Jeremiah 41:7

And it was [so], when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, [and cast them] into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that [were] with him.

And it was so, when they came {H935} into the midst {H8432} of the city {H5892}, that Ishmael {H3458} the son {H1121} of Nethaniah {H5418} slew {H7819} them, and cast them into the midst {H8432} of the pit {H953}, he, and the men {H582} that were with him.

But once they were inside the city, Yishma'el the son of N'tanyahu and the men with him slaughtered them and threw them into the cistern.

And when they came into the city, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the men with him slaughtered them and threw them into a cistern.

And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.

Commentary

Jeremiah 41:7 records a dark moment in the tumultuous period following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon. This verse details a treacherous act committed by Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah, against a group of unsuspecting pilgrims.

Context

This verse is part of a chilling narrative in Jeremiah 41. Ishmael, a man of royal descent, had already orchestrated the brutal murder of Gedaliah and many of his associates (Jeremiah 41:2). The men mentioned in verse 7 were eighty pilgrims from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria, coming to offer sacrifices and oblations at the site of the destroyed temple in Jerusalem (see Jeremiah 41:5). Ishmael, feigning welcome, lured them into the city, only to betray and slaughter them.

Key Themes

  • Betrayal and Deceit: Ishmael's actions exemplify extreme treachery. He lured the pilgrims with false pretenses, then ruthlessly murdered them, highlighting the depth of human depravity and the dangers of unchecked malice.
  • Senseless Violence: Unlike the initial assassination of Gedaliah, which had political motives, the killing of these pilgrims appears to be an act of wanton cruelty, further destabilizing an already shattered society.
  • Desecration and Moral Decay: The act of casting the bodies into a "pit" (likely a large cistern, possibly one built by King Asa, as mentioned in 1 Kings 15:22) signifies not only the disposal of evidence but also a profound lack of respect for human life and the sanctity of the land.
  • Consequences of Sin: This episode illustrates the continued moral decay and violence in Judah even after divine judgment had been executed through the Babylonian invasion. It underscores that internal wickedness can be as destructive as external enemies.

Linguistic Insights

The term "pit" (Hebrew: bor, Χ‘ΦΌΧ•ΦΉΧ¨) often refers to a cistern, a deep excavation used for storing water, or sometimes a dungeon. In this context, it was a practical place for disposing of multiple bodies, indicating a mass grave. The use of a cistern, a vital resource, as a burial site for victims of murder, underscores the horrific nature of Ishmael's crime and the desecration involved. Compare this to the story of Joseph being cast into a pit by his brothers, though his outcome was different.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 41:7 serves as a somber reminder of the pervasive nature of sin and its destructive consequences, even among those who have suffered greatly. It highlights:

  • The dangers of unchecked ambition, envy, and a lust for power, which can lead to unimaginable cruelty.
  • The importance of discernment, as not all who approach with seemingly good intentions are trustworthy.
  • The tragic breakdown of social order and morality when spiritual foundations are neglected.

This verse, though depicting a historical atrocity, continues to speak to the human capacity for evil and the constant need for divine intervention and the pursuit of righteousness to overcome the forces of darkness.

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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 22:27 (3 votes)

    Her princes in the midst thereof [are] like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, [and] to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.

  • Isaiah 59:7 (3 votes)

    Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts [are] thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction [are] in their paths.

  • Psalms 55:23 (3 votes)

    But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

  • Proverbs 1:16 (2 votes)

    For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

  • 2 Kings 15:25 (2 votes)

    But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.

  • Ezekiel 33:24 (2 votes)

    Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we [are] many; the land is given us for inheritance.

  • Ezekiel 33:26 (2 votes)

    Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbour's wife: and shall ye possess the land?