Jeremiah 41:7
New International Version
When they went into the city, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the men who were with him slaughtered them and threw them into a cistern.

New Living Translation
But as soon as they were all inside the town, Ishmael and his men killed all but ten of them and threw their bodies into a cistern.

English Standard Version
When they came into the city, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the men with him slaughtered them and cast them into a cistern.

Berean Standard Bible
And when they came into the city, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the men with him slaughtered them and threw them into a cistern.

King James Bible
And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.

New King James Version
So it was, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah killed them and cast them into the midst of a pit, he and the men who were with him.

New American Standard Bible
Yet it turned out that as soon as they came inside the city, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the men who were with him slaughtered them and threw them into the cistern.

NASB 1995
Yet it turned out that as soon as they came inside the city, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the men that were with him slaughtered them and cast them into the cistern.

NASB 1977
Yet it turned out that as soon as they came inside the city, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the men that were with him slaughtered them, and cast them into the cistern.

Legacy Standard Bible
But it happened that as soon as they came inside the city, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the men that were with him slaughtered them and cast them into the cistern.

Amplified Bible
Yet when they came into the city, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the men who were with him slaughtered them and threw them into the cistern (underground water reservoir).

Christian Standard Bible
But when they came into the city, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the men with him slaughtered them and threw them into a cistern.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But when they came into the city, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the men with him slaughtered them and threw them into a cistern.

American Standard Version
And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.

Contemporary English Version
But after they were inside the town, Ishmael ordered his soldiers to kill them and throw their bodies into a well.

English Revised Version
And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When they came into the city, Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, and his men slaughtered them and threw them into a cistern.

Good News Translation
As soon as they were inside the city, Ishmael and his men killed them and threw their bodies in a well.

International Standard Version
When they reached the middle of the city, Nethaniah's son Ishmael and the men who were with him slaughtered them and threw them into a cistern.

Majority Standard Bible
And when they came into the city, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the men with him slaughtered them and threw them into a cistern.

NET Bible
But as soon as they were inside the city, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the men who were with him slaughtered them and threw their bodies in a cistern.

New Heart English Bible
It was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah killed them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men who were with him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.

World English Bible
It was so, when they came into the middle of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah killed them, and cast them into the middle of the pit, he, and the men who were with him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, at their coming into the midst of the city, that Ishmael son of Nethaniah slaughters them, at the midst of the pit, he and the men who [are] with him.

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, at their coming in unto the midst of the city, that Ishmael son of Nethaniah doth slaughter them, at the midst of the pit, he and the men who are with him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be as they came to the midst of the city, Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, will slaughter them to the midst of the pit, he and the men that were with him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they were come to the midst of the city, Ismahel the son of Nathanias, slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he and the men that were with him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when they had arrived at the center of the city, Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah, put them to death around the public cistern, he and the men who were with him.

New American Bible
Once they were inside the city, Ishmael, son of Nethaniah, and his men slaughtered them and threw them into the cistern.

New Revised Standard Version
When they reached the middle of the city, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the men with him slaughtered them, and threw them into a cistern.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when they came into the city, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the men who were with him slew them and cast them into a pit.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when they entered within the city, Ishmayl, son of Nethaniah, slaughtered them and cast them into a pit, he and the men who were with him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass, when they had entered into the midst of the city, that he slew them and cast them into a pit.
Audio Bible



Context
The Assassination of Gedaliah
6And Ishmael son of Nethaniah went out from Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he went. When Ishmael encountered the men, he said, “Come to Gedaliah son of Ahikam.” 7 And when they came into the city, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the men with him slaughtered them and threw them into a cistern. 8But ten of the men among them said to Ishmael, “Do not kill us, for we have hidden treasure in the field—wheat, barley, oil, and honey!” So he refrained from killing them with the others.…

Cross References
2 Kings 25:25
In the seventh month, however, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was a member of the royal family, came with ten men and struck down and killed Gedaliah, along with the Judeans and Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah.

Jeremiah 40:14
and said to him, “Are you aware that Baalis king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to take your life?” But Gedaliah son of Ahikam did not believe them.

Jeremiah 42:1-3
Then all the commanders of the forces, along with Johanan son of Kareah, Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest, approached / Jeremiah the prophet and said, “May our petition come before you; pray to the LORD your God on behalf of this entire remnant. For few of us remain of the many, as you can see with your own eyes. / Pray that the LORD your God will tell us the way we should walk and the thing we should do.”

Jeremiah 39:10
But Nebuzaradan left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people who had no property, and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields.

2 Samuel 3:27
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.

2 Samuel 20:9-10
“Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him. / Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.

Psalm 55:21
His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.

Proverbs 26:25
When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.

