Jeremiah 42:2

And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, [even] for all this remnant; (for we are left [but] a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:)

And said {H559} unto Jeremiah {H3414} the prophet {H5030}, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication {H8467} be accepted {H5307} before {H6440} thee, and pray {H6419} for us unto the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, even for all this remnant {H7611};(for we are left {H7604} but a few {H4592} of many {H7235}, as thine eyes {H5869} do behold {H7200} us:)

and said to Yirmeyahu the prophet, "I beg you, approve our request: pray for us to ADONAI your God for all of this remnant. For, while once we were numerous, only a few of us are left, as you can see.

Jeremiah the prophet and said, โ€œMay our petition come before you; pray to the LORD your God on behalf of this entire remnant. For few of us remain of the many, as you can see with your own eyes.

and said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we pray thee, our supplication be presented before thee, and pray for us unto Jehovah thy God, even for all this remnant (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us),

Commentary

Jeremiah 42:2 captures a pivotal moment following the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile. A small group of survivors, referred to as "this remnant," approaches Jeremiah the prophet with a desperate plea. They acknowledge their vulnerable state, having been "left but a few of many," and earnestly request Jeremiah's intercession with God on their behalf. This verse sets the stage for a critical decision point for the remaining Jewish community in Judah.

Context

This verse immediately follows the assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor over Judah, and the subsequent fear among the remaining Jews of retaliation from Babylon. Having witnessed the devastation of their land and the exile of their countrymen (see 2 Kings 25:8-10 for the destruction of Jerusalem), this small group is now contemplating fleeing to Egypt for safety. They turn to Jeremiah, whom they recognize as God's spokesperson, to seek divine guidance regarding their next steps. Their appeal highlights their immediate desperation and the profound uncertainty of their future.

Key Themes

  • Desperation and Seeking Guidance: The people are in a state of profound fear and uncertainty, prompting them to seek divine counsel through God's prophet. They are at a crossroads, unsure whether to stay in Judah or flee to Egypt.
  • The Role of the Prophet: Jeremiah is seen as the intermediary between God and the people, specifically asked to "pray for us unto the LORD thy God." This emphasizes the prophet's crucial role in intercession and revealing God's will, a theme seen throughout the Old Testament.
  • The Remnant: The phrase "all this remnant" underscores their diminished numbers and precarious existence after the Babylonian conquest. This concept of a "remnant" is a significant theological theme in prophetic literature, often signifying those preserved by God for a future purpose, or simply those who survived catastrophe.

Linguistic Insights

The term "supplication" comes from the Hebrew word tฤ•แธฅinnฤh (ืชึฐื—ึดื ึธึผื”), which signifies an earnest plea for favor, mercy, or grace. It often implies a humble and urgent request made by an inferior to a superior, fitting the people's position before God. The phrase "the LORD thy God" used by the people is notable; while they acknowledge Jeremiah's God, it subtly hints at a potential distance in their own relationship with God, which becomes clearer in their later disobedience (Jeremiah 43:2-7).

Practical Application

Jeremiah 42:2 offers several timeless lessons. It highlights the natural human tendency to seek divine guidance in times of crisis and fear. However, it also subtly introduces the challenge of true obedience. While the people earnestly requested Jeremiah's prayer, the subsequent narrative reveals their hearts were already set on a particular course. This serves as a cautionary reminder that seeking God's will must be accompanied by a genuine willingness to obey His answer, even if it contradicts our preconceived desires. It underscores the importance of trusting God's plan fully, rather than just seeking validation for our own.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 36:7

    It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, and will return every one from his evil way: for great [is] the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people.

  • Leviticus 26:22

    I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your [high] ways shall be desolate.

  • Lamentations 1:1

    ยถ How doth the city sit solitary, [that was] full of people! [how] is she become as a widow! she [that was] great among the nations, [and] princess among the provinces, [how] is she become tributary!

  • Isaiah 37:4

    It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up [thy] prayer for the remnant that is left.

  • 1 Samuel 7:8

    And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

  • 1 Samuel 12:19

    And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins [this] evil, to ask us a king.

  • James 5:16

    Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
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