Jeremiah 41:2
Then 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּקָם֩
Then arose
H6965
וַיָּקָם֩
Then arose
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 24
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
יִשְׁמָעֵ֨אל
Ishmael
H3458
יִשְׁמָעֵ֨אל
Ishmael
Strong's:
H3458
Word #:
2 of 24
jishmael, the name of abraham's oldest son, and of five israelites
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וַעֲשֶׂ֥רֶת
and the ten
H6235
וַעֲשֶׂ֥רֶת
and the ten
Strong's:
H6235
Word #:
5 of 24
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים׀
H376
הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים׀
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 24
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)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָי֣וּ
H1961
הָי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אִתּ֗וֹ
H854
אִתּ֗וֹ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וַ֠יַּכּוּ
that were with him and smote
H5221
וַ֠יַּכּוּ
that were with him and smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
10 of 24
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 24
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 #:
15 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שָׁפָ֛ן
of Shaphan
H8227
שָׁפָ֛ן
of Shaphan
Strong's:
H8227
Word #:
16 of 24
a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e., probably the hyrax
בַּחֶ֖רֶב
with the sword
H2719
בַּחֶ֖רֶב
with the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
17 of 24
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וַיָּ֣מֶת
and slew
H4191
וַיָּ֣מֶת
and slew
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
18 of 24
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
אֹת֑וֹ
H853
אֹת֑וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
20 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִפְקִ֥יד
had made governor
H6485
הִפְקִ֥יד
had made governor
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
21 of 24
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
Cross References
2 Kings 25:25But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah.Jeremiah 40:5Now 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.
Historical Context
Ishmael's assassination of Gedaliah was apparently motivated by royal jealousy and Ammonite political interests. This act brought more disaster to the already devastated remnant.
Questions for Reflection
- How does persistent human evil complicate God's redemptive purposes?
- What does this assassination teach about the ongoing nature of spiritual warfare?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Ishmael, of royal blood, assassinates Gedaliah and his supporters 'with the sword.' This treachery destroys the peaceful remnant community Gedaliah was building. Evil persists even after judgment falls. Ishmael's alliance with Ammon (40:14) shows political intrigue continued amid the ruins. Human sin complicates even God's disciplinary work.