Jeremiah 42:14

KJV

Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {H559}, No; but we will go {H935} into the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, where we shall see {H7200} no war {H4421}, nor hear {H8085} the sound {H6963} of the trumpet {H7782}, nor have hunger {H7456} of bread {H3899}; and there will we dwell {H3427}:

Complete Jewish Bible

and instead say, 'No, we will go to the land of Egypt; because there we will not see war or hear the shofar sounding its alarm or be short of food; so we'll stay there';

Berean Standard Bible

and if you say, ‘No, but we will go to the land of Egypt and live there, where we will not see war or hear the sound of the ram’s horn or hunger for bread,’

American Standard Version

saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 42:14 starkly captures the defiant resolve of the Judahite remnant following the assassination of Gedaliah and the fall of Jerusalem. Despite having explicitly sought divine counsel from the prophet Jeremiah regarding their future, this verse reveals their deeply entrenched, predetermined decision to reject God's anticipated command and instead flee to Egypt. Driven by a desire to escape the immediate threats of war, famine, and military alarms, they articulate their intention to establish a permanent dwelling in Egypt, prioritizing perceived worldly security over faithful obedience to the Lord's revealed will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 42:14 stands as a pivotal moment in the narrative immediately following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Nebuchadnezzar. The surviving Judahite remnant, including military leaders and the people, approach Jeremiah, earnestly requesting him to "pray for us to the Lord your God... that the Lord your God may show us the way in which we should walk and what we should do" as recorded in [Jeremiah 42:2-3](/jeremiah/42-2-3 "Jeremiah 42:2-3 - The People Seek Jeremiah's Counsel"). They make a solemn oath to obey whatever the Lord commands through Jeremiah, "whether it is good or bad," a promise found in [Jeremiah 42:5-6](/jeremiah/42-5-6 "Jeremiah 42:5-6 - The People's Promise to Obey"). However, even before Jeremiah delivers God's answer, this verse, spoken by the people, exposes the profound hypocrisy and pre-determination in their hearts. It foreshadows their ultimate rejection of God's clear instruction to remain in the land of Judah, which Jeremiah delivers after ten days in [Jeremiah 42:7-18](/jeremiah/42-7-18 "Jeremiah 42:7-18 - God's Command to Remain in Judah"). The verse highlights the tragic disconnect between their professed desire for divine guidance and their actual stubborn will.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period immediately following the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC was one of immense trauma, fear, and instability for the remaining Judahites. The assassination of Gedaliah, a figure of stability, plunged the remnant into further chaos and fear of Babylonian reprisal. Historically, Egypt had often been a place of refuge for Israelites fleeing various crises, but it was also frequently condemned by the prophets as a source of false security and a symbol of reliance on human power rather than God. Prophets like Isaiah and Hosea consistently warned against alliances with or flight to Egypt, portraying it as a broken reed that would pierce the hand of those who leaned on it, as seen in [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1-7 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt") and [Hosea 7:11-16](/hosea/7-11-16 "Hosea 7:11-16 - Israel's Folly and Consequences"). The people's desire to go to Egypt was thus a deeply ingrained cultural inclination, rooted in a pragmatic (but faithless) assessment of their immediate survival, rather than a theological one. They sought a return to a perceived golden age of peace and plenty, contrasting sharply with the desolate reality of their homeland.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 42:14 powerfully articulates several key themes pervasive in the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **human defiance and disobedience** to divine revelation. Despite their initial plea for guidance, their hearts were already set on a path contrary to God's will, demonstrating a deep-seated rebellion against His sovereignty. Secondly, the verse highlights the human tendency to **seek false security** in worldly solutions rather than trusting in God's providence. Their desire to escape "war," "the sound of the trumpet," and "hunger of bread" by fleeing to Egypt reveals a prioritization of perceived physical comfort and safety over the spiritual security found in obedience. This echoes the warnings found in passages like [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Rely on Egypt for Help"). Thirdly, it illustrates a profound **distrust in God's ability to protect and provide**. Despite God's historical faithfulness to Israel, the remnant doubted His power to deliver them from the very calamities they hoped to escape by their own means in Egypt, revealing a fundamental lack of faith in His covenant promises.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_ H559):** This primitive root word is used with great latitude, meaning "to say," "to speak," "to utter," or "to declare." In this context, its use highlights the direct and declarative nature of the people's response. It's not a tentative suggestion but a firm articulation of their intention, demonstrating a pre-decided will rather rather than a genuine openness to divine instruction. The active voice implies their agency and determination in rejecting God's anticipated command.
* **Egypt (Hebrew, _Mitsrayim'_ H4714):** This dual form refers to Upper and Lower Egypt, signifying the entire land. Historically, Egypt represented both a place of refuge and a symbol of bondage and idolatry for Israel. For the remnant, it was a perceived haven from immediate dangers, a place where they believed they would find peace and provision. However, in the prophetic tradition, going to Egypt often symbolized a turning away from reliance on Yahweh and a return to the very place from which God had delivered them, thus representing a spiritual regression and a false hope.
* **Dwell (Hebrew, _yâshab'_ H3428):** This primitive root signifies "to sit down," "to abide," "to remain," or "to settle." The use of this word here indicates a desire for permanence and stability. They were not merely seeking temporary refuge but intended to establish a lasting presence in Egypt. This firm intention underscores their rejection of God's command for them to remain in Judah and their commitment to a self-determined future outside the promised land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying, No;":** This opening phrase is incredibly impactful. The "No" (Hebrew: *lo'*) is a direct, emphatic negation. It immediately reveals the people's hardened hearts and their pre-determined rejection of any divine counsel that would contradict their own plans. They are not genuinely seeking guidance but rather validation for a decision they have already made.
* **"but we will go into the land of Egypt,":** This clause states their firm, unyielding intention. The phrase "we will go" is a declaration of their collective will, demonstrating a unified defiance. Their chosen destination, Egypt, is significant, representing a place of perceived safety and provision, but also a symbol of turning away from the Lord and His covenant land.
* **"where we shall see no war,":** This expresses their primary motivation: an escape from the immediate and devastating reality of conflict. Having just experienced the destruction of Jerusalem, their longing for peace is understandable, but their method of achieving it is based on human effort and distrust in God's protection.
* **"nor hear the sound of the trumpet,":** The "sound of the trumpet" (Hebrew: *qôwl shôwphâr*) is a vivid metonymy for the alarm of war, the call to battle, or the signal of an approaching enemy. This further emphasizes their desire for a life free from military threat and the constant anxiety of invasion.
* **"nor have hunger of bread;":** This highlights their concern for basic sustenance and survival. The recent siege of Jerusalem would have involved severe famine, making the promise of "no hunger of bread" a powerful draw. They seek a land of plenty, believing Egypt will provide the material security that Judah, in its devastated state, seemingly cannot.
* **"and there will we dwell:":** This concluding phrase reiterates their intention for permanence. It signifies a desire to settle down, to establish a new life, and to find lasting stability in Egypt. This is not a temporary flight but a deliberate choice to abandon the land of promise and establish a new home, thereby rejecting God's covenantal relationship with His people in His chosen land.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 42:14 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey the people's defiant attitude and misguided hopes. The most striking is **Anaphora** (or **Repetition**), seen in the repeated negative clauses: "no war," "nor hear," "nor have hunger." This insistent repetition emphasizes their desperate longing for an idealized, trouble-free existence and their firm conviction that Egypt will provide it. This creates a sense of their single-minded focus on escaping hardship, blinding them to divine counsel. **Irony** is also present, as the very place they seek refuge (Egypt) was historically a place of oppression for their ancestors, and would, in fact, become a place of judgment for them, as Jeremiah later prophesies. Their search for peace and plenty in Egypt ultimately leads to the very calamities they sought to avoid. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is at play: "Egypt" symbolizes reliance on human strength and worldly solutions over divine providence, while "war," "trumpet," and "hunger of bread" symbolize the comprehensive suffering and insecurity they wish to escape, representing the full spectrum of their fears.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 42:14 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of human rebellion and the consequences of prioritizing perceived self-preservation over divine obedience. It illustrates the tragic human tendency to seek counsel from God while simultaneously harboring a pre-determined agenda, effectively treating God as a rubber stamp for their own desires. This rejection of God's anticipated command underscores the deep-seated distrust in His sovereignty and provision, even in the face of dire circumstances. The people's flight to Egypt, a place historically associated with both deliverance and spiritual compromise, highlights the recurring biblical theme that true security and flourishing are found not in geographical location or human strength, but in faithful adherence to God's covenant and trust in His protective hand. Their actions foreshadow the inevitable judgment that follows persistent disobedience, demonstrating that God's warnings are not arbitrary but are given for the people's ultimate good and preservation.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Isaiah 30:1-3](/isaiah/30-1-3 "Isaiah 30:1-3 - Woe to the Rebellious Children")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 42:14 offers a timeless and sobering reflection on the human condition, particularly our inclination to seek God's will while secretly clinging to our own predetermined plans. In moments of fear, uncertainty, or hardship, we, like the remnant of Judah, can be tempted to prioritize perceived safety and comfort over radical obedience to God. This verse challenges us to examine our hearts: When we pray for guidance, are we truly open to God's answer, even if it contradicts our desires, or are we simply seeking divine affirmation for a path we've already chosen? True peace and security are not found in escaping difficulties by our own means or in worldly "Egypts" (whether financial security, human relationships, or self-reliance), but in wholeheartedly trusting God's sovereignty and remaining faithful to His commands, even when circumstances are challenging or counter-intuitive. Our "Egypt" might be a comfortable job we know we should leave for ministry, a relationship we cling to despite God's clear leading, or a financial decision driven by fear rather than faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I seeking God's counsel, but secretly hoping He will affirm a decision I've already made?**
* **What are the "Egypts" in my life—the perceived havens or solutions I run to when I'm afraid, instead of fully trusting God?**
* **How does my response to fear and uncertainty reveal the true depth of my trust in God's provision and protection?**
* **What specific steps can I take to cultivate a heart that is truly open to God's will, even when it leads me outside my comfort zone?**

