Jeremiah 11:4

KJV

Which I commanded your fathers in the day [that] I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:

KJV (with Strong's)

Which I commanded {H6680} your fathers {H1} in the day {H3117} that I brought them forth {H3318} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, from the iron {H1270} furnace {H3564}, saying {H559}, Obey {H8085} my voice {H6963}, and do {H6213} them, according to all which I command {H6680} you: so shall ye be my people {H5971}, and I will be your God {H430}:

Complete Jewish Bible

which I enjoined on your ancestors at the time that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of that iron-smelter. I said, "Listen to my voice, and carry out all my orders; then you will be my people, and I will be your God;

Berean Standard Bible

which I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, ‘Obey Me, and do everything I command you, and you will be My people, and I will be your God.’

American Standard Version

which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 11:4 encapsulates the foundational covenant between Yahweh and Israel, delivered by the prophet Jeremiah amidst Judah's profound apostasy. The verse powerfully recalls God's redemptive act of bringing their ancestors out of Egyptian bondage, metaphorically described as an "iron furnace." It then reiterates the enduring terms of this covenant: a divine command for comprehensive obedience to God's voice, met with the reciprocal promise that Israel would remain His cherished people and He would be their faithful God. This passage serves as a poignant reminder of God's unwavering initiative and His just expectation of faithfulness, setting the stage for Jeremiah's urgent call to national repentance and warning of the consequences of covenant infidelity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 11 initiates a significant section (chapters 11-12) where the prophet is commanded by God to proclaim the words of the covenant to the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. This directive immediately follows prophecies of impending judgment (chapters 7-10) and precedes Jeremiah's personal laments and conflicts (chapters 13-20). Verse 4 specifically functions as a historical and theological anchor, harkening back to the foundational Mosaic Covenant established at Sinai. By recalling God's initial act of deliverance and the original terms of their relationship, Jeremiah sets the stage for a profound indictment: the current generation's failure to uphold this very covenant. The subsequent verses in chapter 11 detail the curses and judgments prescribed for covenant disobedience, underscoring the dire consequences that await Judah if they persist in their rebellion. The prophet's message is thus framed as a legal case, reminding the people of the original agreement before pronouncing the verdict for its blatant violation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophetic ministry of Jeremiah unfolded during the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period of immense political and spiritual upheaval for the kingdom of Judah. This era was marked by the decline of Assyrian power, the rise of Babylon, and a succession of Judean kings (Josiah, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah) who largely failed to lead the nation in faithfulness to Yahweh. The vivid imagery of being brought "out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace" directly references the Exodus, the seminal event in Israelite history that forged their identity as God's chosen people. This phrase, also found in [Deuteronomy 4:20](/deuteronomy/4-20 "Deuteronomy 4:20 - Israel's Deliverance from the Iron Furnace"), would have resonated deeply with the audience, recalling God's miraculous power and the covenant established at Mount Sinai. Culturally, the covenant described here mirrors the ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaty, a common legal framework where a powerful king (the suzerain) would establish terms with a lesser, vassal state, promising protection and blessings in exchange for exclusive loyalty and obedience. God, as the divine Suzerain, reminds Judah of their historical obligation and His consistent faithfulness, starkly contrasting it with their persistent idolatry and moral decay.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 11:4 powerfully articulates several enduring theological themes central to the book of Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, **Divine Deliverance and Redemption** is paramount, as God's initiative in liberating Israel from Egyptian bondage is presented as the foundational act of His loving power and commitment to His people. Secondly, the **Covenant Relationship** is unequivocally emphasized; the verse reiterates the core terms of the Mosaic Covenant, highlighting the reciprocal nature of God being their God and Israel being His people, a relationship contingent upon their faithful obedience. This theme of covenant fidelity (or the lack thereof) is a dominant thread throughout Jeremiah, as the prophet consistently calls the people back to their solemn obligations. Thirdly, **The Necessity of Obedience** is underscored, presenting God's commands not as arbitrary burdens but as the very pathway to maintaining this sacred relationship and experiencing His promised blessings. The repeated call to "obey my voice" highlights the profound moral and spiritual responsibility placed upon the covenant people, echoing the consistent emphasis on obedience found throughout the [Pentateuch](/exodus/1 "The Pentateuch - The Books of Moses"), particularly in the book of [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "The Book of Deuteronomy - The Second Law").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **brought them forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâ'_):** (H3318) This primitive root means "to go out" or, in its causative form as used here, "to bring out." In the context of the Exodus, it powerfully conveys God's active, decisive, and forceful intervention in liberating Israel from the oppressive grip of Egypt. It emphasizes divine initiative and irresistible power, signifying not merely a passive release but a deliberate, redemptive extraction, underscoring the magnitude of their salvation.
