Jeremiah 42 22

Jeremiah 42:22 kjv

Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn.

Jeremiah 42:22 nkjv

Now therefore, know certainly that you shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence in the place where you desire to go to dwell."

Jeremiah 42:22 niv

So now, be sure of this: You will die by the sword, famine and plague in the place where you want to go to settle."

Jeremiah 42:22 esv

Now therefore know for a certainty that you shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence in the place where you desire to go to live."

Jeremiah 42:22 nlt

So you can be sure that you will die from war, famine, and disease in Egypt, where you insist on going."

Jeremiah 42 verses

Jeremiah 42 22 Meaning

This verse signifies God's intention to bring severe judgment upon the people of Judah for their persistent disobedience and refusal to repent. The drought, famine, and sword are instruments of this divine discipline, intended to eliminate those who opposed God's prophet and ultimately rejected His will. Despite the warnings and the pleas of Jeremiah, the people chose to believe the false reassurances of their leaders and fled to Egypt, sealing their own doom.

Jeremiah 42 22 Context

This verse concludes Jeremiah chapter 42, a chapter where the remnants of Judah, after the destruction of Jerusalem, implore Jeremiah to pray for them and inquire of the LORD about where they should go. Despite Jeremiah's earnest prayers and a subsequent divine message warning them against going to Egypt, the people, particularly the proud and rebellious leaders, disregarded God's word. They accused Jeremiah of lying and then decided to proceed to Egypt against God's command, taking Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch with them. Therefore, this verse is God's final pronouncement of judgment upon this disobedient group for their direct defiance. The historical context is the post-siege period of Jerusalem, with survivors seeking direction but ultimately choosing rebellion.

Jeremiah 42 22 Word analysis

• So (Hebrew: כֵּן, kēn): Conjunction indicating consequence or result, signifying that what follows is the direct outcome of their actions.
• shall (Hebrew: הָיָה, hāyāh - future tense implied by context and conjunction): Expresses certainty of future action.
• it (Hebrew: הֶהָרֹס, hehārōs - "the destruction," referring to the destruction mentioned previously): Refers to the severe judgment that God has decreed.
• come (Hebrew: בֹּא, bō' - imperative form related to future certainty): Denotes the arrival of the predicted judgment.
• to pass (Hebrew: Implied verb or continuation of "come"): Standard idiom for events occurring.
• upon (Hebrew: אֶל, ’el - preposition indicating direction towards): Directs the consequence onto the specific group.
• you (Hebrew: אַתֶּם, ’attem): Plural pronoun, referring to the disobedient survivors who chose to go to Egypt.
• your (Hebrew: כֶּם, kem - possessive suffix): Possessive pronoun relating back to "you."
• cities (Hebrew: עָרִים, ‘ārîm - plural of עִיר, ‘îr): Refers to their towns and settlements.
• and (Hebrew: וְ, wə): Conjunction connecting elements.
• to your (Hebrew: וְאֶל־, wə’el-): And to your.
• country (Hebrew: אֶרֶץ, ’ereṣ - land, territory): Denotes their homeland, specifically the area where they would settle in Egypt or any remaining territory they possessed.
• and (Hebrew: וְ): Conjunction.
• they (Hebrew: הֵם, hēm): Plural pronoun, referring to the specific components of God's judgment.
• shall (Hebrew: הָיָה, hāyāh - future tense): Future certainty.
• be (Hebrew: הָיָה, hāyāh): Indicates existence or state.
• desolate (Hebrew: שָּׁמָה, šāmmāh - waste, desolate, a ruin): Expresses utter devastation and emptiness, a state of ruin.
• and (Hebrew: וְ): Conjunction.
• without (Hebrew: בְּלִי, bəli): Indicates absence or lack.
• inhabitant (Hebrew: יוֹשֵׁב, yōšēḇ - one who dwells, inhabitant): Refers to the absence of people.

Group analysis:The phrase "So shall it come to pass upon you your cities and to your country that they shall be desolate and without inhabitant" signifies a comprehensive and absolute destruction. The progression from "cities" to "country" implies a thorough eradication, leaving no place untouched. The final state of being "desolate and without inhabitant" is a powerful idiom for complete annihilation, reflecting the ultimate consequence of rejecting God's messengers and commands. This mirrors pronouncements of judgment elsewhere in the prophets, like Isaiah 5:9 and Ezekiel 36:34-35, where desolation follows sin.

Jeremiah 42 22 Bonus Section

The judgment pronounced here is a chilling fulfillment of warnings given throughout Deuteronomy, concerning the consequences of disobedience. The phrase "desolate and without inhabitant" is a recurring theme in prophetic literature signifying divine retribution for covenant unfaithfulness (e.g., Lev 26:31-33; Jer 34:17). The chosen destination of Egypt also carries its own historical weight for the Israelites, often a place of both refuge and ultimately apostasy or negative influence, as seen in the Exodus narrative and subsequent interactions. Their flight to Egypt represents a regression from any potential for recovery, choosing a foreign land and false security over God's promised blessing within the land He intended for them, even in their brokenness.

Jeremiah 42 22 Commentary

This verse delivers a solemn pronouncement of absolute desolation. God declares that the disobedience of these survivors in going to Egypt, against His express command conveyed through Jeremiah, will result in their utter ruin. Not only their settlements but their very territory will be laid waste, devoid of any population. This judgment is a direct consequence of their chosen path of defiance, a stark contrast to the promise of restoration that true obedience would have brought. Their choice to trust human counsel over divine revelation seals their fate, leading to complete emptiness and loss.