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;

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};

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;

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,

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

Jeremiah 40:11 describes a hopeful, albeit brief, period in the aftermath of the Babylonian conquest of Judah. After the destruction of Jerusalem and the main deportations to Babylon, this verse highlights the immediate magnetic effect of the news that King Nebuchadnezzar had left a small group of Jews in the land, overseen by Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam.

Historical and Cultural Context

Following the devastating siege and fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, most of Judah's population, especially the skilled and prominent citizens, were exiled to Babylon. However, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, appointed Gedaliah, a trusted Judean official from a respected family, as governor over the remaining poor people who were left in the land. This appointment signaled a temporary stability and a chance for the land to recover. The news of this development reached the Jews who had fled to neighboring countries like Moab, Ammon, and Edom, seeking refuge from the war. These were traditional enemies or uneasy neighbors of Judah, but they served as temporary havens during the crisis.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Remnant: The verse explicitly mentions "a remnant of Judah" left in the land. This concept of a faithful remnant, preserved by God even through judgment, is a recurring theme throughout biblical prophecy, signifying God's enduring covenant and future plans for His people.
  • Hope Amidst Despair: For the scattered Jews, the news of a surviving community and an appointed governor in Judah offered a glimmer of hope. It suggested that their homeland was not completely desolate and that there was a possibility of return and rebuilding. This aligns with Jeremiah's broader prophecies of eventual restoration.
  • Gathering and Return: The immediate response of the scattered Jews to the news demonstrates a deep desire to return to their ancestral land. It underscores the strong connection the Israelites had to the land promised by God.

Linguistic Insights

The names of the surrounding countries – Moab, Ammonites, and Edom – are significant. These were territories to the east and south of Judah, often in conflict with Israel throughout its history. That Jews sought refuge there highlights the desperate circumstances of the time, and their readiness to leave these places upon hearing of Judah's remnant underscores their longing for their homeland.

Significance and Application

Jeremiah 40:11 marks a crucial, albeit short-lived, period of potential recovery for Judah. It illustrates God's sovereign hand, even through foreign powers, in preserving a people and a place for His future plans. For the scattered Jews, it represented a call to regather and rebuild. This verse teaches us that even in the darkest times of judgment and dispersion, God often leaves a way for His people to find hope and begin the process of restoration. It's a testament to the enduring promise that God will never completely abandon His covenant people. Tragically, this period of hope was soon shattered by Gedaliah's assassination, leading to further scattering, but the principle of God preserving a remnant remains vital.

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

  • 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.
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