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.

Then they came {H935} to Gedaliah {H1436} to Mizpah {H4708}, even Ishmael {H3458} the son {H1121} of Nethaniah {H5418}, and Johanan {H3110} and Jonathan {H3129} the sons {H1121} of Kareah {H7143}, and Seraiah {H8304} the son {H1121} of Tanhumeth {H8576}, and the sons {H1121} of Ephai {H5778} the Netophathite {H5200}, and Jezaniah {H3153} the son {H1121} of a Maachathite {H4602}, they and their men {H582}.

they approached G'dalyahu in Mitzpah - in particular, Yishma'el the son of N'tanyahu, Yochanan and Yonatan the sons of Kareach, S'rayah the son of Tanchumet, the sons of 'Efai the N'tofati and Y'zanyahu the son of the Ma'akhati, they and their men.

they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah son of the Maacathite—they and their men.

then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, to wit, 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 the Maacathite, they and their men.

Commentary

Jeremiah 40:8 details the gathering of several prominent military leaders and their men who came to Mizpah to join Gedaliah, the newly appointed Babylonian governor over the remnant of Judah. This verse marks a pivotal moment immediately following the destruction of Jerusalem, illustrating the initial attempt to establish order and leadership among the scattered survivors.

Context

After the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians and the exile of many of its inhabitants, Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam as governor over the remaining population (Jeremiah 40:5). Mizpah, a historic site and now the new administrative center, became the focal point for those who had escaped or been left behind. Jeremiah 40:8 lists the key military captains who recognized Gedaliah's authority and gathered around him, signaling a fragile attempt at political and social reorganization in the devastated land of Judah. Their arrival suggests a desire for stability and leadership in a time of profound national crisis.

Key Figures and Their Roles

  • Gedaliah son of Ahikam: Appointed by Babylon, he was tasked with governing the Jewish remnant. His father, Ahikam, had previously protected Jeremiah (Jeremiah 26:24), which may have lent Gedaliah some credibility among the people.
  • Ishmael the son of Nethaniah: Despite his appearance here, Ishmael proves to be a treacherous figure. He later assassinated Gedaliah, leading to further chaos and the flight of many survivors.
  • Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah: These brothers play a significant role. Johanan warns Gedaliah of Ishmael's plot (Jeremiah 40:13-16) and, after Gedaliah's death, leads the people, seeking guidance from Jeremiah before ultimately leading them to Egypt against God's command (Jeremiah 42:1-7, Jeremiah 43:5-7).
  • Other captains: Seraiah, the sons of Ephai, and Jezaniah (also known as Jaazaniah in Jeremiah 42:1) represent other military factions seeking to re-establish some form of order and security.

Key Themes

  • The Gathering of the Remnant: This verse highlights the immediate efforts to consolidate the surviving population and leadership after the national catastrophe. It shows a natural human tendency to seek community and structure even in the direst circumstances.
  • Fragile Hope and Looming Treachery: The assembly at Mizpah presented a fleeting moment of hope for a continued Jewish presence in the land. However, the presence of hostile elements like Ishmael immediately foreshadows the internal conflicts that would soon undermine this fragile peace.
  • Leadership in Crisis: Gedaliah's role was incredibly challenging, tasked with leading a traumatized people under foreign rule while navigating internal dissent and external pressures. This period underscores the complexities and dangers of leadership during times of profound national instability.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "they and their men" (Hebrew: hēm w'anshehem) emphasizes that these were not merely individuals but leaders arriving with their respective groups or military units. This detail underscores the significant consolidation of surviving forces and leadership under Gedaliah, indicating a substantial effort to rebuild a functioning society, albeit one fraught with peril.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 40:8 serves as a powerful reminder that even after immense devastation, there is often a natural inclination to gather, organize, and rebuild. However, it also offers a cautionary tale about the critical importance of discernment in leadership and the dangers of internal division. The tragic failure of Gedaliah's administration, largely due to the treachery of those within, underscores that true unity and integrity are paramount for any community, especially one facing vulnerability and seeking restoration.

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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 42:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ 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,

  • Deuteronomy 3:14 (4 votes)

    Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi; and called them after his own name, Bashanhavothjair, unto this day.

  • Ezra 2:22 (3 votes)

    The men of Netophah, fifty and six.

  • Nehemiah 7:26 (3 votes)

    The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, an hundred fourscore and eight.

  • 2 Samuel 23:28 (3 votes)

    Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,

  • 2 Samuel 23:29 (3 votes)

    Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,

  • 2 Samuel 10:6 (3 votes)

    ¶ And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.