Gedaliah Appointed Governor and Jeremiah's Choice
Jeremiah 40:1-6
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Jer.40.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- ירמיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאת: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אחר: PREP
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- נבוזראדן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- טבחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מן: PREP
- הרמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- בקחתו: PREP+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- אסור: ADJ,ptcp,pas,m,sg
- באזקים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בתוך: PREP
- כל: DET
- גלות: NOUN,f,sg,const
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויהודה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המגלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- בבלה: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 39:11-12 (verbal): A near‑duplicate account of the same episode: Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard takes Jeremiah at Ramah and he is bound among the captives — closely parallel wording and sequence.
- 2 Kings 25:11 (structural): Deuteronomistic history parallel describing Nebuzaradan’s removal of Judah’s inhabitants to Babylon; parallels the action and function of the Babylonian captain in the fall narrative.
- Jeremiah 52:11 (verbal): The appendix to Jeremiah repeats the fall and exile material, recounting Nebuzaradan’s carrying away of the remnant to Babylon and echoing the captivity framing of Jeremiah’s situation.
- Psalm 137:1-3 (thematic): Thematically related depiction of Judean exile in Babylon — expresses the experience and emotions of those carried away from Jerusalem, giving literary and theological background to the captivity mentioned in Jer 40:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after Nebuzar‑adan the captain of the guard had sent him from Ramah—having taken him when he was bound with fetters among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were being exiled to Babylon.
- The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after Nebuzar‑adan, the captain of the guard, had sent him from Ramah when he had taken him—now bound with fetters—among all the exiles of Jerusalem and Judah who were being carried into Babylon.
Jer.40.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- טבחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לירמיהו: PREP+PROPN,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הרעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Jeremiah 39:11-12 (quotation): Same event retold earlier in Jeremiah: Nebuzaradan (the captain of the guard) takes Jeremiah and declares that the LORD had pronounced this disaster on the place — close verbal and narrative parallel.
- 2 Kings 25:22 (quotation): Parallel account in Kings repeating the captain of the guard’s words to Jeremiah that the LORD your God had announced calamity for this place — near-verbatim correspondence.
- Ezekiel 33:7-9 (thematic): Prophetic responsibility to warn of coming evil: the watchman must declare impending disaster so the people may repent — thematically close to commanding Jeremiah to ‘speak this evil’ to the place.
- Deuteronomy 28:15,45 (thematic): Lists of covenant curses pronounced on the land for disobedience; thematically related as the divine ‘evil’/calamity announced against the place in response to covenant breach.
Alternative generated candidates
- The captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God has declared this calamity against this place.”
- The captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God has decreed this disaster for this place.”
Jer.40.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- חטאתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ולא: CONJ
- שמעתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- בקולו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 28:45-46 (thematic): Both passages state that calamity comes upon Israel because they did not obey the LORD’s voice; Deut. 28 sets out the covenant curses for disobedience that underlie Jeremiah’s statement of fulfilled judgment.
- 2 Chronicles 36:15-17 (thematic): Describes how God sent prophets and messengers, they were mocked and not heeded, and so the LORD brought the king of Babylon to execute judgment—parallel explanation for why God’s word came to pass in Jeremiah 40:3.
- Jeremiah 25:8-11 (allusion): Jeremiah’s earlier prophecy predicting exile to Babylon and the land’s desolation is the prophecy being fulfilled; 40:3 reflects the realization of the judgment announced in ch. 25 because of Israel’s disobedience.
- 2 Kings 25:9 (verbal): Narrates the actual destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar ‘as the LORD had spoken,’ echoing the language of fulfillment in Jeremiah 40:3 that God’s word came to pass because they had sinned and not listened.
- Jeremiah 52:12-13 (structural): Parallel account of Jerusalem’s burning and exile that frames the same historical fulfillment of Jeremiah’s warnings; structurally supports the statement in 40:3 that the LORD acted according to his word.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jeremiah came and did according to all that the LORD had spoken—for you had sinned against the LORD and had not listened to his voice; therefore this thing has come upon you.
- And the LORD has fulfilled and done as he spoke, for you have sinned against the LORD and did not obey his voice; therefore this has come upon you.
Jer.40.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- הנה: PART
- פתחתיך: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מן: PREP
- האזקים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- על: PREP
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- אם: CONJ
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- לבוא: VERB,qal,inf
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ואשים: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עיני: NOUN,f,pl,cons+1s
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- ואם: CONJ
- רע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- לבוא: VERB,qal,inf
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חדל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ראה: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,sg
- כל: DET
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- הישר: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- שמה: ADV
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Jeremiah 39:14 (verbal): Same narrative moment earlier in the book: Nebuzaradan releases Jeremiah and says he will 'set his eyes' on him and instructs him about going to Gedaliah — close verbal and situational echo to 40:4.
