And they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt,
JEREMIAH 41:17KJVWhat does Jeremiah 41:17 mean?
Jeremiah 41:17 describes how a group of people left and settled at a place called the habitation of Chimham, which was near Bethlehem, as they prepared to continue on to Egypt. The verse shows a moment of pause on their journey, marking a temporary stop before entering Egypt.
The people in this verse are those who survived the violence led by Ishmael against Gedaliah and others in Mizpah. After escaping, they gathered under Johanan’s leadership and stopped at Chimham’s lodging place, close to Bethlehem, as they considered fleeing to Egypt for safety. This verse sets the stage for their next steps and highlights their fear of remaining in Judah.
The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 41:17
- "habitation" (גְּרוּת, geruth): This word means a lodging place or temporary dwelling. The use of "geruth" here suggests that Chimham’s place was not a permanent settlement but a spot meant for travelers, underlining the group’s unsettled and uncertain situation.
- "Chimham" (כִּמְהָם, Kimham): Chimham was likely a person whose property or inn was well-known near Bethlehem. Mentioning his name points to a specific, recognized location, giving the story a concrete setting.
- "to go" (יָלַךְ, yalak) and "enter" (בּוֹא, bo): These words emphasize movement and intention. The group was not just stopping but actively preparing to continue their journey into Egypt, showing their determination and anxiety about what lay ahead.
Why Jeremiah 41:17 matters
- This verse clarifies that the group’s stop at Chimham’s lodging was only a temporary measure, not a new home, highlighting their fear and uncertainty after the violence in Mizpah.
- The mention of Bethlehem and Chimham connects this event to earlier biblical history, as Chimham was associated with King David (2 Samuel 19:37–40), grounding the story in a familiar landscape.
- Jeremiah 41:17 sets up the tension for the next chapters, where the decision to go to Egypt and its consequences become a major focus, showing the people’s struggle to find safety and direction.