Jeremiah 43:6-7
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It's easy to skim over the list of people taken to Egypt, but notice how Jeremiah and Baruch are specifically included with Gedaliah as the ones "left" by the Babylonian captain. This highlights how even in their rebellion and disobedience, God still placed His prophet and scribe with the remnant, ensuring His Word and warnings would accompany them, even 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. And they came into the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the LORD. And they arrived at Tahpanhes.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following the assassination of Gedaliah, the appointed governor of Judah, the remaining people, fearing Babylonian reprisal, decide to flee to Egypt against Jeremiah's prophetic warnings. This passage details the desperate group, including men, women, children, and even members of the royal family left behind after the initial deportation, whom Johanan the military leader forcibly takes with him. They compel the prophet Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch to join them on this ill-fated journey, ignoring the direct command of the Lord.
After Jerusalem's fall, some were exiled to Babylon, while a few remained in the devastated land. But who exactly was left behind, and why?
Jeremiah 43:6 paints a picture of who remained in Judah after the Babylonian conquest. Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, had left a group under the administration of Gedaliah.
Those Left Behind:
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Despite warnings and the prophet's presence, a group of Judeans chose a devastating path. What led them to defy God so completely?
Jeremiah 43:6 marks the transition to a tragic decision: the remnant, led by Johanan, forces Jeremiah and Baruch to accompany them into Egypt. This act signifies their stubborn refusal to obey God's word, even when delivered through His prophet.
The Choice for Egypt:
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.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the Creator, Redeemer, and Sovereign God of Israel. It emphasizes His personal relationship with His people and His faithfulness to His promises.
šāmaʿ · Hebrew Verb
The act of hearing and responding to divine authority. Biblically, obedience is more than just listening; it implies active compliance with the revealed commands of God.
This passage captures a pivotal moment of defiance. The remnant of Judah, survivors of Jerusalem's fall, choose to ignore God's prophetic warnings and flee to Egypt, forcibly taking Jeremiah and Baruch with them, sealing their own fate.
587 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and First Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar's forces conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and carry off many Judeans to Babylon. King Zedekiah's sons are killed before his eyes.
587 BC
Appointment of Gedaliah as Governor
Nebuchadnezzar leaves a remnant in Judah, appointing Gedaliah, a Judean noble, as governor to oversee the remaining population and the land.
c. 587-586 BC
Assassination of Gedaliah
Gedaliah is assassinated by Ishmael of the royal line, causing widespread fear among the Judean remnant.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Flight to Egypt
Fearful of Babylonian reprisals after Gedaliah's murder, the remaining Judeans, including the military leaders, the prophet Jeremiah, and his scribe Baruch, flee to Egypt, disobeying God's command.
c. 586 BC
Arrival in Tahpanhes, Egypt
The refugees, led by Johanan, arrive at Tahpanhes, a key Egyptian city, continuing in their disobedience and bringing Jeremiah and Baruch with them.
This passage directly informs us about the fate of King Zedekiah's daughters, who were among those taken captive, providing context for their presence in this verse.
2 Kings 25:25-26This passage describes the appointment of Gedaliah as governor over the remaining people in Judah after the fall of Jerusalem, clarifying the political situation Jeremiah and Baruch were in.
Jeremiah 39:9-10This passage details Nebuzaradan's actions after the conquest of Jerusalem, specifically mentioning that he left some of the poorer people of the land and that Jeremiah was treated with kindness, which sets the stage for the events in Jeremiah 43.
Ezekiel 12:12-13This passage contains a prophecy about the king (Zedekiah) being taken captive to Babylon, and his eyes seeing the land of his exile, which adds a layer of prophetic fulfillment to the remnants of the royal family being captured.
Jeremiah 44:15-19This passage shows the people's continued defiance and their eventual justification for their actions, particularly their worship of the queen of heaven, which explains their stubborn disobedience that led them to Egypt against Jeremiah's counsel.
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…
It's easy to skim over the list of people taken to Egypt, but notice how Jeremiah and Baruch are specifically included with Gedaliah as the ones "left" by the Babylonian captain. This highlights how even in their rebellion and disobedience, God still placed His prophet and scribe with the remnant, ensuring His Word and warnings would accompany them, even into exile.
Following the assassination of Gedaliah, the appointed governor of Judah, the remaining people, fearing Babylonian reprisal, decide to flee to Egypt against Jeremiah's prophetic warnings. This passage details the desperate group, including men, women, children, and even members of the royal family left behind after the initial deportation, whom Johanan the military leader forcibly takes with him. They compel the prophet Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch to join them on this ill-fated journey, ignoring the direct command of the Lord.
Following the assassination of Gedaliah, the appointed governor of Judah, the remaining people, fearing Babylonian reprisal, decide to flee to Egypt against Jeremiah's prophetic warnings. This passage details the desperate group, including men, women, children, and even members of the royal family left behind after the initial deportation, whom Johanan the military leader forcibly takes with him. They compel the prophet Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch to join them on this ill-fated journey, ignoring the direct command of the Lord.
"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. And they came in…" — It's easy to skim over the list of people taken to Egypt, but notice how Jeremiah and Baruch are specifically included with Gedaliah as the ones "left" by the Babylonian captain. This highlights how…
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Last reviewed October 2026
