New International Version When all the army officers and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, Jaazaniah the son of the Maakathite, and their men. New Living Translation When all the army commanders and their men learned that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they went to see him at Mizpah. These included Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, Jezaniah son of the Maacathite, and all their men. English Standard Version Now when all the captains and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah governor, they came with their men to Gedaliah at Mizpah, namely, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite. Berean Standard Bible When all the commanders of the armies and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite, as well as their men. Berean Literal Bible And all the captains of the armies heard—they and the men—that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, and they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and Johanan son of Kareah, and Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite—they and their men. King James Bible 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. New King James Version Now when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, Johanan the son of Careah, Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men. New American Standard Bible When all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah, namely, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, Johanan the son of Kareah, Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men. NASB 1995 When all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, namely, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men. NASB 1977 When all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, namely, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men. Legacy Standard Bible Then all the commanders of the military forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah governor. So they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, namely, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men. Amplified Bible When all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah governor, they came with their men to Gedaliah at Mizpah, namely, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite. Berean Annotated Bible When all the commanders of the armies and their men heard that the king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) had appointed Gedaliah as governor (YHWH is great), they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah (watchtower)—Ishmael (God hears) son of Nethaniah (given of YHWH), Johanan (YHWH has graced) son of Kareah (bald), Seraiah (YHWH is ruler) son of Tanhumeth (consolation) the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah (Jezaniah) son of the Maacathite (she has pressed), as well as their men. Christian Standard Bible When all the commanders of the armies—they and their men—heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah. The commanders included Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite—they and their men. Holman Christian Standard Bible When all the commanders of the armies—they and their men—heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah. The commanders included Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite—they and their men. American Standard Version Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men. Contemporary English Version When the army officers and troops heard that Gedaliah was their ruler, the officers met with him at Mizpah. These men were Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth from Netophah, and Jaazaniah from Maacah. English Revised Version Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men. GOD'S WORD® Translation When all the army commanders and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah, they went to Gedaliah at Mizpah. They were Ishmael (son of Nethaniah), Johanan (son of Kareah), Seraiah (son of Tanhumeth from Netophah), and Jaazaniah from Beth Maacah and their men. Good News Translation When the Judean officers and soldiers who had not surrendered heard about this, they joined Gedaliah at Mizpah. These officers were Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth from the town of Netophah, and Jezaniah from Maacah. International Standard Version When all the captains of the armies, along with their men, heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah, these men visited Gedaliah at Mizpah: Nethaniah's son Ishmael, Kareah's son Johanan, Tanhumeth the Netophathite's son Seraiah, and Jaazaniah, who was descended from the Maacathites. NET Bible All of the officers of the Judahite army and their troops heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah to govern. So they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah. The officers who came were Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite. New Heart English Bible Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men. Webster's Bible Translation 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 Maachathite, they and their men. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen all the commanders of the armies and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite, as well as their men. World English Bible Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, Johanan the son of Kareah, Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd all the heads of the forces hear—they and the men—that the king of Babylon has appointed Gedaliah, and they come to Gedaliah, to Mizpah, even Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and Johanan son of Kareah, and Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maachathite—they and their men; Berean Literal Bible And all the captains of the armies heard—they and the men—that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, and they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and Johanan son of Kareah, and Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite—they and their men. Young's Literal Translation And all the heads of the forces hear -- they and the men -- that the king of Babylon hath appointed Gedaliah, and they come in unto Gedaliah, to Mizpah, even Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and Johanan son of Kareah, and Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maachathite -- they and their men; Smith's Literal Translation And all the chiefs of the armies, they and their men, will hear that the king of Babel appointed Gedaliah and there will come to Gedaliah to Mizpeh, and Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, and Johanan, son of Kareah, and Seraiah, son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of a Maachathite, they and their men. