Jeremiah 40:11

KJV

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

Likewise when all the Jews {H3064} that were in Moab {H4124}, and among the Ammonites {H5983}, and in Edom {H123}, and that were in all the countries {H776}, heard {H8085} that the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} had left {H5414} a remnant {H7611} of Judah {H3063}, and that he had set {H6485} over them Gedaliah {H1436} the son {H1121} of Ahikam {H296} the son {H1121} of Shaphan {H8227};

Complete Jewish Bible

Likewise, when all the Judeans who were in Mo'av, in Edom, among the people of 'Amon, and in all the other countries heard that the king of Bavel had left a remnant in Y'hudah and had appointed G'dalyahu the son of Achikam, the son of Shafan, to govern them;

Berean Standard Bible

When all the Jews in Moab, Ammon, Edom, and all the other lands heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, over them,

American Standard Version

Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the children of Ammon, 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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 40:11 captures a pivotal moment in post-exilic Judah, detailing the return of scattered Judeans from neighboring territories like Moab, Ammon, and Edom. This influx was prompted by the news that the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, had not entirely depopulated the land but had left a "remnant" of Judah, appointing Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, as their governor. This verse marks a fragile, yet significant, period of potential regrouping and revitalization for the devastated nation, signifying a powerful draw back to their ancestral homeland despite its subjugation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Jeremiah's narrative immediately following the fall of Jerusalem and the initial deportations. [Jeremiah 39](/jeremiah/39 "Jeremiah 39 - The Fall of Jerusalem") recounts the city's destruction and Jeremiah's own release from the court of the guard. Chapter 40 then shifts focus to the precarious situation of those left in the land. [Jeremiah 40:1-6](/jeremiah/40-1-6 "Jeremiah 40:1-6 - Jeremiah's Release and Choice") describes Jeremiah's release and his decision to remain with the remnant under Gedaliah. The verses immediately preceding Jeremiah 40:11 ([Jeremiah 40:7-10](/jeremiah/40-7-10 "Jeremiah 40:7-10 - Gedaliah's Appointment and Instructions")) introduce Gedaliah's appointment as governor by the Babylonians and his initial efforts to encourage the remaining Judeans to settle and cultivate the land. Jeremiah 40:11 then expands this picture, illustrating the wider impact of Gedaliah's appointment as it drew back those who had sought refuge abroad. This brief period of hope, however, is swiftly followed by the tragic events of [Gedaliah's assassination](/jeremiah/41 "Jeremiah 41 - Gedaliah's Assassination and Further Flight"), which shatters the nascent stability and leads to further flight and despair.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, marked a catastrophic turning point for Judah. While the majority of the elite, skilled workers, and a significant portion of the population were deported to Babylon, a deliberate policy was enacted to leave a segment of the populace, primarily the poor and those deemed less influential, to manage the devastated land. Gedaliah, appointed as governor, hailed from a highly respected Judean family. His grandfather, Shaphan, was a prominent scribe under King Josiah, and his father, Ahikam, had notably protected Jeremiah from assassination ([Jeremiah 26:24](/jeremiah/26-24 "Jeremiah 26:24 - Ahikam Protects Jeremiah")). This lineage would have lent him a degree of legitimacy and trust among the remaining Judeans. Neighboring nations like Moab, Ammon, and Edom, though often hostile to Judah, served as accessible havens for refugees fleeing the Babylonian onslaught. The news of a stable, albeit foreign-appointed, administration in Judah, coupled with the promise of a "remnant" remaining, would have been a powerful incentive for these scattered Jews to return, driven by their deep ancestral and spiritual connection to the land.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 40:11 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of the **remnant**, underscoring God's unwavering commitment to preserve a portion of His people through judgment, ensuring the continuity of His covenant promises and the lineage leading to the Messiah. This verse also introduces a fragile glimmer of **hope amidst despair**, as Gedaliah's governorship offered a brief window for the land to recover and for the scattered people to regather, echoing the broader prophetic theme of future restoration found in passages like [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10-14 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - Hope and a Future"). Furthermore, it highlights the profound **connection to the land** that was integral to Israelite identity, demonstrating their innate desire to return to their promised inheritance, even when it was under foreign dominion. This deep longing for home, for the physical space of God's covenant, is a recurring motif throughout the prophetic literature.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jews (Hebrew, _Yᵉhûwdîy'_):** This term (H3064) is a patronymic derivative of "Judah" (H3063), literally meaning "a Jehudite" or "Judaite." In this context, it specifically refers to the inhabitants of the southern kingdom of Judah who had been dispersed. The use of "Jews" here emphasizes their distinct ethnic, national, and religious identity, setting them apart from the surrounding Gentile nations, and highlighting their shared heritage as the covenant people of God, even in their state of dispersion and vulnerability.
