֖ה (ʻăśārāh): "ten." Quantifies the number of men who accompanied Ishmael, highlighting the organized nature of the conspiracy, though a relatively small group compared to the inhabitants of Mizpah.

• אֲנָשִׁ֖ים (ʼănāšîm): "men." The composition of Ishmael's group.

• מִמִּצְפָּֽה (mimmitspa): "from Mizpah." Indicates their point of origin or arrival, showing they were present in or came to Mizpah. Mizpah was a key assembly point after the fall of Jerusalem.

• Group Analysis: "Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and ten men with him" This phrase sets up the immediate agents of destruction. Their "coming" into Mizpah with a specific number indicates a pre-meditated plan of violence, contrasting with the perceived safety and restored hope associated with Mizpah.

Jeremiah 41 7 Bonus Section

Ishmael's name, meaning "God hears," becomes deeply ironic in light of his actions. Instead of hearing and responding to God's calls for faithfulness and obedience, he becomes an instrument of bloodshed and chaos. This act of defiance also echoes the historical antagonism between the descendants of Ishmael and the descendants of Israel, though here the conflict is primarily internal within the Jewish people. The small number of Ishmael's conspirators (ten men) against the population of Mizpah (which included Jews and Chaldeans) points to the effectiveness of surprise and deception in achieving their violent goals. The weeping that preceded the attack, mentioned in the previous verse (Jer 41:6), was a calculated act of deception to gain access and trust.

Jeremiah 41 7 Commentary

This verse marks a pivotal and tragic turn of events, showcasing the fragility of the restored remnant. Ishmael, representing a defiant faction against Babylonian authority, commits a heinous act of violence driven by political animosity and possibly a desire to instigate further conflict or disrupt any possibility of peace. His actions underscore the pervasive disunity and the presence of treacherous elements within the Jewish community. The choice of Mizpah, a place of gathering and supposed security, amplifies the betrayal. The verse highlights how internal treachery, fueled by a resistance to political realities, can have devastating consequences for a vulnerable population striving to survive and rebuild. This incident directly challenges the nascent hope established by Gedaliah's governorship and the relative stability sought after the destruction of Jerusalem.