King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 25:23 Mean?

2 Kings 25:23 in the King James Version says “And when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, ... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Careah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.

2 Kings 25:23 · KJV


Context

21

And the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away out of their land.

22

And as for the people that remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, ruler.

23

And when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Careah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.

24

And Gedaliah sware to them, and to their men, and said unto them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon; and it shall be well with you.

25

But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah. royal: Heb. of the kingdom


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Careah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 25: Covenant curses fulfilled completely. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. As Judah approaches exile, these events fulfill prophetic warnings and demonstrate that God's patience with covenant violation is not infinite.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 25 takes place during the final collapse of Judah and Babylonian exile, early 6th century BCE, 605-586 BCE. The chapter's theme (Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction) reflects the historical reality of the final collapse of Judah, destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and exile to Babylon as covenant curses are fully realized. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 25 regarding covenant curses fulfilled completely?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ֩1 of 31

heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

כָל2 of 31
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שָׂרֵ֨י3 of 31

And when all the captains

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַֽחֲיָלִ֜ים4 of 31

of the armies

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

הֵ֣מָּה5 of 31
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וְהָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים6 of 31
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

כִּֽי7 of 31
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִפְקִ֤יד8 of 31

governor

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

מֶֽלֶךְ9 of 31

that the king

H4428

a king

בָּבֶל֙10 of 31

of Babylon

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

אֶת11 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

גְּדַלְיָ֖הוּ12 of 31

had made Gedaliah

H1436

gedaljah, the name of five israelites

וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ13 of 31

there came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל14 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גְּדַלְיָ֖הוּ15 of 31

had made Gedaliah

H1436

gedaljah, the name of five israelites

הַמִּצְפָּ֑ה16 of 31

to Mizpah

H4709

mitspah, the name of two places in palestine

וְיִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל17 of 31

even Ishmael

H3458

jishmael, the name of abraham's oldest son, and of five israelites

בֶּן18 of 31

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

נְתַנְיָ֡ה19 of 31

of Nethaniah

H5418

nethanjah, the name of four israelites

וְיֽוֹחָנָ֣ן20 of 31

and Johanan

H3110

jochanan, the name of nine israelites

בֶּן21 of 31

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

קָ֠רֵחַ22 of 31

of Careah

H7143

kareach, an israelite

וּשְׂרָיָ֨ה23 of 31

and Seraiah

H8304

serajah, the name of nine israelites

בֶּן24 of 31

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

תַּנְחֻ֜מֶת25 of 31

of Tanhumeth

H8576

tanchumeth, an israelite

הַנְּטֹֽפָתִ֗י26 of 31

the Netophathite

H5200

a netophathite, or inhabitant of netophah

וְיַֽאֲזַנְיָ֙הוּ֙27 of 31

and Jaazaniah

H2970

jaazanjah, the name of four israelites

בֶּן28 of 31

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַמַּ֣עֲכָתִ֔י29 of 31

of a Maachathite

H4602

a maakathite, or inhabitant of maakah

הֵ֖מָּה30 of 31
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וְאַנְשֵׁיהֶֽם׃31 of 31
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 25:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 25:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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