King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 41:8 Mean?

Jeremiah 41:8 in the King James Version says “But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 41 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 41:8 · KJV

Context

6

And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam. weeping: Heb. in going and weeping

7

And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.

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 .

Read Jeremiah 41 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The ten survivors who declared, 'Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey' reveal human desperation and Ishmael's greed. These men bought their lives by offering hidden stores—'treasures in the field' suggests supplies buried or concealed outside Mizpah for security during unstable times. The list (wheat, barley, oil, honey) represents comprehensive agricultural wealth, indicating these were prosperous pilgrims. Their willingness to reveal and surrender these resources shows both wisdom (valuing life over possessions) and the desperation of facing imminent death. Ishmael's acceptance—'so he forbare, and slew them not'—reveals his opportunistic evil: willing to murder innocent pilgrims but also willing to spare some for financial gain. This transaction demonstrates the complete moral bankruptcy of his actions: the murders weren't ideological (eliminating enemies) but merely opportunistic violence, interruptible when profit presented itself. The contrast between these ten pragmatic survivors and the seventy murdered shows different responses to crisis: some attempted negotiation, most apparently didn't. Whether this reflects the others' poverty (having nothing to offer) or Ishmael's unpredictability (perhaps killing some before they could speak) remains unclear.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Burying or concealing grain and oil in fields was common practice during periods of instability, protecting food stores from raiding armies or bandits. Archaeological excavations throughout ancient Israel have uncovered storage jars and chambers in agricultural areas consistent with this practice. The specific foods mentioned (wheat, barley, oil, honey) represent staples of ancient Near Eastern diet and economy. Wheat and barley were primary grain crops, olive oil was essential for cooking and lamps, honey (possibly date honey, 'dibvash,' rather than bee honey) was the primary sweetener. That these pilgrims from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria (northern territories) carried knowledge of hidden stores in Judean fields suggests either they owned land in Judah or had received information from those who did. Their willingness to reveal these locations indicates they valued survival over property rights. Ishmael's acceptance of their offer shows pragmatic evil—ideology gave way to greed when profit appeared. This pattern appears throughout history: revolutionary violence often morphs into banditry when maintaining ideological purity proves less profitable than simple theft.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this transaction between the pilgrims and Ishmael teach about how even evil people can be negotiated with when self-interest is engaged?
  2. How should believers balance practical wisdom (preserving life through material sacrifice) with refusing to compromise moral principles?
  3. In what ways does Ishmael's opportunistic mixture of ideology and greed illustrate how sin rarely maintains consistency but adapts to circumstances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַעֲשָׂרָ֨ה1 of 23

“But ten”

H6235

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

אֲנָשִׁ֜ים2 of 23
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)

נִמְצְאוּ3 of 23

“were found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בָ֗ם4 of 23
H0
וַיֹּאמְר֤וּ5 of 23

“among them that said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל6 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יִשְׁמָעֵאל֙7 of 23

“unto Ishmael”

H3458

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

אַל8 of 23
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

הֱמִיתָ֖ם9 of 23

“Slay”

H4191

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

כִּֽי10 of 23
H3588

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

יֶשׁ11 of 23

“us not for we have”

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

לָ֤נוּ12 of 23
H0
מַטְמֹנִים֙13 of 23

“treasures”

H4301

a secret storehouse; hence, a secreted valuable (buried); generally money

בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה14 of 23

“in the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

חִטִּ֥ים15 of 23

“of wheat”

H2406

wheat, whether the grain or the plant

וּשְׂעֹרִ֖ים16 of 23

“and of barley”

H8184

barley (as villose)

וְשֶׁ֣מֶן17 of 23

“and of oil”

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

וּדְבָ֑שׁ18 of 23

“and of honey”

H1706

honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup

וַיֶּחְדַּ֕ל19 of 23

“So he forbare”

H2308

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

וְלֹ֥א20 of 23
H3808

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

הֱמִיתָ֖ם21 of 23

“Slay”

H4191

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

בְּת֥וֹךְ22 of 23

“them not among”

H8432

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

אֲחֵיהֶֽם׃23 of 23

“their brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

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 41:8 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 41:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 2:4Proverbs 13:8Matthew 6:25Psalms 49:6-8Matthew 16:26Mark 8:36-37

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