King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 40:11 Mean?

Jeremiah 40:11 in the King James Version says “Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;”

Jeremiah 40:11 · KJV

Context

9

And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.

10

As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah to serve the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken. to serve: Heb. to stand before

11

Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;

12

Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.

13

Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,

Read Jeremiah 40 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The return of Jewish refugees from Moab, Ammon, Edom, and 'all the countries' demonstrates the spreading news of stability under Gedaliah's governorship and validates Jeremiah's message that survival lay in submission to Babylon rather than flight or resistance. These Jews had fled before or during Jerusalem's siege, seeking safety in neighboring territories. Their willingness to return shows they perceived greater security in Judah under Babylonian oversight than as refugees in foreign lands. The verb 'returned' (shuv) carries theological weight throughout Jeremiah—it's the standard term for repentance, meaning to turn back or return. While primarily describing physical return, their action embodied partial spiritual return as well: coming back to the land meant accepting the reality of God's judgment and the wisdom of Jeremiah's counsel they had previously ignored. Their hearing that Babylon 'had left a remnant of Judah' and appointed Gedaliah confirmed Jeremiah's prophecies that complete destruction wasn't God's final word—He preserved a remnant for future purposes. This gathering represented what could have been the beginning of restoration and renewed covenant faithfulness. Tragically, the assassination of Gedaliah and subsequent flight to Egypt (chapters 41-43) showed that even preserved remnants can squander God's merciful provisions through faithless choices.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The refugees returning from Moab, Ammon, and Edom had fled to these traditional enemy territories, ironically finding temporary refuge among peoples who had often opposed Israel. Moab lay east of the Dead Sea, Ammon northeast of the Dead Sea, and Edom south of the Dead Sea—all relatively close but outside Babylon's immediate military focus during Judah's conquest. Archaeological and historical evidence suggests these kingdoms maintained some autonomy by quickly submitting to Babylon and perhaps even aided the conquest of Judah. The phrase 'all the countries' indicates some Jews had fled as far as Egypt, Phoenicia, or even Mesopotamia, creating a diaspora that predated the official Babylonian exile. Their return 'to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah' shows Gedaliah's reputation as stable governor had spread throughout the region, offering hope that sparked reverse migration. This foreshadows the later return from Babylonian exile under Cyrus's decree (Ezra 1-2), though on a much smaller scale. The ingathering 'gathered wine and summer fruits very much' indicates successful harvest, fulfilling Gedaliah's promise that submission to Babylon would allow prosperity (40:10). This brief moment of restoration makes the subsequent disaster more tragic.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the refugees' return teach about the relationship between physical restoration and spiritual repentance?
  2. How does this passage illustrate that God's preservation of a remnant creates opportunity but doesn't guarantee wise response?
  3. In what ways do believers sometimes squander God's merciful provisions through faithless choices even after experiencing His deliverance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וְגַ֣ם1 of 27
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

כָּֽל2 of 27
H3605

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

הַיְּהוּדִ֡ים3 of 27

“Likewise when all the Jews”

H3064

a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)

אֲשֶׁר4 of 27
H834

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

בְּמוֹאָ֣ב׀5 of 27

“that were in Moab”

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

בֶּן6 of 27

“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

עַמּ֨וֹן7 of 27

“and among the Ammonites”

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

וּבֶאֱד֜וֹם8 of 27

“and in Edom”

H123

edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him

וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר9 of 27
H834

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

בְּכָל10 of 27
H3605

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

הָֽאֲרָצוֹת֙11 of 27

“and that were in all the countries”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

שָֽׁמְע֔וּ12 of 27

“heard”

H8085

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

כִּֽי13 of 27
H3588

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

נָתַ֧ן14 of 27

“had left”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

מֶֽלֶךְ15 of 27

“that the king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֛ל16 of 27

“of Babylon”

H894

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

שְׁאֵרִ֖ית17 of 27

“a remnant”

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

לִֽיהוּדָ֑ה18 of 27

“of Judah”

H3063

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

וְכִי֙19 of 27
H3588

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

הִפְקִ֣יד20 of 27

“and that he had set”

H6485

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

עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם21 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֶת22 of 27
H853

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

גְּדַלְיָ֖הוּ23 of 27

“over them Gedaliah”

H1436

gedaljah, the name of five israelites

בֶּן24 of 27

“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

אֲחִיקָ֥ם25 of 27

“of Ahikam”

H296

achikam, an israelite

בֶּן26 of 27

“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

שָׁפָֽן׃27 of 27

“of Shaphan”

H8227

a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e., probably the hyrax

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 40:11 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 40:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 16:4Ezekiel 25:61 Samuel 11:1Ezekiel 25:12Numbers 22:1Ezekiel 5:12

Places in This Verse

AmmonRegion · Modern: Amman · 31.95°N, 35.93°E106 verses across 19 books
Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
EdomRegion · Modern: Buseira · 30.75°N, 35.60°E111 verses across 21 books
Moab 1Region · Modern: Kerak · 31.18°N, 35.70°E162 verses across 22 books
View all places in Jeremiah 40 →

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