Yirmeyah 40:13

13 Moreover Yochanan ben Kareach, and all the officers of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedalyah to Mitzpah,

Yirmeyah 40:13 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 40:13

Moreover, Johanan the son of Kareah
Who seems to be the principal captain next to Ishmael, against whom an information is brought, and so not present; this captain is here only mentioned by name, and before next to Ishmael: and all the captains of the forces that [were] in the fields;
or that had been in the fields, and probably might be there again; see ( Jeremiah 40:7 ) ; that is, the rest of them, besides Johanan mentioned, and Ishmael the conspirator: these came to Gedaliah to Mizpah;
they had been with him before, and being satisfied by him of the safety they would be in, in the service of the Chaldeans, under him, either returned to the fields from whence they came, or went to those cities and villages he directed them to; but, like honest and faithful men, knowing there was a conspiracy against his life, came in a body to inform him of it, for the greater certainty of it; as judging he would be more ready to give heed unto it, than if only a single person had informed him of it, as well as to show their affection and loyalty to him.

Yirmeyah 40:13 In-Context

11 Likewise when kol HaYehudim that were in Moav, and among the Bnei Ammon, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that Melech Bavel had left a she’erit (remnant) of Yehudah, and that he had set over them Gedalyah ben Achikam ben Shaphan,

12 Then kol HaYehudim returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to Eretz Yehudah, to Gedalyah, unto Mitzpah, and gathered yayin and kayitz very much.

13 Moreover Yochanan ben Kareach, and all the officers of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedalyah to Mitzpah,

14 And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis Melech Bnei Ammon hath sent Yishmael ben Netanyah to slay thee? But Gedalyah ben Achikam believed them not.

15 Then Yochanan ben Kareach spoke to Gedalyah in Mitzpah baseter (secretly) saying, Let me go, and I will slay Yishmael ben Netanyah, and no man shall know it. Why should he slay thee, that all the Yehudim which are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the she’erit in Yehudah perish?