Jeremiah 40:16

KJV

But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.

KJV (with Strong's)

But Gedaliah {H1436} the son {H1121} of Ahikam {H296} said {H559} unto Johanan {H3110} the son {H1121} of Kareah {H7143}, Thou shalt not do {H6213} this thing {H1697}: for thou speakest {H1696} falsely {H8267} of Ishmael {H3458}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But G'dalyahu the son of Achikam said to Yochanan the son of Kareach, "Don't do it. What you are saying about Yishma'el is not true."

Berean Standard Bible

But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanan son of Kareah, “Do not do such a thing! What you are saying about Ishmael is a lie.”

American Standard Version

But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing; for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 40:16 records the tragic misjudgment of Gedaliah, the newly appointed Babylonian governor over the remnant of Judah, as he vehemently dismisses the urgent and truthful warning from Johanan son of Kareah concerning Ishmael's murderous plot. This pivotal moment reveals Gedaliah's fatal naivete and refusal to believe the imminent threat, setting the stage for his assassination and further dispersion and suffering for the Jewish people who remained in the land after the fall of Jerusalem.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of a tense exchange between Johanan and Gedaliah. Immediately preceding it, in [Jeremiah 40:13-14](/jeremiah/40-13 "Jeremiah 40:13-14 - Johanan's Warning to Gedaliah"), Johanan approaches Gedaliah with a direct and urgent warning: Ishmael son of Nethaniah, a man of royal descent, has been sent by Baalis, king of the Ammonites, to assassinate Gedaliah. Johanan even offers to preemptively eliminate Ishmael to prevent this catastrophe and protect the fragile peace. Gedaliah's response in [Jeremiah 40:16](/jeremiah/40-16 "Jeremiah 40:16 - Gedaliah's Dismissal") is a categorical rejection of this intelligence, accusing Johanan of falsehood. The narrative immediately following, in [Jeremiah 41:1-3](/jeremiah/41-1 "Jeremiah 41:1-3 - Ishmael's Treachery"), tragically confirms the accuracy of Johanan's warning, as Ishmael indeed carries out the assassination, plunging the remnant into further chaos and fear.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is post-701 BC Judah, specifically after the final Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC and the subsequent exile of the majority of the population. King Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah as governor over those left behind, presumably to maintain some semblance of order and ensure agricultural production for Babylonian tribute. Gedaliah, a trusted figure (his father, Ahikam, had protected Jeremiah in [Jeremiah 26:24](/jeremiah/26-24 "Jeremiah 26:24 - Ahikam Protects Jeremiah")), was attempting to establish stability and encourage the people to live peacefully under Babylonian rule. However, the political landscape was volatile. Ishmael, being of royal lineage, likely resented Gedaliah's appointment as a non-royal governor and sought to reclaim power, even if it meant aligning with foreign enemies like the Ammonites (Baalis). This period was marked by deep-seated resentment, power struggles, and a desperate search for security amidst national ruin.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 40:16 contributes significantly to several major themes present in the book of Jeremiah and the broader Old Testament narrative. It starkly illustrates the **danger of ignoring truthful warnings**, a recurring motif in Jeremiah where the people repeatedly rejected God's prophetic messages, leading to judgment (e.g., [Jeremiah 7](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon")). It also highlights the theme of **human shortsightedness and lack of discernment**, particularly in leadership, contrasting with divine wisdom. Gedaliah's failure to discern Ishmael's true character and intentions, despite clear evidence, leads to catastrophic consequences, echoing the broader national failure to discern God's will. Furthermore, the passage underscores the pervasive theme of **betrayal and treachery** within the covenant community, even after severe judgment, demonstrating the ongoing brokenness of human relationships and the depths of sin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gedaliah (Hebrew, _Gᵉdalyâh'_):** From `H1436`, meaning "Jah has become great." Gedaliah was the son of Ahikam (`H296`), a prominent figure who had previously protected the prophet Jeremiah. His name, meaning "Yahweh is great," stands in poignant contrast to his tragic end, which came about due to his failure to heed a crucial warning, demonstrating that even those with seemingly blessed names could fall victim to human folly and the schemes of evil.
* **speakest (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** From `H1696`, a primitive root meaning "to speak, arrange, or declare." In this context, it refers to Johanan's act of conveying information, specifically an accusation. Gedaliah's use of this word in conjunction with "falsely" underscores his absolute conviction that Johanan's words are not merely mistaken but are a deliberate fabrication, a complete rejection of the veracity of the report.
* **falsely (Hebrew, _sheqer'_):** From `H8267`, meaning "an untruth, falsehood, or deception." This word is critical as it defines the nature of Gedaliah's accusation against Johanan. By declaring Johanan's report as `sheqer`, Gedaliah not only dismisses the warning but also impugns Johanan's character, accusing him of intentionally spreading a lie about Ishmael. This profound misjudgment of the truth and the character of both Johanan and Ishmael proved to be Gedaliah's undoing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah,"**: This clause establishes the two main characters in this critical exchange: Gedaliah, the newly appointed governor, representing the fragile hope for Judah's remnant, and Johanan, a military leader, who brings the urgent warning. The familial identifiers (son of Ahikam, son of Kareah) provide context for their identities within the community.
* **"Thou shalt not do this thing:"**: This is Gedaliah's direct command, a strong prohibition against Johanan's proposed action to preemptively strike Ishmael. The "thing" refers to Johanan's offer to kill Ishmael to prevent the assassination of Gedaliah. Gedaliah's command here is absolute and leaves no room for negotiation or further consideration of the threat.
* **"for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael."**: This final clause provides Gedaliah's justification for his command and his dismissal of Johanan's warning. He accuses Johanan of lying about Ishmael, indicating a complete lack of belief in the conspiracy. This statement reveals Gedaliah's tragic inability or unwillingness to discern the truth, perhaps stemming from a desire for peace, an overestimation of his own security, or a naive trust in Ishmael.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 40:16 is rich in **Dramatic Irony**. The reader, having been privy to Johanan's accurate warning in the preceding verses and knowing the subsequent events detailed in [Jeremiah 41](/jeremiah/41 "Jeremiah 41 - Ishmael's Treachery and Aftermath"), understands the truth of Ishmael's treachery, while Gedaliah remains tragically oblivious. This creates a profound sense of foreboding and highlights Gedaliah's fatal error. The verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, as Gedaliah's dismissal of the warning directly and inevitably leads to the fulfillment of Ishmael's plot, signaling the impending disaster for the remnant. Furthermore, there is a stark **Contrast** between Johanan's clear-sightedness and urgent concern for Gedaliah's life and the community's welfare, and Gedaliah's naive trust and dismissive attitude, which ultimately proves disastrous.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 40:16 serves as a powerful theological cautionary tale, illustrating the profound consequences of failing to discern truth from falsehood, especially when critical warnings are issued. Gedaliah's dismissal of Johanan's accurate intelligence, rooted in what appears to be a misplaced trust or a naive desire for peace, highlights the spiritual and practical imperative of discernment. In a world fraught with deception and genuine threats, both personal and communal, the ability to "test the spirits" and evaluate information critically is not merely a practical skill but a spiritual discipline. This narrative underscores that ignoring truth, even when it is unpleasant or challenging to accept, can lead to devastating outcomes, mirroring the broader biblical theme of rejecting God's warnings leading to judgment.

