Jeremiah 42 15

Jeremiah 42:15 kjv

And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there;

Jeremiah 42:15 nkjv

Then hear now the word of the LORD, O remnant of Judah! Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: 'If you wholly set your faces to enter Egypt, and go to dwell there,

Jeremiah 42:15 niv

then hear the word of the LORD, you remnant of Judah. This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'If you are determined to go to Egypt and you do go to settle there,

Jeremiah 42:15 esv

then hear the word of the LORD, O remnant of Judah. Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: If you set your faces to enter Egypt and go to live there,

Jeremiah 42:15 nlt

then hear the LORD's message to the remnant of Judah. This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says: 'If you are determined to go to Egypt and live there,

Jeremiah 42 verses

Jeremiah 42 15 meaning

Jeremiah 42:15 is a solemn warning from the LORD to the Jewish remnant residing in Judah after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. Despite their prior commitment to obey God's word regarding their future, this verse directly addresses their secret intention to migrate to Egypt. It explicitly states that if they are resolute in their plan to seek refuge in Egypt, ignoring God's command to remain in the land, divine judgment and destruction will follow them there. The verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty and knowledge of human hearts, revealing their pre-determined rebellious path even before they embarked on it, thereby setting the stage for the severe consequences outlined in the subsequent verses.

Jeremiah 42 15 Context

Jeremiah 42:15 is situated within the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem (586 BCE) and the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon. The surviving Jewish remnant, led by Johanan and the army officers, were afraid of Babylonian retribution. They approached Jeremiah, requesting him to inquire of the LORD for them regarding where they should go, explicitly stating their intention not to go to Egypt if God forbade it and promising to obey whatever word the LORD gave (Jer 42:1-6). After ten days, Jeremiah delivers God's answer: they are to remain in the land of Judah, where God promises to protect, build, and plant them (Jer 42:9-12). Conversely, God issues a stark warning against going to Egypt, stating that the very sword, famine, and pestilence they feared would follow and consume them there (Jer 42:13-14). Verse 15 then underscores God's prophetic insight into their already formed intentions, directly warning against their determined resolve to disregard His word and flee to Egypt for what they perceived as safety. This highlights the people's hypocrisy, seeking divine counsel only as a formality while harboring an unbelieving, self-determined heart. Historically, seeking refuge in Egypt symbolized a return to bondage and a rejection of God's power and provision, reminiscent of the Exodus and repeated warnings against trusting in foreign alliances over the LORD.

Jeremiah 42 15 Word analysis

• Now therefore: (Hebrew: וְעַתָּה - w’attah) This conjunctive phrase often signals a pivotal shift in a discourse, indicating a logical conclusion or a formal transition to a direct imperative or pronouncement based on prior statements or facts. Here, it follows the declaration of God's will in the preceding verses, introducing the consequence for their disobedience.
• hear: (שִׁמְעוּ - shim'u) This is an imperative verb, calling for active listening coupled with an expectation of obedience. It is not merely an auditory perception but an engagement of the will to heed and act upon the instruction, a fundamental command throughout the Law and Prophets. Its presence highlights the deliberate nature of their refusal to obey.
• the word of the LORD: (דְּבַר יְהוָה - devar YHWH) This signifies a divine, authoritative utterance. It is God's revealed will, unchangeable and absolute, presented through His prophet. For this remnant, it represents the final and authoritative guidance for their post-destruction future.
• O remnant of Judah: (שְׁאֵרִית יְהוּדָה - she’erit Yehudah) The term "remnant" typically denotes survivors or a portion preserved by God, often with hope for future restoration. However, in this specific context, while physically a remnant, their spiritual state as a "faithful" remnant is questioned. God addresses them as those who should be looking to Him for survival but are about to rebel, transforming a term of hope into a category facing impending judgment due to disobedience. This group was the surviving generation, bearing the covenant hopes for the future of Israel.
• Thus says the LORD of hosts: (כֹּה־אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת - koh-amar YHWH Tzeva'ot) A formal prophetic formula, lending supreme authority to the following statement. "LORD of hosts" (YHWH Tzeva'ot) is a majestic divine title, signifying God's dominion over heavenly armies and earthly powers. It underscores His omnipotence and ultimate authority to execute judgment or salvation, particularly potent for a people contemplating refuge in a foreign land.
• the God of Israel: (אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - Elohei Yisra'el) This emphasizes God's unique covenant relationship with Israel. He is their God, who had delivered them from Egypt, provided for them, and called them to a distinct life in the Promised Land. His authority stems from this exclusive, personal, and redemptive history with them.
• If you will wholly set your faces to enter Egypt: (אִם־שׁוֹם תְּשִׂימוּן אֶת־פְּנֵיכֶם לָבוֹא מִצְרַיִם - im shom tesimun et-p'neikhem lavo Mitsrayim) The construction uses an infinitive absolute (shom) before the verb (tesimun), conveying strong emphasis. It means "if you are absolutely determined, resolute, fully intend to set your faces toward Egypt." This mirrors a steadfast decision (cf. Luke 9:51 where Jesus "set His face" toward Jerusalem). It speaks of a hardened will, a decision already made in their hearts, even as they feigned inquiry to Jeremiah.
• and go to sojourn there: (וּבָאתֶם לָגוּר שָׁם - u’vatem lagur sham) "Sojourn" (lagur) implies dwelling as a resident alien, a temporary inhabitant. Their intention was not merely to visit, but to reside, even if not permanently integrating. This act of "sojourning" in Egypt was a direct contravention of the covenant prohibitions against returning to Egypt and relying on its protection, effectively seeking refuge in the very land from which God had dramatically rescued their ancestors. It reflects a desire for perceived human security over divine promise.