* **remnant (Hebrew, _shᵉʼêrîyth'_):** This significant word (H7611) denotes "a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion," specifically those who "had escaped" or "were left." Its presence in this verse is deeply theological, aligning with a pervasive biblical motif where God, even in His severe judgments, faithfully preserves a surviving portion of His people. This "remnant" is crucial for the continuation of God's redemptive plan, serving as the seed for future restoration and the fulfillment of His covenant promises, ensuring that His purposes for Israel would not be utterly extinguished.
* **set over (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** The primitive root (H6485) means "to visit" (with friendly or hostile intent), but by analogy, it extends to "oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit," and, as used here, specifically "to appoint." In this verse, it describes the act of the Babylonian king appointing Gedaliah as governor. This term signifies a deliberate act of installation and delegation of authority, demonstrating that even through pagan rulers, God's sovereign hand is at work, establishing a temporary structure of governance to manage the affairs of His people and land, albeit under foreign dominion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries,"**: This opening clause vividly portrays the extensive dispersion of the Judean population in the wake of the Babylonian conquest. It specifically names three traditional adversarial nations (Moab, Ammon, Edom) where Judeans had sought refuge, highlighting the desperate circumstances that forced them into such unlikely and often hostile havens. The concluding phrase "and that were in all the countries" further emphasizes the widespread nature of the scattering, underscoring the profound devastation that had befallen Judah and the extent of its people's exile.
* **"heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah,"**: This clause identifies the crucial piece of intelligence that served as a catalyst for the return. The "king of Babylon" (Nebuchadnezzar) is recognized as the ultimate authority behind this decision, emphasizing his imperial power. The pivotal detail is that he "had left a remnant," indicating that Judah was not entirely depopulated. This news would have been a powerful beacon of hope for the scattered exiles, signaling that their homeland was not completely desolate and that a core group of their people remained.
* **"and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;":** This final clause specifies the key administrative development that provided a focal point for the returning Jews: the appointment of Gedaliah as governor. His full lineage (son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan) is meticulously recorded to establish his credibility and connection to a respected Judean family known for its integrity and even its protection of the prophet Jeremiah. Gedaliah's appointment provided a legitimate, albeit foreign-imposed, authority figure, offering the returning Jews a sense of order, a point of contact, and a fragile hope for a reconstituted community in their devastated homeland.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 40:11 primarily functions as **Narrative Exposition**, directly conveying historical facts and the immediate consequences of the Babylonian conquest. The explicit naming of specific geographical locations—Moab, Ammonites, and Edom—serves as **Geographical Specificity**, anchoring the narrative in a concrete historical setting and underscoring the vastness of the Judean diaspora. The repeated mention of "remnant" functions as a significant **Motif** throughout Jeremiah and the broader Old Testament, symbolizing God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant people, even in the midst of severe judgment. The fact that the Jews returned from traditional enemy territories like Moab, Ammon, and Edom can be seen as a subtle **Irony**, as desperation initially forced them into the lands of their adversaries, yet a glimmer of hope now drew them back from those same places to a land still under foreign dominion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 40:11 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign preservation of His covenant people, even in the face of the most devastating judgments. Despite the seemingly utter destruction of Judah and the widespread scattering of its population, God ensures that a "remnant" remains in the land, providing a crucial seed for future restoration. This divine act of preservation underscores His unwavering faithfulness to His promises, demonstrating that His long-term plans for Israel's future, including the eventual coming of the Messiah, would not be thwarted by human sin or foreign conquest. The immediate and eager return of the scattered Jews upon hearing this news highlights their deep-seated connection to the land and their enduring identity as God's chosen people, even when their national structures had collapsed and their sovereignty was lost. It speaks to the magnetic pull of God's covenant and the hope of His continued presence.

