What Does Jeremiah 41:8 Mean in the King James?
But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
What is hidden in the field becomes the plea that stops the killing for ten men, while their slain brethren remain beyond reprieve.
THE MEANING
A plea for life brings hidden provision into view, and Ishmael stops killing these ten men. They survive while their brethren remain slain; the reprieve does not erase the violence surrounding it.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie that being spared means the violence around you is over.
THE ROOT
מַטְמֹנִים
matmonim
GROWS FROM
טמן
ṭāman
To hide, bury, or conceal.
“treasures” in this verse is matmonim. Matmonim names hidden stores: the wheat, barley, oil, and honey are provisions concealed in the field. When the men reveal what is buried there, Ishmael stops killing them, though the deaths of their brethren remain.
ALSO GROWS
maṭmôn: A hidden treasure or store.
מַטְמוֹן
It shares the root of matmonim and makes clear that the word points to something concealed.
ṭāmûn: Hidden or concealed.
טָמוּן
This form describes the state of the provisions before the men reveal them.
THE PATTERN
Life-sustaining provision placed before an enemy can interrupt the expected continuation of violence.
And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.THE THREAD
They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.Jeremiah uses matmonim, hidden stores, for the provisions concealed in the field. Deuteronomy uses a form of the same root, טמן, for treasures hidden in sand: in both verses, what lies concealed becomes a source of provision.
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