Bible Strands
Jeremiah 40:9
Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, swore an oath to them and their men, assuring them, “Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan addresses Ishmael, Johanan, Jonathan, Seraiah, and Jezaniah along with their armed men at Mizpah following the Babylonian conquest. He speaks to these military leaders who have just arrived seeking direction for the remaining population.
The words — The text highlights וַיִּשָּׁבַע (va.yi.sha.vah), meaning "he swore an oath," and לֵאמֹר (le.'emor), meaning "to say." These terms frame Gedaliah's formal pledge and his subsequent directive to the assembled leaders.
The thread — This oath and its promise of stability echo Jeremiah 27:11, where submitting to Babylon's yoke guarantees remaining in the land. The narrative also parallels 2 Kings 25:24, where Gedaliah repeats a similar assurance to the remnant after the city's fall.
Why it lands — The passage demands a pragmatic choice between fear-driven flight and obedient residence under foreign authority. It requires readers to recognize that survival in the land depends on heeding the appointed leadership's counsel rather than fleeing.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 27:11 But the nation that will put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will leave in its own land, to cultivate it and reside in it, declares the LORD.”
- 1 Samuel 20:16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.”
- 2 Kings 25:24 And Gedaliah took an oath before them and their men, assuring them, “Do not be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be well with you.”
- Jeremiah 38:17 Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you indeed surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live, this city will not be burned down, and you and your household will survive.
- Genesis 49:15 He saw that his resting place was good and that his land was pleasant, so he bent his shoulder to the burden and submitted to labor as a servant.
- Psalms 37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
- Psalms 128:2 For when you eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours.