Jeremiah 41:2
New International Version
Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, killing the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed as governor over the land.

New Living Translation
Ishmael and his ten men suddenly jumped up, drew their swords, and killed Gedaliah, whom the king of Babylon had appointed governor.

English Standard Version
Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the ten men with him rose up and struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, with the sword, and killed him, whom the king of Babylon had appointed governor in the land.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, killing the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed to govern the land.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men who were with him, arose and struck Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, and killed him whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.

New American Standard Bible
Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him rose up, and struck and killed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword and put to death the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land.

NASB 1995
Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him arose and struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword and put to death the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land.

NASB 1977
Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him arose and struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword and put to death the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him arose and struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword and put to death the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land.

Amplified Bible
Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword and killed the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed [governor] over the land.

Christian Standard Bible
but then Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, with the sword; he killed the one the king of Babylon had appointed in the land.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but then Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the 10 men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, with the sword; he killed the one the king of Babylon had appointed in the land.

American Standard 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.

Contemporary English Version
During the meal, Ishmael and his soldiers killed Gedaliah, the man chosen as ruler of Judah by the king of Babylonia.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, and the ten men who were with him got up, drew their swords, and killed Gedaliah, son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan. So they assassinated the man whom the king of Babylon had appointed to govern the land.

Good News Translation
Ishmael and the ten men with him pulled out their swords and killed Gedaliah.

International Standard Version
Nethaniah's son Ishmael and the ten men with him got up and killed Ahikam's son Gedaliah, the grandson of Shaphan, with swords and killed the man whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, killing the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed to govern the land.

NET Bible
Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him stood up, pulled out their swords, and killed Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan. Thus Ishmael killed the man that the king of Babylon had appointed to govern the country.

New Heart English Bible
Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men who were with him, and struck Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and killed him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
Then Ishmael the son of Nethaniah arose, and the ten men who were with him, and struck Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword and killed him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Ishmael son of Nethaniah rises, and the ten men who have been with him, and they strike Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, with the sword, and he puts him to death whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the land.

Young's Literal Translation
And Ishmael son of Nethaniah riseth, and the ten men who have been with him, and they smite Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, with the sword, and he putteth him to death whom the king of Babylon hath appointed over the land.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Ishmael son of Nethaniah will rise, and the ten men which were with him, and they will strike Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan, with the sword, and he will kill him whom the king of Babel appointed over the land.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Ismahel the son of Nathanias arose, and the ten men that were with him, and they struck Godolias the son of Ahicam, the son of Saphan with the sword, and slew him whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah, rose up, and the ten men who were with him, and they struck down Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, and they killed him whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.

New American Bible
Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, and the ten with him, stood up and struck down Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, with swords. They killed him, since the king of Babylon had set him over the land;

New Revised Standard Version
Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan with the sword and killed him, because the king of Babylon had appointed him governor in the land.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the twenty men who were with him rose up and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him whom the king of Babylon had appointed governor over the land of Judah.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Ishmayl, son of Nethaniah, stood, he and twenty men who came with him, and they struck Gedaliah son of Akhiqam, son of Shaphan, with the sword, and they killed him whom the King of Babel authorized in the land
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Ismael rose up, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Godolias, whom the king of Babylon had appointed governor over the land,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Assassination of Gedaliah
1In the seventh month, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was a member of the royal family and one of the king’s chief officers, came with ten men to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah, and they ate a meal together there. 2Then Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, killing the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed to govern the land. 3Ishmael also killed all the Jews who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah, as well as the Chaldean soldiers who were there.…

Cross References
2 Kings 25:25
In the seventh month, however, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was a member of the royal family, came with ten men and struck down and killed Gedaliah, along with the Judeans and Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah.

2 Samuel 3:27
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.

2 Samuel 20:9-10
“Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him. / Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.

1 Kings 2:5
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet.

2 Kings 11:1
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs.

2 Chronicles 24:25-26
And when the Arameans had withdrawn, they left Joash severely wounded. His own servants conspired against him for shedding the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest, and they killed him on his bed. So he died and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. / Those who conspired against Joash were Zabad son of Shimeath the Ammonitess and Jehozabad son of Shimrith the Moabitess.

Genesis 4:8
Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

Judges 9:5
He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself.

1 Samuel 22:18-19
So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. / He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.

2 Samuel 13:28-29
Now Absalom had ordered his young men, “Watch Amnon until his heart is merry with wine, and when I order you to strike Amnon down, you are to kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant!” / So Absalom’s young men did to Amnon just as Absalom had ordered. Then all the other sons of the king got up, and each one fled on his mule.

Matthew 26:47-50
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. / Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. ...

Mark 14:43-45
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders. / Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

Luke 22:47-48
While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. / But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

John 18:3-5
So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons. / Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?” / “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. Jesus said, “I am He.” And Judas His betrayer was standing there with them.

Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—


Treasury of Scripture

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.

and smote.

2 Kings 25:25
But 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.

whom.

Jeremiah 40:7
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;

Jump to Previous
Ahikam Babylon Gedaliah Governor Ishmael Killed Nethaniah Shaphan Slew Smote Struck Sword Ten
Jump to Next
Ahikam Babylon Gedaliah Governor Ishmael Killed Nethaniah Shaphan Slew Smote Struck Sword Ten
Jeremiah 41
1. Ishmael, treacherously killing Gedaliah and others,
7. purposes with the residue to flee unto the Ammonites.
11. Johanan rescues the captives, and is minded to flee into Egypt.














