King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 43:6 Mean?

Jeremiah 43:6 in the King James Version says “Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.

Jeremiah 43:6 · KJV


Context

4

So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Judah.

5

But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah;

6

Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.

7

So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they even to Tahpanhes.

8

Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters—The comprehensive list emphasizes that the entire community fled: men (Hebrew gevarim, גְּבָרִים, strong men/warriors), women (nashim, נָשִׁים), children (taph, טַף, little ones/infants), and even the king's daughters (benot ha-melekh, בְּנוֹת הַמֶּלֶךְ). These royal daughters were likely Zedekiah's daughters, spared when their father was blinded and his sons executed before him (39:6-7, 52:10). Nebuzar-adan the captain of Babylon's guard had left them with Gedaliah (the only mention of this detail).

The mention of these princesses carries theological weight: they represented the Davidic line's continuation, a remnant of royal seed. Yet even they were swept into Egypt's apostasy, reversing God's promises to David's house. The comprehensive nature of the flight—every demographic group—meant no faithful remnant remained in Judah. God's command to remain in the land (42:10) was universally rejected.

Tragically, the list includes Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah. Despite delivering God's word forbidding the Egyptian flight, Jeremiah himself was forcibly taken to Egypt. The faithful prophet was compelled to share the judgment of the rebellious community. This prefigures Christ, who though sinless, bore the judgment of the guilty (Isaiah 53:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The 'king's daughters' were Zedekiah's offspring. When Nebuchadnezzar captured Zedekiah in 586 BC, he executed Zedekiah's sons before blinding him (2 Kings 25:7), but the text doesn't mention daughters. Apparently, they were spared and left in Judah with Gedaliah. Their presence raised messianic hope—through these royal daughters, the Davidic line might continue. Yet by fleeing to Egypt, they abandoned the covenant land and disappeared from biblical history. The Davidic line's continuation came through the Babylonian exiles (Jeconiah's line in Matthew 1:12), not this Egyptian remnant. Jeremiah's forced journey to Egypt fulfilled what God had shown him in youth: he would be prophet to many nations (1:5), but not by choice. Tradition (not Scripture) claims Jeremiah was eventually stoned to death in Egypt by the rebellious Jews. Baruch accompanied him, suffering the consequences of the people's rebellion despite his own faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jeremiah's forced participation in the community's judgment illustrate that faithfulness doesn't always shield us from corporate consequences?
  2. What does the disappearance of 'the king's daughters' from biblical history teach about how disobedience can forfeit promised blessings?
  3. In what ways might we find ourselves swept along with a disobedient community despite personal faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
אֶֽת1 of 30
H853

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

הַ֠גְּבָרִים2 of 30

Even men

H1397

properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply

וְאֶת3 of 30
H853

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

הַנָּשִׁ֣ים4 of 30

and women

H802

a woman

וְאֶת5 of 30
H853

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

הַטַּף֮6 of 30

and children

H2945

a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)

וְאֶת7 of 30
H853

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

בְּנ֣וֹת8 of 30

daughters

H1323

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

הַמֶּלֶךְ֒9 of 30

and the king's

H4428

a king

וְאֵ֣ת10 of 30
H853

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

כָּל11 of 30
H3605

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

הַנֶּ֗פֶשׁ12 of 30

and every person

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

אֲשֶׁ֤ר13 of 30
H834

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

הִנִּ֙יחַ֙14 of 30

had left

H3240

to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay

נְבוּזַרְאֲדָ֣ן15 of 30

that Nebuzaradan

H5018

nebuzaradan, a babylonian general

רַב16 of 30

the captain

H7227

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

טַבָּחִ֔ים17 of 30

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)

אֶת18 of 30
H854

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

גְּדַלְיָ֖הוּ19 of 30

with Gedaliah

H1436

gedaljah, the name of five israelites

בֶּן20 of 30

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

אֲחִיקָ֣ם21 of 30

of Ahikam

H296

achikam, an israelite

בֶּן22 of 30

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

שָׁפָ֑ן23 of 30

of Shaphan

H8227

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

וְאֵת֙24 of 30
H853

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

יִרְמְיָ֣הוּ25 of 30

and Jeremiah

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

הַנָּבִ֔יא26 of 30

the prophet

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

וְאֶת27 of 30
H853

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

בָּר֖וּךְ28 of 30

and Baruch

H1263

baruk, the name of three israelites

בֶּן29 of 30

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

נֵרִיָּֽהוּ׃30 of 30

of Neriah

H5374

nerijah, an israelite


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 43:6 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 43:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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