Jeremiah 41:1-2

Jeremiah 41:1-2

[1] Now it came to pass in the seventh  month,  that Ishmael  the son  of Nethaniah  the son  of Elishama,  of the seed  royal,  and the princes  of the king,  even ten  with him, came  unto Gedaliah  the son  of Ahikam  to Mizpah;  and there they did eat  bread  together  [2] Then arose  Ishmael  the son  of Nethaniah,  and the ten  that were with him, and smote  Gedaliah  the son  of Ahikam  the son  of Shaphan  with the sword,  and slew  him, whom the king  of Babylon  had made governor  over the land. 

What does Jeremiah 41:1-2 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

In September-October, not long after the fall of Jerusalem, Ishmael and10 other men came to Mizpah and ate a meal with Gedaliah. It is impossible to date this event by year, but most authorities believe it happened quite soon after the fall of Jerusalem (cf. 2 Kings 25:22-26). During the meal, they got up and murdered Nebuchadnezzar"s appointee with the sword. [1] This was not only an act of treason, but a violation of ancient Near Eastern hospitality customs.