Jeremiah 42:12

KJV

And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will shew {H5414} mercies {H7356} unto you, that he may have mercy {H7355} upon you, and cause you to return {H7725} to your own land {H127}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will take pity on you, so that he will take pity on you and cause you to return to your own land.

Berean Standard Bible

And I will show you compassion, and he will have compassion on you and restore you to your own land.’

American Standard Version

And I will grant you mercy, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 42:12 encapsulates a profound divine promise from God to the frightened remnant of Judah, offering them deep compassion and the ultimate restoration to their ancestral homeland. This promise is contingent upon their faithful obedience to remain in Judah rather than seeking refuge in Egypt. It powerfully underscores God's compassionate character, His sovereign power to influence the hearts of even their adversaries, and His unwavering commitment to preserve and restore His people according to His divine purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 42:12 is situated within a pivotal narrative block (Jeremiah 40-44) that immediately follows the devastating destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor. The remaining Jewish population, gripped by fear of further Babylonian retribution, earnestly approaches the prophet Jeremiah, seeking divine guidance. They make a solemn vow to obey whatever the Lord commands, whether it be agreeable or disagreeable to their human inclinations, as recorded in [Jeremiah 42:5-6](/jeremiah/42-5-6 "Jeremiah 42:5-6 - The Remnant's Solemn Vow"). After a ten-day period of seeking the Lord, Jeremiah delivers God's explicit directive: they are to remain in the land of Judah, and in return, God promises to protect, build, and plant them securely. Conversely, God issues a stark warning that fleeing to Egypt, their preferred option, would inevitably lead to the very death and destruction they sought to evade ([Jeremiah 42:15-17](/jeremiah/42-15-17 "Jeremiah 42:15-17 - Consequences of Disobedience")). Verse 12 specifically articulates a key aspect of God's promised blessing if they obey: divine mercy that will supernaturally incline others to show them mercy, culminating in their eventual return to their land.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The immediate historical backdrop is the chaotic and traumatized period following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC and the subsequent exile of a significant portion of the Jewish population. The small remnant left in Judah was vulnerable and deeply fearful. The assassination of Gedaliah by Ishmael ([Jeremiah 41:1-10](/jeremiah/41-1-10 "Jeremiah 41:1-10 - Ishmael's Treachery and Gedaliah's Assassination")) intensified their anxieties about swift and severe Babylonian retaliation, prompting a strong desire to seek asylum in Egypt. Culturally, Egypt was a common ancient world sanctuary, but for Israel, it carried profound historical and spiritual connotations of bondage and a place where they were forbidden to return for security, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 17:16](/deuteronomy/17-16 "Deuteronomy 17:16 - Prohibition Against Returning to Egypt for Horses"). This desire to flee contrasted sharply with God's covenant promise of the land of Canaan as their secure dwelling. The concept of "mercy" from conquering powers was exceptionally significant; in the ancient Near East, victors often dealt brutally with defeated or rebellious populations, making divine intervention for clemency a truly remarkable and vital blessing.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes evident throughout [the book of Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Prophecies of Jeremiah") and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights God's **sovereignty over nations** and His unparalleled ability to influence the hearts and actions of rulers and peoples, even their enemies, for the sake of His chosen people. This demonstrates His ultimate control over all circumstances. Secondly, it reinforces the critical theme of **conditional blessing and judgment**, where divine favor, protection, and restoration are directly tied to faithful obedience to God's revealed will, while disobedience inevitably leads to severe consequences. Thirdly, the promise of "return to your own land" underscores the enduring significance of the **covenant land** in Israelite identity and God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises of restoration, even after periods of profound judgment and exile. This echoes and reinforces earlier promises of return from captivity found in prophetic passages such as [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10-14 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - God's Plans for Restoration and Hope").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **shew (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** This is a primitive root meaning "to give," but its application is remarkably broad, encompassing actions such as putting, making, bestowing, granting, and in this specific context, "showing" or "giving" mercy. It emphasizes God's active, intentional, and sovereign distribution of His favor. It signifies not a passive allowance, but a deliberate and powerful impartation of His will and blessing.
