The Murder of Godolias
Jeremiah 48
Ismael the son of Nathanias comes to Massepha, assassinates Godolias along with the Jews and Chaldeans there, and then slaughters a group of pilgrims and casts their bodies into a pit, sparing only ten who offer him hidden stores. Joanan and the other commanders pursue Ismael, recover the captives he had carried off, and then set out toward Egypt for fear of the Chaldeans.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonNOW it came to pass that in the seventh month Ismael son of Nathanias, son of Eleasa of the royal family, and ten chief men with him, came to Godolias at Massepha and they there ate bread together.
BrentonNow it came to pass in the seventh month that Ismael the son of Nathanias the son of Eleasa of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, to Godolias to Massepha: and they ate bread there together.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο τῷ μηνὶ τῷ ἑβδόμῳ, ἦλθεν Ἰσμαὴλ υἱὸς Ναθανίου υἱοῦ Ἐλεασὰ, ἀπὸ γένους τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ δέκα ἄνδρες μετʼ αὐτοῦ πρὸς Γοδολίαν εἰς Μασσηφὰ, καὶ ἔφαγον ἐκεῖ ἄρτον ἅμα.
KJVNow 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 men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.
JPSNow it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and one of the chief officers of the king, and ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.
2
ThomsonAnd Ismael arose and the ten chiefs who were with him, and smote Godolias, whom the king of Babylon had set over the land,
BrentonAnd Ismael rose up, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Godolias, whom the king of Babylon had appointed governor over the land,
GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστη Ἰσμαὴλ, καὶ οἱ δέκα ἄνδρες οἳ ἦσαν μετʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπάταξαν τὸν Γοδολίαν, ὃν κατέστησε βασιλεὺς Βαβυλῶνος ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς,
KJVThen arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men 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.
JPSThen arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men 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.
3
Thomsonand all the Jews who were with him at Massepha and all the Chaldeans who were found there.
Brentonand all the Jews that were with him in Massepha, and all the Chaldeans that were found there.
Greekκαὶ πάντας τοὺς Ἰουδαίους τοὺς ὄντας μετʼ αὐτοῦ ἐν Μασσηφὰ, καὶ πάντας τοὺς Χαλδαίους τοὺς εὑρεθέντας ἐκεῖ.
KJVIshmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, even with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans that were found there, and the men of war.
JPSIshmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, even with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans that were found there, even the men of war.
4
ThomsonAnd it happened that on the second day after he had slain Godolias and it was not generally known,
BrentonAnd it came to pass on the second day after he had smitten Godolias, and no man knew of it,
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ δευτέρᾳ πατάξαντος αὐτοῦ τὸν Γοδολίαν, καὶ ἄνθρωπος οὐκ ἔγνω.
KJVAnd it came to pass the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew it,
JPSAnd it came to pass the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew it,
5
Thomsonthere came eighty men from Sychem and from Salem and from Samaria, with their beards shaven and their clothes rent and in deep mourning, with manna and frankincense in their hands, to make an offering for the house of the Lord.
Brentonthat there came men from Sychem, and from Salem, and from Samaria, even eighty men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and beating their breasts, and they had manna and frankincense in their hands, to bring them into the house of the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ ἤλθοσαν ἄνδρες ἀπὸ Συχὲμ, καὶ ἀπὸ Σαλὴμ, καὶ ἀπὸ Σαμαρίας, ὀγδοήκοντα ἄνδρες, ἐξυρημένοι πώγωνας, καὶ διεῤῥηγμένοι τὰ ἱμάτια, καὶ κοπτόμενοι, καὶ μάννα, καὶ λίβανος ἐν χερσὶν αὐτῶν, τοῦ εἰσενεγκεῖν εἰς οἶκον Κυρίου.
KJVThat there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD.
JPSthat there came certain men from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with meal-offerings and frankincense in their hand to bring them to the house of the LORD.
6
ThomsonAnd Ismael went out to meet them as they were proceeding on in their journey weeping, and said to them, Come to Godolias.
BrentonAnd Ismael went out to meet them; and they went on and wept: and he said to them, Come in to Godolias.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθεν εἰς ἀπάντησιν αὐτοῖς Ἰσμαήλ· αὐτοὶ ἐπορεύοντο, καὶ ἔκλαιον· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, εἰσέλθετε πρὸς Γοδολίαν.