- 2 Kings 25:11-12 (structural): Parallel account of Jerusalem's fall and the treatment of Jeremiah (release and placement with Gedaliah); a retelling of the same event with similar options about Jeremiah’s future.
- Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (thematic): Both passages place a decisive choice before an individual (or people) — 'I have set before you... choose' — invoking responsibility to choose the course of life/rightness.
- Ezra 1:3-4 (thematic): Cyrus' proclamation invites exiles to return to their land or remain — like Gedaliah’s offer, it presents freedom of movement and a choice whether to stay or go back (home/Babylon).
Alternative generated candidates
- Now behold, I have released you this day from the chains that were on your hands. If it is good in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will set my eyes upon you; but if it is not good in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, do not come. Behold, all the land is before you; go wherever it is good and right in your sight.”
- Now, behold, I have freed you today from the fetters that were on your hands. If it is good in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will set my eyes upon you; but if it is contrary to your will to come with me to Babylon, do not come. See, all the land is before you—go wherever it is good and right in your eyes to go.”
Jer.40.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועודנו: ADV
- לא: PART_NEG
- ישוב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ושבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- גדליה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחיקם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שפן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הפקיד: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בערי: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ושב: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- בתוך: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- או: CONJ
- אל: NEG
- כל: DET
- הישר: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- טבחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ארחה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומשאת: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישלחהו: CONJ+VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg,obj:3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 25:22-23 (verbal): Direct parallel account: the king of Babylon appoints Gedaliah son of Ahikam over the land of Judah and the people come to him at Mizpah—nearly identical narrative detail and wording.
- Daniel 2:48-49 (thematic): A conquering/royal ruler appoints a foreign subject to high administrative office and grants gifts and authority (Daniel elevated by Nebuchadnezzar—theme of imperial appointment and provision).
- Genesis 41:41-43 (thematic): Pharaoh appoints Joseph as his second-in-command and bestows garments, a signet, and provisions—parallel motif of a ruler appointing an official and giving material symbols of office and support.
- Ezra 7:11-16 (thematic): Royal commission from a foreign king (Artaxerxes) grants authority, resources, and provisions to a Jewish leader for administration/religious restoration—comparable pattern of imperial appointment plus material support.
Alternative generated candidates
- It was not long before he went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the cities of Judah, and Jeremiah lived with him among the people remaining in the land. The captain of the guard gave him a gift and provisions and sent him on his way.
- And while he had not yet gone back, he turned and came to Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the cities of Judah. The captain of the guard gave him a meal and a present and sent him away.
Jer.40.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ירמיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- גדליה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחיקם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המצפתה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- בתוך: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנשארים: PART,m,pl,def
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Jeremiah 40:5 (verbal): Immediate context—Nebuzaradan appoints Gedaliah over the remnant at Mizpah and places the people under him; closely parallels the same scene of Jeremiah joining Gedaliah and the remaining people.
- 2 Kings 25:22 (structural): Parallel account in the Deuteronomistic history describing Gedaliah’s appointment at Mizpah and the coming together of the remnant under his rule; recounts the same post‑exilic arrangement.
- Jeremiah 41:1 (structural): Direct narrative continuation—reports Ishmael’s attack and the murder of Gedaliah at Mizpah, showing the fate of the community among whom Jeremiah sat in 40:6.
- Jeremiah 42:1–6 (thematic): The surviving captains and people come to Jeremiah seeking guidance about their future in the land; thematically related to the remnant gathered at Mizpah and their reliance on leadership and prophetic counsel.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jeremiah came to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah, and he dwelt with him among the people who were left in the land.
- Jeremiah came to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah and dwelt with him among the people who remained in the land.
The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had sent him from Ramah, when he had taken him—he was bound with fetters among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were being carried into Babylon.
Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God has spoken concerning this disaster against this place.” And the LORD has brought and accomplished it, as he declared: because you sinned against the LORD and did not obey his voice, this has come upon you. Now behold, I have released you today from the chains that were on your hands. If it is good in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you; but if it is evil in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, do not come. Behold, the whole land is before you—go wherever it seems good and right to you to go. And when he had not yet returned, he went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the cities of Judah. Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard gave him provisions and a gift and sent him away.
Jeremiah came to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah and lived with him among the people who were left in the land.