* **iron (Hebrew, _barzel'_), furnace (Hebrew, _kûwr'_):** (H1270, H3564) "Iron" refers to the metal, known for its hardness, durability, and often its use in instruments of labor or warfare. "Furnace" denotes a pot, crucible, or smelting kiln, typically used for refining or purifying metals through intense heat. Together, the phrase "iron furnace" forms a potent and vivid metaphor for the intense, crushing, and seemingly inescapable suffering of Egyptian bondage. It conveys the severity and dehumanizing nature of their former slavery and simultaneously highlights the miraculous and powerful nature of God's deliverance from such a harsh, refining, and inescapable environment.
* **Obey (Hebrew, _shâma'_) my voice (Hebrew, _qôwl'_):** (H8085, H6963) _Shâma'_ signifies "to hear intelligently," extending beyond mere auditory perception to encompass attention, understanding, and, crucially, active obedience. It implies heeding and acting upon what is heard. _Qôwl_ refers to a "voice" or "sound," often carrying the connotation of a spoken command or divine utterance. Thus, "obey my voice" signifies a comprehensive and active submission to God's spoken word, commands, and authoritative instruction, highlighting the interactive and deeply personal nature of the covenant relationship. It calls for not just intellectual assent but practical compliance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which I commanded your fathers in the day [that] I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace,"**: This foundational clause establishes the historical and theological basis of the covenant. God emphatically states that the commands He is now reiterating were not new but were originally issued to their ancestors at the very inception of their national identity—their miraculous exodus from Egypt. The powerful imagery "from the iron furnace" serves as a stark reminder of the extreme hardship, oppression, and refining suffering from which God, by His mighty hand, miraculously delivered them. This underscores the profound depth of His redemptive love and power, framing the covenant as a response to His prior faithfulness and immense grace.
* **"saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you:"**: This segment articulates the non-negotiable, core demand of the covenant: absolute and active obedience. "Obey my voice" emphasizes the necessity of listening attentively and heeding God's divine revelation and authoritative commands. "And do them" stresses the practical, tangible outworking of that obedience in every facet of daily life. The emphatic repetition "according to all which I command you" highlights the comprehensive and holistic nature of God's requirements; it was not a call for selective obedience but for an unreserved commitment to His entire law and will. This was the essential, reciprocal condition for maintaining their unique and sacred relationship with Yahweh.
* **"so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:"**: This concluding clause presents the glorious promise and the ultimate, reciprocal outcome of covenant faithfulness. It is the quintessential covenant formula, signifying an exclusive, intimate, and mutually binding relationship. If Israel faithfully obeyed, they would continue to enjoy the unique and privileged status of being God's chosen "people" (H5971), distinct from all other nations. In turn, He, the supreme and sovereign "God" (H430), would be exclusively theirs, providing unwavering protection, abundant provision, and His abiding presence. This was the ultimate blessing and the very purpose of their existence as a nation, contingent upon their faithful and obedient response to His divine commands.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 11:4 masterfully employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its urgent message and underscore its theological weight. The most striking is the powerful **metaphor** of the "iron furnace" (Hebrew: _kûwr barzel_). This vivid imagery, which also appears in [Deuteronomy 4:20](/deuteronomy/4-20 "Deuteronomy 4:20 - Israel's Deliverance from the Iron Furnace"), effectively communicates the intense suffering, the refining heat, and the seemingly inescapable nature of Israel's bondage in Egypt. It serves to magnify the profound extent of God's redemptive act and the depth of the oppression from which He delivered His people. The verse also utilizes **repetition** through the recurring phrase "I commanded... I command you," which serves to emphasize the enduring continuity and unchanging nature of God's divine expectations across generations, highlighting His consistency despite human infidelity. Furthermore, the logical progression from a historical remembrance of deliverance to a present command for obedience, culminating in a future promise of relationship, exemplifies a clear **conditional statement** or **covenant formula**. This structure, common in ancient Near Eastern treaties, underscores the reciprocal nature of God's relationship with His people, where blessings are contingent upon faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 11:4 is profoundly embedded in the core theological truths of the Old Testament, particularly the overarching concept of covenant. It forcefully reiterates that God's relationship with Israel was not accidental or earned, but graciously initiated by His sovereign act of deliverance from the "iron furnace" of Egypt. This divine initiative established the framework for a covenant that demanded exclusive loyalty and comprehensive obedience from His chosen people. The profound promise, "so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God," represents the quintessential expression of this unique, intimate, and reciprocal bond, signifying a relationship characterized by belonging, divine protection, and abiding presence. The tragic failure of Israel to uphold their side of this covenant, as Jeremiah so painstakingly details throughout his prophecy, leads to the pronouncements of judgment. Yet, even within this context of impending judgment, the verse implicitly points towards the ultimate hope of a new, internalized covenant (as later revealed in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The Promise of the New Covenant")), which echoes and perfects this fundamental relational promise.