KJVAnd Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.
JPSAnd Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went; and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them: ‘Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.’
7
ThomsonAnd when they were come into the midst of the city he slew them at the pit.
BrentonAnd it came to pass, when they had entered into the midst of the city, that he slew them and cast them into a pit.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο, εἰσελθόντων αὐτῶν εἰς τὸ μέσον τῆς πόλεως, ἔσφαξεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ φρέαρ.
KJVAnd it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.
JPSAnd it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.
8
ThomsonBut there were ten men among them who said to Ismael, Do not kill us; for we have treasures in a field, wheat and barley, honey and oil. So he forbore and did not kill them among their brethren.
BrentonBut ten men were found there, and they said to Ismael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, wheat and barley, honey and oil. So he passed by, and slew them not in the midst of their brethren.
GreekΚαὶ δέκα ἄνδρες εὑρέθησαν ἐκεῖ, καὶ εἶπον τῷ Ἱσμαὴλ, μὴ ἀνέλῃς ἡμᾶς, ὅτι εἰσὶν ἡμῖν θησαυροὶ ἐν ἀγρῷ, πυροὶ καὶ κριθαὶ, μέλι καὶ ἔλαιον· καὶ παρῆλθε, καὶ οὐκ ἀνεῖλεν αὐτοὺς ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτῶν.
KJVBut ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.
JPSBut ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael: ‘Slay us not; for we have stores hidden in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey.’ So he forbore, and slew them not among their brethren.
9
ThomsonNow the pit, into which Ismael threw all that he had slain, was that great pit which king Asa had made for fear of Baasa king of Israel. This Ismael filled with the slain.
BrentonNow the pit into which Ismael cast all whom he smote, is the great pit, which king Asa had made for fear of Baasa king of Israel: even this Ismael filled with slain men.
GreekΚαὶ τὸ φρέαρ εἰς ὃ ἔῤῥιψεν ἐκεῖ Ἰσμαὴλ πάντας οὓς ἐπάταξε, φρέαρ μέγα τοῦτό ἐστιν, ὃ ἐποίησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἀσὰ ἀπὸ προσώπου Βαασὰ βασιλέως Ἰσραὴλ, τοῦτο ἐνέπλησεν Ἰσμαὴλ τραυματιῶν.
KJVNow the pit wherein Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain because of Gedaliah, was it which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slain.
JPSNow the pit wherein Ishmael cast all the dead bodies of the men whom he had slain by the side of Gedaliah was that which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasa king of Israel; the same Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled with them that were slain.
10
ThomsonAnd Ismael carried away all the people who were left at Massepha and the king’s daughters whom the chief cook had committed to the care of Godolias son of Achikam; and fled towards the borders of the Ammonites.
BrentonAnd Ismael brought back all the people that were left in Massepha, and the king's daughter, whom the captain of the guard had committed in charge to Godolias the son of Achicam: and he went away beyond the children of Ammon.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστρεψεν Ἰσμαὴλ πάντα τὸν λαὸν τὸν καταλειφθέντα εἰς Μασσηφὰ, καὶ τὰς θυγατέρας τοῦ βασιλέως, ἃς παρκατέθετο ὁ ἀρχιμάγειρος τῷ Γοδολίᾳ υἱῷ Ἀχεικὰμ, καὶ ᾤχετο εἰς τὸ πέραν υἱῶν Ἀμμών.
KJVThen Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people that were in Mizpah, even the king’s daughters, and all the people that remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the Ammonites.
JPSThen Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people that were in Mizpah, even the king’s daughters, and all the people that remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam; Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the children of Ammon.
11
ThomsonBut when Joanan son of Kareia, and all the generals of the army who were with him heard all the evils which Ismael had done,
BrentonAnd Joanan the son of Careë, and all the leaders of the host that were with him, heard of all the evil deeds which Ismael had done.
