The big picture
Jeremiah 40 opens in verse 1 with “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD , after that Nebuzar-adan the captain of…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 8 with “Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and…”, and closes in verse 16 with “But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do…” Repeated or prominent terms include Gedaliah, Babylon, Ahikam, land, Mizpah. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Jeremiah · King James Version · 16Jeremiah 40:1-8
1–8: The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD , after that Nebuzar-adan…
Jeremiah 40:1–8 opens with “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD , after that Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard…” and reaches “Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 40 develops its own movement around Gedaliah, Babylon, Ahikam, land, Mizpah, with particular weight carried by Babylon, Gedaliah, land.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD , after that Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard had let him go from…” Naming Babylon and Jeremiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD , and have…” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, obeyed, sinned. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.
“Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the…” Naming Ahikam and Babylon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of…” Naming Babylon and Ahikam keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah…” Naming Ephai and Gedaliah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
The movement opens with “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD , after that Nebuzar-adan the captain of the…” By verse 4, the text has turned to “And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it…” It lands on “Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 3 verses with a speech marker, 1 stated contrast, 3 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
Jeremiah 40:1-8
King James Version1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD , after that Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon.
2And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.
3Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD , and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.
4And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.
5Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.
6Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.
7Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;
8Then 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.
Jeremiah 40:9-16
9–16: Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to…
Jeremiah 40:9–16 opens with “And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear…” and reaches “But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 40 develops its own movement around Gedaliah, Babylon, Ahikam, land, Mizpah, with particular weight carried by Gedaliah, Ahikam, Mizpah.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.
“Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the…” Naming Ahikam and Ammonites keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to…” Naming Gedaliah and Johanan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
Jeremiah 40:9-16
King James Version9And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
10As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah to serve the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken.
11Likewise 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;
12Even 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.
13Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,
14And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.
15Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he slay thee, that all the Jews which are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish?
16But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Jeremiah 40:1 begins with “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD , after that Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being…”
Where the chapter turns
Jeremiah 40:8 forms a natural hinge: “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 final note
Jeremiah 40:16 leaves the reader with “But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Gedaliah, Babylon, Ahikam, land, Mizpah, Judah help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What ordinary act begins Joseph's service?
He notices that the officials look troubled and asks why.
How does the ending challenge easy success stories?
His interpretations are fulfilled, but his personal appeal is forgotten.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.