2 Kings 25:24

Translations

Modern

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.”

Traditional

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.

Literal

And Gedaliah and their men took an oath before them, and he 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 will be well with you.”

Latin

Juravitque Godolias ipsis et sociis eorum, dicens: Nolite timere servire Chaldæis: manete in terra, et servite regi Babylonis, et bene erit vobis.

Original

Hebrew

English

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.”

Notes

2 Kings 25:23–24

Gedaliah's family had experience in civic matters, so people initially accepted his role as governor (see also Jeremiah 40:1–12). A seal impression found at Lachish shows Gedaliah's importance as the officer "over the house" (see study note on 1 Kings 4:6).
The prophet Jeremiah, along with army commanders, went to Mizpah to support Gedaliah (Jeremiah 40:6). This Mizpah was a border town in Benjamin and was known in Israelite history as a place for religious gatherings (1 Samuel 7:5–6).
The men mentioned here held significant positions. Ishmael came from a royal family (2 Kings 25:25; Jeremiah 36:12). Johanan was a loyal supporter of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 40:13–16). The name Jezaniah appears on items found during excavations at Tell-en-Nasbeh.

2 Kings 25:22–30

Two short sections describe what happened next. The first explains how the land was reorganized (2 Kings 25:22–26). The second tells how King Jehoiachin was later treated kindly (2 Kings 25:27–30).

Theme notes and profiles

Babylon Nebuchadnezzar II Famine The Collapse of Culture

Related verses

Jeremiah 40:9–10
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.
Ezekiel 33:24–29
“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.’
2 Samuel 19:23
So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king swore an oath to him.
2 Samuel 14:11
“Please,” she replied, “may the king invoke the LORD your God to prevent the avenger of blood from increasing the devastation, so that my son may not be destroyed!” “As surely as the LORD lives,” he vowed, “not a hair of your son’s head will fall to the ground.”
Jeremiah 43:6
…the men, the women, the children, the king’s daughters, and everyone whom Nebuzaradan captain of the guard had allowed to remain with Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, as well as Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch son of Neriah.

Parallels

Jeremiah 40:1–16

People

Gedaliah: Appointed governor of Judah by Babylonians; assassinated by Ishmael

Places

Babylon: Ancient Mesopotamian city, capital of Babylonian Empire, site of the Tower of Babel Chaldea: Ancient Mesopotamian empire; known for astrology and wisdom

Glossary

Book of Jeremiah Ezekiel, Book of Gedaliah Kings, Books of First and Second Mizpah Nethaniah

Topics

Gedaliah: Governor Appointed by Nebucbadnezzar After Carrying the Jews Into Captivity Ishmael: Assassinated Gedaliah, Governor of Judah Under King of Babylon, and Takes Many Jews Captive Jerusalem: Calamities of, Mentioned: Taken and Burned by Nebuchadnezzar Johanan: A Jewish Captain Prophecies Concerning Israel: Gedaliah's Adminstration Was Favorable to the People

2 Kings 25:24

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