Jeremiah 42:22

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now therefore know {H3045} certainly {H3045} that ye shall die {H4191} by the sword {H2719}, by the famine {H7458}, and by the pestilence {H1698}, in the place {H4725} whither ye desire {H2654} to go {H935} and to sojourn {H1481}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, know for a fact that you will die by sword, famine and plague in the place where you want to go and live."

Berean Standard Bible

Now therefore, know for sure that by sword and famine and plague you will die in the place where you desire to go to reside.”

American Standard Version

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 to sojourn there.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 42:22 delivers God's unyielding and final judgment to the remnant of Judah, unequivocally declaring that if they disregard His command to remain in the land and instead flee to Egypt, they will face certain death by sword, famine, and pestilence. This stark pronouncement serves as a climactic warning, underscoring the severe and inescapable consequences of disobedience, revealing the futility of seeking refuge outside of God's revealed will, even in the very place they mistakenly believed would offer them safety.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 42:22 stands as the definitive and dire conclusion to a pivotal prophetic dialogue between Jeremiah and the Jewish remnant following the traumatic assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor. Having witnessed the fall of Jerusalem and experiencing profound instability, the surviving Judeans, led by Johanan, approached Jeremiah with an earnest plea to seek divine guidance regarding their future. They made a solemn, albeit ultimately disingenuous, vow to obey God's every command, whether "it be good, or whether it be evil" [Jeremiah 42:6](/jeremiah/42-6 "Jeremiah 42:6 - The Remnant's Promise to Obey"). However, their hearts were already set on escaping to Egypt, fearing further Babylonian reprisal. After a ten-day period of waiting for divine revelation, Jeremiah delivered God's explicit directive: remaining in Judah would ensure divine protection, blessing, and restoration [Jeremiah 42:10](/jeremiah/42-10 "Jeremiah 42:10 - God's Promise of Blessing and Building Up"). Conversely, migrating to Egypt would lead to the very calamities they sought to evade—sword, famine, and pestilence—a warning reiterated with increasing intensity throughout [Jeremiah 42](/jeremiah/42 "Jeremiah 42 - The Remnant Seeks Counsel"), culminating in this final, inescapable verdict.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the immediate aftermath of Jerusalem's catastrophic destruction by Babylon in 586 BC, a period marked by national despair, displacement, and profound uncertainty. The small number of Judeans who remained were traumatized and fearful. The assassination of Gedaliah, who represented the last vestige of stable governance under Babylonian oversight, plunged them into deeper anxiety, as it undoubtedly provoked further wrath from the conquering empire. Culturally, Egypt held a complex and often contradictory appeal for Israel. While it had historically offered a place of refuge in times of famine (as seen with Jacob's family in [Genesis 46](/genesis/46 "Genesis 46 - Jacob Goes to Egypt")), it also represented a temptation to rely on foreign powers rather than on Yahweh, often leading to spiritual compromise and idolatry, a pattern strongly condemned by prophets like Isaiah [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1-7 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Rebellious Children"). The people's desperate "desire to go and to sojourn" in Egypt reflects a common refugee impulse to seek security in a seemingly stable foreign land, yet in this specific divine context, it constituted a direct act of rebellion against God's explicit command to remain in their desolate, yet divinely appointed, homeland.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates and contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah and broader prophetic literature. A primary theme is **Divine Judgment and the Inescapable Consequences of Disobedience**. God's word is presented as absolute, and rebellion against it, especially when it stems from a lack of trust, inevitably leads to severe retribution. This highlights that human attempts at self-preservation, when they contradict divine directives, are ultimately self-destructive. Another crucial theme is **False Security Versus True Trust**. The remnant's flight to Egypt epitomizes the futility of seeking safety in human strategies or foreign alliances rather than relying on God's explicit promises and protection within His ordained boundaries. This concept is consistently echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing that true refuge is found only in God, as articulated in passages like [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart"). The emphatic phrase "know certainly" underscores **Prophetic Certainty**, emphasizing the undeniable truth and inevitability of God's pronouncements, leaving no room for doubt about their fulfillment. Finally, the verse powerfully reinforces the **Sovereignty of God**, demonstrating that even in their attempt to flee His will and judgment, God declares that His hand of judgment would pursue them into their chosen haven, illustrating that there is no escape from His ultimate authority and justice, a truth beautifully expressed in [Psalm 139:7-12](/psalm/139-7-12 "Psalm 139:7-12 - God's Omnipresence and Omniscience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **know certainly (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ_):** (H3045) This phrase is a powerful infinitive absolute construction in Hebrew (`yadoa' teda'u`), which literally means "knowing, you shall know" or "you shall surely know." This grammatical device serves to intensify the verb, emphasizing the absolute certainty, undeniable nature, and inevitability of the warning. It conveys that this is not a mere possibility or suggestion, but a divine decree that will undoubtedly come to pass. The root `yâdaʻ` itself means "to know," encompassing a wide range of understanding from intellectual apprehension to deep experiential knowledge, here implying a knowledge that will be painfully acquired through the bitter experience of judgment.
