Jeremiah 42:8 - Then he called Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest,

Generated Verse: Jeremiah 42:8

What does "Jeremiah 42:8" mean?


This verse from Jeremiah 42:8 is a simple statement about who was present when the people asked Jeremiah for guidance from God. It highlights the comprehensive nature of the group seeking God's word through the prophet. Let's break down the meaning:

"Then he called Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who were with him..." Johanan was a military leader. Calling him and his captains indicates that the military leadership, likely responsible for the safety and security of the people, was involved in seeking divine guidance.
"...and all the people from the least even to the greatest..." This phrase emphasizes that everyone was included. It signifies that the request for God's guidance wasn't just coming from the leaders or a specific faction, but from the entire community, regardless of social standing. "Least" could refer to the poor, powerless, or those of low social standing, while "greatest" would encompass the wealthy, powerful, and those in positions of authority.

In essence, the verse demonstrates that:

It was a collective decision: The desire to seek God's guidance was shared by the entire population.
It was a unified front: The military leadership and the general population were aligned in their desire to know God's will.
It was an inclusive process: Everyone, regardless of their social status, was represented and had a stake in the outcome.

This inclusive approach adds weight to the importance of the request they were about to make of Jeremiah, implying they would all be bound by the answer God provided. They weren't just seeking information; they were seeking direction for their entire community, with the implied promise of collective obedience.