Jeremiah 42:10

KJV

If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull [you] down, and I will plant you, and not pluck [you] up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.

KJV (with Strong's)

If ye will still {H7725} abide {H3427} in this land {H776}, then will I build {H1129} you, and not pull you down {H2040}, and I will plant {H5193} you, and not pluck you up {H5428}: for I repent {H5162} me of the evil {H7451} that I have done {H6213} unto you.

Complete Jewish Bible

'If you will stay in this land, then I will build you up, not pull you down; I will plant you and not uproot you; for I am relenting from the calamity I inflicted on you.

Berean Standard Bible

‘If you will indeed stay in this land, then I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I will relent of the disaster I have brought upon you.

American Standard Version

If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up; for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 42:10 powerfully conveys God's conditional promise of restoration and flourishing to the remnant of Judah. Following the devastation of Jerusalem, the Lord assures His people that if they choose to remain in the land, He will actively establish them, rebuild their lives, and cause them to thrive, reversing the calamities previously inflicted. This verse highlights God's compassionate desire to turn from judgment to mercy, offering a pathway to divine favor and stability contingent upon their obedient trust.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse is embedded within a critical juncture in Judah's post-exilic history, immediately following the assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor. The remaining Jewish populace, gripped by fear of Babylonian reprisal and seeking security, approached the prophet Jeremiah with a solemn vow to obey whatever divine counsel he received. Their desperate plea, recorded in [Jeremiah 42:1-6](/jeremiah/42-1-6 "Jeremiah 42:1-6 - The Remnant Seeks Counsel"), set the stage for God's definitive, albeit delayed, response. After a ten-day period of waiting, Jeremiah delivered the Lord's unequivocal command: remain in the land of Judah, where divine protection and prosperity were assured, but flee to Egypt at their peril, for there destruction awaited them ([Jeremiah 42:7-18](/jeremiah/42-7-18 "Jeremiah 42:7-18 - God's Answer to the Remnant")). Jeremiah 42:10 stands as the very heart of this divine directive, presenting the core promise of restoration and security predicated on their obedience.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is one of profound national trauma and existential uncertainty. Jerusalem, the spiritual and political heart of Judah, lay in ruins, its temple desecrated, and the Davidic monarchy extinguished. The people were living under the oppressive shadow of Babylonian hegemony, and their natural human instinct was to seek refuge in a seemingly more stable and powerful nation like Egypt. Throughout Israel's history, Egypt had often represented both a place of refuge and a source of temptation, frequently luring them into idolatry and a reliance on human strength rather than divine providence (e.g., [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1-7 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt")). Remaining in the desolate land of Judah, a land now stripped of its former glory and seemingly vulnerable, demanded an extraordinary act of faith. It meant trusting in God's unseen protection amidst visible desolation, rather than relying on the perceived security of political alliances or geographical distance. The land itself held immense theological significance, being the promised inheritance central to the Abrahamic covenant and the very locus of God's relationship with Israel.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 42:10 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader Old Testament narrative. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **conditional covenant**, where divine blessings and curses are inextricably linked to human obedience and faithfulness, a principle deeply rooted in the Mosaic Law, particularly as articulated in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience"). The verse also underscores **God's absolute sovereignty** over the destinies of nations and individuals, affirming that He alone possesses the power to truly "build" and "plant" His people, regardless of external circumstances. A crucial and recurring theme is **divine judgment and mercy**: God had brought "evil" (calamity) upon Judah as a just consequence of their persistent rebellion, but He now expresses a profound willingness to "repent" (relent) from that judgment and initiate a period of **restoration and flourishing** if His people respond in faithful obedience. This dynamic reflects God's redemptive character, His desire to bring life out of devastation, and His capacity to reverse the consequences of sin when His people genuinely turn back to Him, as exemplified by God's relenting from judgment upon Nineveh in [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents from Disaster").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **abide (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** This primitive root signifies "to sit down," and by implication, "to dwell," "to remain," or "to settle." In the context of Jeremiah 42:10, it conveys more than mere physical presence; it implies a settled, intentional dwelling, a commitment to stay and establish themselves in the land despite the surrounding instability and the natural inclination to flee. It represents an act of trust and steadfast obedience to God's specific command, requiring a deep-seated reliance on His provision rather than human strategy.
