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Jeremiah 40:16

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 40:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing; for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing; for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.
Jeremiah 40:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 40

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,
14and said unto him, Dost thou know that Baalis the king of the children of Ammon hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take thy life? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.
15Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he take thy life, that all the Jews that are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant of Judah perish?
16But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing; for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.
← Jeremiah 40:15Jeremiah 41:1 →
← Full Chapter 40 Jeremiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, etc.] In answer to his request, and the motion made by him: thou shalt not do this thing; or, “do not do this thing”f745; dissuading him from it, as being unlawful to take away a man’s life in such a secret manner, without any legal process against him; though it seems to carry more in it, that he laid his commands upon him not to do it, and threatened him if he did: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael; or “a lie”f746; a falsehood, a mere calumny; which was not using Johanan well, neither kindly nor genteelly, who had expressed such a concern for him, and for the public good. The event related in the following chapter shows…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“thou speakest falsely--a mystery of providence that God should permit the righteous, in spite of warning, thus to rush into the trap laid for them! Isa 57:1 suggests a solution. Next: Jeremiah Chapter 41”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“40:16 Gedaliah’s response betrayed his naiveté and the lack of trust in advisers that infected the whole chaotic situation.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Thou shalt: Jer 41:2; Mat 10:16, Mat 10:17; Rom 3:8 Next: Jeremiah Chapter 41”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 40 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification