Jeremiah 41:11

¶ But when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that [were] with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done,

But when Johanan {H3110} the son {H1121} of Kareah {H7143}, and all the captains {H8269} of the forces {H2428} that were with him, heard {H8085} of all the evil {H7451} that Ishmael {H3458} the son {H1121} of Nethaniah {H5418} had done {H6213},

When Yochanan the son of Kareach and all the military commanders with him heard of all the crimes committed by Yishma'el the son of N'tanyahu,

When Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the armies with him heard of all the crimes that Ishmael son of Nethaniah had committed,

But when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done,

Context

This verse marks a critical turning point in the aftermath of the Babylonian conquest and the destruction of Jerusalem. Following the fall of the city, the Babylonians appointed Gedaliah as governor over the remaining Jewish population (Jeremiah 40:5). However, Ishmael, a member of the royal family with apparent Ammonite backing, brutally assassinated Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:2). Not content with this betrayal, Ishmael proceeded to massacre a group of pilgrims and the Babylonian soldiers stationed with Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:7). Johanan the son of Kareah, along with other captains who had previously warned Gedaliah of Ishmael's malicious intentions (Jeremiah 40:13), now hear the full extent of Ishmael's horrific deeds. This knowledge prompts their immediate and decisive response to confront the chaos and treachery.

Key Themes

  • Exposure of Evil: Ishmael's hidden malice and treacherous acts are fully revealed, triggering a collective awareness and a call to action among those who seek justice and order.
  • Leadership and Responsibility: Johanan and the captains embody responsible leadership by stepping forward to confront the chaos and restore stability in a time of extreme vulnerability and fear for the Jewish remnant.
  • Consequences of Treachery: The verse highlights the devastating and far-reaching impact of one individual's betrayal and violence, leading to widespread insecurity and prompting a strong counter-response.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version translates "evil" from the Hebrew word ra'ah (רָעָה). This term is broad, encompassing not only moral wickedness and sin but also calamity, disaster, and affliction. In this context, it powerfully describes Ishmael's morally reprehensible acts of murder, deception, and the resulting widespread suffering and chaos he inflicted upon the fragile post-exilic community. It speaks to the destructive nature of his actions both morally and experientially.

Practical Application

This passage underscores the vital importance of confronting injustice and evil when it becomes apparent. It serves as a reminder that unchecked wickedness can lead to profound instability and suffering within a community. Johanan and his forces' resolve to act against Ishmael's destructive influence teaches us about the need for courageous and discerning leadership, particularly in times of crisis. Believers today are called to be aware of and to stand against forces of injustice and chaos in their own spheres, promoting peace, righteousness, and order, as we are encouraged to overcome evil with good.

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 40:7

    ¶ 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;

  • 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 40:13

    Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that [were] in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,

  • Jeremiah 40:16

    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.

  • Jeremiah 42:1

    ¶ Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near,

  • Jeremiah 42:3

    That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.

  • Jeremiah 41:7

    And it was [so], when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, [and cast them] into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that [were] with him.

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