King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 41:10 Mean?

Jeremiah 41:10 in the King James Version says “Then Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people that were in Mizpah, even the king's daughters, and all ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 41 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people that were in Mizpah, even the king's daughters, and all the people that remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the Ammonites .

Jeremiah 41:10 · KJV


Context

8

But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.

9

Now the pit wherein Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain because of Gedaliah, was it which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slain. because: or, near Gedaliah: Heb. by the hand, or, by the side of Gedaliah

10

Then Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people that were in Mizpah, even the king's daughters, and all the people that remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the Ammonites .

11

But when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done,

12

Then they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ishmael's treachery in kidnapping the remnant, including 'the king's daughters,' represents complete betrayal of those entrusted to Gedaliah's care. This violence continues the chaos following Jerusalem's fall. Human wickedness doesn't pause even during national catastrophe. Yet God's purposes continue despite human evil - these events drive the remnant to Egypt, setting up further prophecies.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ishmael was of royal blood, apparently motivated by jealousy of Gedaliah's appointment as governor. His alliance with Ammon shows political intrigue continued even in Judah's ruins.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does human sin complicate even God's disciplinary judgments?
  2. What hope exists when wickedness seems to triumph even in post-judgment situations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 34 words
וַיִּשְׁבֵּם֙1 of 34

carried away captive

H7617

to transport into captivity

יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל2 of 34

Then Ishmael

H3458

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

אֶת3 of 34
H853

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

כָּל4 of 34
H3605

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

שְׁאֵרִ֨ית5 of 34

all the residue

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

הָעָם֙6 of 34

and all the people

H5971

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 34
H834

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

בַּמִּצְפָּ֔ה8 of 34

in Mizpah

H4709

mitspah, the name of two places in palestine

אֶת9 of 34
H853

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

בְּנ֤וֹת10 of 34

daughters

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙11 of 34

even the king's

H4428

a king

וְאֶת12 of 34
H853

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

כָּל13 of 34
H3605

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

הָעָם֙14 of 34

and all the people

H5971

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

הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֣ים15 of 34

that remained

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

בַּמִּצְפָּ֔ה16 of 34

in Mizpah

H4709

mitspah, the name of two places in palestine

אֲשֶׁ֣ר17 of 34
H834

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

הִפְקִ֗יד18 of 34

had committed

H6485

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

נְבֽוּזַרְאֲדָן֙19 of 34

whom Nebuzaradan

H5018

nebuzaradan, a babylonian general

רַב20 of 34

the captain

H7227

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

טַבָּחִ֔ים21 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)

אֶת22 of 34
H853

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

גְּדַלְיָ֖הוּ23 of 34

to Gedaliah

H1436

gedaljah, the name of five israelites

בְּנֵ֥י24 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

אֲחִיקָ֑ם25 of 34

of Ahikam

H296

achikam, an israelite

וַיִּשְׁבֵּם֙26 of 34

carried away captive

H7617

to transport into captivity

יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל27 of 34

Then Ishmael

H3458

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

בְּנֵ֥י28 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

נְתַנְיָ֔ה29 of 34

of Nethaniah

H5418

nethanjah, the name of four israelites

וַיֵּ֕לֶךְ30 of 34
H1980

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

לַעֲבֹ֖ר31 of 34

to go over

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֶל32 of 34
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵ֥י33 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

עַמּֽוֹן׃34 of 34
H5983

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


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 41:10 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 41:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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