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when all the captains of the soldiers had heard this, they and the men that were with them, to wit, that the king of Babylon had made Godolias governor, they came to Godolias to Maspha, Ismael the son of Nathanias, and Johanan the son of Caree, and Saraia the son of Thanehumeth the Netophathite, and Jezonias the son of Maachathi, they and their men. Catholic Public Domain Version And when all the commanders of the military had heard this, they and the men who were with them, specifically, that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah, they went to Gedaliah at Mizpah: Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan, the son of Kareah, and Seraiah, the son of Tanhumeth, the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah, the son of a Maacathite, they and their companions. New American Bible Hearing that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah over them, all the army commanders and the troops came to him at Mizpah: Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, Johanan, son of Kareah, Seraiah, son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah, son of the Maakite, each with his troops. New Revised Standard Version Now when all the captains of the forces and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they came with their men to Gedaliah at Mizpah, namely, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when all the commanders of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah ruler, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and Johanan the son of Korah and Sheriah the son of Tanhumeth and Tobia and Jaazaniah the son of Maachat, they and their men. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And all the Commanders of the army heard, those and their mighty men, that the King of Babel authorized Gedaliah, and Ishmayl, son of Nethaniah, and Yokhanan, son of Qorakh, and Sharia, son of Tanakhmath, and Tubia and Yazeniah, son of Makath, came to Gedaliah to Metspaya, they and their mighty men. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men. Brenton Septuagint Translation And all the captains of the host, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had thus appointed Godolias, and they came to Godolias to Massephath, both Ismael the son of Nathanias, and Jona son of Careth, and Saraias, son of Thanamath the Netophathite, and Jezonias son of a Machathite, they and their men. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Gedaliah Made Governor of Judah22Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, over the people he had left behind in the land of Judah. 23When all the commanders of the armies and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah— Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite, as well as their men. 24And Gedaliah took an oath before them and their men, assuring them, “Do not be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be well with you.”… Cross References When all the commanders of the armies and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, Jeremiah 40:7 When all the commanders and men of the armies in the field heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam over the land and that he had put him in charge of the men, women, and children who were the poorest of the land and had not been exiled to Babylon, Jeremiah 40:5 But before Jeremiah turned to go, Nebuzaradan added, “Return to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the cities of Judah, and stay with him among the people, or go anywhere else that seems right.” Then the captain of the guard gave him a ration and a gift and released him. Jeremiah 39:14 had Jeremiah brought from the courtyard of the guard, and they turned him over to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, to take him home. So Jeremiah remained among his own people. they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah— Jeremiah 40:6 So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah and stayed with him among the people who were left in the land. Jeremiah 40:11-12 When all the Jews in Moab, Ammon, Edom, and all the other lands heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, over them, / they all returned from all the places to which they had been banished and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah. And they gathered an abundance of wine grapes and summer fruit. 1 Samuel 7:5-6 Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD on your behalf.” / When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah. Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Jeremiah 40:8 they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah son of the Maacathite—they and their men. Jeremiah 41:1-3 In the seventh month, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was a member of the royal family and one of the king’s chief officers, came with ten men to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah, and they ate a meal together there. / Then Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, killing the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed to govern the land. / Ishmael also killed all the Jews who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah, as well as the Chaldean soldiers who were there. Jeremiah 41:4-8 On the second day after the murder of Gedaliah, when no one yet knew about it, / eighty men who had shaved off their beards, torn their garments, and cut themselves came from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria, carrying grain offerings and frankincense for the house of the LORD. / And Ishmael son of Nethaniah went out from Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he went. When Ishmael encountered the men, he said, “Come to Gedaliah son of Ahikam.” … Johanan son of Kareah, Jeremiah 40:13-16 Meanwhile, Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the armies in the field came to Gedaliah at Mizpah / and said to him, “Are you aware that Baalis king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to take your life?” But Gedaliah son of Ahikam did not believe them. / Then Johanan son of Kareah spoke privately to Gedaliah at Mizpah. “Let me go and kill Ishmael son of Nethaniah,” he said. “No one will know it. Why should he take your life and scatter all the people of Judah who have gathered to you, so that the remnant of Judah would perish?” … Jeremiah 41:11-12 When Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the armies with him heard of all