Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces which were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest,

JEREMIAH 42:8KJV
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Jeremiah 42:8 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 42:8 mean?

Jeremiah 42:8 describes Jeremiah gathering the leaders and the people to hear the answer he had received from the Lord. The gathering includes Johanan and his military commanders as well as people of every standing, because the message concerns the whole group.

After the Lord’s word came to Jeremiah in verse 7, Jeremiah called the group together. The phrase “from the least even to the greatest” pictures a gathering that reaches across differences in status.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 42:8

  • “captains” — שָׂר (sar): This word often means a leader or official. Here it identifies the men who held command among the forces with Johanan.
  • “forces” — חַיִל (ḥayil): This word can refer to strength or an army. Here the surrounding words point to the armed men under those commanders.

Why Jeremiah 42:8 matters

  • The answer was meant for more than Johanan alone. Jeremiah called “all the people” along with the commanders, so the wider group could hear what followed.
  • Jeremiah acts as the messenger between the Lord and the group. Verse 7 says the Lord’s word came to Jeremiah, and verse 9 begins Jeremiah’s report of that message.

Where else these words appear

“Kareah” Hebrew H7143 · used in 14 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 40:16 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.
  • Jeremiah 41:16 Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah, after that he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, even mighty men of war, and the women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gibeon:

“Johanan” Hebrew H3110 · used in 24 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.
  • Ezra 8:12 And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him an hundred and ten males.
  • Jeremiah 41:13 Now it came to pass, that when all the people which were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, then they were glad.

“least” Hebrew H6996 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
  • 1 Samuel 15:17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
  • 2 Chronicles 31:15 And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small: