Jeremiah 42:14

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:

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}:

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';

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,’

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

Jeremiah 42:14 captures the defiant spirit of the remnant of Judah after the fall of Jerusalem, as they contemplate fleeing to Egypt for safety. This verse reveals their predetermined decision to reject divine counsel, despite having ostensibly sought guidance from the prophet Jeremiah.

Context

Following the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem and the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon, the remaining Jewish people were filled with fear. They approached Jeremiah, asking him to inquire of the Lord about where they should go, promising to obey whatever God commanded (Jeremiah 42:5-6). However, God, knowing their hearts, reveals in this verse their true inclination: to disregard His word and pursue their own path. Their declaration here foreshadows their ultimate rejection of God's command to remain in the land of Judah, as delivered by Jeremiah later in the chapter (Jeremiah 42:7-18).

Key Themes

  • Defiance and Disobedience: The opening word "No" (Hebrew: lo') powerfully conveys their stubborn refusal to consider any option other than their own plan. This immediate rejection of God's anticipated command highlights a deep-seated rebellion.
  • Seeking False Security: Driven by fear of war, famine, and the trumpet's alarm, they sought refuge in Egypt, believing it would offer a haven of peace and plenty. They prioritized perceived human security over God's promised protection if they remained in the land. This desire for an easy path is a recurring theme in Israel's history, often leading to judgment (Isaiah 30:1-3).
  • Distrust in God's Providence: Despite their initial plea for divine guidance, their hearts were already set on a course that demonstrated a profound lack of trust in God's ability to protect and provide for them in Judah. They doubted His power to deliver them from the very calamities they hoped to escape in Egypt.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Saying, No" is a stark and direct translation of the Hebrew. The repeated negative clauses — "no war," "nor hear the sound of the trumpet," "nor have hunger of bread" — emphasize their desperate longing for an idealized, trouble-free existence, which they erroneously believed Egypt would provide. The phrase "there will we dwell" signifies a permanent, settled intention, indicating their firm resolve.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 42:14 serves as a timeless warning against seeking divine counsel while having a predetermined outcome in mind. It illustrates the human tendency to prioritize perceived worldly safety and comfort over obedience to God's will. True peace and security come not from escaping difficulties by our own means, but from trusting in God's sovereignty and remaining faithful to His commands, even when circumstances are challenging. Like the remnant of Judah, we can be tempted to find our solutions in "Egypt" — the world's ways — rather than relying on the Lord with all our heart.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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