Jeremiah 41:9
New International Version
Now the cistern where he threw all the bodies of the men he had killed along with Gedaliah was the one King Asa had made as part of his defense against Baasha king of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with the dead.

New Living Translation
The cistern where Ishmael dumped the bodies of the men he murdered was the large one dug by King Asa when he fortified Mizpah to protect himself against King Baasha of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with corpses.

English Standard Version
Now the cistern into which Ishmael had thrown all the bodies of the men whom he had struck down along with Gedaliah was the large cistern that King Asa had made for defense against Baasha king of Israel; Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain.

Berean Standard Bible
Now the cistern into which Ishmael had thrown all the bodies of the men he had struck down along with Gedaliah was a large one that King Asa had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain.

King James Bible
Now the pit wherein Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain because of Gedaliah, was it which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slain.

New King James Version
Now the pit into which Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men whom he had slain, because of Gedaliah, was the same one Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel. Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain.

New American Standard Bible
Now as for the cistern where Ishmael had thrown all the bodies of the men whom he had struck and killed because of Gedaliah, it was the one that King Asa had constructed on account of Baasha, king of Israel; Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with the dead.

NASB 1995
Now as for the cistern where Ishmael had cast all the corpses of the men whom he had struck down because of Gedaliah, it was the one that King Asa had made on account of Baasha, king of Israel; Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain.

NASB 1977
Now as for the cistern where Ishmael had cast all the corpses of the men whom he had struck down because of Gedaliah, it was the one that King Asa had made on account of Baasha, king of Israel; Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now as for the cistern where Ishmael had cast all the corpses of the men whom he had struck down because of Gedaliah, it was the one that King Asa had made on account of Baasha, king of Israel; Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain.

Amplified Bible
Now the cistern into which Ishmael had thrown all the corpses of the men whom he had killed along with Gedaliah was the one which King Asa [of Judah] had made [about three hundred years earlier] on account of King Baasha of Israel [believing that Baasha would lay siege to Mizpah]. Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with [the bodies of] those who were killed.

Christian Standard Bible
Now the cistern where Ishmael had thrown all the corpses of the men he had struck down was a large one that King Asa had made in the encounter with King Baasha of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now the cistern where Ishmael had thrown all the corpses of the men he had struck down was a large one that King Asa had made in the encounter with Baasha king of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain.

American Standard Version
Now the pit wherein Ishmael cast all the dead bodies of the men whom he had slain, by the side of Gedaliah (the same was that which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel), Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slain.

Contemporary English Version
The well that he filled with bodies had been dug by King Asa of Judah to store rainwater, because he was afraid that King Baasha of Israel might surround Mizpah and keep the people from getting to their water supply.

English Revised Version
Now the pit wherein Ishmael cast all the dead bodies of the men whom he had slain, by the side of Gedaliah, (the same was that which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel,) Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slain.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Now, the cistern where Ishmael threw all the bodies of the men he had killed was the same one that King Asa made as a part of his defense against King Baasha of Israel. Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, filled it with the bodies.

Good News Translation
The well into which Ishmael threw the bodies of the men he had killed was the large one that King Asa had dug when he was being attacked by King Baasha of Israel. Ishmael filled the well with the bodies.

International Standard Version
Ishmael threw the bodies of the men he killed on account of Gedaliah into the cistern that King Asa had made for protection against King Baasha of Israel. That is the same one Nethaniah's son Ishmael filled with those he killed.

Majority Standard Bible
Now the cistern into which Ishmael had thrown all the bodies of the men he had struck down along with Gedaliah was a large one that King Asa had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain.

NET Bible
Now the cistern where Ishmael threw all the dead bodies of those he had killed was a large one that King Asa had constructed as part of his defenses against King Baasha of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with dead bodies.

New Heart English Bible
Now the pit in which Ishmael cast all the dead bodies of the men whom he had killed was a large one that King Asa had constructed in the encounter with Baasha king of Israel. Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with those who were killed.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now the pit into which Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain because of Gedaliah, was that which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slain.

World English Bible
Now the pit in which Ishmael cast all the dead bodies of the men whom he had killed, by the side of Gedaliah (this was that which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel), Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with those who were killed.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the pit to where Ishmael has cast all the carcasses of the men whom he has struck along with Gedaliah, is that which King Asa made because of Baasha king of Israel—Ishmael son of Nethaniah has filled it with the pierced.

