Jeremiah 41:8 But 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.

◄ Jeremiah 41:8 ►

New International Version
But ten of them said to Ishmael, “Don’t kill us! We have wheat and barley, olive oil and honey, hidden in a field.” So he let them alone and did not kill them with the others.

New Living Translation
The other ten had talked Ishmael into letting them go by promising to bring him their stores of wheat, barley, olive oil, and honey that they had hidden away.

English Standard Version
But there were ten men among them who said to Ishmael, “Do not put us to death, for we have stores of wheat, barley, oil, and honey hidden in the fields.” So he refrained and did not put them to death with their companions.

Berean Standard Bible
But 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.

King James Bible
But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.

New King James Version
But ten men were found among them who said to Ishmael, “Do not kill us, for we have treasures of wheat, barley, oil, and honey in the field.” So he desisted and did not kill them among their brethren.

New American Standard Bible
But ten men who were found among them said to Ishmael, “Do not put us to death, for we have supplies of wheat, barley, oil, and honey hidden in the field.” So he refrained and did not put them to death along with their companions.

NASB 1995
But ten men who were found among them said to Ishmael, “Do not put us to death; for we have stores of wheat, barley, oil and honey hidden in the field.” So he refrained and did not put them to death along with their companions.

NASB 1977
But ten men who were found among them said to Ishmael, “Do not put us to death; for we have stores of wheat, barley, oil and honey hidden in the field.” So he refrained and did not put them to death along with their companions.

Legacy Standard Bible
But ten men who were found among them said to Ishmael, “Do not put us to death; for we have stores of wheat, barley, oil, and honey hidden in the field.” So he refrained and did not put them to death along with their companions.

Amplified Bible
But ten men who were among them said to Ishmael, “Do not kill us! We have stores of wheat and barley and oil and honey hidden in the field.” So he stopped and did not kill them along with their companions.

Christian Standard Bible
However, there were ten men among them who said to Ishmael, “Don’t kill us, for we have hidden treasure in the field—wheat, barley, oil, and honey! ” So he stopped and did not kill them along with their companions.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
However, there were 10 men among them who said to Ishmael, “Don’t kill us, for we have hidden treasure in the field—wheat, barley, oil, and honey!” So he stopped and did not kill them along with their companions.

American Standard Version
But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not; for we have stores hidden in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.

Contemporary English Version
He let ten of the men live, because they offered to give him supplies of wheat, barley, olive oil, and honey they had hidden in a field.

English Revised Version
But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have stores hidden in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, ten men from the group had said to Ishmael, "Don't kill us! We have wheat, barley, olive oil, and honey hidden in the country." So he left them alone and didn't kill them along with the others.

Good News Translation
But there were ten men in the group who said to Ishmael, "Please don't kill us! We have wheat, barley, olive oil, and honey hidden in the fields." So he spared them.

International Standard Version
Ten men who were among them told Ishmael, "Don't kill us because we have stores of wheat, barley, oil, and honey hidden in the field. So Ishmael stopped and did not kill them or their companions.

Majority Standard Bible
But 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.

NET Bible
But there were ten men among them who said to Ishmael, "Do not kill us. For we will give you the stores of wheat, barley, olive oil, and honey we have hidden in a field. So he spared their lives and did not kill them along with the rest.

New Heart English Bible
But ten men were found among those who said to Ishmael, "Do not kill us; for we have stores hidden in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he stopped, and did not kill them among their brothers.

Webster's Bible Translation
But ten men were found among them that said to Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbore, and slew them not among their brethren.

World English Bible
But ten men were found among those who said to Ishmael, “Don’t kill us; for we have stores hidden in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey.” So he stopped, and didn’t kill them among their brothers.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And ten men have been found among them, and they say to Ishmael, “Do not put us to death, for we have things hidden in the field—wheat, and barley, and oil, and honey.” And he refrains, and has not put them to death in the midst of their brothers.

