Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 40:9
And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan swore 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.
9. to serve the Chaldeans ] The LXX here have “because of the servants of the Chaldaeans,” i.e. the officers placed here and there through the land by the conquerors. This agrees with MT. in 2Ki 25:24, but probably the original reading of the Hebrew in both places (lost through confusing two very similar consonants) is that preserved by LXX in Kgs, viz. the passing through of the Chaldaeans, i.e. the danger arising from the frequent passage of Babylonian forces in military operations, such as attacks on Egypt.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
To serve the Chaldeans – literally, as margin; to be their minister and lieutenant. Gedaliah supposed that officers of high rank would come from time to time from Babylon to look after the kings interests. But whatever was ordered would be done through him, as being the prime minister.
Gather ye wine – As Jerusalem was captured in the fifth month, August, it would now be autumn, and there would be fruit upon the trees, enough to maintain the scanty population during the winter.
Taken – Or, seized. Every captain had probably occupied some place by force as his head quarters, and Gedaliah bids them retain them. He frankly accepts the whole existing state of things, as a necessary step toward re-establishing confidence.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
They might reasonably suspect that the Chaldeans would have a jealous eye upon any conflux of people to Jerusalem, especially military men, and therefore be something suspicious of him who was the Chaldean deputy governor; the securing of them from fears on this account was the cause of this voluntary oath taken by Gedaliah. He encourageth them to be servants to the Chaldeans, and to dwell in the land, assuring them that if they would, they should fare well; he was well enough assured of the Chaldeans favour, that if they would live peaceably in their own land, they should, they would not come any more to carry them away captive.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9. Fear notThey were afraidthat they should not obtain pardon from the Chaldeans for their acts.He therefore assured them of safety by an oath.
serveliterally, “tostand before” (Jer 40:10;Jer 52:12), that is, to be athand ready to execute the commands of the king of Babylon.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan aware unto them and to their men,…. They might express their fears, that should they continue with Gedaliah, as they were inclined to do, could they be safe; that seeing they had encouraged Zedekiah to hold out the siege to the last against the Chaldeans, and they should hear where they were, would demand them, and they, should be taken and delivered up into their hands; upon which Gedaliah not only promises them safety, but swears to them that they should live safely with him, and never be delivered up to the Chaldeans, and that he would undertake to indemnify them, and preserve them:
saying, fear not to serve the Chaldeans; as if it was an evil to do it; or as if their yoke was hard and intolerable; or as if it would be unprofitable, and turn to no account; or they should be always in danger of their lives:
dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall he well with you; settle in the land, and do not rove about from place to place like fugitives; nor go out of the land through fear of the king of Babylon, but continue in it, and live in subjection to him, and depend upon it you will live comfortably and safely.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Here, as I have hinted, is explained the great humanity of Gedaliah, and also his pious solicitude for his own nation, in order that the perfidy and cruelty of the son of Nethaniah might appear the more detestable, who slew a man so well deserving in his conduct to him and to others, having been led to do so by reward.
The Prophet says that he swore to them; nor was it strange to interpose an oath in a state of things so disturbed. Hardly could Ishmael and the rest have any confidence, since the Chaldeans had been so extremely hostile to them; they must, indeed, have been in the greatest trepidation. There was, therefore, need of a remedy, even that Gedaliah should assure them of his integrity. This was the reason why he made an oath; for had it been in times of tranquillity, an oath would not have been necessary. But as their life hung, as it were, on a thread, and they saw many dangers on every side, there was need of a confirmation; nor did Gedaliah receive them without some danger; for it was not pleasing to the Chaldeans that such men should continue in the land. For we have seen that the princes had been on this account killed, and then all the chief men among the people had been removed to Chaldea, lest any of them should attempt some new commotions. It was, therefore, the object of Nebuchadnezzar to keep the country quiet; and this was the best way to prevent any disturbance. Gedaliah then, no doubt, saw that this would not be very agreeable to the Chaldeans, and yet his humanity prevailed, and his concern for his own nation, that he not only hospitably received them, but also promised them by an oath, that there would be safety for them. He therefore exhorted them to be confident, and also to serve the Chaldeans. It was, indeed, especially expected of them, that they should surrender up themselves, as their case was hopeless. Then Gedaliah promised that the Chaldeans would be content with a voluntary submission; and he promised them also, that there would be a safe dwelling for them in the land.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(9) Fear not to serve the Chaldeans . . .Gedaliah, acting as Satrap of the province, assures them that, though they had fought against the conquerors, there would be a full amnesty, and that they might therefore banish all fears of being maltreated. He will remain at his post, and they may return to their own homes.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. Fear not to serve the Chaldeans The tone of this communication is friendly and encouraging. Gedaliah speaks to them as conquered and tributary, but assures them of the friendly disposition of the government which he represents.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jer 40:9. Sware unto them That is, assured and promised them by an oath, that they should be safe under the protection and government of the Chaldeans.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jer 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.
Ver. 9. And Gedaliah sware unto them, ] viz., That what he spake was from his heart, and out of good affection to them all.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
sware: 1Sa 20:16, 1Sa 20:17, 2Ki 25:24
Fear: Jer 27:11, Jer 38:17-20, Gen 49:15, Psa 37:3, Psa 128:2
Reciprocal: Gen 46:3 – fear not 2Ch 34:20 – Ahikam Jer 27:8 – that nation Lam 5:9 – General Mat 1:20 – fear not
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 40:9. Gedaliah was disposed to be a trustworthy captive of Babylon who would show the proper respect for the king who had conquered his country. He gave faithful advice to his fellow Jews and assured them it would be better for them to submit to the Babylonians peacefully whose prisoners they virtually were already.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Gedaliah urged these commanders not to fear the Babylonians but to cooperate with them. If they remained in the land and submitted to Babylonian authority, things would go well for them.