* **build (Hebrew, _bânâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to build" in both literal and figurative senses. Here, it powerfully conveys the idea of reconstruction, establishment, and prosperity. For a people whose cities, homes, and social structures had been utterly destroyed, God's promise to "build" them speaks of His active work in re-establishing their community, ensuring their security, and guaranteeing their future, thereby reversing the profound devastation they had experienced. It implies a comprehensive restoration from the ground up.
* **repent (Hebrew, _nâcham'_):** This primitive root means "to sigh," "to be sorry," "to pity," "to console," or "to rue." When applied to God, as in this verse, it does not imply moral regret, a change in His perfect character, or a flaw in His omniscience (cf. [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie")). Instead, it signifies a change in His disposition or a cessation of the judgment He had previously brought. It expresses His profound compassion and His decision to turn away from inflicting further punishment, His readiness to restore and comfort, effectively "relenting" from the "evil" (calamity) He had allowed as a consequence of their sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If ye will still abide in this land":** This clause establishes the central condition upon which God's subsequent blessings are contingent. The Hebrew word `shûwb` (H7725, "still") here emphasizes a continued, settled dwelling, signifying a deliberate decision to remain steadfastly in the land of Judah, despite their fears and the strong temptation to seek refuge elsewhere. It represents a crucial test of their faith and obedience to God's specific, counter-intuitive command.
* **"then will I build you, and not pull [you] down":** This is the first part of God's promise, presented as a powerful architectural metaphor. "Build you" (H1129, `bânâh`) signifies God's active and comprehensive work of re-establishing, strengthening, and prospering them from their ruined state. The antithetical phrase "and not pull [you] down" (H2040, `hâraç`) directly contrasts with the recent destruction of Jerusalem and its inhabitants, promising divine security, stability, and a complete reversal of their fortunes.
* **"and I will plant you, and not pluck [you] up":** This is the second part of God's promise, utilizing a vivid agricultural metaphor. "Plant you" (H5193, `nâṭaʻ`) speaks of rooting them deeply and permanently in the land, ensuring their growth, fruitfulness, and enduring presence. "Not pluck [you] up" (H5428, `nâthash`) promises an end to the displacement, exile, and uprooting they had suffered through war and captivity, assuring them of a secure and flourishing future in their promised inheritance.
* **"for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you."**: This concluding clause provides the profound divine motivation for God's promise of restoration. The phrase "I repent me" (H5162, `nâcham`) indicates God's compassionate relenting from the severe judgment He had previously executed. The "evil" (H7451, `raʻ`) refers not to moral wrongdoing on God's part, but to the calamities, disasters, and suffering (H6213, `ʻâsâh`, "done") that He had allowed to befall Judah as a righteous and just consequence of their persistent sin and rebellion. God is expressing His readiness to turn from the course of judgment to one of mercy and blessing.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 42:10 is rich with **Metaphor**, primarily employing vivid architectural and agricultural imagery. The phrases "build you, and not pull you down" and "plant you, and not pluck you up" serve as powerful metaphors for God's intention to comprehensively restore, establish, and secure His people, thereby reversing the devastation of war and exile. This use of **Antithesis** within the metaphors ("build vs. pull down," "plant vs. pluck up") powerfully emphasizes the completeness and certainty of God's promised reversal of fortune from destruction to flourishing. The verse is structured as a clear **Conditional Clause** ("If...then..."), highlighting the direct and non-negotiable link between the people's obedience and God's promised blessing. Finally, the phrase "I repent me" is a profound instance of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human-like action or emotion (repentance, sighing, relenting) to God to convey His profound compassion and His sovereign decision to change His course of action from judgment to restoration, without implying any moral flaw or change in His immutable character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 42:10 beautifully illustrates the enduring nature of God's covenant faithfulness and His profound desire for the well-being of His people, even after periods of severe discipline and judgment. It reveals a God who, though perfectly just in His righteous judgments against sin, is also boundless in mercy and ever-ready to restore when His people turn to Him in genuine obedience. The promise to "build" and "plant" them signifies a divine commitment to their comprehensive flourishing and security, echoing the foundational promises of the covenant where God desired to establish Israel as a prosperous and permanent nation in the land He graciously gave them. This verse underscores the timeless truth that true security, lasting peace, and divine blessing do not originate from human strategies, political alliances, or fleeing from difficulties, but rather from trusting in and obediently responding to God's specific directives, no matter how counter-intuitive or challenging they may seem. It speaks powerfully to the dynamic nature of God's relationship with humanity, where His disposition towards blessing or judgment is profoundly influenced by the people's response to His authoritative word.

