Jeremiah 41:12

Then they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that [are] in Gibeon.

Then they took {H3947} all the men {H582}, and went {H3212} to fight {H3898} with Ishmael {H3458} the son {H1121} of Nethaniah {H5418}, and found {H4672} him by the great {H7227} waters {H4325} that are in Gibeon {H1391}.

they took all the men and went to attack Yishma'el the son of N'tanyahu. They found him by the big pool in Giv'on.

they took all their men and went to fight Ishmael son of Nethaniah. And they found him near the great pool in Gibeon.

then they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon.

Commentary

Context

Jeremiah 41:12 occurs in the tumultuous period following the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon and the beginning of the Babylonian exile. After the fall of the city, the Babylonians appointed Gedaliah as governor over the remaining Jewish population in Judah. However, a man named Ishmael, a descendant of the royal family, along with ten men, treacherously assassinated Gedaliah and many others, including Babylonian soldiers (Jeremiah 41:2). Ishmael then abducted the remaining inhabitants, including the prophet Jeremiah, intending to flee to Ammon. This verse describes the counter-action taken by Johanan the son of Kareah and the other military leaders, who rallied their forces to confront Ishmael and rescue the captives.

Key Themes

  • Confrontation of Evil: The verse highlights the immediate and decisive action taken by Johanan and his men to confront Ishmael's heinous acts of murder and abduction. It underscores the human response to blatant injustice and cruelty.
  • Pursuit of Justice: This passage is a narrative of pursuit, as Johanan's forces seek to apprehend Ishmael and restore the captives. It reflects a desire for order and accountability in a chaotic post-destruction Judah.
  • Geographical Significance: The mention of "the great waters that are in Gibeon" is specific, pointing to a known and prominent landmark. This detail grounds the narrative in historical reality and adds a layer of authenticity to the account.

Geographical Significance

The phrase "the great waters that are in Gibeon" refers to the significant reservoir or pool located in the ancient city of Gibeon. Gibeon was a prominent city, strategically located northwest of Jerusalem. This large water source was well-known in biblical times and served as a crucial landmark. Historically, the Pool of Gibeon was also the site of a deadly encounter between the forces of Joab and Abner during the civil war between David and Ish-bosheth (2 Samuel 2:13). Its mention here emphasizes that Ishmael was cornered in a recognizable and perhaps historically charged location, setting the stage for the ensuing confrontation.

Practical Application

While set in ancient history, Jeremiah 41:12 offers insights relevant today. It reminds us that even in times of profound national distress or personal hardship, internal conflicts and the consequences of sin can persist. The swift action of Johanan and his men against Ishmael's treachery underscores the importance of confronting injustice and protecting the vulnerable. It speaks to the human responsibility to act decisively against evil, even when circumstances are dire. The narrative serves as a testament to the ongoing struggle between good and evil, and the necessity for righteous individuals to stand up for what is right.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 2:13 (5 votes)

    And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.

  • Genesis 14:14 (3 votes)

    And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained [servants], born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued [them] unto Dan.

  • Genesis 14:16 (3 votes)

    And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

  • 1 Samuel 30:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

  • 1 Samuel 30:8 (3 votes)

    And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake [them], and without fail recover [all].

  • 1 Samuel 30:18 (2 votes)

    And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.

  • 1 Samuel 30:20 (2 votes)

    And David took all the flocks and the herds, [which] they drave before those [other] cattle, and said, This [is] David's spoil.