2 Kings 25:24
New International Version
Gedaliah took an oath to reassure them and their men. “Do not be afraid of the Babylonian officials,” he said. “Settle down in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you.”

New Living Translation
Gedaliah vowed to them that the Babylonian officials meant them no harm. “Don’t be afraid of them. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and all will go well for you,” he promised.

English Standard Version
And Gedaliah swore to them and their men, saying, “Do not be afraid because of the Chaldean officials. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
And Gedaliah sware to them, and to their men, and said unto them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon; and it shall be well with you.

New King James Version
And Gedaliah took an oath before them and their men, and said to them, “Do not be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.”

New American Standard Bible
And Gedaliah swore to them and their men and said to them, “Do not be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans; live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well for you.”

NASB 1995
Gedaliah swore to them and their men and said to 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.”

NASB 1977
And Gedaliah swore to them and their men and said to 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.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Gedaliah swore to them and their men and said to 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.”

Amplified Bible
Gedaliah swore [an oath] to them and their men, and said to them, “Do not be afraid of the servants (officials) of the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be well with you.”

Christian Standard Bible
Gedaliah swore an oath to them and their men, assuring them, “Don’t be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well for you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Gedaliah swore an oath to them and their men, assuring them, “Don’t be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well for you.”

American Standard Version
And Gedaliah sware to them and to their men, and said unto them, Fear not because of the servants of the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.

Contemporary English Version
Gedaliah said to them, "Everything will be fine, I promise. We don't need to be afraid of the Babylonian rulers, if we live here peacefully and do what Nebuchadnezzar says."

English Revised Version
And Gedaliah sware to them and to their men, and said unto them, Fear not because of the servants of the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Gedaliah swore an oath to them and their men. He said, "Don't be afraid of the Babylonian officers. Live in this country, serve the king of Babylon, and you will prosper."

Good News Translation
Gedaliah said to them, "I give you my word that there is no need for you to be afraid of the Babylonian officials. Settle in this land, serve the king of Babylonia, and all will go well with you."

International Standard Version
Gedaliah made this promise to them and to their men: "Don't be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and things will go well with you."

Majority Standard Bible
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.?

NET Bible
Gedaliah took an oath so as to give them and their troops some assurance of safety. He said, "You don't need to be afraid to submit to the Babylonian officials. Settle down in the land and submit to the king of Babylon. Then things will go well for you."

New Heart English Bible
Gedaliah swore to them and to their men, and said to them, "Do not be afraid because of the servants of the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Gedaliah swore to them, and to their men, and said to them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon; and it shall be well with you.

World English Bible
Gedaliah swore to them and to their men, and said to them, “Don’t be afraid because of the servants of the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be well with you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Gedaliah swears to them and to their men, and says to them, “Do not be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans, dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it is good for you.”

Young's Literal Translation
and Gedaliah sweareth to them, and to their men, and saith to them, 'Be not afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans, dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it is good for you.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Gedaliah will swear to them and to their men, and say to them, Ye shall not fear serving the Chaldees: dwell in the land and serve the king of Babel, and it shall be well to you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Godolias swore to them and to their men, saying : Be not afraid to serve the Chaldees: stay in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Gedaliah swore to them and to their companions, saying: “Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Remain in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.”

New American Bible
Gedaliah gave the commanders and their troops his oath. He said to them, “Do not be afraid of the Chaldean officials. Remain in the country and serve the king of Babylon, so that all will be well with you.”

New Revised Standard Version
Gedaliah swore to them and their men, saying, “Do not be afraid because of the Chaldean officials; live in the land, serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Gedaliah swore to them and to their men, and said to them, Fear not the Chaldeans; dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon; and it shall be well with you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Gedaliah swore to them and to his men and said to them: “You shall not be afraid of the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the King of Babel, and it shall be well with you!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Gedaliah swore to them and to their men, and said unto them: 'Fear not because of the servants of the Chaldeans; dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Godolias swore to them and their men, and said to them, Fear not the incursion of the Chaldeans; dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Gedaliah Made Governor of Judah
23When all the commanders of the armies and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite, as well as their men. 24And 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.” 25In the seventh month, however, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was a member of the royal family, came with ten men and struck down and killed Gedaliah, along with the Judeans and Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah.…

Cross References
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.

