¶ 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,
Then all the captains {H8269} of the forces {H2428}, and Johanan {H3110} the son {H1121} of Kareah {H7143}, and Jezaniah {H3153} the son {H1121} of Hoshaiah {H1955}, and all the people {H5971} from the least {H6996} even unto the greatest {H1419}, came near {H5066},
Then all the military commanders, Yochanan the son of Kareach, Y'zanyah the son of Hosha'yah and all the people, from the least to the greatest, approached
Then all the commanders of the forces, along with Johanan son of Kareah, Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest, approached
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 6:13
For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one [is] given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. -
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, -
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 44:12
And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, [and] fall in the land of Egypt; they shall [even] be consumed by the sword [and] by the famine: they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by the famine: and they shall be an execration, [and] an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach. -
Jeremiah 42:8
Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces which [were] with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest, -
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. -
Acts 8:10
To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
Jeremiah 42:1 introduces a pivotal moment for the remnant of Judah following the devastating fall of Jerusalem to Babylon in 586 BC. This verse sets the stage for a critical interaction between the surviving Jewish leaders and the prophet Jeremiah, highlighting their desperate need for divine guidance.
Historical and Cultural Context
After the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, and the exile of many Jews to Babylon, a small remnant of the population was left in the land of Judah under the Babylonian-appointed governor, Gedaliah. However, Gedaliah was soon assassinated, leaving the remaining Jewish people in a state of profound fear and uncertainty. They were afraid of further Babylonian reprisal and unsure whether to stay in Judah or flee to Egypt for safety. It is in this climate of national trauma and desperate circumstances that "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" approach Jeremiah. Their coming "near" signifies a formal and urgent appeal for a word from the Lord through His prophet, reflecting the immediate crisis they faced.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "came near" (Hebrew: qarab) suggests drawing close for a significant and formal consultation, often implying a plea or request. It indicates a deliberate and earnest approach to Jeremiah. The expression "from the least even unto the greatest" is a common Hebrew idiom (also found in Jeremiah 6:13) signifying that everyone, regardless of social status or age, was represented and deeply invested in the outcome of this inquiry. It underscores the universal nature of the crisis and the collective desire for direction.
Practical Application
Jeremiah 42:1 offers a timeless lesson on the importance of seeking God's will, especially during times of uncertainty, crisis, or major life decisions. Like the remnant of Judah, we often face choices that seem overwhelming or options that appear safer based on human reasoning. This verse encourages us to: