Jeremiah 42:8

KJV

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,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then called {H7121} he Johanan {H3110} the son {H1121} of Kareah {H7143}, and all the captains {H8269} of the forces {H2428} which were with him, and all the people {H5971} from the least {H6996} even to the greatest {H1419},

Complete Jewish Bible

So he called Yochanan the son of Kareach, all the military commanders with him and all the people, from the least to the greatest,

Berean Standard Bible

and he summoned Johanan son of Kareah, all the commanders of the forces who were with him, and all the people from the least to the greatest.

American Standard Version

Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 42:8 describes a critical assembly convened by Johanan, son of Kareah, following the assassination of Gedaliah. In this pivotal moment, Johanan gathers all the military captains and every individual among the Jewish remnant, "from the least even to the greatest," to deliberate their next course of action in the land of Judah, setting the stage for their urgent consultation with the prophet Jeremiah regarding God's will for their future.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic and tragic assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor over the remnant in Judah, by Ishmael, a member of the royal family, as detailed in [Jeremiah 41](/jeremiah/41 "Jeremiah 41 - Assassination of Gedaliah"). Johanan, who had previously warned Gedaliah of Ishmael's plot ([Jeremiah 40:14](/jeremiah/40-14 "Jeremiah 40:14 - Johanan's Warning to Gedaliah")), now assumes a leadership role in the ensuing chaos. The gathering described in [Jeremiah 42:8](/jeremiah/42-8 "Jeremiah 42:8 - Johanan Gathers the Remnant") is the direct prelude to the people's collective plea to Jeremiah for divine guidance regarding their future, specifically whether they should remain in Judah or flee to Egypt, a request found in [Jeremiah 42:1-3](/jeremiah/42-1 "Jeremiah 42:1-3 - The Remnant Seeks Jeremiah's Counsel"). This assembly underscores the profound fear and uncertainty gripping the remnant after Gedaliah's death and their desperate need for direction.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is post-destruction Judah, circa 586 BC, after Jerusalem and its Temple had been destroyed by Babylon and a significant portion of the population deported. The remaining Jewish population, now a vulnerable remnant, lived under Babylonian oversight, initially through Gedaliah. His assassination plunged them into a state of extreme insecurity, fearing swift and brutal Babylonian retaliation for the murder of their appointed governor. In this context, the gathering of "all the captains of the forces" and "all the people" reflects a common ancient Near Eastern practice of communal deliberation in times of national crisis. Leaders would convene public assemblies to gauge sentiment, present options, and seek consensus, particularly when facing decisions of life-or-death consequence. The inclusion of "least even to the greatest" emphasizes a comprehensive, albeit perhaps desperate, attempt to unify the community in the face of overwhelming external threats and internal disarray.

* **Key Themes:** [Jeremiah 42:8](/jeremiah/42-8 "Jeremiah 42:8 - Johanan Gathers the Remnant") contributes to several major themes within Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights **Leadership in Crisis**, as Johanan steps forward to organize and lead the frightened remnant, demonstrating initiative in a time of profound uncertainty and fear following the collapse of established authority. Secondly, the phrase "from the least even to the greatest" emphasizes **Collective Decision-Making** and a desire for shared responsibility, even if their subsequent obedience to God's command was lacking, as seen later in [Jeremiah 43:7](/jeremiah/43-7 "Jeremiah 43:7 - Flight to Egypt"). Thirdly, this assembly immediately precedes their formal request to Jeremiah to seek God's will ([Jeremiah 42:2](/jeremiah/42-2 "Jeremiah 42:2 - The People's Plea to Jeremiah")), pointing to an initial, albeit ultimately flawed, recognition of the need for **Seeking Divine Counsel** in their perilous situation. Finally, the verse underscores the **Dilemma of the Remnant**, caught between the overwhelming power of Babylon and their own survival instincts, with their decision determining the immediate future of the fragile [remnant of Israel](/jeremiah/23-3 "Jeremiah 23:3 - The Remnant of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **called (Hebrew, _qârâʼ'_):** (H7121) This primitive root signifies "to call out to," often implying to address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications including to summon, invite, proclaim, or mention. In this context, it denotes a formal summoning or convocation, indicating Johanan's authoritative action in gathering the disparate elements of the community. It's not a casual invitation but a deliberate act of leadership to bring everyone together for a crucial purpose.
* **captains (Hebrew, _sar'_):** (H8269) This term refers to a "head person" of any rank or class, encompassing roles such as chief, general, governor, or ruler. Here, it specifically denotes military commanders or leaders of forces. Their inclusion signifies that the assembly was not merely civilian but involved the military leadership, indicating the gravity of the situation and the need for a unified military and civilian response to the perceived threat of Babylonian retaliation.
* **people (Hebrew, _ʻam'_):** (H5971) This word denotes "a people" as a congregated unit, specifically a tribe (like those of Israel), or collectively, troops or attendants. It can also figuratively refer to a flock. In this verse, it encompasses the general populace, the non-military members of the remnant. The inclusion of "all the people" alongside the military captains emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the assembly, involving every segment of the community, highlighting the collective nature of the crisis and the decision to be made.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah":** This clause establishes Johanan's initiative and leadership. As a prominent military figure, he takes charge in the vacuum left by Gedaliah's assassination, demonstrating his immediate response to the crisis and his recognized authority among the remnant.
* **"and all the captains of the forces which [were] with him":** This specifies the first group summoned: the military leadership. This indicates that the gathering was not merely a civilian assembly but a strategic convocation involving those responsible for defense and security, highlighting the immediate threat perceived by the remnant. The phrase "which were with him" suggests these were forces under Johanan's command or influence, reinforcing his position.
* **"and all the people from the least even to the greatest":** This expands the scope of the assembly to include the entire civilian population, from the youngest or least significant to the oldest or most prominent. This comprehensive inclusion underscores the communal nature of the crisis and the desire for a collective decision, reflecting a shared fate and the universal impact of the unfolding events on every member of the remnant.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in [Jeremiah 42:8](/jeremiah/42-8 "Jeremiah 42:8 - Johanan Gathers the Remnant") is **Merism**, exemplified by the phrase "from the least even to the greatest." This rhetorical device uses two contrasting parts to represent a whole, signifying completeness or totality. Here, "least" (Hebrew, _qâṭân'_, H6996) and "greatest" (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_, H1419) encompass everyone in the community, regardless of age, social standing, or influence. It emphasizes that no one was excluded from this critical assembly, highlighting the universal impact of the crisis and the collective nature of the decision-making process. This **Merism** underscores the dire circumstances and the shared responsibility felt by the entire remnant in the aftermath of Gedaliah's assassination.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while seemingly a straightforward historical account, carries significant theological weight. It portrays a community in crisis, grappling with fear and uncertainty, attempting to navigate a perilous future through human leadership and collective deliberation. The very act of gathering "from the least even to the greatest" reflects an implicit understanding of shared destiny and corporate responsibility before God, even if their subsequent actions would demonstrate a failure to fully trust and obey Him. It sets the stage for a critical test of faith: would they truly seek and follow God's revealed will, or would their fear lead them to rely on their own wisdom and perceived safety? This tension between human planning and divine direction is a recurring theme throughout Jeremiah, often with tragic consequences when God's counsel is rejected.

* [Deuteronomy 29:10-11](/deuteronomy/29-10 "Deuteronomy 29:10-11 - All Israel Stands Before the Lord"): This passage emphasizes that all people, "from your hewers of wood unto the drawers of your water," stand before the Lord, highlighting the corporate nature of the covenant, similar to the "least to greatest" inclusion in Jeremiah.
* [Proverbs 11:14](/proverbs/11-14 "Proverbs 11:14 - Wisdom in Counsel"): "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." This proverb speaks to the wisdom of seeking broad counsel in times of decision, echoing the comprehensive gathering in Jeremiah 42:8.
* [Isaiah 30:1-2](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1-2 - Woe to Rebellious Children"): This passage warns against seeking help from Egypt and making plans "not of my spirit," directly paralleling the later disobedience of the remnant who, despite seeking God's counsel, ultimately chose to flee to Egypt out of fear, rather than trusting His word.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 42:8 offers a poignant glimpse into a community at a crossroads, forced to confront existential choices in the wake of profound loss and uncertainty. Their decision to gather "all the people from the least even to the greatest" speaks to a fundamental human instinct to seek collective wisdom and shared responsibility when faced with overwhelming challenges. For us today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of communal discernment in times of crisis. It challenges us to consider how we, as individuals and as communities of faith, respond when fear and uncertainty loom large. Do we involve all voices, valuing the perspectives of every member, regardless of perceived status? More importantly, does our gathering of counsel ultimately lead us to genuinely seek and submit to God's divine will, or do we allow our fears to dictate our path, even when God's direction is clear? The subsequent narrative reveals the tragic consequences of prioritizing perceived safety over faithful obedience, urging us to cultivate a deep trust in God's sovereignty and provision, even when His path seems counter-intuitive or dangerous.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I, or my community, tend to make decisions when faced with fear or uncertainty?**
* **How can we ensure that "the least even to the greatest" are genuinely included and heard in our collective decision-making processes?**
* **What steps can I take to more consistently seek and submit to God's will, even when it challenges my natural inclinations or fears?**
* **How does the historical outcome of the remnant's decision in Jeremiah inform my understanding of obedience and trust in God today?**

### FAQ

**Who was Johanan, and why was he taking charge?**

Answer: Johanan, the son of Kareah, was a prominent military captain among the Jewish remnant left in Judah after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. He had previously warned Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor, about a plot against his life ([Jeremiah 40:14](/jeremiah/40-14 "Jeremiah 40:14 - Johanan's Warning to Gedaliah")), demonstrating his foresight and leadership qualities. After Gedaliah's assassination by Ishmael, a vacuum of authority was created. Johanan stepped into this void, taking initiative to gather the remaining people and military forces to address the immediate crisis and the fear of Babylonian retaliation, thus assuming a de facto leadership role in a time of great uncertainty.

**Why was it important for "all the people from the least even to the greatest" to be gathered?**

Answer: The phrase "from the least even to the greatest" is a merism, signifying that everyone, regardless of age, social standing, or influence, was included in the assembly. This comprehensive gathering was crucial for several reasons: it underscored the gravity of the situation, as the crisis affected every individual; it aimed to foster unity and shared responsibility in a time of disarray; and it ensured that any decision made would be seen as a collective one, representing the will of the entire community. This broad inclusion was particularly important given the life-or-death decision they faced regarding their future in the land.

**What was the immediate purpose of this gathering, according to the broader context of Jeremiah 42?**

Answer: While Jeremiah 42:8 describes the act of gathering, the immediate purpose, as revealed in the subsequent verses of [Jeremiah 42](/jeremiah/42 "Jeremiah 42 - The Remnant Seeks Jeremiah's Counsel"), was for the assembled remnant to collectively approach the prophet Jeremiah. They sought his intercession and divine guidance from the Lord regarding whether they should remain in Judah or flee to Egypt. This gathering was the necessary prelude to their formal request for God's clear word concerning their next steps in the aftermath of Gedaliah's assassination and their fear of Babylonian reprisal.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 42:8 describes a human leader gathering a remnant in a time of crisis, it subtly foreshadows the ultimate divine Shepherd and King who gathers His people. Johanan's attempt to unify and lead the frightened remnant points to Christ, the true [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd"), who not only gathers His flock but lays down His life for them. The people's initial desire to seek divine counsel, though ultimately flawed in their obedience, highlights humanity's inherent need for God's perfect guidance, a need fully met in Jesus, who is [the Way, the Truth, and the Life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life"). Unlike the remnant who chose fear over faith and fled to Egypt despite God's clear word ([Jeremiah 43:7](/jeremiah/43-7 "Jeremiah 43:7 - Flight to Egypt")), Christ perfectly obeyed the Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). He is the one who gathers His elect [from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other](/mark/13-27 "Mark 13:27 - The Gathering of the Elect"), creating a new spiritual remnant—the Church—whose ultimate security is found not in fleeing to another land, but in abiding in Him ([John 15:4](/john/15-4 "John 15:4 - Abide in Me")). Thus, this passage, in its depiction of human leadership and a people's desperate search for direction, ultimately points to the perfect and faithful leadership of Christ, who truly saves and guides His people into eternal security.

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.

Cross-References

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 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 41:16

Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that [were] with him, all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah, after [that] he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, [even] mighty men of war, and the women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gibeon:

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 43:2

Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:

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;

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.