They came together under a governor set by a foreign power, illustrating Israel’s fractured existence yet also preserving hope amid captivity.
“Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, namely, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.” (v.23) Here we see that following the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians (in 586 BC), there was a concern about leadership among the remaining Judeans. The Babylonians appointed Gedaliah as governor over the land, suggesting an attempt to maintain order and exert influence through a local leader rather than through direct imperial oversight. Mizpah, which lay a few miles north of Jerusalem in the territory of Benjamin, became a gathering place where these military captains and their men gathered under Gedaliah’s governance.
The verse specifically names the captains who came to Gedaliah: “Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite” (v.23). Ishmael, part of the Davidic royal family, would later play a significant role in resisting Babylonian control (Jeremiah 41:1-3), whereas Johanan would become a voice urging people not to flee to Egypt (Jeremiah 42). By listing these individuals, 2 Kings underscores the continued presence of power structures within Judah, even in the midst of exile and chaos. Historically, this moment took place shortly after 586 BC, when the Babylonian Empire, under King Nebuchadnezzar, asserted its dominance after multiple invasions. All these people named would have been leaders or influencers among the remnant population.
By assembling in Mizpah, they showed at least some acceptance of Gedaliah’s appointment, which parallels other biblical themes of submission to appointed authority (Romans 13:1). The cooperation among these captains and their men foreshadows later power struggles. Yet, this verse also highlights the remnant’s desperate need for stability and guidance, hinting at God’s overarching plan in preserving a faithful remnant—a theme ultimately pointing toward Jesus Christ, whose coming centuries later would offer spiritual restoration beyond political governance (see Matthew 1).
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2 Kings 25:23 meaning
“Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, namely, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.” (v.23) Here we see that following the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians (in 586 BC), there was a concern about leadership among the remaining Judeans. The Babylonians appointed Gedaliah as governor over the land, suggesting an attempt to maintain order and exert influence through a local leader rather than through direct imperial oversight. Mizpah, which lay a few miles north of Jerusalem in the territory of Benjamin, became a gathering place where these military captains and their men gathered under Gedaliah’s governance.
The verse specifically names the captains who came to Gedaliah: “Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite” (v.23). Ishmael, part of the Davidic royal family, would later play a significant role in resisting Babylonian control (Jeremiah 41:1-3), whereas Johanan would become a voice urging people not to flee to Egypt (Jeremiah 42). By listing these individuals, 2 Kings underscores the continued presence of power structures within Judah, even in the midst of exile and chaos. Historically, this moment took place shortly after 586 BC, when the Babylonian Empire, under King Nebuchadnezzar, asserted its dominance after multiple invasions. All these people named would have been leaders or influencers among the remnant population.
By assembling in Mizpah, they showed at least some acceptance of Gedaliah’s appointment, which parallels other biblical themes of submission to appointed authority (Romans 13:1). The cooperation among these captains and their men foreshadows later power struggles. Yet, this verse also highlights the remnant’s desperate need for stability and guidance, hinting at God’s overarching plan in preserving a faithful remnant—a theme ultimately pointing toward Jesus Christ, whose coming centuries later would offer spiritual restoration beyond political governance (see Matthew 1).