📖 Jeremiah — Chapter 40 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Jeremiah 40:1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, Rafter that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in Tchains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon.
Jeremiah 40:2 And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, RThe LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.
Jeremiah 40:3 Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he hath said: Rbecause ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.
Jeremiah 40:4 And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which Twere upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and TI will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.
Jeremiah 40:5 Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, RGo back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.
Jeremiah 40:6 RThen went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.
Jeremiah 40:7 Now when Rall 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;
Jeremiah 40:8 Then they Rcame to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.
Jeremiah 40:9 And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan Rsware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
Jeremiah 40:10 As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah, Tto Rserve the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken.
Jeremiah 40:11 Likewise when Rall the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;
Jeremiah 40:12 Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.
Jeremiah 40:13 Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,
Jeremiah 40:14 And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the RAmmonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah Tto slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.
Jeremiah 40:15 Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly saying, RLet me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he slay thee, that all the Jews which are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish?
Jeremiah 40:16 But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, RThou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Jeremiah 40:1–6 — Jeremiah is freed and chooses to remain
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
At Ramah the captain releases Jeremiah from chains, acknowledges the announced judgment, and offers him a choice of destinations. Jeremiah goes to Gedaliah among the people remaining in Judah.
Key Truth: Consider faithful presence among people rebuilding life.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “The ____ that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan …” (Jeremiah 40:1)
Find it in Jeremiah 40:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And now, ____ , I loose thee this day from the chains which …” (Jeremiah 40:4)
Find it in Jeremiah 40:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the ____ of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the …” (Jeremiah 40:6)
Find it in Jeremiah 40:6 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Jeremiah 40:7–11 — Gedaliah urges settled life under Babylon
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Scattered military leaders come to the appointed governor. He urges them not to fear serving the Chaldeans and to gather wine, summer fruit, and oil, while refugees hear of the remaining community.
Key Truth: Work toward peaceful recovery after devastation.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And Gedaliah the ____ of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and …” (Jeremiah 40:9)
Find it in Jeremiah 40:9 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, ____ not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and …” (Jeremiah 40:9)
Find it in Jeremiah 40:9 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among …” (Jeremiah 40:11)
Find it in Jeremiah 40:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Jeremiah 40:12–16 — Returning harvests and an ignored warning
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Refugees return and gather abundant fruit. Johanan warns that Ishmael intends to kill Gedaliah, but the governor refuses the proposed killing and denies the report, setting up the next chapter’s crisis.
Key Truth: Weigh warnings carefully while refusing rash violence.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Even all the ____ returned out of all places whither they were driven, and …” (Jeremiah 40:12)
Find it in Jeremiah 40:12 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Moreover Johanan the ____ of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that …” (Jeremiah 40:13)
Find it in Jeremiah 40:13 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “But ____ the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of …” (Jeremiah 40:16)
Find it in Jeremiah 40:16 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Jeremiah 29:7 — The earlier letter encourages seeking the place’s peace.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can you help a wounded community rebuild while taking credible danger seriously?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does the captain explain the catastrophe?
2. What freedom does the captain offer Jeremiah?
3. What does Jeremiah actually choose after release?
4. What activity is urged as part of settled life under the governor?
5. How does Gedaliah respond to Johanan’s proposed action against Ishmael?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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