Jeremiah 42:17

So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.

So shall it be with all the men {H582} that set {H7760} their faces {H6440} to go {H935} into Egypt {H4714} to sojourn {H1481} there; they shall die {H4191} by the sword {H2719}, by the famine {H7458}, and by the pestilence {H1698}: and none of them shall remain {H8300} or escape {H6412} from {H6440} the evil {H7451} that I will bring {H935} upon them.

This is how it will be for all the people determined to go to Egypt and stay there - they will die by sword, famine and plague; none of them will remain or escape the disaster that I will bring upon them.'

So all who resolve to go to Egypt to reside there will die by sword and famine and plague. Not one of them will survive or escape the disaster I will bring upon them.’

So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there: they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence; and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.

Jeremiah 42:17 delivers a stark warning from the Lord to the remnant of Judah after the fall of Jerusalem. It details the severe consequences for those who would defy God's direct command and seek refuge in Egypt instead of remaining in the land God promised to protect them in.

Context

Following the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, a small remnant of Jewish people, led by Johanan, sought guidance from the prophet Jeremiah. They pledged to obey whatever the Lord commanded (Jeremiah 42:6). After ten days of prayer, God's clear instruction was to remain in Judah, where He would protect and prosper them. However, if they 'set their faces' – a determined resolve – to go to Egypt, this verse pronounces the inevitable doom awaiting them: death by 'sword, famine, and pestilence.' This was in direct opposition to God's earlier warnings against relying on Egyptian alliances, as seen in other prophetic books.

Key Themes

This verse highlights several critical themes:

  • Consequences of Disobedience: It underscores the severe judgment that follows direct defiance of God's explicit will. God's warnings are not idle threats but serious declarations of impending judgment for those who choose their own path over His.
  • False Security vs. Divine Protection: The people believed Egypt offered safety from the Babylonians and famine, yet God declared that their perceived sanctuary would become their grave. This illustrates the futility of seeking human solutions apart from divine guidance, a theme echoed throughout Scripture (e.g., Proverbs 3:5-6).
  • God's Sovereignty in Judgment: The phrase 'the evil that I will bring upon them' emphasizes that these calamities were not random but were divinely ordained consequences of their rebellion. God is sovereign over both blessing and judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase 'set their faces' (Hebrew: śāmû pĕnêhem) conveys a strong sense of fixed determination and unwavering resolve. It's not a casual consideration but a firm decision to pursue a course of action contrary to God's word. The triad of 'sword, famine, and pestilence' (Hebrew: ḥerev, ra'av, dever) is a recurring motif in the Old Testament, representing the comprehensive and inescapable nature of God's judgment when His people abandon His commands. It signifies a complete and devastating end.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 42:17 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of seeking and obeying God's will, especially in times of fear or uncertainty.

  • Trusting God's Word: When faced with difficult decisions, we are called to trust God's explicit instructions, even if they seem counter-intuitive to human logic. Relying on our own understanding or worldly solutions can lead to unforeseen and dire consequences.
  • The Danger of Presumption: The people presumed safety in Egypt despite God's clear warning. This highlights the danger of presuming God's blessing or protection when actively disobeying His commands.
  • Obedience as Protection: True safety and prosperity come from obedience to God, not from fleeing to what appears to be a secure worldly refuge. This principle remains vital for believers today, encouraging us to seek God's counsel and follow His path for genuine peace and security.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 42:22

    Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go [and] to sojourn.

  • Jeremiah 44:13

    For I will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence:

  • Jeremiah 44:14

    So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.

  • Jeremiah 44:28

    Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs.

  • Jeremiah 24:10

    And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.

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