King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Whether it be good or bad, we will listen to what ADONAI our God says. We are dispatching you to him so that things will go well with us, as we heed what ADONAI our God says."
Berean Standard Bible:
Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us, for we will obey the voice of the LORD our God!”
American Standard Version:
Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of Jehovah our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of Jehovah our God.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Whether it be good{H2896}, or whether it be evil{H7451}, we will obey{H8085} the voice{H6963} of the LORD{H3068} our God{H430}, to whom we{H580} send{H7971} thee; that it may be well{H3190} with us, when we obey{H8085} the voice{H6963} of the LORD{H3068} our God{H430}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Jeremiah 7:23
- But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.
Deuteronomy 5:29
- O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
Deuteronomy 5:33
- Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and [that it may be] well with you, and [that] ye may prolong [your] days in the land which ye shall possess.
Romans 8:7
- Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Deuteronomy 6:2
- That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
Deuteronomy 6:3
- Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do [it]; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
Joshua 24:24
- And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Jeremiah 42:6
Jeremiah 42:6 is a verse set within the broader context of the Babylonian conquest of Judah. The Southern Kingdom of Judah is facing the aftermath of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, which led to the destruction of the city and the Temple, as well as the exile of many Jews to Babylon. In this tumultuous period, a remnant of Jews, including some military officers, approach the prophet Jeremiah, seeking guidance from the Lord regarding whether they should stay in the land of Judah or flee to Egypt.
In Jeremiah 42:6, the speakers express a willingness to heed the voice of the Lord, whether the message is favorable or not. They declare, "Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God." This statement reflects a moment of apparent humility and submission to divine authority. They acknowledge Jeremiah as God's messenger ("to whom we send thee") and express a desire for their obedience to result in well-being ("that it may be well with us").
The historical context of this verse is crucial. The people are in a state of crisis, and their future is uncertain. They have witnessed the fall of their nation and are now seeking divine direction. Jeremiah's role is to convey God's will to them. The themes present in this verse include the sovereignty of God over the nations, the importance of listening to and obeying the divine word, and the hope for blessings that come from such obedience. Despite their declaration, the subsequent narrative reveals that when Jeremiah delivers God's message—which is to remain in the land—the people reject it, highlighting the tension between professed submission to God's will and actual human behavior in the face of difficult circumstances. This tension underscores the ongoing struggle with faithfulness and the human tendency to rely on one's own understanding rather than trusting in God's promises and guidance.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H2896
There are 517 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טוֹב
Transliteration: ṭôwb
Pronunciation: tobe
Description: from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well); beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). - Strong's Number: H7451
There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַע
Transliteration: raʻ
Pronunciation: rah
Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). - Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - Strong's Number: H6963
There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוֹל
Transliteration: qôwl
Pronunciation: kole
Description: or קֹל; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound; [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H580
There are 251 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲנוּ
Transliteration: ʼănûw
Pronunciation: an-oo'
Description: contracted for אֲנַחְנוּ; we; we. - Strong's Number: H7971
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַח
Transliteration: shâlach
Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). - Strong's Number: H3190
There are 102 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָטַב
Transliteration: yâṭab
Pronunciation: yaw-tab'
Description: a primitive root; to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right); be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make) better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, [phrase] be content, diligent(-ly), dress, earnestly, find favour, give, be glad, do (be, make) good(-ness), be (make) merry, please ([phrase] well), shew more (kindness), skilfully, [idiom] very small, surely, make sweet, thoroughly, tire, trim, very, be (can, deal, entreat, go, have) well (said, seen).