King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 40:4 Mean?

Jeremiah 40:4 in the King James Version says “And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come wit... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go. were: or, are upon thine hand I will: Heb. I will set mine eye upon thee

Jeremiah 40:4 · KJV


Context

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.

4

And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go. were: or, are upon thine hand I will: Heb. I will set mine eye upon thee

5

Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.

6

Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nebuzaradan offers Jeremiah freedom to go to Babylon with honor or remain in Judah, leaving the choice to him. This fulfills God's earlier promise to preserve Jeremiah (15:20-21, 39:11-12). God's word proves faithful even through pagan channels. The prophet who counseled submission to Babylon now receives favor from Babylon's commanders - an ironic vindication.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah chose to remain with the remnant in Judah, continuing his ministry to the broken people rather than accepting reward in Babylon.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God sometimes fulfill His promises through unexpected means?
  2. What does Jeremiah's choice to stay with the remnant teach about servant leadership?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 39 words
וְעַתָּ֞ה1 of 39
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

הִנֵּ֧ה2 of 39
H2009

lo!

פִתַּחְתִּ֣יךָ3 of 39

And now behold I loose

H6605

to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

הַיּ֗וֹם4 of 39

thee this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

מִֽן5 of 39
H4480

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

הָאזִקִּים֮6 of 39

from the chains

H246

manacles

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 39
H834

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

עַל8 of 39
H5921

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

יָדֶךָ֒9 of 39

which were upon thine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אִם10 of 39
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

ט֨וֹב11 of 39

If it seem good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

בְּעֵינֶ֜יךָ12 of 39
H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

לָבֽוֹא13 of 39

come

H935

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

אִתִּ֣י14 of 39
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בָבֶ֖ל15 of 39

with me into Babylon

H894

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

לָבֽוֹא16 of 39

come

H935

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

וְאָשִׂ֤ים17 of 39

and I will look well

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶת18 of 39
H853

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

עֵינִי֙19 of 39
H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

עָלֶ֔יךָ20 of 39
H5921

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

וְאִם21 of 39
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

רַ֧ע22 of 39

unto thee but if it seem ill

H7489

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

בְּעֵינֶ֛יךָ23 of 39
H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

לָבֽוֹא24 of 39

come

H935

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

אִתִּ֥י25 of 39
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בָבֶ֖ל26 of 39

with me into Babylon

H894

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

חֲדָ֑ל27 of 39

forbear

H2308

properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle

רְאֵה֙28 of 39

behold

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

כָּל29 of 39
H3605

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

הָאָ֣רֶץ30 of 39

all the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְפָנֶ֔יךָ31 of 39

is before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וְאֶל32 of 39

thee whither it seemeth

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

ט֨וֹב33 of 39

If it seem good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וְאֶל34 of 39

thee whither it seemeth

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַיָּשָׁ֧ר35 of 39

and convenient

H3477

straight (literally or figuratively)

בְּעֵינֶ֛יךָ36 of 39
H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

לָלֶ֥כֶת37 of 39
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

שָׁ֖מָּה38 of 39
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

לֵֽךְ׃39 of 39
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)


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 40:4 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 40:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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