Jeremiah 41:17
And they went and stayed at Geruth Chimham near Bethlehem, intending to go to Egypt
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This wasn't just a temporary stop; they settled in a place called "Geruth Chimham," an estate likely established by a descendant of Barzillai, a loyal friend to King David. This detail adds a poignant layer, highlighting how this group, fleeing devastation, chose to rest on land once touched by loyalty and reward, before making a fateful, fearful decision to flee to Egypt.
After rescuing the captives from Ishmael's murderous rampage, Johanan and his men take them to a resting place near Bethlehem. This temporary stop is part of their desperate plan to flee to Egypt, driven by their fear of Babylonian reprisal for Gedaliah's assassination.
Johanan and the remaining people found a temporary dwelling, but it was a place of transit, not rest. Their eyes were already fixed on a distant land.
The group under Johanan settled at Geruth Chimham, a place near Bethlehem. This wasn't a permanent move but a staging ground.
A Place with a Past
Geruth Chimham is understood to be a resting place, possibly a caravanserai or inn, with ties to Chimham, the son of Barzillai. This historical connection highlights how places carry stories and legacies.
A Journey's Beginning
However, their presence there was explicitly stated as being 'to go to enter into Egypt.' This shows that even in settling, their focus was on escape and a future destination, not on rebuilding where they were.
The fear of the Chaldeans loomed large, prompting a decision that defied God's clear warnings. What happens when fear hijacks faith?
The immediate motivation for heading to Egypt was fear of the Chaldeans. Ishmael's assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon, created a volatile situation. The remaining Jews feared retribution from the Babylonians, who might not distinguish between the guilty and innocent.
Fear Over Faith
This fear, though understandable in human terms, led them to make a choice that went against God's will. The prophet Jeremiah had previously warned against going to Egypt (Jeremiah 42:7-22), but their fear of human powers overshadowed their trust in God's protection and provision.
The Danger of Seeking Security Apart from God
Their plan to flee to Egypt was a desperate attempt to secure their safety, but it was a path of disobedience. This highlights a crucial spiritual truth: seeking safety and security apart from God's commands ultimately leads to ruin, not refuge.
The fear of Babylonian retribution for the assassination of Gedaliah drives Johanan and the remnant of Judah to seek refuge in Egypt, a place historically associated with both hope and judgment for Israel.
c. 970 BC
David rewards Barzillai's son
King David grants land or a dwelling near Bethlehem to Chimham, son of Barzillai, who had supported David during his exile.
587-586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquers Jerusalem, destroys the Temple, and exiles a significant portion of the population to Babylon.
586 BC
Gedaliah appointed governor
Nebuchadnezzar appoints Gedaliah as governor over the remaining population in Judah, establishing a fragile administration after the destruction of Jerusalem.
586 BC
Assassination of Gedaliah
Ishmael son of Nethaniah assassinates Governor Gedaliah and other Babylonian and Jewish leaders, plunging the land into further chaos and fear.
586 BC
This passage introduces Chimham, the son of Barzillai, who was granted an estate by David. The dwelling mentioned in Jeremiah likely belonged to Chimham or his descendants, connecting the historical geography and the legacy of loyalty.
Jeremiah 42:1-22This passage immediately follows Jeremiah 41 and details Johanan and his men consulting Jeremiah about their intended journey to Egypt. It reveals their fear of the Chaldeans as the driving motivation, directly linking to the reason for their stop at Geruth Chimham.
Luke 2:7Tradition identifies the 'inn' in Bethlehem where Jesus was born as being connected to this same 'habitation of Chimham.' This adds a profound layer of historical depth, suggesting a place that witnessed both desperate flight and miraculous birth.
Romans 8:38-39While not directly about geographical movement, this passage speaks to the ultimate security believers have in God's love, which transcends all circumstances, even the fear that drove Johanan's people towards Egypt.
barnesJeremiah 41:17: "And they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt,"
The habitation of Chimham - The Hebrew text has Geruth-Chemoham, of which place nothing is known. The Masoretes read: Geruth-Chimham, the Khan or Caravanserai of Chimham, son of the rich Barzillai (marginal reference). The substitution is incapable now of proof or disproof, but it is possibly right.
calvinJeremiah 41:16-18: "Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah, after that he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, even mighty men of war, and the women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gibeon:"
- Et sumpsit Joannes filius Kareah et cuncti principes (duces) copiarum qui erant cum eo omnes reliquias populi, quas r…
This wasn't just a temporary stop; they settled in a place called "Geruth Chimham," an estate likely established by a descendant of Barzillai, a loyal friend to King David. This detail adds a poignant layer, highlighting how this group, fleeing devastation, chose to rest on land once touched by loyalty and reward, before making a fateful, fearful decision to flee to Egypt.
After rescuing the captives from Ishmael's murderous rampage, Johanan and his men take them to a resting place near Bethlehem. This temporary stop is part of their desperate plan to flee to Egypt, driven by their fear of Babylonian reprisal for Gedaliah's assassination.
After rescuing the captives from Ishmael's murderous rampage, Johanan and his men take them to a resting place near Bethlehem. This temporary stop is part of their desperate plan to flee to Egypt, driven by their fear of Babylonian reprisal for Gedaliah's assassination.
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Johanan recovers captives
Johanan son of Kareah and other military leaders rescue the people taken captive by Ishmael, including the king's daughters, from Mizpah.
586 BC— this verse
Flight to Geruth Chimham
Johanan and the remnant of the people take refuge in a place called Geruth Chimham near Bethlehem, planning to flee to Egypt.
586 BC
Planned flight to Egypt
Driven by fear of Babylonian reprisal for Gedaliah's murder, Johanan leads the people to Egypt against the prophet Jeremiah's counsel.
"And they went and stayed at Geruth Chimham near Bethlehem, intending to go to Egypt" — This wasn't just a temporary stop; they settled in a place called "Geruth Chimham," an estate likely established by a descendant of Barzillai, a loyal friend to King David. This detail adds a poignan…