the crimes that Ishmael son of Nethaniah had committed, / they took all their men and went to fight Ishmael son of Nethaniah. And they found him near the great pool in Gibeon. Jeremiah 42:1-6 Then all the commanders of the forces, along with Johanan son of Kareah, Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest, approached / Jeremiah the prophet and said, “May our petition come before you; pray to the LORD your God on behalf of this entire remnant. For few of us remain of the many, as you can see with your own eyes. / Pray that the LORD your God will tell us the way we should walk and the thing we should do.” … Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, 2 Samuel 23:28-29 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, / Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjamites, 1 Chronicles 9:16 Obadiah son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites. Nehemiah 7:26 the men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188; and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite, 2 Samuel 10:6 When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob. Treasury of Scripture 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. And when. Jeremiah 40:7-9,11,12 Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon; … Mizpah. Genesis 31:49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. Jump to Previous Armies Babylon Captains Forces Gedaliah Governor Heard Ishmael Jaazaniah Johanan Kareah Maacathite Maachathite Mizpah Nethaniah Netophathite Seraiah TanhumethJump to Next Armies Babylon Captains Forces Gedaliah Governor Heard Ishmael Jaazaniah Johanan Kareah Maacathite Maachathite Mizpah Nethaniah Netophathite Seraiah Tanhumeth2 Kings 25 1. Jerusalem is besieged.4. Zedekiah taken, his sons slain, his eyes put out. 8. Nebuzaradan defaces the city, exiles the remnant, except a few poor laborers; 13. and carries away the treasures. 18. The nobles are slain at Riblah. 22. Gedaliah, who was over those who remained, being slain, the rest flee into Egypt. 27. Evil-Merodach advances Jehoiachin in his court. When all the commanders of the armies and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, Babylon established Gedaliah as its representative over the remaining people of Judah after Jerusalem’s fall. His appointment ended the rule of Judah’s kings and placed the land under Babylonian control. The surviving military leaders recognized that Gedaliah’s government offered the remnant an opportunity for order and continued life in the land. Jer 40:7 When all the commanders and men of the armies in the field…… they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah— Mizpah became the center of administration for the devastated territory. The commanders gathered there with their forces, indicating their willingness at first to submit to Gedaliah’s authority and to seek security under the Babylonian arrangement. Jer 40:6 So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah… Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Ishmael belonged to the royal family of David. His later murder of Gedaliah revealed that he rejected Babylonian rule and resented Gedaliah’s position. Jer 40:8 they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah… Johanan son of Kareah, Johanan proved concerned for the safety of Gedaliah and the people left in Judah. He later warned Gedaliah of Ishmael’s intentions and attempted to prevent the coming violence. Jer 40:13-16 Meanwhile, Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders… Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, Seraiah came from Netophah near Bethlehem, representing those from Judean towns who joined the remaining leadership after the collapse of the kingdom. 2Sa 23:28-29 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,… and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite, Jaazaniah’s Maacathite background reflects the mixed population and shifting alliances present in the land after the conquest. He joined the other commanders in recognizing Gedaliah’s authority. 2Sa 10:6 When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench… as well as their men. These commanders retained armed followers, making their cooperation essential to the peace and security of the remnant. The stability of Gedaliah’s administration depended upon leaders whose loyalties would soon be tested. Jer 41:13-18 When all the people with Ishmael saw Johanan son of Kareah… Persons / Places / Events 1. GedaliahAppointed by the king of Babylon as governor over the remaining people in Judah. He was a son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, known for his loyalty to Babylon and efforts to stabilize the region post-exile. 2. Ishmael son of Nethaniah A member of the royal family and one of the captains of the armies. He later assassinated Gedaliah, leading to further chaos. 3. Johanan son of Kareah Another military leader who warned Gedaliah about Ishmael's intentions and later pursued Ishmael after Gedaliah's assassination. 4. Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite One of the military leaders who came to Gedaliah at Mizpah. 5. Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite Another leader who joined Gedaliah at Mizpah. 6. Mizpah The location where Gedaliah set up his administration as governor. It became a center of governance after the fall of Jerusalem. Teaching Points Leadership in Times of CrisisGedaliah's appointment as governor highlights the importance of leadership during times of crisis. His role was to bring stability and order, a reminder of the need for godly leadership in challenging times. The Consequences of Ignoring Warnings Gedaliah ignored Johanan's warning about Ishmael, leading to his assassination. This teaches the importance of heeding wise counsel and being vigilant against potential threats. Trust and Betrayal The account of Gedaliah and Ishmael illustrates the themes of trust and betrayal. It serves as a reminder to be discerning in whom we place our trust and to seek God's wisdom in our relationships. God's Sovereignty Amidst Chaos Despite the political turmoil and human failures, God's sovereign plan continues. This encourages believers to trust in God's overarching plan, even when circumstances seem dire. Community and Unity The gathering of the captains and their men at Mizpah under Gedaliah's leadership underscores the importance of unity and community, especially in times of rebuilding and recovery. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 25:23?2. How can we respond to leadership changes as seen in 2 Kings 25:23? 3. What does 2 Kings 25:23 teach about loyalty to God-appointed leaders? 