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;

But Johanan {H3110} the son {H1121} of Kareah {H7143}, and all the captains {H8269} of the forces {H2428}, took {H3947} all the remnant {H7611} of Judah {H3063}, that were returned {H7725} from all nations {H1471}, whither they had been driven {H5080}, to dwell {H1481} in the land {H776} of Judah {H3063};

Instead, Yochanan the son of Kareach and all the military commanders took all the remnant of Y'hudah who had returned from all the nations where they had been driven to live in the land of Y'hudah -

Instead, Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces took the whole remnant of Judah, those who had returned to the land of Judah from all the nations to which they had been scattered,

But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all the nations whither they had been driven, to sojourn in the land of Judah;

Commentary

Jeremiah 43:5 records a pivotal moment in the aftermath of Jerusalem's fall, detailing the actions of Johanan the son of Kareah and other military leaders. This verse sets the stage for the next phase of the Judean remnant's journey, marked by defiance of God's direct command.

Context of Jeremiah 43:5

Following the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon, the remaining Jewish population in Judah feared Babylonian retribution. They sought guidance from the prophet Jeremiah, asking him to inquire of the Lord where they should go. God, through Jeremiah, explicitly commanded them to remain in the land of Judah, promising protection and blessing, and sternly warning them not to go to Egypt (Jeremiah 42:19-22). However, despite receiving this clear divine instruction, Johanan and the captains chose to disregard it. This verse describes their initial act of gathering the people, specifically those who had previously fled to surrounding nations and had since returned to Judah, preparing to lead them into Egypt against God's will.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Disobedience to Divine Command: The primary theme is the stark rebellion of Johanan and the people against God's explicit word. They prioritized their own fear and perceived safety over divine guidance, illustrating a recurring pattern of disobedience throughout Israel's history.
  • The Remnant of Judah: The verse highlights the precarious situation of the "remnant of Judah" (Hebrew: she'ฤrรฎt), those few survivors left in the land after the Babylonian deportations. Ironically, these individuals, who had already endured much and some of whom had only recently returned from exile, were now being led into another unwanted journey.
  • Fear Over Faith: The decision to go to Egypt was driven by a deep-seated fear of the Babylonians and a lack of faith in God's promise to protect them if they stayed. This illustrates the human tendency to rely on human strategies rather than divine promises during times of crisis.
  • Rejection of Prophetic Authority: By actively taking the remnant to Egypt, Johanan and the captains effectively rejected Jeremiah's authority as God's prophet, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness.

Linguistic Insights

The term "remnant of Judah" (Hebrew: she'ฤrรฎt Yehudรกh) is significant. While often used to refer to a faithful minority preserved by God for future blessing, in this context, it describes the physical survivors who, despite being preserved, were acting in direct opposition to God's will. This emphasizes that even those who survive physical calamities can still be spiritually rebellious.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 43:5 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of choosing human wisdom and fear over divine revelation. It challenges us to examine our own hearts when faced with difficult decisions: Do we truly trust God's commands, even when they seem counter-intuitive or require us to step out in faith? The narrative underscores the importance of heeding God's word, delivered through His appointed messengers, and the dangers of allowing fear to dictate our actions, leading us away from God's intended path and into deeper trouble.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 40:11

    Likewise when all the Jews that [were] in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that [were] in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;

  • Jeremiah 40:12

    Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.

  • 1 Samuel 26:19

    Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if [they be] the children of men, cursed [be] they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.

  • Jeremiah 41:15

    But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the Ammonites.

  • 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:
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