Jeremiah 40:2

And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.

And the captain {H7227} of the guard {H2876} took {H3947} Jeremiah {H3414}, and said {H559} unto him, The LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} hath pronounced {H1696} this evil {H7451} upon this place {H4725}.

The commander of the guard took Yirmeyahu and said to him, "ADONAI your God decreed this disaster for this place,

The captain of the guard found Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God decreed this disaster on this place,

And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, Jehovah thy God pronounced this evil upon this place;

Context

Jeremiah 40:2 takes place immediately after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 BC. The city has been conquered, the temple destroyed, and the people are being led into exile. Jeremiah, who had faithfully prophesied this very destruction for decades, was initially chained with other captives. This verse records the moment when Nebuzaradan, the captain of Nebuchadnezzar's guard, singles out Jeremiah for release, acknowledging the divine hand behind the recent catastrophic events. It highlights the remarkable understanding of a pagan official regarding the God of Israel and the fulfillment of prophecy.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The most striking aspect is Nebuzaradan's clear declaration that "The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place." This is a profound recognition by a pagan military leader that the destruction of Jerusalem was not merely a military victory for Babylon, but an act of divine judgment from Israel's God. It underscores God's ultimate control over nations and history, fulfilling His word even through seemingly earthly means.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse serves as a powerful testament to the accuracy and certainty of God's prophetic word. Jeremiah's often unpopular and dangerous warnings of impending disaster were now undeniably fulfilled. The captain's statement implicitly validates Jeremiah's role as a true prophet of the LORD.
  • God's Justice: The "evil" (calamity or disaster) pronounced upon Jerusalem was a direct consequence of Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience. The captain's words confirm that the judgment was deserved, a just recompense for their turning away from God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "evil" here is ra' (רַע). While it can denote moral evil, in this context, it primarily refers to calamity, disaster, or misfortune. It signifies the destructive consequences of God's judgment, not moral evil in God Himself. The phrase "pronounced" (Hebrew: dibbēr - דִּבֵּר) means to speak or declare, emphasizing that this was a deliberate, spoken word from God, not a random occurrence. The captain's specific address, "The LORD thy God," indicates his awareness that the God of Jeremiah (YHWH) was distinct and powerful, the true source of this historical event.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 40:2 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • God's Word is True and Reliable: Just as God's prophecies regarding Jerusalem were fulfilled, so too will His promises and warnings in our lives. We can trust that His word will not return void.
  • Acknowledge Divine Sovereignty: Even in the midst of hardship or national crisis, this verse reminds us that God remains sovereign. He is at work even through unexpected or seemingly negative circumstances, often bringing about His purposes through them.
  • Heed God's Warnings: The judgment on Judah came after repeated warnings. This serves as a sober reminder to pay attention to God's commands and to repent when we stray, knowing that there are consequences for persistent disobedience.
  • God's Truth Can Be Recognized: Sometimes, those outside the faith can perceive God's work and truth more clearly than those who claim to know Him but refuse to obey.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 29:24

    Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what [meaneth] the heat of this great anger?

  • Deuteronomy 29:28

    And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as [it is] this day.

  • Jeremiah 22:8

    And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city?

  • Jeremiah 22:9

    Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.

  • Lamentations 2:15

    All that pass by clap [their] hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, [saying, Is] this the city that [men] call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?

  • Lamentations 2:17

    The LORD hath done [that] which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused [thine] enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.

  • 1 Kings 9:8

    And at this house, [which] is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?

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