2 Kings 25:23

And when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Careah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.

And when all the captains {H8269} of the armies {H2428}, they and their men {H582}, heard {H8085} that the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} had made Gedaliah {H1436} governor {H6485}, there came {H935} to Gedaliah {H1436} to Mizpah {H4709}, even Ishmael {H3458} the son {H1121} of Nethaniah {H5418}, and Johanan {H3110} the son {H1121} of Careah {H7143}, and Seraiah {H8304} the son {H1121} of Tanhumeth {H8576} the Netophathite {H5200}, and Jaazaniah {H2970} the son {H1121} of a Maachathite {H4602}, they and their men {H582}.

When all the army officers and their men heard that the king of Bavel had made G'dalyahu governor, they came to G'dalyahu in Mitzpah - Yishma'el the son of N'tanyah, Yochanan the son of Kareach, S'rayah the son of Tanchumet the N'tofati and Ya'azanyahu the son of the Ma'akhati - they and their men.

When all the commanders of the armies and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite, as well as their men.

Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.

Commentary

2 Kings 25:23 marks a pivotal, albeit brief, moment in the aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction and the Babylonian exile. It details the gathering of various Judean military captains around Gedaliah, the newly appointed governor by the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar. This verse illustrates the immediate response to the new political reality in Judah, setting the stage for a period of fragile hope and subsequent tragic events.

Context

Following the devastating siege and destruction of Jerusalem and its holy temple by the Babylonian forces (as described in 2 Kings 25:8-10), King Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, as governor over the remnant of the people left in Judah. Gedaliah was from a prominent family known for their loyalty to Jeremiah the prophet (see Jeremiah 26:24). This appointment, mentioned in 2 Kings 25:22, aimed to establish some form of administrative control over the devastated land. Verse 23 shows the immediate effect: scattered Judean military leaders, who had likely been in hiding or resisting, now came to Mizpah to acknowledge Gedaliah's authority or, at least, to understand the new order.

Key Themes

  • Transition and Aftermath: The verse highlights the chaotic transition period after a national catastrophe. The old order is gone, and a new, imposed leadership is taking shape.
  • Leadership and Authority: Gedaliah's appointment by a foreign power underscores the loss of Judah's sovereignty. The captains coming to him signifies the recognition of this new, albeit unwelcome, authority.
  • The Remnant of Judah: It speaks to the existence of a small Jewish remnant left in the land, around whom a new, fragile community might form. Their future hinges on their choices and the actions of those around them.
  • Foreshadowing of Conflict: The naming of Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, is significant. As subsequent verses and the book of Jeremiah reveal, Ishmael would later betray and murder Gedaliah, plunging the remnant into further distress and exile (see 2 Kings 25:25).

Linguistic Insight

The location, Mizpah (מִצְפָּה, Mitzpah), means "watchtower" or "lookout." It was a historically significant site in Benjamin, often serving as a gathering place (e.g., Judges 20:1). Its choice by Gedaliah as the administrative center was likely due to its strategic position and its avoidance of the destruction that befell Jerusalem, symbolizing a new, albeit temporary, focal point for the remaining Jewish community.

Practical Application

This passage reminds us that even in the wake of profound loss and national devastation, there are attempts to rebuild and establish order. It highlights the complexities of leadership during crisis, particularly when authority is imposed. The presence of both loyal and treacherous figures among the remnant underscores the human element of hope and betrayal that can shape any community's future. For believers, it's a reminder of God's continued presence even amidst judgment and the importance of discerning true intentions in leadership, as seen in the tragic fate of Gedaliah. It emphasizes the need for wisdom when navigating difficult transitions and understanding the long-term consequences of actions, whether for good or ill.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 40:7

    ¶ 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;

  • Jeremiah 40:9

    And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.

  • Joshua 18:26

    And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,

  • Jeremiah 40:11

    Likewise when all the Jews that [were] in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that [were] in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;

  • Jeremiah 40:12

    Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.
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