Definition: And 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 41:6. It's a pretty dramatic and unsettling part of the book. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Ishmael is Leaving: The verse describes Ishmael, a young man named after Nethaniah (a king), leaving Mizpah (a city in Israel) to meet up with Gedaliah, a young man named after Ahikam (another king). He’s Weeping: As he travels, Ishmael is deeply sorrowful and lamenting. He’s clearly upset about something significant. He Tells Them to Come: Finally, he stops and says, “Come to Gedaliah!” What's Happening – It's a Warning! This verse is a warning from God, specifically about the impending destruction of Israel. Here’s what it suggests: A Coming Disaster: The core message is that something terrible is about to happen to Israel. Ishmael’s Role as a Catalyst: Ishmael is being sent as a messenger – a signal – to Gedaliah. He's essentially leading the way to the inevitable consequences of this impending disaster. Gedaliah is the Target: Gedaliah is the person who will be directly affected by this disaster. He’s the one who will be taken captive and exiled from his home. In a nutshell, it's a message of impending doom, with Ishmael being a key player in bringing it about. Important Note: This verse often gets misinterpreted as a straightforward prophecy of destruction. However, there are some layers to it – it’s more complex than just “Israel is going to be destroyed.” It speaks to the judgment God is delivering on Israel through a series of events. --- Do you want me to explain any specific part of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like to know: What's the historical context surrounding this verse? What does it mean in terms of God’s judgment?