King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 40:1 Mean?

Jeremiah 40:1 in the King James Version says “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah,... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon. chains: or, manicles

Jeremiah 40:1 · KJV


Context

1

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon. chains: or, manicles

2

And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.

3

Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse marks the transition from Jerusalem's fall (chapter 39) to the aftermath narratives. The phrase 'The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD' emphasizes divine revelation continuing even in catastrophe. Jeremiah's release 'after that Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah' demonstrates God's providence—the prophet who predicted judgment is miraculously preserved through it. The detail that Jeremiah was 'bound in chains among all that were carried away captive' shows he initially suffered with his people, experiencing the judgment he prophesied. Yet God ensured his liberation, fulfilling the promise of protection given throughout his ministry (Jeremiah 1:8, 19; 15:20). The historical irony is profound: Jerusalem's leaders who imprisoned and persecuted Jeremiah (chapters 37-38) are now themselves captives, while Jeremiah is freed by the very Babylonians they feared. This validates God's word through Jeremiah and demonstrates that opposing God's messengers ensures judgment while heeding them brings blessing. The verse establishes that even in exile's chaos, God's word continues to guide His people—a vital truth for those in Babylonian captivity and for all believers facing disorienting circumstances.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This event occurred in 586 BC after Jerusalem's destruction following an 18-month siege (2 Kings 25:1-12). Nebuzar-adan (whose name means 'Nebo has given seed') served as Nebuchadnezzar's rab-tabbahim (chief executioner/captain of the guard), responsible for implementing Babylon's policies in conquered territories. Ramah, about 5 miles north of Jerusalem, served as a collection point where Babylonians sorted captives for deportation. Archaeological evidence shows Ramah (modern er-Ram) was a major administrative center during this period. That Jeremiah was initially bound with other captives suggests confusion in the chaos following Jerusalem's fall—apparently the soldiers capturing him didn't recognize him or hadn't yet received Nebuchadnezzar's orders regarding his protection (Jeremiah 39:11-12). The phrase 'all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah' refers to the third major deportation to Babylon (following those in 605 and 597 BC), which included the final remnant after the city's destruction. Nebuzar-adan's recognition and release of Jeremiah demonstrates that Babylon's intelligence network knew about Jeremiah's pro-Babylonian counsel, which they viewed favorably as opposing futile resistance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jeremiah's experience of initially suffering judgment with his people, then being delivered, parallel Christ's identification with sinners while remaining sinless?
  2. What does God's preservation of Jeremiah teach about His faithfulness to those who proclaim unpopular truth?
  3. How should believers respond when God's word is vindicated through difficult circumstances we predicted but others rejected?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
הַדָּבָ֞ר1 of 27

The word

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁר2 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָיָ֤ה3 of 27
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אֶֽל4 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יִרְמְיָ֙הוּ֙5 of 27

that came to Jeremiah

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

מֵאֵ֣ת6 of 27
H853

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

יְהוָ֔ה7 of 27

from the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אַחַ֣ר׀8 of 27

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

שַׁלַּ֣ח9 of 27

had let him go

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֹת֗וֹ10 of 27
H853

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

נְבוּזַרְאֲדָ֛ן11 of 27

that Nebuzaradan

H5018

nebuzaradan, a babylonian general

רַב12 of 27

the captain

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

טַבָּחִ֖ים13 of 27

of the guard

H2876

properly, a butcher; hence, a lifeguardsman (because he was acting as an executioner); also a cook (usually slaughtering the animal for food)

מִן14 of 27
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָֽרָמָ֑ה15 of 27

from Ramah

H7414

ramah, the name of four places in palestine

בְּקַחְתּ֣וֹ16 of 27

when he had taken

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֹת֗וֹ17 of 27
H853

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

וְהֽוּא18 of 27
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

אָס֤וּר19 of 27

him being bound

H631

to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle

בָּֽאזִקִּים֙20 of 27

in chains

H246

manacles

בְּת֨וֹךְ21 of 27

among

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

כָּל22 of 27
H3605

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

גָּל֤וּת23 of 27

all that were carried away captive

H1546

captivity; concretely, exiles (collectively)

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙24 of 27

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וִֽיהוּדָ֔ה25 of 27

and Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

הַמֻּגְלִ֖ים26 of 27

which were carried away captive

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

בָּבֶֽלָה׃27 of 27

unto Babylon

H894

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


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 40:1 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 Jeremiah 40:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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