Then Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him
Ishmael, a member of the royal family and of Davidic lineage, was likely motivated by political ambition and possibly jealousy. His actions reflect the turbulent political climate following the Babylonian conquest. The ten men with him suggest a premeditated conspiracy, indicating that this was not an impulsive act but a planned assassination.

got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan,
Gedaliah was appointed by the Babylonians as governor over the remnant in Judah, representing a shift in power dynamics. His lineage, being the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, connects him to a family known for their loyalty to the reforms of King Josiah, suggesting that Gedaliah was a man of integrity and faithfulness. The act of striking him down was not only a personal attack but also a symbolic rejection of Babylonian authority.

with the sword,
The use of the sword signifies a violent and deliberate act of murder. In biblical times, the sword was a common weapon of warfare and assassination, symbolizing judgment and conflict. This act of violence underscores the chaos and lawlessness in the land following the fall of Jerusalem.

killing the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed to govern the land.
Gedaliah's appointment by the Babylonian king highlights the political structure imposed by the conquerors. His assassination was a direct challenge to Babylonian rule and an attempt to destabilize the fragile peace. This event foreshadows further turmoil and the eventual flight of the remaining Jews to Egypt, as prophesied by Jeremiah. The killing of an appointed governor also reflects the broader theme of rebellion against God's ordained authority, as seen throughout the prophetic literature.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ishmael son of Nethaniah
A member of the royal family and a leader who conspired against Gedaliah. His actions were driven by political motives and possibly personal vendettas.

2. Gedaliah son of Ahikam
Appointed by the king of Babylon as governor over the land of Judah. He was known for his efforts to stabilize the region after the Babylonian conquest.

3. Ahikam son of Shaphan
Father of Gedaliah, known for his support of the prophet Jeremiah and his role in protecting him.

4. The ten men
Accomplices of Ishmael who participated in the assassination of Gedaliah.

5. The king of Babylon
Refers to Nebuchadnezzar, who had conquered Judah and appointed Gedaliah as governor to maintain order.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Betrayal
Betrayal often leads to chaos and further suffering. Ishmael's actions resulted in turmoil and fear among the remnant of Judah.

The Importance of Discernment
Gedaliah's failure to heed warnings about Ishmael's intentions serves as a reminder of the need for discernment and wisdom in leadership.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Despite human treachery, God's plans ultimately prevail. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God is in control, even in times of political and personal upheaval.

The Role of Leadership
Leaders are called to protect and serve their people. Gedaliah's assassination underscores the vulnerability of leadership and the need for integrity and vigilance.(2) Then arose Ishmael.--The narrative suggests the thought that, as in the massacre of Glencoe, the guests murdered their host at the very time when he was receiving them with open arms.

Verse 2. - Smote Gedaliah. The day of the murder of Gedaliah (the third day of the seventh month) was kept as a fast day by the post-Captivity Jews (see Zechariah 7:5; Zechariah 8:19). It was the day on which the hope of living a separate life in the promised land, for a time at least, vanished; and the murder was avenged by a new captivity (see above).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Ishmael
יִשְׁמָעֵ֨אל (yiš·mā·‘êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3458: Ishmael -- 'God hears', the name of several Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Nethaniah
נְתַנְיָ֜ה (nə·ṯan·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5418: Nethaniah -- 'given of Yah', the name of several Israelites

and the ten
וַעֲשֶׂ֥רֶת (wa·‘ă·śe·reṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6235: Ten

men
הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים ׀ (hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

who
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

were
הָי֣וּ (hā·yū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

with
אִתּ֗וֹ (’it·tōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

him got up
וַיָּקָם֩ (way·yā·qām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

and struck down
וַ֠יַּכּוּ (way·yak·kū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5221: To strike

Gedaliah
גְּדַלְיָ֨הוּ (gə·ḏal·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1436: Gedaliah -- 'Yah is great', three Israelites

son
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Ahikam,
אֲחִיקָ֧ם (’ă·ḥî·qām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 296: Ahikam -- 'my brother has arisen', an Israelite

the son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Shaphan,
שָׁפָ֛ן (šā·p̄ān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8227: A species of rockrabbit, the hyrax

with the sword,
בַּחֶ֖רֶב (ba·ḥe·reḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

killing
וַיָּ֣מֶת (way·yā·meṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

the one
אֹת֑וֹ (’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

whom
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Babylon
בָּבֶ֖ל (bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city

had appointed to govern
הִפְקִ֥יד (hip̄·qîḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

the land.
בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ (bā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


Links
Jeremiah 41:2 NIV
Jeremiah 41:2 NLT
Jeremiah 41:2 ESV
Jeremiah 41:2 NASB
Jeremiah 41:2 KJV

Jeremiah 41:2 BibleApps.com
Jeremiah 41:2 Biblia Paralela
Jeremiah 41:2 Chinese Bible
Jeremiah 41:2 French Bible
Jeremiah 41:2 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Jeremiah 41:2 Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah (Jer.)
Jeremiah 41:1
Top of Page
Top of Page