Definition: Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 40:8. It’s a really important part of a story about God’s plan to rescue the Israelites from Egypt. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is sending people specifically to help rebuild and restore the Israelites after they were enslaved by Pharaoh. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: "Then they came to Gedaliah..." : This refers to a group of people who were sent to the city of Gedaliah in Judah (which was under Egyptian rule). "...to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah..." : “Mizpah” is a special area where the Israelites performed rituals and celebrations. This group came to this place. The name “Ishmael” refers to a young boy named Ishmael. "...and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah..." : These are two specific men – Johanan and Jonathan – who were important leaders in Gedaliah. "Kareah" means "the family of the great river," which is a place in Judah. "...and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite..." : There are several more names here – these are important figures who were part of this group. “Maachathite” is a specific tribe of people. "...and they and their men." : This tells us that this entire group was sent to Gedaliah with the goal of helping rebuild the city, restore the land, and ultimately return the Israelites to their rightful place in Egypt. The Big Picture: This verse is part of a larger story about God’s plan to free the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. It highlights that God actively wants to help them reclaim their homeland and return to their own traditions. It's a message of hope and restoration – a promise that God is working for his people. Does this verse mean anything to you? Would you like me to explain any part of it in more detail, or perhaps explore the significance of the story behind this verse? For example, we could talk about: The context of the story in the Bible. What the “men” were doing at Mizpah.