Jeremiah with the Governor of Judah
Jeremiah 47, verse 1. The word came from the Lord to Jeremiah after Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard released him from Ramah, when he took him in manacles in the midst of the captivity of Judah, those being led into Babylon. Jeremiah 47, verse 2. The captain of the guard took him and said to him, “The Lord your God pronounced all these calamities upon this place, Jeremiah 47, verse 3. and the Lord did this because you did not heed His voice. Jeremiah 47, verse 4. Behold, I have freed you from the manacles placed on your hands. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you. Jeremiah 47, verse 5. But if not, run hard and return to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon appointed over the land of Judah, and dwell with him among the people in the land of Judah. Go wherever in your eyes it seems best to go.” Then the chief of the guard gave him rations and a gift and sent him away. Jeremiah 47, verse 6. So Jeremiah came to Gedaliah at Mizpah and remained among the people who were left in the land. Jeremiah 47, verse 7. Now all the leaders of the army in the field, they and their men, heard the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah to govern over the land, and that he entrusted to him their men and women whom he had not carried away captive to Babylon. Jeremiah 47, verse 8. Then Ishmael the son of Nethaniah came to Gedaliah at Mizpah, along with Johanan the son of Kareah, Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of Mechati, they and their men. Jeremiah 47, verse 9. Gedaliah swore an oath to them and their men, saying, “Do not be afraid in the presence of the servants of the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and work for the king of Babylon; for it shall be beneficial for you. Jeremiah 47, verse 10. Behold, I sit in your presence at Mizpah to stand before the Chaldeans who come against us. Gather together wine and fruit, together with olive oil, and put them in your containers. Dwell in the cities you possess.” Jeremiah 47, verse 11. Then all the Jews in Moab, and those among the children of Ammon, and those in Edom, and those in all the land heard the king of Babylon had granted a remnant in Judah and set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam. Jeremiah 47, verse 12. So they came to Gedaliah in the land of Judah at Mizpah, and gathered together a great abundance of wine, fruit, and olive oil. Jeremiah 47, verse 13. Then Johanan the son of Kareah and all the field leaders of the army came to Gedaliah at Mizpah. Jeremiah 47, verse 14. They said to him, “Do you indeed know that king Baalis of the sons of Ammon has sent Ishmael to slay you?” But Gedaliah did not believe them. Jeremiah 47, verse 15. Then Johanan spoke secretly to Gedaliah at Mizpah, “Indeed, I shall go and smite Ishmael, but let no one know it, lest he take your life, and all Judah gathered to you be scattered by him, and the remnant in Judah perish.” Jeremiah 47, verse 16. But Gedaliah said to Johanan, “Do not do this deed, for you speak lies concerning Ishmael.”