Jeremiah 41:1

¶ Now it came to pass in the seventh month, [that] Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.

Now it came to pass in the seventh {H7637} month {H2320}, that Ishmael {H3458} the son {H1121} of Nethaniah {H5418} the son {H1121} of Elishama {H476}, of the seed {H2233} royal {H4410}, and the princes {H7227} of the king {H4428}, even ten {H6235} men {H582} with him, came {H935} unto Gedaliah {H1436} the son {H1121} of Ahikam {H296} to Mizpah {H4709}; and there they did eat {H398} bread {H3899} together {H3162} in Mizpah {H4708}.

In the seventh month Yishma'el the son of N'tanyahu, the son of Elishama, of royal blood and one of the chief officials of the king, came with ten men to G'dalyahu in Mitzpah. While eating a meal together there in Mitzpah,

In the seventh month, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was a member of the royal family and one of the king’s chief officers, came with ten men to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah, and they ate a meal together there.

Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal andone ofthe chief officers of the king, and ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.

Jeremiah 41:1 introduces a pivotal and tragic moment in the aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction. This verse sets the stage for a shocking act of betrayal that further destabilizes the remaining Jewish community in Judah.

Context

Following the Babylonian conquest and the destruction of Jerusalem in Jeremiah 39:8, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, as governor over the remnant of Judah (Jeremiah 40:5). Gedaliah established his administration in Mizpah, a significant site in Judah. Many Jews who had fled to surrounding nations, as well as those who had scattered within Judah, began to return and live peacefully under Gedaliah's leadership, trusting in his promise of safety under Babylonian rule. The "seventh month" refers to the seventh month after the fall of Jerusalem, marking a period when some semblance of order was being restored. However, this fragile peace was about to be shattered by Ishmael.

Key Themes

  • Betrayal and Deception: The act of "eating bread together" was a deeply significant gesture of peace, trust, and covenant in ancient Near Eastern culture. Ishmael's participation in this meal, only to subsequently murder Gedaliah and his companions (Jeremiah 41:2), represents a profound act of treachery and a violation of hospitality.
  • Political Instability and Power Struggles: Ishmael is explicitly identified as "of the seed royal," indicating his lineage from the Davidic line. This suggests a potential claim to the throne or, at the very least, a deep-seated resentment of Gedaliah's appointed authority by the Babylonians. His actions reflect the continued internal strife and power vacuum even after the national catastrophe.
  • The Persistence of Human Depravity: Despite the immense suffering and judgment the nation had just experienced, this event highlights the continued capacity for violence, jealousy, and self-serving ambition among people, even those of their own kin.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "of the seed royal" (Hebrew: mizera ha-melukah) emphasizes Ishmael's direct connection to the royal family. This lineage would have given him a certain status and potentially fueled his ambition to reclaim power, viewing Gedaliah as an illegitimate ruler. The expression "did eat bread together" (Hebrew: vayyoklu lechem yachdav) is a common biblical idiom symbolizing shared fellowship, peace, and often, a sworn agreement or covenant. Its inclusion here dramatically underscores the deceitfulness of Ishmael's intentions, as he broke the sacred bond of hospitality.

Significance and Application

Jeremiah 41:1 serves as a stark reminder that even in times of national crisis and vulnerability, internal divisions and personal ambitions can lead to devastating consequences. For believers, this verse underscores the importance of discernment, as not all who appear friendly or trustworthy are so in reality. It also highlights the tragic reality of human sin, which persists even in the face of divine judgment and continues to sow discord and destruction. The events initiated in this verse led to further displacement and suffering for the Jewish remnant, emphasizing how quickly a fragile peace can be shattered by malice and betrayal. It's a sobering account of the ongoing challenges faced by a people trying to rebuild after profound loss, teaching us to value true peace and to be wary of those who exploit trust for selfish gain.

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.

  • Jeremiah 40:8

    Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.

  • Jeremiah 40:6

    Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.

  • Psalms 41:9

    Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up [his] heel against me.

  • James 4:1

    ¶ From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in your members?

  • James 4:3

    Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts.

  • 2 Chronicles 22:10

    ¶ But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.

  • Jeremiah 36:20

    ¶ And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.

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