Ishmael son of Nethaniah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah, primarily in chapters 40 and 41. He is a member of the royal family of Judah, being of the seed royal, and is described as the son of Nethaniah and the grandson of Elishama. Ishmael's actions are set against the backdrop of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem and the subsequent governance of Judah.

Background and Context

Following the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC by the Babylonians, King Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam as governor over the remnant of Judah. Gedaliah established his administration in Mizpah and sought to encourage the remaining Judeans to live peacefully under Babylonian rule. This period was marked by political instability and intrigue, as various factions vied for power and influence in the vacuum left by the fall of Jerusalem.

Ishmael's Plot and Assassination of Gedaliah

Ishmael son of Nethaniah emerges as a significant figure during this tumultuous time. He is described as a man of noble lineage, and his royal connections may have fueled his ambitions. Ishmael's actions are recorded in Jeremiah 40:7-41:18. According to the narrative, Ishmael was one of the military leaders who had been in the field and came to Gedaliah at Mizpah. Despite warnings from Johanan son of Kareah and other army officers about Ishmael's intentions, Gedaliah refused to believe that Ishmael posed a threat.

In Jeremiah 41:1-3 , the account of Ishmael's treachery unfolds: "In the seventh month, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was of the royal family and had been one of the king’s officers, came with ten men to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah. And while they were eating a meal together there, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him rose 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 over the land."

Aftermath and Further Violence

Following the assassination of Gedaliah, Ishmael's violent campaign continued. He killed all the Jews who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah, as well as the Babylonian soldiers present. Ishmael's actions caused great fear among the people, leading to further chaos and instability. In Jeremiah 41:4-10, Ishmael also captured a group of eighty men who came to offer sacrifices at the temple site, killing most of them and taking the rest captive.

Escape and Pursuit

Ishmael's reign of terror was short-lived. Johanan son of Kareah and the other army officers pursued him to rescue the captives. In Jeremiah 41:11-15, Johanan and his men confronted Ishmael near the great pool in Gibeon. Ishmael managed to escape with eight of his men and fled to the Ammonites, seeking refuge with Baalis, the king of the Ammonites, who had likely been complicit in the plot against Gedaliah.

Significance and Legacy

Ishmael son of Nethaniah's actions had significant repercussions for the remnant of Judah. His assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor, led to increased fear and uncertainty among the people. The remaining Judeans, fearing Babylonian retribution, eventually fled to Egypt, despite the prophet Jeremiah's warnings against such a course of action.

Ishmael's account is a poignant reminder of the political intrigue and violence that characterized the period following the fall of Jerusalem. His actions underscore the challenges faced by the Jewish remnant in navigating the complex political landscape of the time, as well as the consequences of ambition and betrayal.