Words-group Analysis

• Now therefore, hear the word of the LORD: This collective address and command highlights the expectation of corporate responsibility to divine instruction, a cornerstone of covenant theology. It underlines that this is a direct, critical, and final warning from their God.
• O remnant of Judah! Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: The combination of these specific titles is crucial. Addressing them as the "remnant of Judah" underscores their precarious position as survivors who should look to their covenant God. God’s self-designation as "LORD of hosts" and "God of Israel" magnifies His power, faithfulness, and unique relationship with them, intensifying the weight and solemnity of His subsequent warning. They were directly related to Him and thus under His immediate purview and justice.
• If you will wholly set your faces to enter Egypt, and go to sojourn there: This phrase reveals God’s omniscience regarding their inner thoughts and pre-formed decisions. Their "setting of faces" points to an unwavering and intentional choice to disobey, regardless of the prophetic word they requested. It exposes the insincerity of their prior pledge to obey and highlights their pursuit of an earthly refuge (Egypt) over trusting divine protection in Judah, repeating the ancestral pattern of fearing scarcity or enemies over trusting God’s word. This was a deep-seated spiritual failure, not a casual mistake.

Jeremiah 42 15 Bonus section

The "remnant" concept in the Old Testament typically holds two meanings: a judgmental one (only a few survive destruction) and a redemptive one (a righteous group preserved for future blessing). In Jeremiah 42:15, the "remnant of Judah" paradoxically embodies both. They are the survivors, but God warns that their intended actions could strip them of any redemptive potential, turning their "survival" into mere prolonged suffering or further destruction. Their choice was critical: either become the foundation of a new beginning through faith and obedience or persist in the cycle of rebellion and judgment. Their deliberate decision to return to Egypt for safety mirrors Israel's earlier apostasies and fear-driven compromises, particularly during periods when they sought alliances with foreign powers (like Egypt) against God's counsel (e.g., in the time of Isaiah). The language used by God, "LORD of hosts, the God of Israel," serves not only as an authoritative declaration but also as a powerful polemic against the Egyptian deities the people would encounter, reminding them that their true God was sovereign over all powers and pantheons, including those in Egypt. This act of fleeing to Egypt was an ultimate demonstration of trusting "the arm of flesh" over the living God.

Jeremiah 42 15 Commentary

Jeremiah 42:15 exposes the deep spiritual pathology of the Jewish remnant: they requested God's guidance, yet their hearts were already set on a path of disobedience. God, knowing their intentions, issues a clear, unambiguous warning through Jeremiah. Their resolute decision to "set their faces" toward Egypt, a land of historical bondage and idolatry from which God had powerfully delivered Israel, signified a profound lack of faith. It was an act of choosing human-perceived safety and a rejection of God's explicit command to remain in Judah, where He promised protection and restoration. This verse reveals the LORD's omniscience, His abhorrence for hypocrisy, and the grave consequences that await those who hear His word but deliberately choose rebellion, emphasizing that disobedience is not forgotten and divine judgment will inevitably pursue the disobedient, even into their chosen places of refuge. The "remnant," though spared physical destruction by Babylon, jeopardized their spiritual inheritance and future by this act of distrust.