Jeremiah Chapter 40

At a Glance

  • Jeremiah 40 offers a pivotal, compassionate turn after Jerusalem’s fall.
  • This chapter sits in the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian conquest, bridging the fall of Jerusalem and the early exile community’s attempts to reorganize.
  • - Transition and relocation after catastrophe: choosing a path in an uncertain land.
  • - The role of leadership in guiding the people through exile.
  • - The ongoing prophetic voice in exile and its presence in post-conquest governance.

Jeremiah 40 offers a pivotal, compassionate turn after Jerusalem’s fall. Nebuzaradan the Babylonian captain frees Jeremiah from Ramah, where he had been bound, and presents a stark charge: the LORD has pronounced evil on the place because of its sins. Yet the captain grants Jeremiah a choice: accompany him to Babylon or remain in the land. Jeremiah chooses to be free, but he is also urged to consider Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor over the remaining Judean towns at Mizpah. Jeremiah is directed to join Gedaliah and live among the people, or to travel where it seems best. The chapter then shifts to Gedaliah’s governance and the gathering of leaders from the field to Mizpah. Despite political settlement, tensions simmer as factions plot to seize control, and Ishmael, a violent figure, tries to incite rebellion and massacre. Jeremiah’s continuing presence marks the continuity of prophetic guidance amid political transitions. The chapter blends mercy—freedom given to Jeremiah and safe-passage for others—with danger, as violence threatens the fragile post-fall order.

This chapter sits in the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian conquest, bridging the fall of Jerusalem and the early exile community’s attempts to reorganize. It introduces Gedaliah, a governor appointed by Babylon, as a central figure who embodies both political authority and a receptivity to Jeremiah’s prophetic voice. The genre remains narrative with embedded prophecies and oracles, demonstrating how the prophetic movement continues to shape Israel’s post-conquest life. The chapter anticipates the shaping of Jewish identity in exile and the tension between loyalty to Yahweh and assimilation to Babylonian governance.

- Transition and relocation after catastrophe: choosing a path in an uncertain land.

- The role of leadership in guiding the people through exile.

- The ongoing prophetic voice in exile and its presence in post-conquest governance.

- The fragility of peace and the dangers of factionalism and violence.

- God’s sovereignty over nations and the preservation of a remnant.

Jeremiah 40 invites readers to consider how communities navigate crisis: recognizing the need to adapt leadership, preserve life, and maintain faithfulness in unfamiliar terrains. It speaks to the hopeful possibility of rebuilding after devastation, while acknowledging the persistent threats posed by internal strife. The chapter champions wise, merciful leadership (Gedaliah’s appointment) and the value of prophetic counsel in times of transition. It also teaches discernment about choosing where to belong—whether to return to old patterns or rebuild with new governance in place—while staying rooted in fidelity to God’s word.

Key Themes

Transition and relocation after catastrophe: choosing a path in an uncertain land.The role of leadership in guiding the people through exile.The ongoing prophetic voice in exile and its presence in post-conquest governance.The fragility of peace and the dangers of factionalism and violence.

Chapter Text

1

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan 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.

2

And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.

3

Now 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.

4

And 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.

5

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 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.

6

Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.

7

Now 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;

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.

9

And 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.

10

As 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.

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;

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.

13

Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,

14

And 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.

15

Then 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?

16

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.

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