### FAQ

**Why did the remnant of Judah want to go to Egypt, even after seeking God's counsel?**

Answer: The remnant wanted to go to Egypt primarily out of fear and a desire for perceived security and provision. Following the destruction of Jerusalem and the assassination of Gedaliah, they were terrified of further Babylonian reprisals and the ongoing instability, war, and famine in Judah. They believed Egypt offered a safe haven where they would "see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread." Despite formally seeking Jeremiah's counsel from the Lord, their hearts were already set on this course, demonstrating a deep-seated distrust in God's ability to protect and provide for them in the land of Judah, and a preference for human solutions over divine command. This is a classic example of seeking God's will with a predetermined outcome in mind, as God Himself reveals their deceitful hearts in [Jeremiah 42:20](/jeremiah/42-20 "Jeremiah 42:20 - God's Knowledge of Their Deceit").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 42:14, with its portrayal of a people seeking false security in Egypt rather than trusting God's provision in the promised land, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The remnant's desire to escape war, famine, and the trumpet's alarm points to humanity's deep-seated longing for true peace and security, a longing that no earthly "Egypt" can ever truly satisfy. Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of true refuge and provision. Unlike the people who defiantly chose their own path to a foreign land, Jesus perfectly embodied obedience to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross, as described in [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience"). He is the true "bread of life" who satisfies spiritual hunger, a truth proclaimed in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), and the Prince of Peace who brings an end to spiritual warfare and the fear of judgment, as prophesied in [Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace") and fulfilled in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers"). While the Judahites sought a physical escape from temporal dangers, Christ offers spiritual deliverance from sin and death, establishing a kingdom where there will be no more sorrow, crying, or pain, a glorious vision depicted in [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain"). In Him, believers find the ultimate dwelling place and the secure future that the remnant vainly sought in Egypt, a future grounded not in human strategy but in divine faithfulness and grace.

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

Jeremiah 41:17

And they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt,

Jeremiah 4:19

¶ My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.

Isaiah 31:1

¶ Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because [they are] many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

Exodus 16:3

And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, [and] when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

Jeremiah 4:21

How long shall I see the standard, [and] hear the sound of the trumpet?

Numbers 16:13

[Is it] a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?

Jeremiah 43:7

So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they [even] to Tahpanhes.