Now the pit wherein Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain because of Gedaliah, [was] it which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: [and] Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with [them that were] slain.
Now the pit {H953} wherein Ishmael {H3458} had cast {H7993} all the dead bodies {H6297} of the men {H582}, whom he had slain {H5221} because {H3027} of Gedaliah {H1436}, was it which Asa {H609} the king {H4428} had made {H6213} for fear {H6440} of Baasha {H1201} king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}: and Ishmael {H3458} the son {H1121} of Nethaniah {H5418} filled {H4390} it with them that were slain {H2491}.
The cistern in which Yishma'el threw the corpses of the men he had murdered with G'dalyahu was the one Asa the king had made in fear of Ba'asha king of Isra'el; it was this cistern that Yishma'el the son of N'tanyahu filled with the slaughtered men.
Now the cistern into which Ishmael had thrown all the bodies of the men he had struck down along with Gedaliah was a large one that King Asa had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain.
Now the pit wherein Ishmael cast all the dead bodies of the men whom he had slain, by the side of Gedaliah (the same was that which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel), Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slain.
-
Judges 6:2
And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: [and] because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which [are] in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds. -
2 Samuel 17:9
Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some [other] place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom. -
2 Chronicles 16:1
¶ In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. -
2 Chronicles 16:10
Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for [he was] in a rage with him because of this [thing]. And Asa oppressed [some] of the people the same time. -
1 Kings 15:17
And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. -
1 Kings 15:22
Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none [was] exempted: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah. -
1 Samuel 13:6
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
Jeremiah 41:9 describes a grim detail of the aftermath of Gedaliah’s assassination, revealing the depths of treachery and the repurposing of ancient structures for heinous acts. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the chaos that enveloped Judah following the Babylonian exile.
Context of Jeremiah 41:9
The book of Jeremiah chronicles the prophet's warnings to Judah before its destruction and provides historical accounts of the period immediately following the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. After the Babylonians conquered Judah and exiled many of its inhabitants, they appointed Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, as governor over the remaining remnant. His appointment was meant to bring stability, encouraging the Jews to live peacefully under Babylonian rule. However, Ishmael, a descendant of the royal family, harbored malicious intentions. Driven by jealousy, political ambition, or perhaps loyalty to a different faction, Ishmael orchestrated a brutal plot. He murdered Gedaliah, along with many Jews and Babylonian soldiers who were with him at Mizpah. Jeremiah 41:9 specifically details how Ishmael disposed of the bodies of his victims: he cast them into a large pit.
Key Themes and Insights
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "pit" here is bor (בּוֹר), which can refer to a cistern, well, or dungeon. These were typically deep, bottle-shaped excavations, often used for collecting rainwater or as prisons. Their depth made them suitable for disposing of bodies, as seen in this grim account. The mention of it being "made for fear" (מִפְּנֵי - mippene) emphasizes the strategic, defensive purpose of Asa's original construction against a specific threat.
Practical Application
Jeremiah 41:9, while detailing a dark historical event, offers timeless lessons. It reminds us that:
- Evil Can Corrupt Anything: Even structures built for good or practical purposes can be perverted for evil ends. This calls for vigilance against the misuse of power and resources.
- The Ripple Effect of Sin: Ishmael's single act of murder unleashed a wave of fear, further violence, and ultimately led to more suffering for the remnant. It highlights how individual sin can have far-reaching, destructive consequences on a community. This resonates with the concept of sowing and reaping.
- Historical Continuity: The verse connects different eras of Israelite history, showing how the past can literally form the backdrop for present events, even in unexpected and tragic ways.
Understanding this verse helps us grasp the profound brokenness and the desperate need for divine intervention in human affairs, a need ultimately met in Christ.