4. How does 2 Kings 25:23 relate to Romans 13:1 on authority? 5. How can we apply the actions of the commanders in our communities today? 6. What lessons on obedience can we learn from the commanders' actions in 2 Kings 25:23? 7. Why did the Babylonian officials come to Gedaliah in 2 Kings 25:23? 8. How does 2 Kings 25:23 reflect God's judgment on Judah? 9. What role did Gedaliah play in the aftermath of Jerusalem's fall? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 25? (23) The captains of the armies.--Rather, the army captains; or, the captains of the forces. They and their men had fled with the king, and dispersed themselves over the country (Jeremiah 40:7). Now they came out of hiding. Their men.--The Hebrew text has the men, but all the versions, and Jeremiah 40:7, read rightly, their men. Mizpah.--See 1Kings 15:22. It was well suited to be the governor's residence, as it lay high, and was a naturally strong position. Moreover, it was the seat of an ancient sanctuary (Judges 20:1), which might serve in some sort as a substitute for the destroyed Temple of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 41:5). . . . Verse 23. - And when all the captains of the armies; rather, the captains of the forces (Revised Version); i.e. the officers in command of the troops which had defended Jerusalem, and, having escaped from the city, were dispersed and scattered in various directions, partly in Judaea, partly in foreign countries. They and their men - apparently, each of them had kept with him a certain number of the men under his command - heard that the King of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor. The news was gratifying to them. It was something to have a Jewish ruler set over them, and not a Babylonian; it was, perhaps, even more to have a man noted for his justice and moderation (Josephus, 'Ant. Jud.,' 10:9. § 12), who had no selfish aims, but desired simply the prosperity and good government of the country. There same to Gedaliah to Mispah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Jo-hanan the son of Careah - Jeremiah 40:8 has "Johanan and Jonathan, the sons of Kareah" - and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite. In Jeremiah 40:8 we read, "And Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netephathite," by which it would seem that some words have fallen out here. By "Netophathite" is to be understood "native of Netophah," now Antubah, near Bethlehem (see Ezra 2:22; Nehemiah 7:26). And Jaazaniah the son of a Maschathite. Called Jezaniak by Jeremiah, and said by him (Jeremiah 42:1) to have been the son of a certain Heshaiah. Hoshaiah was a native of the Syrian kingdom, or district, known as Maschah, or Maachathi (Deuteronomy 3:14; 1 Chronicles 19:6, 7), which adjoined Bashan towards the north. They and their men. The persons mentioned, that is, with the soldiers under them, came to Gedaliah at Mizpah, and placed themselves under him as his subjects. 2 Kings 25:23 records a critical moment after Jerusalem’s fall: scattered military leaders rally to Babylon’s appointed governor, Gedaliah, at Mizpah. Their gathering signals willingness to accept foreign oversight and hints at a chance to rebuild under God’s disciplinary hand. Yet the mixed motives of these commanders—seen later in Ishmael’s treachery and Johanan’s fear-driven flight—demonstrate that true security for God’s people lies not in political arrangements but in humble obedience to His revealed will.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew When allכָל־ (ḵāl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the commanders שָׂרֵ֨י (śā·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince of the armies הַחֲיָלִ֜ים (ha·ḥă·yā·lîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength and their men וְהָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים (wə·hā·’ă·nā·šîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person heard וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ֩ (way·yiš·mə·‘ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently that כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the king מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Babylon בָּבֶל֙ (bā·ḇel) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city had appointed הִפְקִ֤יד (hip̄·qîḏ) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit Gedaliah {as governor}, גְּדַלְיָ֔הוּ (gə·ḏal·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1436: Gedaliah -- 'Yah is great', three Israelites they came וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Gedaliah גְּדַלְיָ֖הוּ (gə·ḏal·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1436: Gedaliah -- 'Yah is great', three Israelites at Mizpah— הַמִּצְפָּ֑ה (ham·miṣ·pāh) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4709: Mizpah -- the name of several places in Israel Ishmael וְיִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל (wə·yiš·mā·‘êl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3458: Ishmael -- 'God hears', the name of several Israelites son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of Nethaniah, נְתַנְיָ֡ה (nə·ṯan·yāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5418: Nethaniah -- 'given of Yah', the name of several Israelites Johanan וְיוֹחָנָ֣ן (wə·yō·w·ḥā·nān) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3110: Jochanan son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of Kareah, קָ֠רֵחַ (qā·rê·aḥ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7143: Kareah -- 'bald one', a man of Judah Seraiah וּשְׂרָיָ֨ה (ū·śə·rā·yāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 8304: Seraiah -- 'Yah persists', the name of a number of Israelites son בֶן־ (ḇen-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of Tanhumeth תַּנְחֻ֜מֶת (tan·ḥu·meṯ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 8576: Tanhumeth -- father of Seraiah the Netophathite, הַנְּטֹפָתִ֗י (han·nə·ṭō·p̄ā·ṯî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5200: Netophathite -- inhabitant of Netophah and Jaazaniah וְיַֽאֲזַנְיָ֙הוּ֙ (wə·ya·’ă·zan·yā·hū) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 2970: Jaazaniah -- 'Yah hears', the name of several Israelites son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of the Maacathite, הַמַּ֣עֲכָתִ֔י (ham·ma·‘ă·ḵā·ṯî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4602: Maacathite -- inhabitant of Maacah as well as their men. וְאַנְשֵׁיהֶֽם׃ (wə·’an·šê·hem) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person Additonal Resources 2 Kings 25:23 Blue Letter Bible2 Kings 25:23 Bible Gateway 2 Kings 25:23 Bible.com 2 Kings 25:23 NIV |
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