Jeremiah 40:11-16

11 Likewise when all the Yehudim who were in Mo'av, and among the children of `Ammon, and in Edom, and who were in all the countries, heard that the king of Bavel had left a remnant of Yehudah, and that he had set over them Gedalyahu the son of Achikam, the son of Shafan;

12 then all the Yehudim returned out of all places where they were driven, and came to the land of Yehudah, to Gedalyahu, to Mitzpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.

13 Moreover Yochanan the son of Kareach, and all the captains of the forces who were in the fields, came to Gedalyahu to Mitzpah,

14 and said to him, Do you know that Baalis the king of the children of `Ammon has sent Yishma'el the son of Netanyah to take your life? But Gedalyahu the son of Achikam didn't believe them.

15 Then Yochanan the son of Kareach spoke to Gedalyahu in Mitzpah secretly, saying, Please let me go, and I will kill Yishma'el the son of Netanyah, and no man shall know it: why should he take your life, that all the Yehudim who are gathered to you should be scattered, and the remnant of Yehudah perish?

16 But Gedalyahu the son of Achikam said to Yochanan the son of Kareach, You shall not do this thing; for you speak falsely of Yishma'el.

Jeremiah 40:11-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 40

This chapter treats of the release of Jeremiah, and the care taken of him; of the gathering of the princes and people of the Jews to Gedaliah, appointed their governor, dispersed about Judea, and other countries; and of a conspiracy against him, of which information was given him. The release of Jeremiah, where, and by whom, Jer 40:1-4; the liberty granted him to go to Babylon, or stay in Judea, as he thought fit; and, if he chose the latter, is advised to go to Gedaliah, appointed governor, or where he would; and is dismissed with food, and a reward, Jer 40:4-6; upon which he went and dwelt with Gedaliah, Jer 40:7; to whom also the captains of the dispersed forces joined themselves, to whom he swore, and bid them be of good cheer; and exhorted them to serve the Chaldeans, which he urged from the profit of it to them, and by his own example, Jer 40:8-10; and to whom also gathered the Jews in other countries, Jer 40:11,12; by the captains he is informed of a conspiracy against his life, and one of them offers to destroy the conspirator, which Gedaliah would not agree to, disbelieving the information, Jer 40:13-16.