Jeremiah 40:7

Authorized King James Version

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;

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ֩

H8085

heard

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

כָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שָׂרֵ֨י

H8269

Now when all the captains

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַחֲיָלִ֜ים

H2428

of the forces

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בַּשָּׂדֶ֗ה

H7704

which were in the fields

a field (as flat)

הֵ֚מָּה

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וְאַנְשֵׁיהֶ֔ם

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#10

הִפְקִ֣יד

H6485

and had committed

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

#11

מֶֽלֶךְ

H4428

that the king

a king

#12

בָּבֶֽלָה׃

H894

of Babylon

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

#13

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#14

גְּדַלְיָ֥הוּ

H1436

had made Gedaliah

gedaljah, the name of five israelites

#15

בֶן

H1121

the son

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#16

אֲחִיקָ֖ם

H296

of Ahikam

achikam, an israelite

#17

הָאָ֔רֶץ

H776

in the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#18

וְכִ֣י׀

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#19

הִפְקִ֣יד

H6485

and had committed

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

#20

אִתּ֗וֹ

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

#21

אֲנָשִׁ֤ים

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#22

וְנָשִׁים֙

H802

and women

a woman

#23

וָטָ֔ף

H2945

and children

a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)

#24

וּמִדַּלַּ֣ת

H1803

and of the poor

properly, something dangling, i.e., a loose thread or hair; figuratively, indigent

#25

הָאָ֔רֶץ

H776

in the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#26

מֵאֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#27

לֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#28

הָגְל֖וּ

H1540

of them that were not carried away captive

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

#29

בָּבֶֽלָה׃

H894

of Babylon

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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