But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.

JEREMIAH 41:8KJV
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Jeremiah 41:8 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 41:8 mean?

Jeremiah 41:8 describes how ten men pleaded with Ishmael not to kill them, offering the location of hidden supplies in the fields—wheat, barley, oil, and honey—in exchange for their lives, and Ishmael decided to spare them. The verse shows a moment where quick thinking and the promise of valuable resources saved these men from death during a violent episode.

In the story, Ishmael had just killed many people at Mizpah after the fall of Jerusalem. These ten men, likely travelers or refugees, convinced Ishmael to let them live by revealing they had hidden stores of food and supplies. The verse highlights both the desperation of the times and the importance of basic resources for survival in the aftermath of war.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 41:8

  • "treasures" (מַטְמוֹן, matmon): This word means hidden stores or secret stashes. The men were not just offering ordinary food, but valuable supplies carefully concealed, showing how precious such things were in a time of crisis.
  • "forbare" (חָדַל, chadal): This word means to hold back or refrain. Ishmael actively chose to stop himself from killing these men, indicating a deliberate decision rather than a moment of mercy.
  • "slew" (מוּת, muth): This is the same word used earlier for killing, reinforcing the violence of the situation and the real threat these men faced.

Why Jeremiah 41:8 matters

  • Jeremiah 41:8 clarifies that not everyone was killed indiscriminately; some managed to survive by bargaining, which shows the chaotic and desperate conditions after Jerusalem's fall.
  • The verse emphasizes the value of basic food supplies—wheat, barley, oil, and honey—during a time of scarcity, helping readers understand the real-life stakes for people in this period.
  • This moment connects to the larger narrative of Jeremiah 41, showing Ishmael's ruthlessness but also his willingness to be swayed by practical gain rather than sheer bloodlust.

Where else these words appear

“treasures” Hebrew H4301 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 43:23 And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.
  • Job 3:21 Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;
  • Proverbs 2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

“wheat” Hebrew H2406 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 30:14 And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.
  • 1 Samuel 6:13 And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.
  • Job 31:40 Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.

“barley” Hebrew H8184 · used in 32 verses

  • Exodus 9:31 And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.
  • Ruth 3:17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:10 And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.

“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.