Matthew 26:48-49
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

Mark 14:44-45
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

Luke 22:47-48
While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. / But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

John 18:2-3
Now Judas His betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. / So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.

Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—

Acts 23:12-15
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...

Romans 3:13
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”


Treasury of Scripture

And it was so, when they came into the middle of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the middle of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.

slew.

1 Kings 15:28,29
Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him, and reigned in his stead…

1 Kings 16:10-12
And Zimri went in and smote him, and killed him, in the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his stead…

2 Kings 11:1,2
And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal…

Jump to Previous
Bodies Cast Cistern City Death Deep Inside Ishmael Ish'mael Killed Midst Nethaniah Nethani'ah Pit Slaughter Slaughtered Slew Soon Threw Turned
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Bodies Cast Cistern City Death Deep Inside Ishmael Ish'mael Killed Midst Nethaniah Nethani'ah Pit Slaughter Slaughtered Slew Soon Threw Turned
Jeremiah 41
1. Ishmael, treacherously killing Gedaliah and others,
7. purposes with the residue to flee unto the Ammonites.
11. Johanan rescues the captives, and is minded to flee into Egypt.














And when they came
This phrase indicates a deliberate action and movement. The Hebrew root for "came" is "בּוֹא" (bo), which often signifies entering or arriving with purpose. In the context of Jeremiah, this movement is not just physical but also symbolic of entering into a situation of betrayal and violence. The arrival in the city marks a pivotal moment where intentions are revealed, reflecting the broader theme of deceit and treachery that permeates this chapter.

to the middle of the city
The "middle of the city" suggests a place of centrality and significance. In ancient cities, the center was often a hub of activity, commerce, and governance. This location underscores the boldness and audacity of Ishmael's actions, as he chooses a public and prominent place to carry out his treachery. Historically, this act would have sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the chaos and instability following the Babylonian conquest.

Ishmael son of Nethaniah
Ishmael is identified by his lineage, "son of Nethaniah," which is significant in understanding his motivations and the political dynamics at play. In Hebrew, "Ishmael" means "God will hear," which is ironic given his violent actions. His lineage ties him to the royal family, suggesting that his actions may be driven by a desire to reclaim power or assert dominance in the power vacuum left by the Babylonian conquest. This highlights the recurring biblical theme of individuals acting contrary to their divine names or callings.

and the men with him
This phrase indicates that Ishmael was not acting alone but had accomplices. The presence of "the men with him" suggests a conspiracy and shared culpability. It reflects the collective nature of sin and rebellion against God's ordained order. In a broader scriptural context, this can be seen as a reminder of the influence of leaders and the responsibility of those who follow them.

slaughtered them
The term "slaughtered" is a strong and violent word, indicating a brutal and merciless act. The Hebrew root "שָׁחַט" (shachat) conveys the idea of killing or sacrificing, often used in the context of animal sacrifices. This choice of word underscores the severity and sacrilegious nature of Ishmael's actions, as he treats human life with the same disregard as one might an animal sacrifice, violating the sanctity of life upheld in the Scriptures.

and threw them into a cistern
A "cistern" was typically used for storing water, a vital resource in ancient times. The act of throwing bodies into a cistern is both practical and symbolic. Practically, it was a way to hide the evidence of the massacre. Symbolically, it represents the defilement of something meant to sustain life, turning it into a grave. This act of desecration reflects the moral and spiritual decay present in the land, serving as a stark contrast to the life-giving purpose of a cistern. In the biblical narrative, it serves as a powerful image of how far the people have strayed from God's intentions for them.

(7) Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them.--The purpose of the new murder does not appear at first sight. The very presence of the devout mourners may have roused him to bitterness. Their recognition of Gedaliah may have seemed the act of traitors to their country. Possibly also the act may have been one of vindictive retaliation for the murder of his kinsmen (Jeremiah 52:10), or have been perpetrated for the sake of plunder.

Verse 7. - The pit (see on ver. 9).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And when they came
כְּבוֹאָ֖ם (kə·ḇō·w·’ām)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

into
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the city,
הָעִ֑יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

Ishmael
יִשְׁמָעֵ֤אל (yiš·mā·‘êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3458: Ishmael -- 'God hears', the name of several Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Nethaniah
נְתַנְיָה֙ (nə·ṯan·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5418: Nethaniah -- 'given of Yah', the name of several Israelites

and the men
וְהָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים (wə·hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

with him
אִתּֽוֹ׃ (’it·tōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

slaughtered them
וַיִּשְׁחָטֵ֞ם (way·yiš·ḥā·ṭêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7819: To slaughter, beat

and threw them into
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

a cistern.
הַבּ֔וֹר (hab·bō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 953: A pit, cistern, well


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 41:7 It was so when they came into (Jer.)
Jeremiah 41:6
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