Jeremiah

Gedaliah, Governor

The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah after Nebuzaradan, the commander of the guards, released him at Ramah. He had taken Jeremiah, bound in chains, along with those being deported from Jerusalem and Judah to Babylon.

The commander of the guards then took Jeremiah and said to him: “The Lord your God foretold this calamity for this place.

Now he has carried out what he said he would do because you have sinned against him and refused to listen.

However, I have loosened your chains today and am releasing you… You may choose to go with me to Babylon, and I will take care of you. But I am not forcing you. If you decide not to go, you are free to go wherever you wish in this land.”

Nebuzaradan then added, “Why not return to Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan? He has been appointed governor over the towns of Judah by the king of Babylon. You could stay with him among your people. Still, go wherever feels right for you.” The guards’ commander supplied him with provisions and a gift, then set him on his way.

So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, who was living in Mizpah. He stayed with him among the remaining people in the land.

Now, all the army chiefs in the open country with their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, to be governor over the land. He was put in charge of the men, women, children, and the lowliest of the people who had not been deported to Babylon.

These men 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; Jezaniah, son of Maacathite; and their men.

Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, swore to them and their men: “Don’t be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Remain in the country, serve the king of Babylon, and everything will go well with you.’

For my part, I am based here in Mizpah as your representative with the Chaldeans who settle here. As for you, gather wine, fruit, and oil; store them in your vessels, and stay in the towns you have occupied.

The Jews in Moab, Ammon, Edom, and other lands also learned that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of the population and had appointed Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, to lead them.

All of these Jews returned from the places where they had been scattered and came to Gedaliah at Mizpah in the land of Judah. There, they gathered large quantities of wine and fruit.

Johanan, son of Kareah, along with all the chiefs of guerrilla warfare, came to Gedaliah at Mizpah.

They said: “Don’t you know that Baalis, king of the Ammonites, has hired Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, to kill you?”

But Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, did not believe them. Then Johanan secretly spoke to Gedaliah at Mizpah, saying: “Let me go and kill Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, without anyone knowing. Don’t let him kill you, or else all the Jews gathered with you will be scattered, and the rest of Judah will perish.”

But Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, told Johanan, son of Kareah: “Don’t do that because what you said about Ishmael is a lie.”