Jeremiah 42:21

And [now] I have this day declared [it] to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any [thing] for the which he hath sent me unto you.

And now I have this day {H3117} declared {H5046} it to you; but ye have not obeyed {H8085} the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}, nor any thing for the which he hath sent {H7971} me unto you.

Today I have told it to you, but you haven't heeded any part of what ADONAI your God gave me to tell you.

For I have told you today, but you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God in all He has sent me to tell you.

And I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah your God in anything for which he hath sent me unto you.

Commentary

Commentary on Jeremiah 42:21 (KJV)

Jeremiah 42:21 delivers a stark and sorrowful declaration from the prophet, exposing the deep-seated hypocrisy and disobedience of the remnant of Judah. This verse underscores the tragic reality that despite having sought divine guidance, the people had no true intention of obeying God's will.

Context

This verse is found at a critical juncture in the history of Judah, shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon and the exile of many of its inhabitants. A small remnant, including military captains like Johanan, remained in the land. Fearing the Babylonians and seeking a better life, they approached the prophet Jeremiah, earnestly requesting him to inquire of the Lord on their behalf regarding whether they should stay in Judah or flee to Egypt. They made a solemn vow, declaring, "whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God" (Jeremiah 42:6). Jeremiah waited ten days for God's word, and the divine message was clear: stay in Judah, and God would protect and bless them; go to Egypt, and they would face death and destruction (Jeremiah 42:10-18). Jeremiah 42:21 comes immediately after Jeremiah reveals that he knew their true intentions all along, before they had even heard God's answer.

Key Themes

  • Willful Disobedience: The primary theme is the deliberate refusal to obey God's clearly revealed command, despite having explicitly asked for it.
  • Hypocrisy: The people's pretense of seeking God's will while secretly harboring their own predetermined plans is a central element. They desired validation, not direction.
  • Divine Revelation and Warning: God faithfully communicated His will through His prophet, along with the precise consequences of obedience and disobedience.
  • Consequences of Rejecting God's Word: The verse implicitly foreshadows the dire outcomes that would follow their ultimate choice to disregard God's instructions.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "declared it to you" comes from the Hebrew verb nagad (Χ Χ’Χ“), meaning "to tell, report, make known, announce." This emphasizes that God's message was not ambiguous or hidden, but was plainly and unequivocally delivered by Jeremiah. There was no room for misunderstanding. "The voice of the LORD your God" (Hebrew: qol YHWH Eloheykem) highlights the divine authority behind the message; it was not merely Jeremiah's opinion but the direct, authoritative word of their covenant God. Their refusal was a direct affront to the Lord Himself.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 42:21 offers a timeless lesson on the nature of true faith and obedience. It challenges us to examine our own hearts when we seek God's guidance:

  • Genuine Seeking vs. Self-Validation: Do we truly desire to know and obey God's will, even if it contradicts our own desires, or are we merely seeking divine approval for decisions we've already made? The remnant's actions serve as a cautionary tale against approaching God with a predetermined agenda.
  • The Importance of Obedience: This verse underscores that hearing God's word is only the first step; true spiritual maturity is demonstrated by humble submission and obedience. As seen in the subsequent chapters, the remnant ultimately went to Egypt, leading to the fulfillment of the very curses God had warned them about (Jeremiah 43:7).
  • God's Faithfulness: Despite the people's unfaithfulness, God remained faithful in communicating His will and warnings, demonstrating His desire for their well-being. This reflects His enduring character, even in the face of human rebellion.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our relationship with God is built on trust and obedience, not on demanding answers that align with our own plans. True love for God is expressed through keeping His commandments (John 14:15).

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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 2:7

    And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they [are] most rebellious.

  • Zechariah 7:11

    But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.

  • Zechariah 7:12

    Yea, they made their hearts [as] an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.

  • Acts 20:26

    Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I [am] pure from the blood of all [men].

  • Acts 20:27

    For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

  • Acts 20:20

    [And] how I kept back nothing that was profitable [unto you], but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

  • Jeremiah 7:24

    But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels [and] in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
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