Jeremiah 40:9

Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, took an oath so as to give them and their troops some assurance of safety. ¹  “Do not be afraid to submit to the Babylonians. ²  Settle down in the land and submit to the king of Babylon. Then things will go well for you.

Ge 49:15; 1Sa 20:16,17; 2Ki 25:24; Ps 37:3; Ps 128:2; Jer 27:11; Jer 38:17-20

¹ tn The words “so as to give them some assurance of safety” are not in the text but are generally understood by all commentators. This would be a case of substitution of cause for effect, the oath, put for the effect, the assurance of safety (NJPS translates directly “reassured them”).

² tn Heb “Chaldeans.” See the study note on 21:4 for explanation.