King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 40:5 Mean?

Jeremiah 40:5 in the King James Version says “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 kin... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 40:5 · KJV


Context

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.

7

Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go. This verse presents Jeremiah's choice after Jerusalem's fall: join the exiles in Babylon with royal provision, or remain in devastated Judah under Gedaliah's governorship. Nebuzar-adan's offer reflects remarkable respect for the prophet whose message aligned with Babylon's interests (though from divine rather than political motivation). The phrase "wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee" grants extraordinary freedom to God's faithful spokesman.

Jeremiah's choice to remain with the remnant (verse 6) demonstrates pastoral faithfulness. Though exile to Babylon offered comfort and safety, Jeremiah chose to stay with the poorest and most vulnerable, serving the shattered community. This self-sacrificial choice exemplifies Christ's incarnation and the apostle Paul's commitment to remain for the churches' sake (Philippians 1:24-25).

Theologically, this verse teaches: (1) Faithfulness to God's word sometimes brings unexpected honor, even from unlikely sources; (2) true ministry prioritizes people's needs over personal comfort; (3) freedom to choose should be guided by love and call, not mere convenience; (4) God vindicates faithful servants, sometimes in surprising ways. The Reformed understanding of vocation emphasizes serving where called, not where comfortable.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Gedaliah son of Ahikam (from the family that protected Jeremiah earlier, 26:24) governed the Judean remnant under Babylonian authority (587-582 BCE). Mizpah became the temporary administrative center since Jerusalem lay in ruins. Jeremiah's decision to remain rather than accept Babylonian hospitality shows his commitment to Israel despite having every reason to abandon them.

Tragically, Gedaliah's governorship ended in assassination by Jewish nationalists (41:1-3), forcing the remnant (including Jeremiah) to flee to Egypt against his counsel (43:1-7). The prophet's faithfulness to remain with his people thus led to forced exile in Egypt, where tradition suggests he died. His life exemplifies costly faithfulness—choosing difficult duty over comfortable safety, serving to the end despite persistent rejection.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jeremiah's choice of pastoral duty over personal comfort challenge Christian leadership and service priorities?
  2. In what ways does God sometimes vindicate faithful servants through unexpected sources or means?
  3. How should understanding vocation as calling rather than convenience shape career and ministry decisions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 34 words
וְעוֹדֶ֣נּוּ1 of 34
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

לֹֽא2 of 34
H3808

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

וְשֻׁ֡בָה3 of 34

Now while he was not yet gone back

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

וְשֻׁ֡בָה4 of 34

Now while he was not yet gone back

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל5 of 34
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גְּדַלְיָ֣ה6 of 34

also to Gedaliah

H1436

gedaljah, the name of five israelites

בֶּן7 of 34

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

אֲחִיקָ֣ם8 of 34

of Ahikam

H296

achikam, an israelite

בֶּן9 of 34

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

שָׁפָ֡ן10 of 34

of Shaphan

H8227

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

אֲשֶׁר֩11 of 34
H834

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

הִפְקִ֨יד12 of 34

hath made governor

H6485

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

מֶֽלֶךְ13 of 34

whom the king

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֜ל14 of 34

of Babylon

H894

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

בְּעָרֵ֣י15 of 34

over the cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יְהוּדָ֗ה16 of 34

of Judah

H3063

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

וְשֵׁ֤ב17 of 34

and dwell

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

אִתּוֹ֙18 of 34
H854

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

בְּת֣וֹךְ19 of 34

with him among

H8432

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

הָעָ֔ם20 of 34

the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

א֠וֹ21 of 34
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

אֶל22 of 34
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל23 of 34
H3605

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

הַיָּשָׁ֧ר24 of 34

wheresoever it seemeth convenient

H3477

straight (literally or figuratively)

בְּעֵינֶ֛יךָ25 of 34
H5869

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

לָלֶ֖כֶת26 of 34
H1980

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

לֵ֑ךְ27 of 34
H1980

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

וַיִּתֶּן28 of 34

gave

H5414

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

ל֧וֹ29 of 34
H0
רַב30 of 34

So the captain

H7227

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

טַבָּחִ֛ים31 of 34

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)

אֲרֻחָ֥ה32 of 34

him victuals

H737

a ration of food

וּמַשְׂאֵ֖ת33 of 34

and a reward

H4864

properly, (abstractly) a raising (as of the hands in prayer), or rising (of flame); figuratively, an utterance; concretely, a beacon (as raised); a pr

וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵֽהוּ׃34 of 34

and let him go

H7971

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


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 40:5 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 40:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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