Jeremiah 42:10-12
‘If you will indeed stay in this land, then I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I will relent of the disaster I have brought upon you. / Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear; do not be afraid of him, declares the LORD, for I am with you to save you and deliver you from him. / And I will show you compassion, and he will have compassion on you and restore you to your own land.’

Jeremiah 38:17-18
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. / But if you do not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans. They will burn it down, and you yourself will not escape their grasp.’”

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.”

Jeremiah 29:7
Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

Jeremiah 39:10
But Nebuzaradan left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people who had no property, and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields.

Ezekiel 11:3
They are saying, ‘Is not the time near to build houses? The city is the cooking pot, and we are the meat.’

Ezekiel 33:24-26
“Son of man, those living in the ruins in the land of Israel are saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land. But we are many; surely the land has been given to us as a possession.’ / Therefore tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘You eat meat with the blood in it, lift up your eyes to your idols, and shed blood. Should you then possess the land? / You have relied on your swords, you have committed detestable acts, and each of you has defiled his neighbor’s wife. Should you then possess the land?’

Isaiah 1:19-20
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. / But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Isaiah 30:15
For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “By repentance and rest you would be saved; your strength would lie in quiet confidence—but you were not willing.”

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Romans 13:1-2
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

1 Peter 2:13-14
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.


Treasury of Scripture

And Gedaliah swore to them, and to their men, and said to them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon; and it shall be well with you.

sware to them.

2 Samuel 14:11
Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.

2 Samuel 19:23
Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.

Jeremiah 40:9,10
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…

and it shall be.

Jeremiah 40:9
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.

Jeremiah 43:6
Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.

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2 Kings 25
1. Jerusalem is besieged.
4. Zedekiah taken, his sons slain, his eyes put out.
8. Nebuzaradan defaces the city, exiles the remnant, except a few poor laborers;
13. and carries away the treasures.
18. The nobles are slain at Riblah.
22. Gedaliah, who was over those who remained, being slain, the rest flee into Egypt.
27. Evil-Merodach advances Jehoiachin in his court.














And Gedaliah took an oath before them and their men
Gedaliah, appointed by Nebuchadnezzar as governor over the remnant in Judah, represents a significant shift in leadership from the Davidic line to a Babylonian-appointed official. His oath signifies a formal and solemn promise, indicating the seriousness of his intentions to lead and protect the people. This moment reflects the political and social upheaval following the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Gedaliah's leadership is a temporary measure during the Babylonian exile, highlighting the transition from Judah's independence to subjugation under foreign rule.

assuring them, “Do not be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans.
The Chaldeans, synonymous with the Babylonians, were the dominant power in the region. Gedaliah's assurance is meant to calm fears of retribution or further violence from the occupying forces. This reflects a common biblical theme where leaders encourage trust in God's sovereignty even under foreign domination, as seen in Jeremiah 29:7, where the exiles are instructed to seek the peace of the city where they are held captive. Gedaliah's words echo the prophetic counsel to submit to Babylon as part of God's plan for Israel's discipline and eventual restoration.

Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon,
Gedaliah's directive to live in the land and serve the Babylonian king aligns with Jeremiah's prophecies, particularly Jeremiah 27:12, where submission to Babylon is presented as God's will for the time. This instruction emphasizes survival and adaptation during exile, encouraging the people to maintain their identity and faith while under foreign rule. It underscores the biblical principle of seeking peace and prosperity in the place where God has placed them, even if it is in a context of judgment and exile.

and it will be well with you.”
This promise of well-being is conditional upon obedience to the Babylonian authority, reflecting the broader biblical narrative of blessings tied to obedience. It suggests that peace and stability can be found even in exile if the people align themselves with God's purposes. This assurance is reminiscent of Deuteronomy 30:15-16, where life and prosperity are linked to obedience to God's commands. Gedaliah's message is one of hope and encouragement, pointing to God's continued care for His people even in difficult circumstances.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Gedaliah
Appointed by the Babylonians as governor over the remnant in Judah after the fall of Jerusalem. He was a son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, known for his loyalty to the Babylonian king.

