Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the LORD: for I [am] with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.
Be not afraid {H3372} of {H6440} the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}, of whom {H6440} ye are afraid {H3373}; be not afraid {H3372} of him, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}: for I am with you to save {H3467} you, and to deliver {H5337} you from his hand {H3027}.
Don't be afraid of the king of Bavel - of whom you are afraid. Don't be afraid of him,' says ADONAI, 'for I am with you to save you and to rescue you from his power.
Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear; do not be afraid of him, declares the LORD, for I am with you to save you and deliver you from him.
Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith Jehovah: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.
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Romans 8:31
¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us? -
Jeremiah 1:8
Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. -
Isaiah 43:2
When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. -
Jeremiah 1:19
And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I [am] with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee. -
Isaiah 43:5
Fear not: for I [am] with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; -
2 Chronicles 32:7
Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that [is] with him: for [there be] more with us than with him: -
2 Chronicles 32:8
With him [is] an arm of flesh; but with us [is] the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
Jeremiah 42:11 offers a powerful divine assurance to the fearful remnant of Judah, commanding them to cast aside their terror of the mighty Babylonian empire and instead trust in God's unfailing presence and protection.
Context
This verse is spoken by the prophet Jeremiah to a group of Jewish survivors, including military leaders like Johanan, who remained in Judah after the destruction of Jerusalem and the beginning of the Babylonian exile. They were deeply afraid of the retaliation from King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and were contemplating fleeing to Egypt for safety. Despite their previous defiance, they sought Jeremiah's counsel, promising to obey God's word. This verse is part of God's direct response, addressing their specific, overwhelming fear of Babylon.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew phrase for "be not afraid" (al-tira) is repeated twice in the verse, emphasizing the intensity of the people's fear and the divine insistence on overcoming it. The phrase "I am with you" (ani itchem) is a foundational covenant promise found throughout the Old Testament, signifying God's unwavering commitment, active help, and intimate involvement with His people. It is a powerful declaration of His faithfulness.
Practical Application
Jeremiah 42:11 resonates deeply with believers today. Just as the ancient Israelites faced a formidable "king of Babylon," we too encounter situations that incite fear—whether they are economic uncertainties, global crises, personal health battles, or relational conflicts. This verse reminds us that God is fully aware of our anxieties and directly addresses them with His unchanging promise: "I am with you." It calls us to place our trust in His sovereign power and abiding presence, rather than succumbing to fear or seeking our own solutions apart from His will. It encourages us to find peace in His protective care, knowing that He is able to guard our hearts and minds through His presence.