Jeremiah 40:9 kjv
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 nkjv
And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, took an oath before them and their men, saying, "Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
Jeremiah 40:9 niv
Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, took an oath to reassure them and their men. "Do not be afraid to serve the Babylonians," he said. "Settle down in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you.
Jeremiah 40:9 esv
Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, swore to them and their men, saying, "Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
Jeremiah 40:9 nlt
Gedaliah vowed to them that the Babylonians meant them no harm. "Don't be afraid to serve them. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and all will go well for you," he promised.
Jeremiah 40 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 3:15 | "...and I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding." | Pastoral Care; Divine Provision |
| Psalm 23:1 | "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." | Divine Provision; Trust in God |
| Psalm 34:9 | "Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints! For those who fear him have no lack." | Fear of God; Abundance |
| Psalm 37:3 | "Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness." | Trust in God; Righteous Living |
| Psalm 37:18 | "The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever." | God's Knowledge; Inheritance |
| Psalm 55:22 | "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." | Casting Burdens; Divine Sustenance |
| Psalm 128:2 | "You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you." | Blessings; Fruit of Labor |
| Proverbs 3:9-10 | "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine." | Honoring God; Overflowing Blessings |
| Proverbs 10:3 | "The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked." | Divine Justice; Provision |
| Proverbs 15:16 | "Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and turmoil with it." | Fear of God; True Wealth |
| Isaiah 33:16 | "he will dwell on high; his place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; his bread will be given him, his water will be sure." | Divine Dwelling; Sure Provision |
| Matthew 6:33 | "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." | Seeking God First; Provision |
| Luke 12:30-31 | "For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you." | Seeking God; Kingdom Focus |
| John 14:27 | "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." | Peace of God; Absence of Fear |
| Acts 2:44-45 | "And all who believed were together and had all things in common." | Community; Shared Possessions |
| Galatians 6:7 | "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. For whatever one sows, that will he also reap." | Sowing and Reaping; Obedience |
| Philippians 4:19 | "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." | Divine Provision; God's Riches |
| Hebrews 12:28 | "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer acceptable worship, with reverence and awe." | Unshakeable Kingdom; Worship |
| 1 Peter 5:7 | "casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." | Casting Anxieties; God's Care |
| Revelation 2:7 | "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." | Promises to Overcomers; Paradise |
Jeremiah 40 verses
Jeremiah 40 9 Meaning
This verse assures those who choose to fear the Lord and keep His commandments that they will have a secure provision and dwelling place, receiving blessings and experiencing a stable life in contrast to the turmoil affecting others. It highlights divine favor as a reward for faithfulness amidst chaos.
Jeremiah 40 9 Context
Jeremiah 40 takes place after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, has already deported many of the Judean leadership and people. Gedaliah, a Judean nobleman sympathetic to Babylonian rule, is appointed as governor over the remaining poor people and land. This chapter marks a pivot point in Jeremiah's ministry, where he is freed from his chains and offered a choice by the Babylonians. The chapter deals with the immediate aftermath of the fall of Jerusalem, setting the stage for the continuation of Judean life under Babylonian authority. Gedaliah attempts to establish peace and stability for those left behind in Judah.
Jeremiah 40 9 Word Analysis
- "Also": Connects this promise to the previous conditional blessings or statements.
- "Ishmael": Son of Nethaniah; a leader of a faction of the remaining Jews. His future actions (recorded in the next chapter) stand in stark contrast to the faithful who adhere to Gedaliah.
- "the son of Nethaniah": Identifies Ishmael by his lineage.
- "feared": Hebrew: yare' (ירא). This denotes reverence, awe, and obedience towards the LORD, not just mere apprehension.
- "the LORD": Hebrew: Yahweh (יהוה). The covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness to His promises with His people.
- "your": Possessive pronoun, directly addressing the descendants of those who would adhere to the divine commands.
- "shall be": Future tense, indicating a guaranteed outcome of faithfulness.
- "inheritors": Hebrew: yoreesh (ייורש), related to possessing, inheriting. Signifies not just dwelling but having a rightful claim and continuous possession.
- "of the land": Refers to the land of Judah, the promised inheritance of Israel, emphasizing the continuation of their connection to it despite the exile and devastation.
- "for the LORD of hosts": Hebrew: Yahweh Tsabaoth (יהוה צבאות). Title for God emphasizing His power as the commander of heavenly armies, signifying His ultimate authority and capability to protect and provide.
- "provided": Hebrew: na'athan (נתן), literally "gave." Implies bestowing, supplying, or making available.
- "food": Hebrew: ma'akal (מאכל). Refers to sustenance, provisions for living.
- "dwelling": Hebrew: mishken (משׁכן), place of dwelling, habitation. A stable residence.
- "to eat": Emphasizes provision for basic sustenance.
- "sustenance": Implies a provision that sustains life and well-being.
- "to dwell": Refers to a secure and stable place to live.
Group Analysis:
- "Ishmael the son of Nethaniah feared the LORD": This clause stands in contrast to what follows. Ishmael’s later actions prove that his "fear" of the LORD was not genuine, or at least not to the extent of obedience that characterized true discipleship. The structure sets up a hypothetical scenario to illustrate a point about genuine faith.
- "but all the remnant of Judah who came to settle in the land, their provisions would be guaranteed for the LORD of hosts": This section emphasizes that true adherence to God's will, even by a remnant, results in divine assurance of provision and dwelling. The source of this assurance is explicitly stated as "the LORD of hosts." The repetition of "the land" underscores continuity of inheritance.
Jeremiah 40 9 Bonus Section
The structure here uses Ishmael, who ultimately acts treacherously, to set a contrasting scene for the blessing pronounced upon those who fear the LORD and obey. This rhetorical device emphasizes that superficial observance or claimed fear without accompanying action will not secure these promises. It mirrors similar contrasts found throughout Scripture, such as Cain's offering versus Abel's. The assurance is not merely about survival, but about a secure, sustained inheritance in the land, emphasizing continuity of God’s covenant blessings even in challenging historical moments.
Jeremiah 40 9 Commentary
This verse is a conditional promise directly tied to genuine obedience. It offers a profound assurance for those who place their faith in the Lord and meticulously follow His commands. In a time of extreme desolation and displacement, the promise of assured food and a stable dwelling place speaks volumes about God's unwavering care for His faithful remnant. It highlights that even amidst the ruins, and under the shadow of foreign powers, ultimate security and sustenance come not from political alliances or military might, but from a humble heart devoted to the LORD of hosts. It serves as a counterpoint to the instability faced by those who rebel or disregard God's ways, reinforcing the eternal principle that true security is found in Him.