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.

Then Ishmael {H3458} carried away captive {H7617} all the residue {H7611} of the people {H5971} that were in Mizpah {H4709}, even the king's {H4428} daughters {H1323}, and all the people {H5971} that remained {H7604} in Mizpah {H4709}, whom Nebuzaradan {H5018} the captain {H7227} of the guard {H2876} had committed {H6485} to Gedaliah {H1436} the son {H1121} of Ahikam {H296}: and Ishmael {H3458} the son {H1121} of Nethaniah {H5418} carried them away captive {H7617}, and departed {H3212} to go over {H5674} to the Ammonites {H1121}{H5983}.

Then Yishma'el carried off captive the rest of the people in Mitzpah - the king's daughters and all the people left in Mitzpah, whom N'vuzar'adan the commander of the guard had committed to the care of G'dalyahu the son of Achikam. Yishma'el the son of N'tanyahu carried them off captive and left to cross over to the people of 'Amon.

Then Ishmael took captive all the remnant of the people of Mizpah—the daughters of the king along with all the others who remained in Mizpah—over whom Nebuzaradan captain of the guard had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam. Ishmael son of Nethaniah took them captive and set off to cross over to the Ammonites.

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; Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the children of Ammon.

Jeremiah 41:10 vividly describes the aftermath of a significant act of betrayal following the destruction of Jerusalem. This verse details how Ishmael, a man of royal descent, seized control of the remaining Jewish population at Mizpah, including the royal daughters, and intended to lead them into captivity among the Ammonites.

Context

This verse is set in a period of extreme vulnerability for the people of Judah. After the Babylonian conquest and the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam as governor over the small remnant of Jews who were allowed to remain in the land. Mizpah became the administrative center for this new, fragile community. However, Ishmael, driven by unknown motives (perhaps jealousy, ambition, or as an agent of the Ammonites), brutally assassinated Gedaliah and his associates (see Jeremiah 41:2). Verse 10 details the next stage of his treachery: taking the survivors captive, essentially reversing the Babylonian leniency, and planning to deliver them to Judah's traditional enemies, the Ammonites.

Key Themes

  • Treachery and Betrayal: Ishmael's actions represent a profound betrayal of trust and peace within the already devastated Jewish community. He turns upon his own people, leading them into further suffering.
  • Vulnerability of the Remnant: The "residue of the people" (the Hebrew word she'erit, often translated as 'remnant') refers to the few survivors left in Judah after the Babylonian exile. This verse highlights their extreme vulnerability to internal strife and renewed external threats, even after the main judgment.
  • Political Instability: The assassination of Gedaliah and Ishmael's subsequent actions underscore the chaotic and unstable political climate in Judah following the fall of Jerusalem. There was a power vacuum that led to internal conflict and further displacement.
  • Continued Captivity and Exile: Even after the main exile to Babylon, this passage shows that the threat of captivity and forced migration continued for those who remained, signifying a prolonged period of hardship for God's people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "residue of the people" comes from the Hebrew word she'erit, which signifies a "remnant" or "survivors." While often used in prophetic literature to denote a faithful, purified group God preserves (e.g., Isaiah 10:21), here it simply refers to those physically left behind after the major deportations. Ishmael's actions further endanger this already diminished group.

Reflection and Application

Jeremiah 41:10 serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of human wickedness, especially betrayal and ambition, even within a community that has already suffered immense loss. It illustrates how internal divisions and self-serving motives can exacerbate external pressures and lead to further suffering. For believers today, this passage emphasizes the importance of discerning true leadership and guarding against those who sow discord or act out of selfish ambition, even when cloaked in nationalistic or religious fervor. It also highlights the enduring resilience, by God's grace, of those who remain, even in the face of repeated trials and betrayals, as seen in the subsequent rescue of these captives (see Jeremiah 41:11-18).

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 40:14

    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.

  • Jeremiah 40:7

    ¶ Now when all the captains of the forces which [were] in the fields, [even] they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;

  • Nehemiah 2:19

    But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard [it], they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What [is] this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?

  • Jeremiah 40:11

    Likewise when all the Jews that [were] in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that [were] in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;

  • Jeremiah 40:12

    Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.

  • Nehemiah 2:10

    When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard [of it], it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.

  • Jeremiah 43:5

    But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah;

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