* [Isaiah 10:20-22](/isaiah/10-20-22 "Isaiah 10:20-22 - The Remnant Will Return")
* [Romans 9:27-29](/romans/9-27-29 "Romans 9:27-29 - Paul on the Remnant of Israel")
* [Ezra 2:1](/ezra/2-1 "Ezra 2:1 - The First Return from Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 40:11 offers a powerful and enduring lesson in finding hope amidst desolation. For the scattered Jews, the news of a preserved remnant and a legitimate governor in their homeland was a lifeline, a reason to believe that all was not irrevocably lost. In our own lives, when circumstances seem utterly broken, when dreams lie shattered, or when despair threatens to overwhelm, this verse reminds us that God often preserves a "remnant"—a small spark of hope, a remaining resource, a faithful few, or an unexpected opportunity—through which He intends to work. It calls us to discern where God is still active, even in the ruins of our plans or the world around us, and to respond with faith and courage, much like the Jews who returned. This passage encourages us to look beyond immediate despair to the enduring promises and faithfulness of God, trusting that He always leaves a way for restoration and new beginnings, even if temporary setbacks or further challenges arise, as they tragically did with Gedaliah's assassination. Our response should be to gather around the signs of God's continued presence and purpose, actively participating in His ongoing work of rebuilding and renewal in our lives and communities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in your life or in the world around you do you currently perceive a "remnant" of hope or God's work, even amidst widespread brokenness or despair?**
* **How does the immediate and eager response of the scattered Jews to return inspire your own willingness to act on God's promises, even when the path ahead is uncertain or difficult?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to "return" or re-engage with a community, a purpose, or a spiritual discipline that once seemed lost or abandoned?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of Gedaliah's appointment?**

Answer: Gedaliah's appointment by the [king of Babylon](/jeremiah/39-11 "Jeremiah 39:11 - Nebuchadnezzar's Command Regarding Jeremiah") was profoundly significant as it represented a temporary, albeit foreign-imposed, attempt to establish order and administration in the devastated land of Judah. As a trusted Judean official from a respected family, his governorship offered a crucial glimmer of hope for the remaining population and those who had fled. He provided a focal point for the potential rebuilding of some form of Judean life and community, serving as a sign that the land was not entirely abandoned and that a future, however precarious, might still be possible for God's people.

**Why did Jews flee to countries like Moab, Ammon, and Edom?**

Answer: The Jews fled to Moab, Ammon, and Edom primarily because these were neighboring territories that offered immediate and accessible refuge from the brutal Babylonian invasion and the subsequent chaos in Judah. While historically these nations were often adversaries of Israel, in times of war and political upheaval, their proximity made them logical first destinations for those desperately seeking to escape the violence, famine, and forced deportation. Their flight to such unlikely havens highlights the extreme duress and desperation under which the Judeans were living during this catastrophic period.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 40:11, with its profound emphasis on the "remnant" and the gathering of scattered people, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the establishment of His church. The physical remnant preserved in Judah, a small seed for future national restoration, foreshadows the spiritual remnant of true Israel—those, both Jew and Gentile, who are called by God's grace and believe in Christ, gathered from every nation and tribe. While Gedaliah's temporary governorship offered a fleeting hope that was tragically cut short by assassination ([Jeremiah 41:2](/jeremiah/41-2 "Jeremiah 41:2 - Gedaliah's Assassination")), Christ is the eternal and perfect Governor, the true [Shepherd who gathers His sheep](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - Jesus Gathers All His Sheep") from every corner of the earth into one fold. The longing of the scattered Jews to return to their physical homeland points to the deeper spiritual yearning for our true home and identity found only in Christ, where we are brought into God's eternal kingdom. He is the one who truly "sets over" His people, not a temporary human leader, but the King of Kings who builds an indestructible spiritual temple composed of living stones ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Built on the Foundation of Christ")). In Christ, the promise of a preserved remnant is fully realized, not merely for a nation confined to a land, but for a global people redeemed by His blood, united in one body, and destined for an eternal inheritance ([1 Peter 2:9-10](/1_peter/2-9-10 "1 Peter 2:9-10 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 16:4

Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.

Ezekiel 25:12

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them;

Ezekiel 5:3

Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts.

1 Samuel 12:12

And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God [was] your king.

Jeremiah 24:9

And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for [their] hurt, [to be] a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.

Obadiah 1:11

In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou [wast] as one of them.

Obadiah 1:14

Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.