Young's Literal Translation
And ten men have been found among them, and they say unto Ishmael, 'Do not put us to death, for we have things hidden in the field -- wheat, and barley, and oil, and honey.' And he forbeareth, and hath not put them to death in the midst of their brethren.

Smith's Literal Translation
And ten men were found among them, and they will say to Ishmael, Thou shalt not slay us: for there is to us treasures in the field, wheat and barley and oil and honey. And he will desist and kill them not in the midst of their brethren.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But ten men were found among them, that said to Ismahel : Kill us not: for we have stores in the field, of wheat, and barley, and oil, and honey. And he forbore, and slew them not with their brethren.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But ten men were found among them, who said to Ishmael: “Do not kill us! For in the field we have storehouses of grain and barley and oil and honey.” And so he ceased, and he did not put them to death with their brothers.

New American Bible
Ten of them said to Ishmael: “Do not kill us! We have stores of wheat and barley, oil and honey hidden in the field.” So he spared them and did not kill them as he had killed their companions.

New Revised Standard Version
But there were ten men among them who said to Ishmael, “Do not kill us, for we have stores of wheat, barley, oil, and honey hidden in the fields.” So he refrained, and did not kill them along with their companions.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But ten men were found among them who said to Ishmael, Do not kill us; for we have in the field stores of wheat and of barley and of oil and honey. So he spared their lives, and did not slay them with their brethren.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And ten men were found with them and they were saying to Ishmayl: “Do not kill us, because we have stores in a field of wheat, and of barley, and oil, and honey!”, and he left them, and he did not kill them with their brethren

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael: 'Slay us not; for we have stores hidden in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey.' So he forbore, and slew them not among their brethren.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But ten men were found there, and they said to Ismael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, wheat and barley, honey and oil. So he passed by, and slew them not in the midst of their brethren.

Audio Bible

Context

The Assassination of Gedaliah
…7And 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. 9Now the cistern into which Ishmael had thrown all the bodies of the men he had struck down along with Gedaliah was a large one that King Asa had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

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 42:2-3
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.

Jeremiah 43:5-6
Instead, Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces took the whole remnant of Judah, those who had returned to the land of Judah from all the nations to which they had been scattered, / the men, the women, the children, the king’s daughters, and everyone whom Nebuzaradan captain of the guard had allowed to remain with Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, as well as Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch son of Neriah.

2 Kings 25:12
But the captain of the guard left behind some of the poorest of the land to tend the vineyards and fields.

Jeremiah 52:16
But Nebuzaradan captain of the guard left behind some of the poorest of the land to tend the vineyards and fields.

Isaiah 37:30
And this will be a sign to you, O Hezekiah: This year you will eat what grows on its own, and in the second year what springs from the same. But in the third year you will sow and reap; you will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

Ezekiel 33:24
“Son of man, those living in the ruins in the land of Israel are saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land. But we are many; surely the land has been given to us as a possession.’

Matthew 24:16-18
then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.

Mark 13:14-16
So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.

Luke 21:21
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city.

Matthew 10:23
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

John 11:54
As a result, Jesus no longer went about publicly among the Jews, but He withdrew to a town called Ephraim in an area near the wilderness. And He stayed there with the disciples.

Acts 8:1
And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Treasury of Scripture

But ten men were found among them that said to Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he declined, and slew them not among their brothers.

Slay.

Job 2:4
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

Psalm 49:6-8
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; …

Proverbs 13:8
The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

treasures.

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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.

Berean Study Bible

But ten men among them said to Ishmael
This phrase introduces a critical moment of negotiation and survival. The number "ten" in biblical terms often signifies completeness or a remnant. These men represent a small, yet significant group who stand out in the narrative. The name "Ishmael" is significant as it means "God hears" in Hebrew, which is ironic given his violent actions. This highlights the tension between divine justice and human actions.