* **mercies (Hebrew, _racham'_):** Derived from the root H7355, this noun denotes deep, tender compassion, pity, and profound love. It often carries the powerful connotation of a mother's deep affection for her child or the profound feeling associated with the "womb" (its literal meaning). When God "shews mercies," it speaks to His heartfelt, profound, and nurturing compassion, an outpouring of His very being, rather than merely a detached act of kindness.
* **return (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** This is a fundamental Hebrew root meaning "to turn back" or "to restore." It can function transitively (to cause to return) or intransitively (to turn back oneself), and can be literal or figurative. In this context, it is used in the causative sense ("cause you to return"), indicating God's direct and active role in reversing their displacement and bringing them back to their homeland. It is a key theological term in prophetic literature concerning the reversal of exile and the re-gathering of Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will shew mercies unto you,"**: This foundational clause establishes God as the supreme and initiating agent of mercy. The verb "shew" (from _nâthan_) highlights God's active and deliberate act of bestowing His profound compassion (_racham_) upon the remnant. This divine initiative is the indispensable basis for all subsequent blessings and restoration.
* **"that he may have mercy upon you,"**: This is a crucial dependent clause, revealing the mechanism of God's promised intervention. The pronoun "he" refers to the individual or collective entity in whose power the remnant would find themselves—specifically, their Babylonian captors or the authorities among whom they would dwell. God's promise is that His own prior act of mercy will supernaturally incline these human adversaries or authorities to also show compassion and favorable disposition toward the remnant. This powerfully demonstrates God's sovereign control over human hearts and circumstances, transforming potential oppressors into instruments of His grace.
* **"and cause you to return to your own land."**: This final clause outlines the ultimate goal and tangible outcome of God's mercy and the mercy shown by others. The verb "cause to return" (_shûwb_ in the causative form) emphasizes God's direct and active involvement in reversing their exile and restoring them to the land promised to their forefathers. This return is not merely a physical relocation but a profound spiritual and covenantal restoration, signifying renewed divine favor and the re-establishment of their national identity within their promised inheritance.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 42:12 employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Divine Promise**, where God explicitly declares His intended actions and the blessings He will bestow. This promise functions within a broader **Conditional Covenant**, as the preceding and succeeding verses unequivocally clarify that these mercies are entirely contingent upon the remnant's obedience to God's command to remain in the land. The phrase "that he may have mercy upon you" serves as a form of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where "he" represents not just a single individual but the collective power, authority, or disposition of their captors or those who hold sway over their fate, whose hearts God promises to influence. There is also a powerful element of **Repetition** of the concept of "mercy" (using both the noun H7356 and the verb H7355), which profoundly emphasizes its central role in God's character and His redemptive dealings with His people. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Prophecy**, foretelling specific future events and outcomes that are directly dependent on the people's choices.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 42:12 profoundly illustrates God's unyielding compassion and His sovereign ability to restore His people, even in the direst and most desperate circumstances. It reveals that God's mercy is not merely a passive pity, but an active, dynamic force that can powerfully influence human hearts and dramatically alter national destinies. This divine mercy is consistently portrayed as the precursor to restoration, demonstrating God's consistent desire for His people's ultimate well-being and their return to a place of blessing and intimate fellowship with Him. The promise of return to the land is deeply rooted in the Abrahamic Covenant, serving as a powerful affirmation of God's unwavering faithfulness to His ancient promises despite Israel's persistent unfaithfulness. It underscores the profound truth that true security, flourishing, and peace come from trusting and obeying God's specific commands, rather than relying on human strategies, worldly alliances, or fleeing from perceived threats.

* [Deuteronomy 30:1-5](/deuteronomy/30-1-5 "Deuteronomy 30:1-5 - Promise of Return and Restoration")
* [Psalm 103:8-11](/psalms/103-8-11 "Psalm 103:8-11 - God's Compassion and Abundant Mercy")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Lord's Great Mercies and Faithfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In times of profound uncertainty, overwhelming fear, and the powerful temptation to seek refuge in human strategies or worldly solutions, Jeremiah 42:12 stands as a powerful and enduring reminder of God's boundless mercy and the profound wisdom inherent in radical obedience. The remnant of Judah faced an terrifying and seemingly impossible choice between remaining in a devastated land under the looming threat of Babylonian reprisals or fleeing to what appeared to be the immediate safety of Egypt. God's command, though entirely counter-intuitive to their fear-driven logic, was unequivocally the path to true security, lasting peace, and ultimate restoration. For believers today, this passage challenges us to critically evaluate where we place our trust when confronted with life's inevitable crises. Do we genuinely seek God's guidance, and then, more importantly, do we commit to obeying it, even when it demands stepping out of our comfort zones, surrendering our own logical inclinations, or going against popular opinion? This verse calls us to embrace God's absolute sovereignty, trusting implicitly that His mercy can miraculously open doors, soften even the hardest of hearts, and turn potential adversaries into instruments of His grace. Our greatest security and most profound flourishing are found not in meticulously crafted human plans, but in faithful, humble submission to His perfect and loving will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life am I currently experiencing significant uncertainty or fear, leading me to prioritize human solutions over seeking and obeying divine guidance?**
* **How does my willingness to obey God's commands, particularly when they seem counter-intuitive or difficult, truly reflect the depth of my trust in His mercy and His sovereign control?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper and more consistent awareness of God's enduring mercy in my daily life, especially amidst challenging or distressing circumstances?**

### FAQ

**Why does God say "that *he* may have mercy upon you" instead of simply "I will have mercy upon you"?**

Answer: This specific phrasing in [Jeremiah 42:12](/jeremiah/42-12 "Jeremiah 42:12 - God's Promise of Mercy and Return") is profoundly significant because it highlights God's sovereign and active control over human agents and circumstances. When God declares, "I will shew mercies unto you, that *he* may have mercy upon you," the "he" refers to the individual or collective entity in whose power the remnant would find themselves—specifically, their Babylonian captors or the people among whom they would dwell. It signifies that God's direct and initiating mercy toward His people would supernaturally influence the hearts and actions of others, compelling them to also show compassion and favor. This demonstrates God's remarkable ability to work not only through direct intervention but also through the disposition and decisions of human authorities, fulfilling His divine purposes by transforming potential adversaries into instruments of His grace. This powerful concept is also seen elsewhere in scripture, such as when God moved the heart of King Cyrus of Persia to allow the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple ([Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1-4 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree for Temple Rebuilding")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 42:12, with its profound promise of divine mercy leading to the restoration of the land, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament promise was a physical return to a geographical land, the New Covenant brings about a spiritual and eternal restoration of far greater magnitude. God's "shewing mercies" to humanity is most fully and perfectly realized in the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His sacrificial death on the cross is the supreme demonstration of God's profound compassion and immeasurable love for a fallen humanity ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love for Us")). Through Christ, we receive not merely a return to a physical land, but a spiritual return to God Himself, a glorious reconciliation that restores our broken relationship and grants us an incorruptible inheritance in the new heavens and new earth ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - Ministry of Reconciliation"); [1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3-4 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope and Incorruptible Inheritance")). The "mercy" shown by "him" (the captor) in the Old Testament powerfully foreshadows the breaking of the power of sin and death—our ultimate spiritual captors—through Christ's decisive victory on the cross. This victory allows us to be truly set free and to "return" to our spiritual "homeland" in Him, entering into God's eternal rest ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from the Domain of Darkness"); [Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9-11 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - Entering God's Rest")). Thus, the promise of [Jeremiah 42:12](/jeremiah/42-12 "Jeremiah 42:12 - God's Promise of Mercy and Return") points beyond a temporal, earthly restoration to the eternal, spiritual redemption and dwelling with God made possible solely through Christ.

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

Psalms 106:45

And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

Psalms 106:46

He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.

Proverbs 16:7

¶ When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Nehemiah 1:11

O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.