Jeremiah 40:5
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְעוֹדֶ֣נּוּ
H5750
וְעוֹדֶ֣נּוּ
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
1 of 34
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 34
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְשֻׁ֡בָה
Now while he was not yet gone back
H7725
וְשֻׁ֡בָה
Now while he was not yet gone back
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
3 of 34
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וְשֻׁ֡בָה
Now while he was not yet gone back
H7725
וְשֻׁ֡בָה
Now while he was not yet gone back
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
4 of 34
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 34
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 34
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שָׁפָ֡ן
of Shaphan
H8227
שָׁפָ֡ן
of Shaphan
Strong's:
H8227
Word #:
10 of 34
a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e., probably the hyrax
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 34
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִפְקִ֨יד
hath made governor
H6485
הִפְקִ֨יד
hath made governor
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
12 of 34
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
בָּבֶ֜ל
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֜ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
14 of 34
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
בְּעָרֵ֣י
over the cities
H5892
בְּעָרֵ֣י
over the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
15 of 34
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
16 of 34
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְשֵׁ֤ב
and dwell
H3427
וְשֵׁ֤ב
and dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
17 of 34
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
אִתּוֹ֙
H854
אִתּוֹ֙
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
18 of 34
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
בְּת֣וֹךְ
with him among
H8432
בְּת֣וֹךְ
with him among
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
19 of 34
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הָעָ֔ם
the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
20 of 34
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
א֠וֹ
H176
א֠וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
21 of 34
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
23 of 34
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיָּשָׁ֧ר
wheresoever it seemeth convenient
H3477
הַיָּשָׁ֧ר
wheresoever it seemeth convenient
Strong's:
H3477
Word #:
24 of 34
straight (literally or figuratively)
בְּעֵינֶ֛יךָ
H5869
בְּעֵינֶ֛יךָ
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
25 of 34
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
לָלֶ֖כֶת
H1980
לָלֶ֖כֶת
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
26 of 34
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לֵ֑ךְ
H1980
לֵ֑ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
27 of 34
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וַיִּתֶּן
gave
H5414
וַיִּתֶּן
gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
28 of 34
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
רַב
So the captain
H7227
רַב
So the captain
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
30 of 34
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
טַבָּחִ֛ים
of the guard
H2876
טַבָּחִ֛ים
of the guard
Strong's:
H2876
Word #:
31 of 34
properly, a butcher; hence, a lifeguardsman (because he was acting as an executioner); also a cook (usually slaughtering the animal for food)
Cross References
Jeremiah 39:14Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.Jeremiah 41:2Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.
Historical Context
Gedaliah son of Ahikam (from the family that protected Jeremiah earlier, 26:24) governed the Judean remnant under Babylonian authority (587-582 BCE). Mizpah became the temporary administrative center since Jerusalem lay in ruins. Jeremiah's decision to remain rather than accept Babylonian hospitality shows his commitment to Israel despite having every reason to abandon them.
Tragically, Gedaliah's governorship ended in assassination by Jewish nationalists (41:1-3), forcing the remnant (including Jeremiah) to flee to Egypt against his counsel (43:1-7). The prophet's faithfulness to remain with his people thus led to forced exile in Egypt, where tradition suggests he died. His life exemplifies costly faithfulness—choosing difficult duty over comfortable safety, serving to the end despite persistent rejection.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jeremiah's choice of pastoral duty over personal comfort challenge Christian leadership and service priorities?
- In what ways does God sometimes vindicate faithful servants through unexpected sources or means?
- How should understanding vocation as calling rather than convenience shape career and ministry decisions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go. This verse presents Jeremiah's choice after Jerusalem's fall: join the exiles in Babylon with royal provision, or remain in devastated Judah under Gedaliah's governorship. Nebuzar-adan's offer reflects remarkable respect for the prophet whose message aligned with Babylon's interests (though from divine rather than political motivation). The phrase "wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee" grants extraordinary freedom to God's faithful spokesman.
Jeremiah's choice to remain with the remnant (verse 6) demonstrates pastoral faithfulness. Though exile to Babylon offered comfort and safety, Jeremiah chose to stay with the poorest and most vulnerable, serving the shattered community. This self-sacrificial choice exemplifies Christ's incarnation and the apostle Paul's commitment to remain for the churches' sake (Philippians 1:24-25).
Theologically, this verse teaches:
The Reformed understanding of vocation emphasizes serving where called, not where comfortable.