Jeremiah 40:1-8 ▼

1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed) from the LORD {YHWH} after Nebuzaradan (Nebo has given seed) captain of the guard had released him at Ramah (hill), having found him bound in chains among all the captives of Jerusalem (city of peace) and Judah (praised) who were being exiled to Babylon (confusion by mixing).

2 The captain of the guard found Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed) and said to him, “The LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} decreed this disaster on this place,

3 and now the LORD {YHWH} has fulfilled it; He has done just as He said. Because you⁺ people have sinned against the LORD and have not obeyed His voice, this thing has happened to you⁺.

4 But now, behold, I am freeing you today from the chains that were on your wrists. If it pleases you to come with me to Babylon (confusion by mixing), then come, and I will take care of you. But if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, go no farther. Look, the whole land is before you. Wherever it seems good and right to you, go there.”

5 But before Jeremiah turned to go, Nebuzaradan added, “Return to Gedaliah (YHWH is great) son of Ahikam (my brother has arisen), the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) has appointed over the cities of Judah (praised), and stay with him among the people, or go anywhere else that seems right.” Then the captain of the guard gave him a ration and a gift and released him.

6 So Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed) went to Gedaliah (YHWH is great) son of Ahikam (my brother has arisen) at Mizpah (watchtower) and stayed with him among the people who were left in the land.

7 When all the commanders and men of the armies in the field heard that the king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) had appointed Gedaliah (YHWH is great) son of Ahikam (my brother has arisen) over the land and that he had put him in charge of the men, women, and children who were the poorest of the land and had not been exiled to Babylon,

8 they came to Gedaliah (YHWH is great) at Mizpah (watchtower)—Ishmael (God hears) son of Nethaniah (given of YHWH), Johanan (YHWH has graced) and Jonathan (YHWH has given) the sons of Kareah (bald), Seraiah (YHWH is ruler) son of Tanhumeth (consolation), the sons of Ephai (gloomy) the Netophathite, and Jezaniah (Jaazaniah) son of the Maacathite (she has pressed)—they and their men.