* [Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5-6 "Exodus 19:5-6 - God's Covenant Proposal and Israel's Role")
* [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1-14 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience")
* [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The Law Written on the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 11:4 offers timeless and profound insights for believers today, extending beyond its specific historical context to illuminate the enduring nature of God's relationship with His people across all generations. Just as God miraculously delivered Israel from the literal "iron furnace" of Egyptian bondage, He continues to offer spiritual deliverance from the pervasive "furnace" of sin, its enslaving power, and its devastating consequences. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our relationship with God is fundamentally founded upon His gracious, redemptive work and is sustained by our responsive, active obedience. It calls us to deeply remember the "furnaces" from which God has personally delivered us—whether spiritual bondage, emotional distress, or challenging life circumstances—and to respond with a heart overflowing with gratitude and a joyful, active submission to His voice. True freedom, a vibrant relationship with God, and the flourishing of our identity as His beloved people are profoundly found in aligning our lives with His divine commands. These commands are not presented as burdensome rules but as loving pathways to deeper intimacy, genuine blessing, and purposeful living. Our obedience, therefore, is not a means to earn salvation, but rather a heartfelt and joyful response to the glorious salvation already freely given, demonstrating our profound love and unwavering trust in the One who has so powerfully redeemed us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "iron furnaces" or oppressive situations in your life, past or present, has God delivered you from, and how does remembering those specific deliverances deepen your gratitude and commitment to Him today?**
* **In what specific areas of your life might you be hearing God's "voice" through His Word or the Holy Spirit, but struggling to "do" what He commands? What steps can you take towards greater obedience?**
* **How does the covenant promise, "so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God," shape your understanding of your identity, purpose, and security as a follower of Jesus Christ in the modern world?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "iron furnace" metaphor in Jeremiah 11:4?**

Answer: The "iron furnace" (Hebrew: _kûwr barzel_) is a powerful and vivid metaphor used to describe the intense, oppressive, and refining suffering that the Israelites endured during their slavery in Egypt. It emphasizes the severity of their bondage and the miraculous, liberating power of God who brought them out of such a harsh, inescapable crucible. This imagery is also found in [Deuteronomy 4:20](/deuteronomy/4-20 "Deuteronomy 4:20 - Israel's Deliverance from the Iron Furnace"), highlighting its significance as a recurring symbol of God's redemptive act and the depth of the suffering from which He delivered His people. It serves to underscore the magnitude of God's grace and the profound obligation of obedience that followed such a monumental deliverance.

**How does Jeremiah 11:4 relate to the concept of covenant in the Old Testament?**

Answer: Jeremiah 11:4 is a direct and poignant reference to the Mosaic Covenant, which was formally established at Mount Sinai immediately following the Exodus. The verse succinctly encapsulates the core terms of this foundational covenant: God's gracious and powerful act of deliverance ("I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace"), His clear command for comprehensive obedience ("Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you"), and the reciprocal, intimate promise of a unique relationship ("so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God"). This structure reflects the ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaty format, where a powerful king (God) sets terms for a vassal (Israel), promising protection and blessings in exchange for loyalty and obedience. The verse serves as a solemn reminder of Israel's foundational agreement with Yahweh, emphasizing that their identity, well-being, and very existence as a nation were inextricably linked to their faithfulness to these covenant stipulations, a theme that is central to the entire book of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah - Overview") and the prophetic tradition.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 11:4, while deeply rooted in the historical context of the Mosaic Covenant, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "iron furnace" of Egypt, from which God sovereignly delivered Israel, powerfully foreshadows the far greater spiritual bondage of sin and death from which all humanity desperately needs liberation. Christ, as the true and greater Deliverer, willingly entered the "furnace" of human brokenness, suffering, and the ultimate crucible of the cross, not to be consumed by its fires, but to conquer its power and bring forth a new people from spiritual slavery (as beautifully articulated in [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from the Domain of Darkness")). The divine command to "Obey my voice" is supremely fulfilled in Christ, who perfectly embodied and perfectly obeyed the Father's will in every aspect of His earthly life, even to the point of sacrificial death (see [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Through His perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice, Jesus inaugurates the New Covenant, the very covenant promised in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The Promise of the New Covenant"), where God's law is no longer merely inscribed on stone tablets but is supernaturally written on the hearts of His people, enabling an internalized and Spirit-empowered obedience. Thus, the profound promise, "so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God," is realized in its fullest, most glorious, and eternal sense in Christ, who gathers a multi-ethnic people into His body, the Church, establishing an unbreakable and everlasting covenant relationship where He is truly our God and we are truly His people, united by His Holy Spirit (as affirmed in [2 Corinthians 6:16](/2_corinthians/6-16 "2 Corinthians 6:16 - God Dwells in Us")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 26:12

And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

Deuteronomy 4:20

But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, [even] out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as [ye are] this day.

Jeremiah 7:22

For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:

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.

1 Kings 8:51

For they [be] thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron:

Jeremiah 24:7

And I will give them an heart to know me, that I [am] the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

2 Corinthians 6:16

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.