Bible Strands
Jeremiah 40:4
But now, behold, I am freeing you today from the chains that were on your wrists. If it pleases you to come with me to Babylon, then come, and I will take care of you. But if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, go no farther. Look, the whole land is before you. Wherever it seems good and right to you, go there.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Nebuzaradan speaks to Jeremiah immediately after executing Nebuchadnezzar’s orders to release him (Jeremiah 39:11). The address occurs right after the destruction of Judah has been confirmed as fulfilled (Jeremiah 40:3).
The words — The text highlights פִתַּחְתִּי/ךָ (fi.tach.Ti./kha), literally “I have set free you,” paired with הָ/אזִקִּים֮ (ha./zi.Kim), meaning “the chains.” These terms mark the immediate transition from confinement to voluntary movement.
The thread — The motif of an offered land laid out before a displaced person appears in Genesis 13:9 and Genesis 20:15. In those passages, leaders grant freedom of movement to others, mirroring Nebuzaradan’s conditional offer to Jeremiah.
Why it lands — The text presents a factual choice between following the captor to Babylon or remaining in the devastated land under Gedaliah’s authority. It requires the reader to acknowledge that judgment has concluded and that the next step is a practical decision, not a divine command.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 39:11 Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan captain of the guard, saying,
- Genesis 20:15 And Abimelech said, “Look, my land is before you. Settle wherever you please.”
- Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before you? Now separate yourself from me. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.”