King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 40:14 Mean?

“And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not. to slay: Heb. to strike thee in soul?”

Jeremiah 40:14 · KJV

Faith

Context

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,

14

And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not. to slay: Heb. to strike thee in soul?

15

Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he slay thee, that all the Jews which are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish?

16

But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Johanan's direct accusation—'Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee?'—demonstrates both the specificity of his intelligence and the gravity of the threat. The phrase 'dost thou certainly know' emphasizes that this wasn't vague rumor but definite information Johanan wanted Gedaliah to acknowledge. The conspiracy involved foreign instigation: 'Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael,' indicating this wasn't merely internal Jewish political rivalry but international intrigue aimed at destabilizing Babylon's governance in Judah. Ammon's motivation likely combined resentment of Babylonian hegemony with opportunistic desire to prevent Judean recovery that might threaten Ammonite interests. Ishmael's willingness to be 'sent' by a foreign king to murder a Jewish governor shows how deeply political ambition and nationalism had corrupted covenant faithfulness. The phrase 'to slay thee' (literally 'to strike your soul/life,' l'hakotekha nefesh) indicates not political neutralization but outright murder. Gedaliah's subsequent refusal to believe this warning (verse 16) reveals tragic naiveté—assuming everyone shared his good intentions and commitment to community welfare. This passage warns against both paranoid suspicion of everyone and foolish credulity that trusts without discernment. Wisdom requires believing truth even when it's uncomfortable and implicates people we prefer to trust.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Baalis king of Ammon ruled the territory directly east of Judah, centered around modern Amman, Jordan. Ammon had a long history of both alliance and conflict with Israel and Judah (see Judges 11, 1 Samuel 11, 2 Samuel 10). During Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of the region, Ammon initially submitted to Babylon (Jeremiah 27:3) but maintained independence and likely harbored ambitions to expand influence. A stable, recovering Judah under competent leadership threatened Ammonite interests by potentially becoming a significant Babylonian client state. Baalis likely calculated that assassinating Gedaliah would create chaos in Judah, reduce Babylonian influence in the region, and perhaps allow Ammon to absorb territory or refugees. Ishmael son of Nethaniah's motivation for accepting Ammonite sponsorship combined personal ambition with royal blood (verse 1 notes he was 'of the seed royal'), suggesting he saw himself as a legitimate alternative to Gedaliah's appointed governance. From Ishmael's perspective, Gedaliah was a collaborator who legitimized foreign domination, while he represented authentic Jewish nationalism and royal authority. This tragic misunderstanding of God's purposes—viewing submission to Babylon as betrayal rather than faithful acceptance of divine discipline—exemplifies how political theology can become disastrously distorted.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does foreign instigation of internal conflict illustrate Satan's strategy of using external pressure to create division among God's people?
  2. What warning does this conspiracy provide about how nationalism and political ambition can corrupt covenant faithfulness?
  3. In what ways should church leaders balance trust in people with wise discernment of genuine threats to community welfare?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ1 of 22

“And said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֗יו2 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תֵּדַע֙3 of 22

“know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

תֵּדַע֙4 of 22

“know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּ֞י5 of 22
H3588

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

בַּעֲלִ֣יס׀6 of 22

“that Baalis”

H1185

baalis, an ammonitish king

מֶ֣לֶךְ7 of 22

“the king”

H4428

a king

בֶּן8 of 22

“of the Ammonites”

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

עַמּ֗וֹן9 of 22
H5983

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

שָׁלַח֙10 of 22

“hath sent”

H7971

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

אֶת11 of 22
H853

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

יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל12 of 22

“Ishmael”

H3458

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

בֶּן13 of 22

“of the Ammonites”

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

נְתַנְיָ֔ה14 of 22

“of Nethaniah”

H5418

nethanjah, the name of four israelites

לְהַכֹּתְךָ֖15 of 22

“to slay”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

נָ֑פֶשׁ16 of 22
H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וְלֹא17 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הֶאֱמִ֣ין18 of 22

“believed”

H539

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

לָהֶ֔ם19 of 22
H0
גְּדַלְיָ֖הוּ20 of 22

“thee But Gedaliah”

H1436

gedaljah, the name of five israelites

בֶּן21 of 22

“of the Ammonites”

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

אֲחִיקָֽם׃22 of 22

“of Ahikam”

H296

achikam, an israelite

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 40:14 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 40:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 41:102 Samuel 10:1-6Jeremiah 25:211 Samuel 11:1-3Micah 7:5Amos 1:13-15

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