40:14 40:14

Jeremiah 40:15

40:16 40:16

Bible Versions

Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know [it]: wherefore should he slay thee, that all the Jews which are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish?
Then Johanan {H3110} the son {H1121} of Kareah {H7143} spake {H559} to Gedaliah {H1436} in Mizpah {H4709} secretly {H5643}, saying {H559}, Let me go {H3212}, I pray thee, and I will slay {H5221} Ishmael {H3458} the son {H1121} of Nethaniah {H5418}, and no man {H376} shall know {H3045} it: wherefore should he slay {H5221}{H5315} thee, that all the Jews {H3064} which are gathered {H6908} unto thee should be scattered {H6327}, and the remnant {H7611} in Judah {H3063} perish {H6}?
Then Yochanan the son of Kareach spoke privately with G'dalyahu in Mitzpah: "Please, let me go, and I will kill Yishma'el the son of N'tanyahu; no one will know. Why let him assassinate you? Moreover, if he does, all the Judeans gathered around you will scatter; and the remnant of Y'hudah will perish."
Then Johanan son of Kareah spoke privately to Gedaliah at Mizpah. “Let me go and kill Ishmael son of Nethaniah,” he said. “No one will know it. Why should he take your life and scatter all the people of Judah who have gathered to you, so that the remnant of Judah would perish?”
Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he take thy life, that all the Jews that are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant of Judah perish?

Jeremiah 40:15 captures a pivotal moment in the tumultuous aftermath of Jerusalem's fall and the Babylonian exile. It reveals a desperate attempt by Johanan, son of Kareah, to prevent further catastrophe for the fragile Jewish remnant left in Judah.

Context

Following the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by Nebuchadnezzar's forces, most of the surviving population, including King Zedekiah, had been taken captive to Babylon. However, a small remnant was left behind in the land. Over this group, the Babylonian king appointed Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, as governor. Gedaliah established his administrative center in Mizpah and sought to bring stability and encourage the remaining Jews to live peacefully under Babylonian rule, even promising them security (Jeremiah 40:9). Johanan, a military leader who had gathered with other captains to Gedaliah, perceived a grave threat to this nascent stability in the person of Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, who was of royal descent and harbored malicious intent, likely fueled by jealousy and perhaps by the Ammonite king Baalis (Jeremiah 40:14).

Key Themes

  • Foresight and Warning: Johanan demonstrates a keen understanding of the impending danger posed by Ishmael. His plea to Gedaliah is an urgent warning, highlighting the devastating consequences of inaction.
  • Protection of the Remnant: The core motivation behind Johanan's radical proposal is the preservation of the small Jewish community that remained in Judah. He feared that Ishmael's actions would lead to the scattering and perishing of this vulnerable remnant.
  • Leadership and Vulnerability: Gedaliah, despite his good intentions and divine appointment through circumstances, is shown to be dangerously naive or trusting. His refusal to believe Johanan's warning ultimately proves fatal, illustrating the heavy responsibility and potential pitfalls of leadership.
  • Trust and Deception: This verse foreshadows the tragic betrayal and assassination of Gedaliah by Ishmael (Jeremiah 41:2), emphasizing the destructive power of internal strife and unheeded warnings.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "secretly" is bassether (בַּסֵּתֶר), emphasizing the clandestine nature of Johanan's approach to Gedaliah. He understood the sensitivity and gravity of his proposal, which involved a preemptive strike against a prominent figure. The term "remnant" (she'erith) is significant throughout prophetic literature, referring to the faithful few preserved by God amidst judgment, and their survival was crucial for the continuation of God's covenant people.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of heeding warnings, particularly when the stakes are high. Leaders, in particular, must cultivate discernment and be open to counsel, even if it is unpleasant or challenges their assumptions about others. Johanan's desperate attempt to prevent a greater disaster highlights the ethical dilemmas that can arise when protecting a community. While his proposed solution was extreme, his underlying concern for the survival of God's people resonates. It underscores that unchecked malice, like Ishmael's, can devastate even the most fragile attempts at recovery and peace, leading to further scattering and loss, as seen when Ishmael took captives after Gedaliah's death.

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.

  • 1 Samuel 26:8

    Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not [smite] him the second time.

  • 2 Samuel 21:17

    But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.

  • 1 Samuel 24:4

    And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.

  • Ezekiel 33:24

    Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we [are] many; the land is given us for inheritance.

  • Ezekiel 33:29

    Then shall they know that I [am] the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed.

  • 2 Samuel 18:3

    But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now [thou art] worth ten thousand of us: therefore now [it is] better that thou succour us out of the city.

  • Jeremiah 42:2

    And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, [even] for all this remnant; (for we are left [but] a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:)
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