This verse highlights a surprising detail: the king's daughters were left behind by the Babylonians and then taken to Egypt. Their presence suggests the conquerors' strategic consideration in leaving some royal lineage, perhaps to avoid a power vacuum, but ultimately it becomes a poignant detail of their forced exile.
the men, the women, the children, the princesses, and every person whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan; also Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by the Babylonians, the remaining Judean survivors fear Babylonian retribution and decide to flee to Egypt. Johanan and the other military leaders force everyone, including women, children, and even some princesses from the royal line, to go with them. This desperate exodus includes the prophet Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch, whom they compel to travel against their will into exile.
What does this verse reveal about who was left behind after Jerusalem's fall, and why their presence is so significant?
This verse paints a stark picture of the remnant of Judah after the destruction of Jerusalem. It wasn't just soldiers or leaders; it was an entire cross-section of society: men, women, children, and even the king's daughters. Nebuzaradan, the Babylonian captain of the guard, had left these people under the administration of Gedaliah, a Jewish governor. This detail highlights the devastating impact of the Babylonian conquest, leaving behind a population that was a shadow of its former self. The inclusion of the 'king's daughters' is particularly poignant, as it suggests that even royal bloodlines were not spared the trauma of the conquest, though some were left behind, perhaps deemed less of a threat or of less political consequence.
Why were Jeremiah and his scribe, Baruch, specifically mentioned as being taken into Egypt against their will?
The inclusion of Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah is critical. They weren't simply part of the general populace; they were taken by force by the remaining captains of Judah, including Johanan son of Kareah. This act was a blatant act of defiance against God's word, which Jeremiah had delivered. By forcing the prophets to come with them, these rebels sought to either silence them, use them for their own purposes, or perhaps even to punish them for their dire prophecies. However, the text hints at a divine purpose: God allowed them to be taken so that Jeremiah could continue to speak truth and warn them, even in their rebellion, leaving them inexcusable.
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What does the forced migration into Egypt represent for the people of Judah?
This verse marks a pivotal, tragic moment: the remnant of Judah, against God's clear command delivered through Jeremiah, flees into Egypt. They had returned to Judah after the Babylonian exile, only to reject God's counsel when faced with difficult circumstances. Instead of trusting God's protection in their devastated homeland, they chose to rely on their own perceived security in Egypt. This was not just a geographical move; it was a spiritual rebellion. They were 'forced' into Egypt, not just by the military leaders among them, but by their own stubborn hearts that refused to obey the voice of the Lord. Their destination, Egypt, would become a place of judgment rather than refuge, fulfilling the prophecies they had tried to escape.
Understand the original words
nābîʾ · Hebrew Noun
An inspired messenger of God who speaks under divine influence. Prophets in the Bible were tasked with declaring God’s will, warning of judgment, and promising future restoration.
This verse captures the desperate and disobedient flight of the last remnants of Judah into Egypt, including the prophet Jeremiah and Baruch, immediately after the murder of their governor, Gedaliah. It highlights their defiance of God's word, even in the face of profound loss and political upheaval.
587 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and deport the majority of the population to Babylon.
587-586 BC
Gedaliah Appointed Governor
Nebuchadnezzar leaves a remnant of the poor and a few officials in Judah, appointing Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, as governor to oversee them.
c. 586 BC
Assassination of Gedaliah
Johanan son of Kareah and other captains assassinate Gedaliah and his Babylonian advisors, fearing Babylonian reprisal and acting on a misguided desire for safety.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Flight to Egypt
Fearing Babylonian retribution for Gedaliah's murder, Johanan and the remaining Judeans, including Jeremiah and Baruch, flee to Egypt, disobeying the LORD's command.
c. 586 BC
Arrival in Tahpanhes
The refugees, including the king's daughters and all others left by Nebuzaradan, arrive at Tahpanhes, a key Egyptian city.
This passage provides crucial context, detailing how the king's daughters were taken captive along with other Judean officials, shedding light on their vulnerable position.
Jeremiah 42:1-6This section immediately precedes the current verse and explains the people's disobedience to God's command, highlighting their flawed decision-making that led them to Egypt despite Jeremiah's warnings.
2 Kings 25:25-26This passage describes the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by the Babylonians, which directly sets the stage for the remnant's desperate flight to Egypt, as detailed in Jeremiah 43.
Ezekiel 20:33-34This prophetic passage speaks of God leading His people into the wilderness with a strong hand to execute judgment, mirroring the way the remnant was unwillingly taken to Egypt against God's will.
clarkeJeremiah 43:6: "Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah."
Men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters - See the note on Jeremiah 41:10 (note). It is truly surprising that the Chaldeans should have left behind any of the royal family of Judah! But, 1. Perhaps they knew not there were any. 2.…
calvinJeremiah 43:5-7: "But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah;"
Et assumpsit Joannes filius Kareah et cuncti duces copiarum reliquias Jehudah, quae reversae fuerant e cunctis gentibus, ad quas illuc expulsae fuerant (sed abundat illuc) ad habitandum in terra Jehudah;
Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every pe…
This verse highlights a surprising detail: the king's daughters were left behind by the Babylonians and then taken to Egypt. Their presence suggests the conquerors' strategic consideration in leaving some royal lineage, perhaps to avoid a power vacuum, but ultimately it becomes a poignant detail of their forced exile.
Following the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by the Babylonians, the remaining Judean survivors fear Babylonian retribution and decide to flee to Egypt. Johanan and the other military leaders force everyone, including women, children, and even some princesses from the royal line, to go with them. This desperate exodus includes the prophet Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch, whom they compel to travel against their will into exile.
Following the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by the Babylonians, the remaining Judean survivors fear Babylonian retribution and decide to flee to Egypt. Johanan and the other military leaders force everyone, including women, children, and even some princesses from the royal line, to go with them. This desperate exodus includes the prophet Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch, whom they compel to travel against their will into exile.
"the men, the women, the children, the princesses, and every person whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan; also Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah." — This verse highlights a surprising detail: the king's daughters were left behind by the Babylonians and then taken to Egypt. Their presence suggests the conquerors' strategic consideration in leaving…
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Last reviewed October 2026