Do not kill us
This plea for mercy is a direct appeal to Ishmael's humanity. The Hebrew root for "kill" (הָרַג, harag) implies a violent death, underscoring the desperation of the situation. This phrase reflects the universal human instinct for self-preservation and the hope that even in dire circumstances, compassion can prevail.

for we have hidden treasure in the field
The mention of "hidden treasure" suggests a strategic attempt to barter for their lives. In ancient times, fields were often used to conceal valuables during times of conflict. This phrase indicates the presence of wealth and resources, which were crucial for survival and power. It also symbolizes the hidden potential and value within individuals that can be revealed in times of crisis.

wheat, barley, oil, and honey
These items are not just commodities but represent sustenance and prosperity in the ancient Near Eastern context. Wheat and barley were staple grains, essential for daily nourishment. Oil, often olive oil, was used for cooking, anointing, and as a source of light. Honey, a luxury item, symbolizes abundance and sweetness. Together, they paint a picture of God's provision and the richness of the land, echoing the Promised Land's description as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8).

So he refrained from killing them with the others
This outcome shows a moment of restraint and the power of negotiation. The Hebrew root for "refrained" (חָדַל, chadal) implies a cessation or holding back, suggesting that Ishmael's decision was not out of compassion but perhaps pragmatism. This phrase highlights the complexity of human motives and the possibility of redemption, even in the darkest circumstances. It serves as a reminder of the value of life and the impact of wise words and actions.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) But ten men were found among them.--The stores which formed the purchase-money by which the ten saved their lives represented probably the produce of the previous year, which, after the manner of the East, had been concealed in pits, far from the habitations of men, while the land was occupied by the Chaldaean armies.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8. - Slay us not, etc. Bishop Callaway refers to this passage in his 'Zulu Nursery Tales' (1:242), in illustration of a Zulu form of deprecating death on the ground of having some important work in hand which absolutely requires the life of the person in danger. But the "ten men" do not, as the bishop supposes, beg their lives on the ground that they had not yet harvested, but rather offer a bribe. We have treasures (literally, hidden things) in the field. The allusion is to the "wells or cisterns for grain," in which "the farmers store their crops of all kinds after the grain is threshed and winnowed. These cisterns are cool, perfectly dry, and tight. The top is hermetically sealed with plaster, and covered with a deep bed of earth; and thus they keep out rats, mice, and even ants, the latter by no means a contemptible enemy .... These ten men had doubtless thus hid their treasures to avoid being plundered in that time of utter lawlessness" (Thomson, 'The Land and the Book,' p. 509). Honey. Probably that obtained from wild bees.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

But ten
וַעֲשָׂרָ֨ה (wa·‘ă·śā·rāh)
Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 6235: Ten

of the men
אֲנָשִׁ֜ים (’ă·nā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

among them
נִמְצְאוּ־ (nim·ṣə·’ū-)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

said
וַיֹּאמְר֤וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

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

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

“Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

kill us,
תְּמִתֵ֔נוּ (tə·mi·ṯê·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

we have
יֶשׁ־ (yeš-)
Adverb
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

hidden treasure
מַטְמֹנִים֙ (maṭ·mō·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4301: A secret storehouse, a secreted valuable, money

in the field—
בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה (baś·śā·ḏeh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

wheat,
חִטִּ֥ים (ḥiṭ·ṭîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 2406: Wheat

barley,
וּשְׂעֹרִ֖ים (ū·śə·‘ō·rîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8184: Barley

oil,
וְשֶׁ֣מֶן (wə·še·men)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8081: Grease, liquid, richness

and honey!”
וּדְבָ֑שׁ (ū·ḏə·ḇāš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1706: Honey, syrup

So he refrained
וַיֶּחְדַּ֕ל (way·yeḥ·dal)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2308: To be flabby, desist, be lacking, idle

from killing them
הֱמִיתָ֖ם (hĕ·mî·ṯām)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

with
בְּת֥וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

the others.
אֲחֵיהֶֽם׃ (’ă·ḥê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 41:8 But ten men were found among those (Jer.)