Jeremiah 40:14

KJV

And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.

KJV (with Strong's)

And said {H559} unto him, Dost thou certainly {H3045} know {H3045} that Baalis {H1185} the king {H4428} of the Ammonites {H1121}{H5983} hath sent {H7971} Ishmael {H3458} the son {H1121} of Nethaniah {H5418} to slay {H5221}{H5315} thee? But Gedaliah {H1436} the son {H1121} of Ahikam {H296} believed {H539} them not.

Complete Jewish Bible

and said to him, "Are you aware that Ba'alis the king of the people of 'Amon has sent Yishma'el the son of N'tanyahu to take your life?" But G'dalyahu the son of Achikam did not believe them.

Berean Standard Bible

and said to him, “Are you aware that Baalis king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to take your life?” But Gedaliah son of Ahikam did not believe them.

American Standard Version

and said unto him, Dost thou know that Baalis the king of the children of Ammon hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take thy life? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 40:14 records a critical moment following the Babylonian conquest of Judah, where Johanan and other military commanders urgently warn Gedaliah, the newly appointed governor, of an assassination plot against him. They reveal that Baalis, the king of the Ammonites, has sent Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah, with the explicit intention to kill Gedaliah. Tragically, despite the clear and emphatic nature of the warning, Gedaliah dismisses it, a decision that would prove fatal for him and disastrous for the remaining Jewish remnant in the land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 40 marks a significant turning point in the book of Jeremiah. Chapters 39-45 detail the aftermath of Jerusalem's fall to Babylon. Specifically, [Jeremiah 40:1-6](/jeremiah/40-1 "Jeremiah 40:1-6 - Jeremiah Released") describes Jeremiah's release from captivity and his choice to remain in Judah with Gedaliah. [Jeremiah 40:7-12](/jeremiah/40-7 "Jeremiah 40:7-12 - Gedaliah Appointed Governor") then introduces Gedaliah's appointment as governor by Nebuchadnezzar and the gathering of the scattered Jewish remnant under his leadership, indicating a fragile attempt at rebuilding. Verse 13 immediately precedes our text, showing Johanan and the other commanders approaching Gedaliah with their urgent intelligence. The tragic consequences of Gedaliah's disbelief are swiftly detailed in [Jeremiah 41:1-3](/jeremiah/41-1 "Jeremiah 41:1-3 - Ishmael Murders Gedaliah"), where Ishmael executes the very plot Gedaliah was warned about, plunging the remnant into further chaos and fear.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period after Jerusalem's destruction (586 BC) was one of profound political instability and national trauma for Judah. Nebuchadnezzar's appointment of Gedaliah, a Judahite from a respected family (his father Ahikam had protected Jeremiah, as seen in [Jeremiah 26:24](/jeremiah/26-24 "Jeremiah 26:24 - Ahikam Protects Jeremiah")), was an attempt to establish a semblance of order and loyalty to Babylon among the remaining population. However, this move was met with mixed reactions. Some saw Gedaliah as a collaborator, while others, like Johanan, sought to support him. The Ammonites, a long-standing enemy of Israel, likely saw the weakened state of Judah as an opportunity to destabilize the region further, challenge Babylonian authority, and perhaps expand their own territory or influence. Sending Ishmael, a member of the royal family of Judah (descended from Elishama, a royal scribe, as per [2 Kings 25:25](/2_kings/25-25 "2 Kings 25:25 - Ishmael's Royal Lineage")), made the plot particularly insidious, as it used an internal figure to sow discord and eliminate the Babylonian-appointed leader.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the **peril of disbelief and poor discernment**, as Gedaliah's fatal rejection of a credible warning leads directly to his demise and the further scattering of the remnant. His inability to perceive the genuine threat contrasts sharply with the wisdom often called for in Scripture, such as the admonition in [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord"). Secondly, it underscores the pervasive **treachery and deceit** that plagued Judah during this tumultuous era, not only from foreign powers like Ammon but also from within its own ranks, exemplified by Ishmael's betrayal. This internal strife further exacerbated the national crisis. Lastly, the narrative subtly touches on the theme of **divine judgment and human responsibility**. While God's judgment had fallen on Judah, human choices, like Gedaliah's failure to heed counsel, played a direct role in the unfolding tragedy, demonstrating that even amidst divine discipline, human agency and its consequences remain significant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** From H3045, this word is repeated in the emphatic Hebrew construction "Dost thou certainly know" (literally, "knowing, do you know?"). It signifies not just intellectual awareness but a deep, experiential, and certain understanding or discernment. The commanders are asserting that their information is not mere rumor but verified intelligence, urging Gedaliah to grasp the gravity and certainty of the threat.
* **Baalis (Hebrew, _Baʻălîyç'_):** From H1185, this refers to the king of the Ammonites. The name likely means "in exultation." His involvement underscores the external dimension of the plot, revealing how Judah's enemies sought to exploit its vulnerability and the fragile peace established by Babylon.
* **believed (Hebrew, _ʼâman'_):** From H539, this word means to build up, support, be firm, faithful, or to trust and believe. Gedaliah's "believed them not" indicates a complete rejection of the commanders' testimony, a failure to find their words firm or trustworthy. This lack of faith in the warning, despite its emphatic delivery, proved to be his undoing, highlighting a tragic absence of discernment and trust in the counsel of others.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know":** This opening phrase establishes the scene of the urgent confrontation. Johanan and the other commanders are directly addressing Gedaliah, employing a highly emphatic Hebrew construction to convey the absolute certainty and critical nature of the information they are about to impart. It's a desperate plea for Gedaliah to pay close attention and acknowledge the undeniable truth.
* **"that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee?":** This clause reveals the core of the warning: a specific, credible assassination plot. The conspirators are identified: Baalis, the foreign king of Ammon, as the orchestrator, and Ishmael, a Judahite of royal descent, as the appointed assassin. The target is Gedaliah, and the intent is explicitly "to slay thee," emphasizing the deadly purpose of Ishmael's mission and the personal danger Gedaliah faces.
* **"But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.":** This is the tragic turning point of the verse. Despite the emphatic warning and the clear identification of the threat, Gedaliah utterly dismisses the intelligence. His disbelief, perhaps stemming from naivety, overconfidence, or a desire to maintain peace at all costs, seals his fate and sets the stage for the subsequent violence and further suffering for the remnant. The mention of his father, Ahikam, who was known for protecting Jeremiah, adds a layer of tragic irony to Gedaliah's fatal misjudgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 40:14 is rich in **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader (and Johanan) is fully aware of the impending doom that Gedaliah, the protagonist, stubbornly refuses to acknowledge. This creates a palpable sense of tension and dread, knowing the tragic outcome that will unfold in the subsequent chapter. The warning itself serves as potent **Foreshadowing**, directly predicting the assassination detailed in [Jeremiah 41](/jeremiah/41 "Jeremiah 41 - Ishmael's Treachery"). Furthermore, there is a stark **Contrast** between the emphatic certainty and urgency of Johanan's warning ("Dost thou certainly know") and Gedaliah's immediate, resolute disbelief ("believed them not"). This juxtaposition highlights Gedaliah's fatal lack of discernment and his tragic miscalculation of the danger.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 40:14 serves as a profound theological lesson on the consequences of rejecting wise counsel and the dangers of spiritual and practical blindness. Gedaliah's disbelief in the face of clear and present danger underscores the human tendency to dismiss uncomfortable truths, often leading to self-destruction. The narrative implicitly warns against a naive optimism or a misplaced trust that ignores credible threats, especially when they come from unexpected sources or challenge one's preconceived notions of peace. This tragic episode highlights the importance of discernment, vigilance, and the humility to heed warnings, recognizing that even well-intentioned leaders can fall prey to fatal errors in judgment when they fail to believe.