* [Proverbs 27:12](/proverbs/27-12 "Proverbs 27:12 - The Prudent See Danger")
* [Matthew 10:16](/matthew/10-16 "Matthew 10:16 - Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Doves")
* [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Gedaliah's tragic misjudgment in Jeremiah 40:16 offers a timeless lesson on the critical importance of discernment and the perils of naivete, particularly for those in positions of leadership or influence. It challenges us to honestly evaluate our own tendencies: do we dismiss warnings too readily, perhaps out of a desire for comfort, a reluctance to confront difficult truths, or an unfounded trust in others? The narrative compels us to cultivate a spirit of wisdom, seeking to understand situations fully and to weigh counsel carefully, even when it is uncomfortable. It reminds us that true peace often requires confronting unpleasant realities and making difficult choices, rather than simply wishing problems away. For individuals, this means being vigilant against deception in all its forms; for leaders, it underscores the grave responsibility of protecting those under their care by exercising keen judgment and acting decisively when danger is present.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have I dismissed a warning, either from others or from my own conscience, only to regret it later?**
* **What factors (e.g., desire for peace, personal bias, overconfidence) might prevent me from discerning truth from falsehood in difficult situations?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater spirit of discernment in my daily life and in my leadership roles (if any)?**
* **What is the balance between trust and healthy skepticism in relationships, especially when dealing with potential threats?**

### FAQ

**Why was Gedaliah so unwilling to believe Johanan's warning about Ishmael?**

Answer: The text doesn't explicitly state Gedaliah's reasons, but several possibilities exist. He may have been genuinely naive or overly optimistic, desiring to establish peace and stability after the Babylonian conquest, and thus reluctant to believe in such immediate treachery. He might have trusted Ishmael, perhaps due to Ishmael's royal lineage or a personal relationship, and found it difficult to conceive of such a betrayal. Alternatively, he might have been wary of internal power struggles and feared that Johanan's warning was a ploy to eliminate a rival. His dismissal, "thou speakest falsely," suggests a deep conviction that Johanan was lying, rather than just being mistaken. This misjudgment ultimately proved fatal, as [Jeremiah 41:1-3](/jeremiah/41-1 "Jeremiah 41:1-3 - Ishmael's Assassination of Gedaliah") confirms Johanan's warning was accurate.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Gedaliah's tragic failure to discern truth from falsehood, leading to his demise and further suffering for his people, stands in stark contrast to the perfect discernment and unwavering truth of Jesus Christ. While Gedaliah dismissed a genuine warning as a lie, Jesus is the embodiment of truth, the one who perfectly knows the hearts of all men and cannot be deceived. He consistently exposed the hypocrisy and false motives of His adversaries, even when they outwardly appeared righteous, as seen in His confrontations with the Pharisees (e.g., [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Furthermore, Christ Himself gave clear warnings about future events, about the nature of the Kingdom, and about the spiritual dangers that His followers would face (e.g., [Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - Jesus' Prophecy of the Temple's Destruction and End Times")). Unlike Gedaliah's ill-fated rejection of a true warning, those who heed Christ's words find life and salvation, for He is "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")). His perfect discernment and unwavering commitment to truth provide the ultimate security and guidance that Gedaliah tragically lacked, offering hope and a sure foundation in a world still prone to deception and betrayal.

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

Romans 3:8

And not [rather], (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

Jeremiah 41:2

Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.

Matthew 10:16

¶ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Matthew 10:17

But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;