Jeremiah 42 14

Jeremiah 42:14 kjv

Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:

Jeremiah 42:14 nkjv

saying, 'No, but we will go to the land of Egypt where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor be hungry for bread, and there we will dwell'?

Jeremiah 42:14 niv

and if you say, 'No, we will go and live in Egypt, where we will not see war or hear the trumpet or be hungry for bread,'

Jeremiah 42:14 esv

and saying, 'No, we will go to the land of Egypt, where we shall not see war or hear the sound of the trumpet or be hungry for bread, and we will dwell there,'

Jeremiah 42:14 nlt

instead, we will go to Egypt where we will be free from war, the call to arms, and hunger,'

Jeremiah 42 verses

Jeremiah 42 14 meaning

Jeremiah 42:14 is the rebellious response of the Jewish remnant to God's explicit command through the prophet Jeremiah. It reveals their determined intent to defy divine instruction and seek perceived safety in Egypt rather than trusting God's promise of protection if they remained in Judah. The verse encapsulates their profound distrust in God and their preference for human logic and comfort over obedience to His revealed will, despite clear warnings of the disastrous consequences.

Jeremiah 42 14 Context

Jeremiah 42:14 is uttered by a remnant of the Judean people after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC) and the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon. Fearing further reprisal from Babylon, the surviving military commanders, led by Johanan, and all the people, approached Jeremiah. They sought the Lord's guidance, solemnly promising to obey whatever God commanded, whether good or bad (Jer 42:5-6). For ten days, Jeremiah prayed, and then delivered God's explicit word: they were to remain in Judah. If they stayed, God promised to protect, build, and plant them, saving them from the King of Babylon whom they feared (Jer 42:10-12). However, God sternly warned that if they went to Egypt, fearing war, famine, and the sword, those very things would overtake them there, and none would survive or return to Judah (Jer 42:13-17). Jeremiah 42:14 is their direct, defiant refusal of God's life-saving command, exposing their underlying distrust and pre-meditated intent to flee to Egypt despite their earlier solemn oath. They chose perceived immediate comfort and safety over divine promises, embodying a recurring theme of Israel's lack of faith.

