Definition: Then 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 41:2. It’s a really important and somewhat dramatic part of the Book of Jeremiah. Here's what it means in plain language: Basically, this verse describes a violent act against a leader. “Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah…” – This refers to Ishmael, a man who was part of the royal family of Judah. He’s the first person mentioned in the prophecy. “…and the ten men that were with him…” – This is a group of people surrounding Ishmael. They're likely advisors or helpers. "...and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him…” – This is the key part. “Gedaliah” was a king who ruled in Jerusalem before the Israelites were exiled. The verse says that Ishmael's group attacked Gedaliah. They killed him. Now, let’s look at what this verse tells us about the situation: It’s a punishment for betrayal. Jeremiah is prophesying about a time when Judah was about to be exiled by Babylon. This verse is a direct consequence of something that happened – Ishmael's group attacking Gedaliah. Babylon is coming. The fact that Babylon was making the governor of the land over Judah adds another layer of meaning. It’s suggesting that this event is a sign of Babylonian control and oppression. It's about injustice. The verse highlights a feeling of deep anger and righteous fury against those who acted with violence and disregard for God's laws. In short, it’s a story of betrayal leading to a violent act against a leader who was meant to protect the people of Judah. Important Note: This is a very difficult verse to understand because it deals with prophecy and judgment. It’s important to remember that this is a message from God about a future event. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the chapter? Discuss the context of the story within the larger biblical narrative?