King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 41:2 Mean?

Jeremiah 41:2 in the King James Version says “Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the so... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 41 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.

Jeremiah 41:2 · KJV


Context

1

Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.

2

Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.

3

Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, even with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans that were found there, and the men of war.

4

And it came to pass the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew it,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ishmael, of royal blood, assassinates Gedaliah and his supporters 'with the sword.' This treachery destroys the peaceful remnant community Gedaliah was building. Evil persists even after judgment falls. Ishmael's alliance with Ammon (40:14) shows political intrigue continued amid the ruins. Human sin complicates even God's disciplinary work.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ishmael's assassination of Gedaliah was apparently motivated by royal jealousy and Ammonite political interests. This act brought more disaster to the already devastated remnant.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does persistent human evil complicate God's redemptive purposes?
  2. What does this assassination teach about the ongoing nature of spiritual warfare?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיָּקָם֩1 of 24

Then arose

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

יִשְׁמָעֵ֨אל2 of 24

Ishmael

H3458

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

בֶּן3 of 24

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

נְתַנְיָ֜ה4 of 24

of Nethaniah

H5418

nethanjah, the name of four israelites

וַעֲשֶׂ֥רֶת5 of 24

and the ten

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים׀6 of 24
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁר7 of 24
H834

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

הָי֣וּ8 of 24
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אִתּ֗וֹ9 of 24
H854

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

וַ֠יַּכּוּ10 of 24

that were with him and smote

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת11 of 24
H853

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

גְּדַלְיָ֨הוּ12 of 24

Gedaliah

H1436

gedaljah, the name of five israelites

בֶּן13 of 24

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

אֲחִיקָ֧ם14 of 24

of Ahikam

H296

achikam, an israelite

בֶּן15 of 24

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

שָׁפָ֛ן16 of 24

of Shaphan

H8227

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

בַּחֶ֖רֶב17 of 24

with the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וַיָּ֣מֶת18 of 24

and slew

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

אֹת֑וֹ19 of 24
H853

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

אֲשֶׁר20 of 24
H834

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

הִפְקִ֥יד21 of 24

had made governor

H6485

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

מֶֽלֶךְ22 of 24

him whom the king

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֖ל23 of 24

of Babylon

H894

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

בָּאָֽרֶץ׃24 of 24

over the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


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 41:2 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 41:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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