Because of the Chaldeans: for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.

JEREMIAH 41:18KJV
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Jeremiah 41:18 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 41:18 mean?

Jeremiah 41:18 explains that the people were hiding because they were afraid of the Chaldeans, since Ishmael son of Nethaniah had killed Gedaliah, whom the king of Babylon had appointed as governor over the land. The verse gives the reason for their fear and their decision to take refuge.

The setting is after Babylon conquered Judah and set up Gedaliah as governor. Ishmael, from a royal family, assassinated Gedaliah, causing panic among the remaining people. The verse shows that the people feared Babylonian retaliation for Gedaliah’s murder, so they hid, worried that the Chaldeans (another name for Babylonians) would blame them or punish them for the governor’s death.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 41:18

  • "Chaldeans" (כַּשְׂדִּים, Kasdim): This word refers specifically to the ruling people of Babylon. Calling them "Chaldeans" highlights their power and the real threat they posed to the survivors.
  • "Afraid" (יָרֵא, yare): This word means to fear or be terrified. The verse uses it to show the deep anxiety and real danger the people felt after the assassination.
  • "Slain" (נָכָה, nakah): This word means to strike or kill. It emphasizes that Gedaliah’s death was a violent act, not a natural death, which made the situation even more dangerous for those left in the land.
  • "Governor" (פָּקַד, paqad): Here, it means someone appointed to oversee or be in charge. The use of this word underlines Gedaliah’s official role given by the Babylonian king, making his murder a serious offense in the eyes of Babylon.

Why Jeremiah 41:18 matters

  • The verse clarifies why the people were so fearful and why they hid: they worried about collective punishment from Babylon for the murder of their appointed governor.
  • It connects the actions of Ishmael to the larger consequences for the community, showing how one violent act could put many innocent lives at risk.
  • Jeremiah 41:18 helps explain the atmosphere of fear and instability in Judah after the Babylonian conquest, setting the stage for the events that follow in the book.

Where else these words appear

“Nethaniah” Hebrew H5418 · used in 20 verses

  • 2 Kings 25:23 And when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Careah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.
  • Jeremiah 40:8 Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.
  • Jeremiah 41:7 And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.

“Ahikam” Hebrew H296 · used in 20 verses

  • 2 Kings 22:12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,
  • Jeremiah 40:5 Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.
  • Jeremiah 40:16 But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.

“Gedaliah” Hebrew H1436 · used in 31 verses

  • 2 Kings 25:22 And as for the people that remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, ruler.
  • Jeremiah 40:6 Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.
  • Jeremiah 41:1 Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.

“Ishmael” Hebrew H3458 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 16:11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
  • Genesis 36:3 And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.
  • Jeremiah 40:16 But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.