Young's Literal Translation
And the pit whither Ishmael hath cast all the carcases of the men whom he hath smitten along with Gedaliah, is that which the king Asa made because of Baasha king of Israel -- it hath Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled with the pierced.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the pit where Ishmael cast there all the corpses of the men whom he struck by the hand of Gedaliah was that which king Asa made from the face of Baasha king of Israel: Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with the wounded.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the pit into which Ismahel cast all the dead bodies of the men whom he slew because of Godolias, is the same that king Asa made, for fear of Baasa the king of Israel: the same did Ismahel the son of Nathanias fill with them that were slain.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now the cistern, into which Ishmael cast all the dead bodies of the men whom he had struck down because of Gedaliah, is the same one that king Asa made out of fear of Baasha, the king of Israel. This same cistern Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah, filled with those who were slain.

New American Bible
The cistern into which Ishmael threw all the bodies of the men he had killed was the large one King Asa made to defend himself against Baasha, king of Israel; Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, filled this cistern with the slain.

New Revised Standard Version
Now the cistern into which Ishmael had thrown all the bodies of the men whom he had struck down was the large cistern that King Asa had made for defense against King Baasha of Israel; Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled that cistern with those whom he had killed.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now the pit into which Ishmael cast all dead bodies of the men whom he had slain with Gedaliah was the same pit which Asa the king of Judah had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel; that same pit Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled with the slain.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the pit in which Ishmayl threw all the corpses of the men whom he killed with Gedaliah, was that which Asa King of Judea made from before Baasha King of Israel. That was the pit that Ishmayl son of Nethaniah filled with the slain
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now the pit wherein Ishmael cast all the dead bodies of the men whom he had slain by the side of Gedaliah was that which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasa king of Israel; the same Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled with them that were slain.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Now the pit into which Ismael cast all whom he smote, is the great pit, which king Asa had made for fear of Baasa king of Israel: even this Ismael filled with slain men.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Assassination of Gedaliah
8But ten of the men among them said to Ishmael, “Do not kill us, for we have hidden treasure in the field—wheat, barley, oil, and honey!” So he refrained from killing them with the others. 9Now the cistern into which Ishmael had thrown all the bodies of the men he had struck down along with Gedaliah was a large one that King Asa had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain. 10Then Ishmael took captive all the remnant of the people of Mizpah—the daughters of the king along with all the others who remained in Mizpah—over whom Nebuzaradan captain of the guard had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam. Ishmael son of Nethaniah took them captive and set off to cross over to the Ammonites.…

Cross References
2 Kings 25:25-26
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. / Then all the people small and great, together with the commanders of the army, arose and fled to Egypt for fear of the Chaldeans.

2 Chronicles 36:20-21
Those who escaped the sword were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exile in Babylon, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power. / So the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of the desolation, until seventy years were completed, in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah.

Genesis 37:24
and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, with no water in it.

Genesis 37:28
So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

1 Samuel 19:11-12
Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” / So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped.

1 Kings 2:31-34
And the king replied, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab shed. / The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. / Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.” ...

2 Kings 10:7
And when the letter arrived, they took the sons of the king and slaughtered all seventy of them. They put their heads in baskets and sent them to Jehu at Jezreel.

2 Kings 25:11
Then Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried into exile the people who remained in the city, along with the deserters who had defected to the king of Babylon and the rest of the population.

Psalm 9:15
The nations have fallen into a pit of their making; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.

Psalm 55:23
But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.

Isaiah 14:19
But you are cast out of your grave like a rejected branch, covered by those slain with the sword, and dumped into a rocky pit like a carcass trampled underfoot.

Matthew 27:5-8
So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. / The chief priests picked up the pieces of silver and said, “It is unlawful to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” / After conferring together, they used the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. ...

Matthew 23:35
And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

Acts 1:18-19
(Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out. / This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so they called that field in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

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

Now the pit wherein Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain because of Gedaliah, was it which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slain.

the pit.

because of Gedaliah.

Joshua 10:16-18
But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah…

Judges 6:2
And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.

1 Samuel 13:6
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

for fear.

1 Kings 15:17-22
And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah…

2 Chronicles 16:1-10
In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah…

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Asa Baasa Baasha Bodies Cast Cistern Corpses Dead Fear Filled Gedaliah Ishmael Israel Killed Nethaniah Pit Side Slain Wherein
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Asa Baasa Baasha Bodies Cast Cistern Corpses Dead Fear Filled Gedaliah Ishmael Israel Killed Nethaniah Pit Side Slain Wherein
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.














Now the cistern into which Ishmael had thrown all the bodies of the men he had struck down along with Gedaliah
This phrase highlights the brutal actions of Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, who assassinated Gedaliah, the governor appointed by the Babylonians. The cistern, a large pit or reservoir used for storing water, becomes a mass grave, symbolizing the depth of treachery and violence. The murder of Gedaliah, a significant leader, marks a pivotal moment in Judah's history, leading to further chaos and despair among the remnant left in the land after the Babylonian exile. This act of violence is a stark reminder of the political instability and the consequences of rebellion against God's appointed leaders.

was a large one that King Asa had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel
King Asa of Judah constructed this cistern during his reign as a defensive measure against Baasha, the king of Israel. This historical context underscores the longstanding conflict between the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Asa's efforts to fortify his kingdom reflect the constant threat of invasion and the need for strategic defense. The cistern, originally intended for protection, ironically becomes a site of internal betrayal and murder, illustrating how tools meant for preservation can be repurposed for destruction when God's people turn away from His guidance.

Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain
Ishmael's actions in filling the cistern with the bodies of the slain demonstrate the extent of his rebellion and disregard for human life. This act of filling the cistern with corpses is not only a physical act of violence but also a symbolic gesture of defilement and desecration. It reflects the moral and spiritual decay present in Judah at the time. Theologically, this can be seen as a consequence of the people's disobedience to God, leading to judgment and further suffering. The narrative serves as a somber reminder of the need for repentance and the dangers of forsaking God's covenant.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ishmael son of Nethaniah
A member of the royal family and one of the officers of the king, who led a violent rebellion against Gedaliah, the governor appointed by the Babylonians.

2. Gedaliah
Appointed by the Babylonians as governor over the remnant in Judah after the destruction of Jerusalem. He was known for his efforts to bring stability and peace to the land.

3. King Asa
A former king of Judah who reigned during a time of conflict with Baasha, king of Israel. He constructed the cistern as part of his defensive measures.

4. Baasha, King of Israel
The king of the northern kingdom of Israel who was in conflict with Asa, leading to the construction of the cistern.

5. The Cistern
Originally built by King Asa for defense, it became a mass grave for the victims of Ishmael's treachery.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Betrayal
Ishmael's actions remind us of the destructive power of betrayal and the chaos it brings. Betrayal not only harms the immediate victims but also destabilizes communities and nations.

The Misuse of Resources
The cistern, originally a defensive resource, became a tool for evil. This teaches us to consider how we use the resources and opportunities God provides, ensuring they serve His purposes.

God's Sovereignty Amidst Chaos
Despite the turmoil and violence, God's plans for His people continue. This encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem dire.

The Importance of Leadership
Gedaliah's assassination underscores the need for wise and godly leadership. Leaders should seek God's guidance to maintain peace and justice.(9) Because of Gedaliah.--Literally, by the hand of Gedaliah; i.e., by using his name to entrap the unsuspecting pilgrims.

Which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha . . .--See 1Kings 15:22; 2Chronicles 16:6. Baasha had tried to fortify Ramah as an outpost of his kingdom. Asa called in the help of Benhadad, king of Syria, and compelled him to desist, and then carried off the stones and timber to strengthen Mizpah as a position of defence. The "pit" was probably a trench with a drawbridge over it, so constructed as to stop all approach from the neighbouring kingdom; or else one of the tanks or reservoirs constructed to supply the fortress with water. A various reading gives "the pit of Gedaliah," instead of "because of Gedaliah."

Verse 9. - Now the pit... which Arm the king had made, etc. Nothing is said of this "pit" in the historical books, but only (1 Kings 15:22 = 2 Chronicles 16:6) that Asa used the material with which Baasha had fortified Ramah to build Geba and Mizpah. It would seem that this "pit" formed part of Asa's defensive works; probably it was a cistern to supply the town with water during the siege. Because of Gedaliah; was it. The rendering "because of" must be abandoned. The Septuagint has, in this part of the verse, the very natural words, "was a great pit," and this reading is adopted by Movers, Hitzig, and Graft.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now the cistern
וְהַבּ֗וֹר (wə·hab·bō·wr)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 953: A pit, cistern, well

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

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

had thrown
הִשְׁלִ֨יךְ (hiš·lîḵ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the bodies
פִּגְרֵ֣י (piḡ·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6297: A carcase, an idolatrous image

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

he had struck down
הִכָּה֙ (hik·kāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

along with
בְּיַד־ (bə·yaḏ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

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

was a large one that
אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

King
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Asa
אָסָ֔א (’ā·sā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 609: Asa -- perhaps 'healer', an Israelite name

had made
עָשָׂה֙ (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

for fear
מִפְּנֵ֖י (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of Baasha
בַּעְשָׁ֣א (ba‘·šā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1201: Baasha -- a king of Israel

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

of Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

Ishmael
יִשְׁמָעֵ֥אל (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
נְתַנְיָ֖הוּ (nə·ṯan·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5418: Nethaniah -- 'given of Yah', the name of several Israelites

filled it
מִלֵּ֛א (mil·lê)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of

with the slain.
חֲלָלִֽים׃ (ḥă·lā·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2491: Pierced, polluted


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 41:9 Now the pit in which Ishmael cast (Jer.)
Jeremiah 41:8
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