Jeremiah 41 17

Jeremiah 41:17

ESV: And they went and stayed at Geruth Chimham near Bethlehem, intending to go to Egypt

KJV: And they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt,

NIV: And they went on, stopping at Geruth Kimham near Bethlehem on their way to Egypt

NKJV: And they departed and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is near Bethlehem, as they went on their way to Egypt,

NLT: They took them all to the village of Geruth-kimham near Bethlehem, where they prepared to leave for Egypt.

Meaning

Jeremiah 41:17 describes a pivotal moment following the assassination of Gedaliah. The rescued remnant, led by Johanan, temporarily halted their journey at a specific lodging place known as Geruth Chimham, located near Bethlehem. Their ultimate purpose in pausing here was to make preparations to proceed into Egypt, seeking refuge there from the impending threat of Babylonian retaliation for Gedaliah's death. This decision signifies a clear turn towards human fear and distrust in God's protection, a move that Jeremiah consistently warned against.

Cross References

Context

Jeremiah 41:17 is situated in the turbulent period immediately following the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon in 586 BC. King Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah as governor over the remnant in Judah. However, Gedaliah was tragically assassinated by Ishmael, a disgruntled member of the royal family, along with many others (Jer 41:1-10). Johanan, a captain of the forces, rallied the remaining people and successfully rescued the captives from Ishmael's hands (Jer 41:11-16). After this rescue, the entire group, fearing Babylonian retribution for Gedaliah's murder, resolved to flee to Egypt. Verse 17 marks their initial step towards this decision: they traveled and encamped at Geruth Chimham, strategically located on the traditional route south, to consolidate their plans before the final journey to Egypt. This action sets the stage for Jeremiah's final, climactic confrontation with the people regarding their disobedience to God's will in chapter 42.

Word analysis

• And they went (וַיֵּלְכוּ, vayel'khu): The Hebrew waw consecutive perfect ("and they went") denotes a rapid, immediate action following their successful rescue of the captives from Ishmael (Jer 41:16). It signifies the collective movement of Johanan, his men, and the rescued remnant. This reflects their immediate priority for relocation.

• and stayed (וַיֵּשְׁבוּ, vayeshvu): Also a waw consecutive perfect, this indicates a temporary settlement or encampment, rather than permanent dwelling. It suggests a pause for deliberation, rest, or preparation before the next phase of their journey. This brief stop highlights their transitional state.

• in Geruth Chimham (בְּגֵרוּת כִּמְהָם, b'gerut Kimham):

  • Geruth (גֵרוּת): Derived from the root gur (גּוּר), meaning "to sojourn," "to lodge," or "to dwell as a foreigner." It suggests a temporary lodging place, an inn, or a caravanserai—a common term for a stopping point along travel routes. This reinforces the idea of a temporary halt.
  • Chimham (כִּמְהָם): Most likely refers to the son of Barzillai the Gileadite (2 Sam 19:37-40), whom David took under his care. It's plausible that this location was named after him or associated with land/lodging granted to his descendants. This detail grounds the place in Israelite history and geography.

• which is beside (אֲשֶׁר אֵצֶל, asher etsel): Asher is a relative pronoun, "which is." Etsel means "beside," "near," or "at." This provides the precise geographical reference to an important landmark.

• Bethlehem (בֵּית לֶחֶם, Beit Lekhem): Literally "House of Bread." A prominent Judean city, historically significant as David's hometown (1 Sam 17:12) and later prophesied as the Messiah's birthplace (Mic 5:2). Its location south of Jerusalem made it a strategic waypoint for anyone traveling south towards Egypt.

• in order to proceed (לָלֶכֶת, lalekhet): An infinitive construct with the preposition lamed (לְ) meaning "to" or "in order to." It expresses the ultimate purpose or intention behind their entire movement and encampment: to reach Egypt. This clarifies their underlying motive and planned destination.

• to Egypt (מִצְרָיִם, Mitzrayim): The destination. For Israel, Egypt often symbolized both refuge and a place of bondage/idolatry. In Jeremiah, seeking refuge in Egypt represents a clear rejection of God's command to stay in the land and trust in His protection, echoing past warnings against alliances with and reliance on this foreign power.

• "And they went and stayed...": This phrase signifies the urgency and immediate, but temporary, nature of their journey. It highlights their quick movement to a specific staging area, marking a decisive shift from immediate rescue to calculated flight.

• "Geruth Chimham, which is beside Bethlehem": This provides concrete geographical grounding for the narrative. The specific naming of a known lodging place near the significant town of Bethlehem would have resonated with the original audience, placing the event firmly within their understanding of the local landscape and travel routes. It suggests a common waypoint for those moving south.

• "in order to proceed to Egypt": This clearly articulates the overarching, deliberate purpose behind their movements. It's not a random stopping point; every step is oriented towards their desired escape. This phrase sets up the theological conflict of the following chapters, as going to Egypt was specifically forbidden by God through Jeremiah.

Commentary

Jeremiah 41:17 captures a critical juncture in the remnant's story after the tragic assassination of Gedaliah. Having narrowly escaped Ishmael's murderous plot, the people, led by Johanan, found temporary refuge at Geruth Chimham near Bethlehem. This pause was not one of seeking God's counsel but of making strategic plans for self-preservation, specifically to flee to Egypt. This move, rooted in fear of Babylonian retaliation and a lack of faith in God's provision for them to remain in the land, foreshadows the deep disobedience and apostasy that Jeremiah would tirelessly, yet unsuccessfully, confront in the subsequent chapters. It reflects the Israelites' perennial temptation to trust in human might or foreign refuge rather than divine faithfulness, placing their fate in their own hands against God's direct command to stay.

Bonus section

The choice of "Geruth" (lodging place, related to "sojourner") for the encampment is fitting given the temporary, insecure status of the remnant, effectively making them sojourners in their own land. This historical detail about Chimham, linked to Barzillai, also serves to emphasize the continuity of land usage and traditional stopping points over centuries, connecting the events of Jeremiah to much older narratives of Israel's history (e.g., King David's time). This brief stop south of Jerusalem puts them firmly on the escape route, solidifying their intention before Jeremiah delivers God's final, clear prohibition against this very course of action in Chapter 42. Their very presence at this staging point underscores their settled conviction to go to Egypt, even before seeking the prophet's counsel.

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