2. Chaldeans
Another term for the Babylonians, who were the dominant power in the region and had conquered Judah, leading to the exile of many Israelites.

3. The Remnant in Judah
The small group of Israelites who were left in the land after the majority were taken into Babylonian captivity. They were under the leadership of Gedaliah.

4. The King of Babylon
Refers to Nebuchadnezzar II, the ruler of the Babylonian Empire, who had orchestrated the conquest of Jerusalem and the exile of its people.

5. The Oath
Gedaliah's assurance to the people that serving the Babylonians would lead to their welfare, encouraging them to settle and live peacefully under Babylonian rule.
Teaching Points
Submission to Authority
Gedaliah's counsel to serve the Chaldeans highlights the importance of submitting to governing authorities, even when they are not of our choosing. This aligns with the biblical principle of respecting and obeying those in power as long as it does not contradict God's commands.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
The situation in Judah reminds us that God is sovereign over all nations and rulers. Even in captivity, God had a plan for His people, and trusting in His sovereignty can bring peace and stability.

Peaceful Coexistence
Gedaliah's message encourages peaceful coexistence with those who may be seen as adversaries. This can be applied in our lives by seeking peace and understanding in our communities and workplaces.

Wisdom in Leadership
Gedaliah's leadership, though ultimately tragic, shows the importance of wise and compassionate leadership. Leaders should seek the welfare of those they lead, even in difficult circumstances.

Courage in Uncertainty
The remnant's situation was fraught with uncertainty, yet Gedaliah's assurance required courage to trust and act. In our lives, we are called to be courageous in uncertain times, trusting in God's provision and guidance.(24) fear not to be the servants.--Rather, Be not afraid of the servants. By "the servants of the Chaldees" Gedaliah probably means those who recognised the Chaldeans as their masters--that is to say, himself and those who adhere to him. He promises immunity for the past if only the captains and their men will settle down quietly as subjects of the conqueror.

Verse 24. - And Gedaliah aware to them, and to their men. As rebels, their lives were forfeit; but Gedaliah granted them an amnesty, and for their greater assurance swore to them that, so long as they remained peaceful subjects of the King of Babylon, they should suffer no harm. Jeremiah adds (Jeremiah 40:10) that he urged them to apply themselves diligently to agricultural pursuits. And said unto them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, sad serve the King of Babylon; and it shall be well with you; rather, and said unto them, Fear not because of the servants of the Chaldeans, etc. "Do not be afraid," i.e., "of the Chaldean officials and guards (Jeremiah 42:3) that are about my court. Be assured that they shall do you no hurt."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And Gedaliah
גְּדַלְיָ֙הוּ֙ (gə·ḏal·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1436: Gedaliah -- 'Yah is great', three Israelites

took an oath
וַיִּשָּׁבַ֨ע (way·yiš·šā·ḇa‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

before them
לָהֶ֤ם (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

and their men,
וּלְאַנְשֵׁיהֶ֔ם (ū·lə·’an·šê·hem)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

assuring
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

them,
לָהֶ֔ם (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

“Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

be afraid
תִּֽירְא֖וּ (tî·rə·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

of the servants
מֵעַבְדֵ֣י (mê·‘aḇ·ḏê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

of the Chaldeans.
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֑ים (hak·kaś·dîm)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3778: Chaldeans -- a region of southern Babylon and its inhab

Live
שְׁב֣וּ (šə·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in the land
בָאָ֗רֶץ (ḇā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and serve
וְעִבְד֛וּ (wə·‘iḇ·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

the king
מֶ֥לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Babylon,
בָּבֶ֖ל (bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city

and it will be well
וְיִטַ֥ב (wə·yi·ṭaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3190: To be good, well, glad, or pleasing

with you.”
לָכֶֽם׃ (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew


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OT History: 2 Kings 25:24 Gedaliah swore to them and to their (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
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