Jeremiah42
English Standard Version
1Then the of the , and the of and the of , and the from the to the , came
2and to the , our you, and to the Lord your us, — we are with but a , as your us—
3that the Lord your may us the we should , and the that we should .
4 the to them, I have you. , I will to the Lord your according to your , and the Lord you I will you. I will you.
5Then they to , May the Lord be a and against us we act according to the with the Lord your you to us.
6 it is , we will the of the Lord our to are you, may be with us we the of the Lord our .
7 the of the of the Lord came to .
8Then he the of and the of the were with him, and the the the ,
9and to them, the Lord, the of , to you me to your him:
10 you will in , then I will build you and pull you ; I will you, and pluck you ; I of the I to you.
11Do of , of you are . Do him, the Lord, am with you, to you and to you his .
12I will you , that he may have on you and let you in your own .
13But you , We will in , the of the Lord your
14and , , we will to the of , we shall the of the be for , and we will ,
15 the of the Lord, O of . the Lord of , the of : your to and to ,
16then the you shall you in the of , and the of you are shall you to , and you shall .
17 the their to to to shall by the , by , and by . They shall have or the I will them.
18 the Lord of , the of : my and my were the of , my will be you when you to . You shall become an , a , a , and a . You shall .
19The Lord has to you, O of , Do to . for a I have you this
20 you have gone at the cost of your . you me to the Lord your , , for us to the Lord our , and the Lord our to us and we will it.
21And I have this it to you, but you have the of the Lord your in that he me to tell you.
22 therefore for a you shall by the , by , and by in the you to to .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Jeremiah 42.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Johanan desires Jeremiah to ask counsel of God. (1-6). They are assured of safety in Judea, but of destruction in Egypt. (7-22).
vv1-6
To serve a turn, Jeremiah is sought out, and the captains ask for his assistance. In every difficult, doubtful case, we must look to God for direction; and we may still, in faith, pray to be guided by a spirit of wisdom in our hearts, and the leadings of Providence. We do not truly desire to know the mind of God, if we do not fully resolve to comply with it when we know it. Many promise to do what the Lord requires, while they hope to have their pride flattered, and their favourite lusts spared. Yet something betrays the state of their hearts.
vv7-22
If we would know the mind of the Lord in doubtful cases, we must wait as well as pray. God is ever ready to return in mercy to those he has afflicted; and he never rejects any who rely on his promises. He has declared enough to silence even the causeless fears of his people, which discourge them in the way of duty. Whatever loss or suffering we may fear from obedience, is provided against in God's word; and he will protect and deliver all who trust in him and serve him. It is folly to quit our place, especially to quit a holy land, because we meet with trouble in it. And the evils we think to escape by sin, we certainly bring upon ourselves. We may apply this to the common troubles of life; and those who think to avoid them by changing their place, will find that the grievances common to men will meet them wherever they go. Sinners who dissemble with God in solemn professions especially should be rebuked with sharpness; for their actions speak more plainly than words. We know not what is good for ourselves; and what we are most fond of, and have our hearts most set upon, often proves hurtful, and sometimes fatal.
Key Words
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שַׂר: a head person (of any rank or class)
חַיִל: probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
יוֹחָנָן: Jochanan, the name of nine Israelites
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
קָרֵחַ: Kareach, an Israelite
יְזַנְיָה: Jezanjah, an Israelite
הוֹשַׁעְיָה: Hoshajah, the name of two Israelites
עַם: a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
קָטָן: abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
Cross References
Jeremiah 42God explicitly forbade His people from returning to Egypt to prevent entanglement in idolatry.
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The tiny remainder of people fulfills the divine curse of being left few in number.
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They call on God as a witness, echo of the ancient covenant witness formula.
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The metaphor of building and planting is used elsewhere for God establishing His people.
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God's repenting of the evil echoes the covenant promise of mercy in Deuteronomy.
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Echoes Israel's historical empty promises of obedience when receiving God's laws.
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Jeremiah's resolve to keep nothing back reflects the faithful prophetic standard of Samuel.
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Paul echoes this prophetic integrity, keeping back nothing profitable from his hearers.
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Fleeing to escape the sword only brings the sword upon the disobedient.
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Dissembling in their hearts brings self-ruin; God is not mocked by hypocrisy.
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Asking a prophet to lift up a prayer for a surviving remnant.
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Setting their faces to enter Egypt contrasts Christ setting His face to go to Jerusalem.
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The pouring out of God's fury mimics the previous destruction of Jerusalem.
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The ten-day delay tested their hearts to prove their willingness to obey.
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