King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 40:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 40:9 in the King James Version says “And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chalde...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 40:9 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

7

Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;

8

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.

9

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.

10

As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah to serve the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken. to serve: Heb. to stand before

11

Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;

Read Jeremiah 40 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Gedaliah swears to the remnant: 'Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.' He counsels submission to God's appointed authority for that time. This wisdom contrasts with false patriotism that resists God's will. Gedaliah's assassination (41:2) shows that not everyone accepts God's post-judgment order.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Gedaliah, appointed governor by Babylon, attempted to build a peaceful remnant community. His counsel echoed Jeremiah's consistent message.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance godly submission to authority with prophetic resistance to evil?
  2. What does Gedaliah's counsel teach about wisdom in post-judgment circumstances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיִּשָּׁבַ֨ע1 of 21

“sware”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

לָהֶ֜ם2 of 21
H0
גְּדַלְיָ֨הוּ3 of 21

“And Gedaliah”

H1436

gedaljah, the name of five israelites

בֶּן4 of 21

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲחִיקָ֤ם5 of 21

“of Ahikam”

H296

achikam, an israelite

בֶּן6 of 21

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שָׁפָן֙7 of 21

“of Shaphan”

H8227

a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e., probably the hyrax

וּלְאַנְשֵׁיהֶ֣ם8 of 21
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לֵאמֹ֔ר9 of 21

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַל10 of 21
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּֽירְא֖וּ11 of 21

“Fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

וְעִבְד֛וּ12 of 21

“and serve”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

הַכַּשְׂדִּ֑ים13 of 21

“the Chaldeans”

H3778

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

שְׁב֣וּ14 of 21

“dwell in”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בָאָ֗רֶץ15 of 21

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְעִבְד֛וּ16 of 21

“and serve”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֶת17 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֶ֥לֶךְ18 of 21

“the king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֖ל19 of 21

“of Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וְיִיטַ֥ב20 of 21

“and it shall be well”

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

לָכֶֽם׃21 of 21
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 40:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 40:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 27:11Jeremiah 38:17-201 Samuel 20:16-172 Kings 25:24Genesis 49:15Psalms 37:3

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
ChaldeaRegion · Modern: Tell el Muqayyar · 30.96°N, 46.10°E85 verses across 11 books
View all places in Jeremiah 40 →

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