41:5 41:5

Jeremiah 41:6

41:7 41:7

Bible Versions

And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.
And Ishmael {H3458} the son {H1121} of Nethaniah {H5418} went forth {H3318} from Mizpah {H4709} to meet {H7125} them, weeping {H1058} all along {H1980} as he went {H1980}: and it came to pass, as he met {H6298} them, he said {H559} unto them, Come {H935} to Gedaliah {H1436} the son {H1121} of Ahikam {H296}.
Yishma'el the son of N'tanyahu went out from Mitzpah to meet them, weeping all along the way; on meeting them, he said to them, "Come to G'dalyahu the son of Achikam."
And Ishmael son of Nethaniah went out from Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he went. When Ishmael encountered the men, he said, “Come to Gedaliah son of Ahikam.”
And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.

Jeremiah 41:6 describes a chilling act of deception by Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah, during a tumultuous period in Judah's history.

Context

Following the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC and the exile of many Jews, Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah, a righteous man, as governor over the remaining inhabitants of Judah in Mizpah. Gedaliah sought to bring stability and encouraged the people to live peacefully under Babylonian rule (Jeremiah 40:9). However, Ishmael, a member of the royal family and apparently jealous of Gedaliah's authority, conspired against him. This verse captures Ishmael's deceptive approach to a group of pilgrims who were likely traveling to offer sacrifices, possibly at the ruined temple site or another holy place.

Key Themes

  • Deception and Treachery: Ishmael's feigned tears ("weeping all along as he went") were a calculated act to disarm and lure the unsuspecting pilgrims. His invitation, "Come to Gedaliah," was a deadly lie, as he had already murdered Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:2).
  • Consequences of Unrest: The period after the fall of Jerusalem was marked by chaos and internal strife, even among the small remnant left in the land. This verse highlights the deep betrayal that further destabilized an already fragile community.
  • False Compassion: Ishmael's outward display of sorrow was a mask for his murderous intentions. This illustrates how evil can disguise itself with an appearance of empathy or helpfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "weeping" is bakah (בָּכָה), which denotes a deep sorrow or lamentation. In this context, its use emphasizes the profound hypocrisy of Ishmael's actions. He mimics genuine grief to gain the trust of his victims, making his subsequent slaughter of them (Jeremiah 41:7) even more heinous.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 41:6 serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the deceptive nature of evil. It reminds us that appearances can be misleading, and those who seem to offer comfort or guidance may harbor ulterior motives. In a world where Satan himself can transform into an angel of light, discerning true intentions requires wisdom and spiritual discernment. This verse encourages us to be vigilant and not to be easily swayed by outward displays of emotion without considering the full character and actions of a person.

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.

  • Jeremiah 50:4

    In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.

  • 2 Samuel 3:16

    And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.

  • 2 Samuel 1:2

    It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and [so] it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.

  • 2 Samuel 1:16

    And David said unto him, Thy blood [be] upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed.

  • Proverbs 26:23

    ¶ Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.

  • Proverbs 26:26

    [Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] congregation.
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