Bible Strands
Jeremiah 41:17
And they went and stayed in Geruth Chimham, near Bethlehem, in order to proceed into Egypt
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the post-rescue movements of Johanan son of Kareah and the remnant he secured from Ishmael. This occurs at the moment the group pauses near Bethlehem after fleeing Mizpah and before deciding whether to continue into Egypt.
The words — The paired verbs וַיֵּלְכוּ (wayyēləḵū, “and they went”) and וַיֵּשְׁבוּ (wayyēšəḇū, “and they remained”) mark a deliberate stop. They travel to Geruth Chimham, identified as being beside Bethlehem, and halt there.
The thread — This encampment directly precedes the explicit debate over fleeing to Egypt in Jeremiah 42:14. The broader scriptural pattern of seeking Egyptian shelter without divine counsel appears in Isaiah 30:2.
Why it lands — The text states a geographical pause caused by fear of Chaldean retaliation, leaving the next step unresolved. It asks the reader to note how panic dictates movement and to recognize the gap between human evasion and God’s direction.
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 they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Beth–lehem, to go to enter into Egypt,
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 19:37 Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.”
- Jeremiah 42:14 and if you say, ‘No, but we will go to the land of Egypt and live there, where we will not see war or hear the sound of the ram’s horn or hunger for bread,’
- Isaiah 30:2 They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade.
- Jeremiah 42:19 The LORD has told you, O remnant of Judah, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Know for sure that I have warned you today!
- Jeremiah 43:7 So they entered the land of Egypt because they did not obey the voice of the LORD, and they went as far as Tahpanhes.