Jeremiah 40:4
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֞ה
H6258
פִתַּחְתִּ֣יךָ
And now behold I loose
H6605
פִתַּחְתִּ֣יךָ
And now behold I loose
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
3 of 39
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
הַיּ֗וֹם
thee this day
H3117
הַיּ֗וֹם
thee this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 39
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
מִֽן
H4480
מִֽן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
5 of 39
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 39
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 39
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יָדֶךָ֒
which were upon thine hand
H3027
יָדֶךָ֒
which were upon thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 39
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
10 of 39
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
ט֨וֹב
If it seem good
H2896
ט֨וֹב
If it seem good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
11 of 39
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
בְּעֵינֶ֜יךָ
H5869
בְּעֵינֶ֜יךָ
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
12 of 39
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
אִתִּ֣י
H854
אִתִּ֣י
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
14 of 39
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
בָבֶ֖ל
with me into Babylon
H894
בָבֶ֖ל
with me into Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
15 of 39
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וְאָשִׂ֤ים
and I will look well
H7760
וְאָשִׂ֤ים
and I will look well
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
17 of 39
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 39
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֵינִי֙
H5869
עֵינִי֙
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
19 of 39
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
עָלֶ֔יךָ
H5921
עָלֶ֔יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
20 of 39
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
21 of 39
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
רַ֧ע
unto thee but if it seem ill
H7489
רַ֧ע
unto thee but if it seem ill
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
22 of 39
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
בְּעֵינֶ֛יךָ
H5869
בְּעֵינֶ֛יךָ
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
23 of 39
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
אִתִּ֥י
H854
אִתִּ֥י
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
25 of 39
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
בָבֶ֖ל
with me into Babylon
H894
בָבֶ֖ל
with me into Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
26 of 39
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
חֲדָ֑ל
forbear
H2308
חֲדָ֑ל
forbear
Strong's:
H2308
Word #:
27 of 39
properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
רְאֵה֙
behold
H7200
רְאֵה֙
behold
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
28 of 39
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
29 of 39
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
is before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
is before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
31 of 39
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְאֶל
thee whither it seemeth
H413
וְאֶל
thee whither it seemeth
Strong's:
H413
Word #:
32 of 39
near, with or among; often in general, to
ט֨וֹב
If it seem good
H2896
ט֨וֹב
If it seem good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
33 of 39
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
וְאֶל
thee whither it seemeth
H413
וְאֶל
thee whither it seemeth
Strong's:
H413
Word #:
34 of 39
near, with or among; often in general, to
בְּעֵינֶ֛יךָ
H5869
בְּעֵינֶ֛יךָ
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
36 of 39
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
לָלֶ֥כֶת
H1980
לָלֶ֥כֶת
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
37 of 39
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Historical Context
Jeremiah chose to remain with the remnant in Judah, continuing his ministry to the broken people rather than accepting reward in Babylon.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God sometimes fulfill His promises through unexpected means?
- What does Jeremiah's choice to stay with the remnant teach about servant leadership?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Nebuzaradan offers Jeremiah freedom to go to Babylon with honor or remain in Judah, leaving the choice to him. This fulfills God's earlier promise to preserve Jeremiah (15:20-21, 39:11-12). God's word proves faithful even through pagan channels. The prophet who counseled submission to Babylon now receives favor from Babylon's commanders - an ironic vindication.