Jeremiah 41:2

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיָּקָם֩

H6965

Then arose

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

יִשְׁמָעֵ֨אל

H3458

Ishmael

jishmael, the name of abraham's oldest son, and of five israelites

בֶּן

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

נְתַנְיָ֜ה

H5418

of Nethaniah

nethanjah, the name of four israelites

וַעֲשֶׂ֥רֶת

H6235

and the ten

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים׀

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)

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

הָי֣וּ

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אִתּ֗וֹ

H854

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

#10

וַ֠יַּכּוּ

H5221

that were with him and smote

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

#11

אֶת

H853

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

#12

גְּדַלְיָ֨הוּ

H1436

Gedaliah

gedaljah, the name of five israelites

#13

בֶּן

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

#14

אֲחִיקָ֧ם

H296

of Ahikam

achikam, an israelite

#15

בֶּן

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

שָׁפָ֛ן

H8227

of Shaphan

a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e., probably the hyrax

#17

בַּחֶ֖רֶב

H2719

with the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

#18

וַיָּ֣מֶת

H4191

and slew

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#19

אֹת֑וֹ

H853

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

#20

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

#21

הִפְקִ֥יד

H6485

had made governor

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

#22

מֶֽלֶךְ

H4428

him whom the king

a king

#23

בָּבֶ֖ל

H894

of Babylon

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

#24

בָּאָֽרֶץ׃

H776

over the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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?
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 verse's literary context within Jeremiah chapter 41 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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