* [Proverbs 12:15](/proverbs/12-15 "The Way of a Fool")
* [Proverbs 27:12](/proverbs/27-12 "Prudence and Danger")
* [Matthew 10:16](/matthew/10-16 "Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Doves")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Gedaliah's tragic refusal to believe the warning in Jeremiah 40:14 offers a powerful cautionary tale for believers today. In our complex world, we are constantly bombarded with information, advice, and warnings—some true, some false. This verse challenges us to cultivate spiritual discernment, to be attentive to the counsel of trusted, godly individuals, and to critically evaluate potential threats, whether they are to our physical well-being, our spiritual integrity, or the health of our communities. It reminds us that complacency or naive optimism can be dangerous, and that true wisdom often involves recognizing and responding to uncomfortable truths. We are called to be vigilant, not paranoid, and to pray for the wisdom to distinguish between genuine threats and unfounded fears, always seeking to align our understanding with God's truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What factors might have led Gedaliah to disbelieve such a clear and urgent warning?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be prone to dismissing warnings or uncomfortable truths, whether from others, Scripture, or my conscience?**
* **How can I cultivate greater discernment and a humble spirit that is open to receiving and acting upon wise counsel, even when it is difficult?**

### FAQ
**Why did Gedaliah refuse to believe Johanan's warning, despite its urgency and specificity?**

Answer: While the text does not explicitly state Gedaliah's reasons, several possibilities can be inferred from the context. He may have been overly optimistic, believing that peace could be maintained through trust and diplomacy, and thus unwilling to believe in such treachery. He might have underestimated Ishmael, perhaps viewing him as a fellow Judahite who wouldn't stoop to assassination, or he might have simply been naive about the deep-seated animosities and political machinations at play. It's also possible he feared that acknowledging the plot would cause panic and further destabilize the already fragile remnant, preferring to maintain a facade of control. His desire to establish a peaceful administration might have led him to dismiss any information that threatened that fragile peace, even if it was true. Ultimately, his fatal flaw was a lack of discernment and a misplaced trust, leading to the events detailed in [Jeremiah 41](/jeremiah/41 "Jeremiah 41 - Ishmael's Treachery").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Gedaliah's disbelief and subsequent death in Jeremiah 40:14, leading to further chaos for the remnant, finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment through contrast and ultimate redemption. Gedaliah, a leader appointed to bring peace and order, failed to discern and believe a life-saving warning, resulting in his demise and the scattering of his people. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ, the true King and Shepherd, repeatedly warned His disciples of His impending suffering and death ([Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Matthew 16:21 - Jesus Foretells His Death"); [Luke 9:22](/luke/9-22 "Luke 9:22 - Son of Man Must Suffer")). While His disciples, like Gedaliah, often struggled to comprehend or believe these warnings ([Mark 9:32](/mark/9-32 "Mark 9:32 - Disciples Did Not Understand")), Jesus willingly embraced the "slaying" of His own life on the cross. This ultimate act of self-sacrifice, unlike the destructive assassination of Gedaliah, was not a failure of discernment but a divine plan to secure eternal life for all who would believe in Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). Jesus is the "Amen" ([Revelation 3:14](/revelation/3-14 "Revelation 3:14 - The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness")), the faithful and true witness, who perfectly discerned the will of God and perfectly fulfilled it, offering salvation to a world that often disbelieves His warnings about sin and judgment, yet desperately needs His truth and grace.

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

Jeremiah 41:10

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.

2 Samuel 10:1

¶ And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.

2 Samuel 10:6

¶ And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.

Jeremiah 25:21

Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,

1 Samuel 11:1

¶ Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.

1 Samuel 11:3

And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if [there be] no man to save us, we will come out to thee.

Proverbs 26:23

¶ Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.