Jeremiah 42 14 Word analysis

• No, but (אָכֵן akhen): This Hebrew particle introduces a strong contrast or denial, meaning "surely," "nevertheless," or "on the contrary." It signals a firm and defiant rejection of the preceding divine instruction given by Jeremiah. It shows a pre-determined resolve that overrides even a recent oath to obey God.
• we will go (נֵלֵךְ nelekh): From the verb הָלַךְ halakh, meaning "to walk" or "to go." This is a definitive future tense, indicating their unshakeable decision. It directly contradicts God's command not to go.
• to the land of Egypt (אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם eretz Mitsrayim): Eretz is "land," Mitsrayim is "Egypt." Egypt was often seen as a place of refuge but historically symbolized bondage and reliance on human power. For Israel, returning to Egypt (forbidden in Deut 17:16) represented a rejection of Yahweh as their protector and an embrace of pagan trust in political alliances and physical resources. It was a repeated temptation for Israel when facing danger.
• where (אֲשֶׁר asher): A relative pronoun, "which," "that," "where."
• we shall see no war (לֹא־נִרְאֶה מִלְחָמָה lo-nir'eh milchamah): Lo is "not," nir'eh is "we shall see" (from רָאָה ra'ah), milchamah is "war." This reveals their immediate fear, highlighting their desire for external peace over internal faith. They assume a geographical escape from the problem, rather than a spiritual reliance on God to deliver them within the promised land.
• nor hear the sound of the trumpet (וְקוֹל שׁוֹפָר לֹא נִשְׁמָע weqol shophar lo nishma') : Waw is "and," qol is "voice/sound," shophar is "trumpet" (often used as a battle signal), lo is "not," nishma' is "shall be heard" (from שָׁמַע shama'). This expresses their longing for freedom from military alerts and the psychological distress of war. The absence of the trumpet's sound means absence of conflict and threat, which they believe Egypt will offer.
• nor be hungry for bread (וְלַלֶּחֶם לֹא נִרְעָב welallechem lo nir'av): Waw is "and," lallechem is "for bread" (לֶחֶם lechem), lo is "not," nir'av is "we shall be hungry" (from רָעֵב ra'ev). This addresses their fear of famine, a devastating consequence of siege and war. They believe Egypt, with its fertile Nile Delta, guarantees abundant food, making it appear as a land of provision, a stark contrast to war-torn Judah.
• and there we will dwell (וְשָׁם נֵשֵׁב weshsham neshev): Waw is "and," sham is "there," neshev is "we will dwell" (from יָשַׁב yashab, "to sit," "to inhabit"). This signifies their intention for permanent settlement, a decisive rejection of remaining in God's chosen land, even if it meant temporary hardship with divine protection. It indicates a desire for rootedness and stability, but one chosen outside of God's will.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "No, but we will go to the land of Egypt,": This phrase presents a direct and unequivocal contradiction to God's command. It expresses stubborn determination to follow their own inclination, explicitly rejecting divine authority. It reveals that their initial request for guidance (Jer 42:1-6) was not driven by genuine obedience but by a desire for divine confirmation of their pre-conceived plan to flee to Egypt.
• "where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet,": This segment outlines their primary fears and motivations: to escape military conflict. They desire an environment of outward peace and security, highlighting a short-sighted focus on immediate physical safety over the long-term spiritual security and blessings promised by God within His will. Their memory of siege and battle made this desire acute.
• "nor be hungry for bread,": This emphasizes their fear of famine, a very real threat in war-ravaged Judah. Their pursuit of material security (food supply) further defines their worldly focus. This trifecta (war, trumpet, hunger) covers the essential needs for physical survival, revealing a very human and practical desire for relief from suffering.
• "and there we will dwell.": This closing statement seals their resolve for a permanent relocation. It signifies not a temporary retreat but a definitive turning away from the land God promised and the trust required to remain in it. This reflects a preference for self-chosen comfort and perceived safety in a foreign land rather than a reliance on God's protection within their own.

Jeremiah 42 14 Bonus section

The choice of the remnant in Jeremiah 42:14 echoes deeper patterns throughout Israel's history. Egypt frequently represents a "way out" through human power rather than a "way forward" through divine trust. From their deliverance from Egypt to later alliances (Isaiah 30-31), Israel's return to Egypt, literally or metaphorically, consistently signified a forsaking of their unique reliance on Yahweh. The irony is poignant: they fear a sword from Babylon that God promised to shield them from if they stayed (Jer 42:10-12), but in their fear-driven disobedience, God declares He will bring the very sword they fear upon them in Egypt (Jer 42:16). Their perceived safety net becomes their death trap, a testament to the destructive consequences of choosing self-will over God's clear word. This passage powerfully critiques reliance on outward appearances of security versus inward faith in the unseen God.

Jeremiah 42 14 Commentary

Jeremiah 42:14 stands as a tragic monument to human distrust and rebellion in the face of explicit divine guidance. Despite seeking the Lord's counsel and solemnly swearing to obey, the people had already decided their course of action. Their subsequent declaration exposes their true motivation: they wanted God's endorsement, not His direction. Their fears – war, alarm, and hunger – were valid human concerns after the trauma of Jerusalem's fall. However, their solution—fleeing to Egypt—was precisely what God forbade and explicitly promised would bring upon them the very evils they sought to escape (Jer 42:15-17). This illustrates a fundamental human tendency to lean on visible, earthly solutions and self-perceived wisdom (like Egypt's strength and prosperity) rather than invisible divine promises. Their choice represents a profound spiritual failure, privileging perceived safety and comfort over faithful obedience to the Living God. This choice not only endangered their lives but marked a turning away from the covenant relationship and the redemptive hope within the land of promise.