* [Deuteronomy 30:1-10](/deuteronomy/30-1-10 "Deuteronomy 30:1-10 - Blessings of Obedience and Restoration")
* [Isaiah 61:3](/isaiah/61-3 "Isaiah 61:3 - Planting of the Lord")
* [Ezekiel 36:33-36](/ezekiel/36-33-36 "Ezekiel 36:33-36 - Restoration of the Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 42:10 offers profound and timeless lessons for believers navigating periods of uncertainty, fear, and the aftermath of hardship. In moments of crisis or perceived danger, our natural human inclination often mirrors that of the Jewish remnant: to seek the path of least resistance, to flee to what seems most logical or secure from a purely human perspective, or to rely on our own strategic planning. However, this verse issues a powerful challenge, urging us to prioritize divine instruction and trust in God's sovereign wisdom above our own limited reasoning or perceived safety nets. True security, lasting peace, and genuine flourishing are found not in external circumstances or self-devised solutions, but in obediently abiding where God calls us, trusting implicitly in His protection and provision. It serves as a potent reminder that even after seasons of discipline, loss, or profound difficulty, God's ultimate heart is for our restoration and establishment. He desires to actively "build" us up and "plant" us firmly, reversing the effects of "evil" (calamity or hardship) that may have come our way. Our essential part is to respond with unwavering faith, choosing to remain steadfast in His will even when it feels uncomfortable, dangerous, or counter-intuitive, knowing with certainty that His promises are unshakeable for those who trust and obey.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "land" or challenging situation is God calling me to "abide in" today, even if it feels uncomfortable or uncertain?**
* **How does my natural inclination to flee from difficulty compare with the remnant's desire to go to Egypt, and what does this reveal about my trust in God?**
* **In what specific areas of my life do I need to surrender control and trust God to "build" or "plant" me, rather than attempting to secure myself through my own efforts?**
* **How does understanding God's "repentance" as His compassionate relenting from judgment deepen my appreciation for His boundless mercy and grace in my own life?**

### FAQ

**Does God truly "repent" or change His mind, as Jeremiah 42:10 suggests?**

Answer: The Hebrew word translated "repent" is `nâcham` (H5162). When applied to God, it does not imply a change in His moral character, His perfect knowledge, or His eternal decrees. Instead, it signifies a change in His disposition or a turning away from a previously declared course of action, particularly one of judgment. God is immutable in His character, as profoundly stated in [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie"), which declares, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent." This verse clarifies that God does not experience regret or change His mind in the same fallible way humans do. Rather, `nâcham` in this context means God "relents" or "is moved to compassion," choosing to withhold or reverse a threatened judgment because of a change in human behavior (e.g., repentance) or simply out of His sovereign mercy. In Jeremiah 42:10, God is expressing His compassionate turning away from the judgment He had brought upon Judah, now desiring to restore them if they obey and remain in the land.

**What was the "evil" that God had "done" to them, and how does He "repent" of it?**

Answer: The "evil" (Hebrew: `raʻ`, H7451) that God had "done" (Hebrew: `ʻâsâh`, H6213) refers not to moral wrongdoing or sin on God's part, but rather to the calamities, disasters, and severe judgments He allowed to befall Judah. These included the devastating destruction of Jerusalem, the desecration of the temple, and the painful experience of exile. These were righteous and just consequences for the nation's persistent idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and rebellion against His commands. God's "repentance" of this "evil" means He is now willing to cease inflicting these judgments and, instead, bring about restoration and blessing. It is a divine act of relenting from the deserved punishment, demonstrating His profound mercy and His desire to establish His people once again, contingent upon their obedience and turning back to Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 42:10, with its profound promise of God building and planting His people, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the immediate context speaks of physical restoration in the promised land, the New Testament reveals that Christ is the true "builder" of His spiritual house, the Church. Jesus Himself declared, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Jesus Builds His Church")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His triumphant resurrection, He establishes a new covenant community, a spiritual Israel, which is not bound by a physical land but by spiritual union with Him. Believers are "planted" in Christ, who is the true vine, drawing all life, nourishment, and fruitfulness directly from Him ([John 15:1-5](/john/15-1-5 "John 15:1-5 - Jesus the True Vine")). The security promised to the remnant—not to be pulled down or plucked up—is fully and eternally realized in the believer's unbreakable security in Christ, where Jesus assures His followers, "No one will snatch them out of my hand" ([John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - No One Can Snatch Them")). Furthermore, God's "repentance" from the "evil" (calamity or judgment) done to His people finds its ultimate and most profound expression at the cross. Through Christ's perfect sacrifice, God's righteous wrath against sin was fully satisfied, allowing Him to be both perfectly just and the gracious justifier of all who believe in Jesus ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25-26 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Through Faith")). The judgment that was justly due to us was poured out entirely upon Christ, enabling God to extend boundless mercy and grace, turning away from the "evil" of condemnation for all who are found "in Christ." Thus, the promises of building, planting, and divine relenting from judgment are perfectly and eternally secured for all who trust in the finished work of the Lamb of God.

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

Ezekiel 36:36

Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined [places, and] plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken [it], and I will do [it].

Jeremiah 31:28

And it shall come to pass, [that] like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 24:6

For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull [them] down; and I will plant them, and not pluck [them] up.

Joel 2:13

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he [is] gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Jeremiah 33:7

And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first.

Amos 7:6

The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.

Amos 7:3

The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.