GreekΚαὶ ἤκουσεν Ἰωάναν υἱὸς Κάρηε, καὶ πάντες οἱ ἡγεμόνες τῆς δυνάμεως οἱ μετʼ αὐτοῦ, πάντα τὰ κακὰ ἃ ἐποίησεν Ἰσμαὴλ,
KJVBut when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done,
JPSBut when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done,
12
Thomson—
BrentonAnd they brought all their army, and went to fight against him, and found him near much water in Gabaon.
Greekκαὶ ἤγαγον ἅπαν τὸ στρατόπεδον αὐτῶν, καὶ ᾤχοντο πολεμεῖν αὐτὸν, καὶ εὗρον αὐτὸν ἐπὶ ὕδατος πολλοῦ ἐν Γαβαών.
KJVThen they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon.
JPSthen they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon.
13
ThomsonAnd when all the people who were with Ismael saw Joanan and the generals of the army who were with him, they turned back to Joanan;
BrentonAnd it came to pass, when all the people that was with Ismael saw Joanan, and the leaders of the host that was with him,
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο, ὅτε εἶδε πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ὁ μετὰ Ἰσμαὴλ τὸν Ἰωάναν καὶ τοὺς ἡγεμόνας τῆς δυνάμεως τῆς μετʼ αὐτοῦ,
KJVNow it came to pass, that when all the people which were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, then they were glad.
JPSNow it came to pass, that when all the people that were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, then they were glad.
14
Thomson—
Brentonthat they returned to Joanan.
Greekκαὶ ἀνέστρεψαν πρὸς Ἰωάναν.
KJVSo all the people that Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah cast about and returned, and went unto Johanan the son of Kareah.
JPSSo all the people that Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah cast about and returned, and went unto Johanan the son of Kareah.
15
Thomsonbut Ismael escaped with eight men and fled to the children of Ammon.
BrentonBut Ismael escaped with eight men and went to the children of Ammon.
GreekΚαὶ Ἰσμαὴλ ἐσώθη σὺν ὀκτὼ ἀνθρώποις, καὶ ᾤχετο πρὸς τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἀμμών.
KJVBut Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the Ammonites.
JPSBut Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the children of Ammon. .
16
ThomsonThen Joanan and all the generals of the army who were with him took all the remnant of the people whom they had rescued from Ismael—
BrentonAnd Joanan, and all the leaders of the host that were with him, took all the remnant of the people, whom he had brought back from Ismael, mighty men in war, and the women, and the other property, and the eunuchs, whom they had brought back from Gabaon:
GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβεν Ἰωάναν, καὶ πάντες οἱ ἡγεμόνες τῆς δυνάμεως οἱ μετʼ αὐτοῦ, πάντας τοὺς καταλοίπους τοῦ λαοῦ, οὓς ἀπέστρέψεν ἀπὸ Ἰσμαὴλ, δυνατοὺς ἄνδρας ἐν πολέμῳ, καὶ τὰς γυναῖκας, καὶ τὰ λοιπὰ, καὶ τοὺς εὐνούχους, οὓς ἀπέστρεψαν ἀπὸ Γαβαὼν,
KJVThen 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:
JPSThen 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, the men, even the men of war, and the women, and the children, and the officers, whom he had brought back from Gibeon;
17
Thomson—
Brentonand they departed, and dwelt in Gaberoch-amaa, that is by Bethleem, to go into Egypt, for fear of the Chaldeans:
Greekκαὶ ᾤχοντο, καὶ ἐκάθισαν ἐν Γαβηρωχαμάα, τῇ πρὸς Βηθλεὲμ, τοῦ πορευθῆναι εἰς Αἴγυπτον
KJVAnd they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt,
JPSand they departed, and dwelt in Geruth Chimham, which is by Beth-lehem, to go to enter into Egypt,
18
Thomsonfor fear of the Chaldeans. For they were afraid of them because Ismael had slain Godolias whom the king of Babylon had set over the land.
Brentonfor they were afraid of them, because Ismael had smitten Godolias, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.
Greekἀπὸ προσώπου τῶν Χαλδαίων· ὅτι ἐφοβήθησαν ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτῶν, ὅτι ἐπάταξεν Ἰσμαὴλ τὸν Γοδολίαν, ὃν κατέστησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Βαβυλῶνος ἐν τῇ γῇ.
KJVBecause of the Chaldeans: for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.
JPSbecause of the Chaldeans; for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor over the land.