Keraia
2 Kings 25

2 Kings 25:23

Gedaliah Governs in Judah · 2 Kings 25:22–24
Read 2 Kings 25

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
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.
Latin
Quod cum audissent omnes duces militum, ipsi et viri qui erant cum eis, videlicet quod constituisset rex Babylonis Godoliam, venerunt ad Godoliam in Maspha, Ismahel filius Nathaniæ, et Johanan filius Caree, et Saraia filius Thanehumeth Netophathites, et Jezonias filius Maachathi, ipsi et socii eorum.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

2 Kings 25:23–24

  • Gedaliah's family had experience in civic matters, so people initially accepted his role as governor (see also Jeremiah 40:1–12). A seal impression found at Lachish shows Gedaliah's importance as the officer "over the house" (see study note on 1 Kings 4:6).

  • The prophet Jeremiah, along with army commanders, went to Mizpah to support Gedaliah (Jeremiah 40:6). This Mizpah was a border town in Benjamin and was known in Israelite history as a place for religious gatherings (1 Samuel 7:5–6).

  • The men mentioned here held significant positions. Ishmael came from a royal family (2 Kings 25:25; Jeremiah 36:12). Johanan was a loyal supporter of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 40:13–16). The name Jezaniah appears on items found during excavations at Tell-en-Nasbeh.

2 Kings 25:22–30

Two short sections describe what happened next. The first explains how the land was reorganized (2 Kings 25:22–26). The second tells how King Jehoiachin was later treated kindly (2 Kings 25:27–30).

Parallels

Jeremiah 40:1–16

People

Gedaliah: Appointed governor of Judah by Babylonians; assassinated by Ishmael Ishmael: Assassinated Gedaliah the governor; led captives to Ammon Jezaniah: A leader of the Judean forces Johanan: A Judean military leader after the fall of Jerusalem Kareah: Father of Johanan and Jonathan Nethaniah: Father of Ishmael Seraiah: Officer under Gedaliah, son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite Tanhumeth: Supporter of Gedaliah after Jerusalem's fall

Places

Babylon: Ancient Mesopotamian city, capital of Babylonian Empire, site of the Tower of Babel Maacah: A region near Geshur Mizpah: A city in Benjamin; a place of gathering and judgment Netophah: A town in Judah, home to several notable individuals

Glossary

Book of Jeremiah Careah Domestic Fowl, Poultry Ezekiel, Book of Gedaliah Jaazaniah Johanan Kareah Kings, Books of First and Second Maacathite, Maachathi, Maachathite Mizpah Nethaniah Netophah, Netophathite Seraiah Tanhumeth

Topics

Gedaliah: Governor Appointed by Nebucbadnezzar After Carrying the Jews Into Captivity Ishmael: Assassinated Gedaliah, Governor of Judah Under King of Babylon, and Takes Many Jews Captive Israel, Prophecies Concerning: The Poorest of the People Were Left to Occupy the Country Jaazaniah: Also Called Jezaniah: A Captain Who Joined Gedaliah at Mizpah Jerusalem: Calamities of, Mentioned: Taken and Burned by Nebuchadnezzar Johanan: A Jewish Captain Kareah: Father of Johanan Mizpah: Temporarily the Capitol of the Country After the People of Israel had been Carried Away Captive Nethaniah: Father of Ishmael Prophecies Concerning Israel: Gedaliah's Adminstration Was Favorable to the People Seraiah: An Israelite Captain Who Surrendered to Gedaliah Tanhumeth: Father of Seraiah