* **die (Hebrew, _mûwth_):** (H4191) This primitive root signifies "to die" in both literal and figurative senses, and causatively, "to kill." In this context, it refers to a literal, physical death. The repetition of this grim outcome as the consequence of all three forms of judgment (sword, famine, pestilence) underscores the totality and inescapability of the destruction awaiting those who disobey. It leaves no room for survival or escape from the pronounced divine judgment.
* **sojourn (Hebrew, _gûwr_):** (H1481) This word means "to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest)." It refers to dwelling as a temporary resident or foreigner, highlighting the people's intention to find a transient haven in Egypt. The profound irony lies in their pursuit of a temporary dwelling for safety, only for God to declare that even in this intended temporary refuge, His judgment would find them, transforming their chosen haven into a place of certain death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now therefore know certainly":** This solemn and emphatic declaration serves as a crucial introduction, demanding the remnant's absolute attention and underscoring the undeniable truth and divine authority behind the ensuing prophecy. It leaves no doubt about the certainty of its fulfillment.
* **"that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence":** This clause precisely pronounces the specific and devastating forms of judgment awaiting those who choose disobedience. "Sword, famine, and pestilence" constitute a well-established and terrifying triad of divine judgment in the Old Testament, representing comprehensive, widespread, and inescapable destruction. The repetition of "by the" before each element emphasizes the distinct yet equally fatal means of death, leaving no ambiguity about the dire consequences.
* **"in the place whither ye desire to go [and] to sojourn":** This final clause chillingly pinpoints the exact location where this judgment will be executed – Egypt, the very land the people mistakenly believed would offer them refuge and safety. It highlights the profound irony and ultimate futility of their plan, demonstrating God's inescapable sovereignty as His judgment would pursue them even into their chosen, temporary haven.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 42:22 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its stark and unyielding message of divine judgment. The most striking is **Intensification**, achieved through the use of the infinitive absolute construction "know certainly" (Hebrew: `yadoa' teda'u`). This grammatical structure emphatically underscores the absolute truth, undeniable nature, and inevitability of the prophecy, leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation on the part of the hearers. Another significant device is **Triadic Repetition** (or **Merism**), evident in the listing of "sword, famine, and pestilence." This triad is a common biblical motif that signifies comprehensive and inescapable divine judgment, representing total destruction from multiple fronts. It also functions as a form of **Symbolism**, where these specific calamities symbolize the full extent of God's wrath and the complete undoing of the people's perceived security. Finally, there is a powerful element of **Irony** woven throughout the verse. The people "desire to go and to sojourn" in Egypt specifically for safety and refuge, yet God declares that this very place, their chosen sanctuary, will be the precise location of their demise. This dramatic irony starkly highlights the dangerous folly of trusting in human wisdom and self-preservation over explicit divine revelation and command.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 42:22 profoundly illustrates the unwavering nature of God's word and the severe consequences of human disobedience, particularly when such disobedience stems from a fundamental lack of trust in divine providence. The remnant's desire to flee to Egypt, despite God's explicit command to remain, exposes a deep-seated spiritual malady: a preference for perceived human security and control over absolute reliance on God's promises and protective care. This highlights the foundational theological truth that genuine safety, blessing, and flourishing are found exclusively within the parameters of God's revealed will, never in self-devised strategies born of fear, expediency, or a rejection of divine authority. The judgment of "sword, famine, and pestilence" is a recurring and potent motif in prophetic literature, serving as a powerful reminder that God is utterly sovereign over all circumstances and that His warnings are not idle threats but certain pronouncements of justice for persistent rebellion.
* [Ezekiel 5:12](/ezekiel/5-12 "Ezekiel 5:12 - God's Judgment by Sword, Famine, and Pestilence")
* [Jeremiah 14:12](/jeremiah/14-12 "Jeremiah 14:12 - God Will Not Accept Their Offerings")
* [Leviticus 26:25-26](/leviticus/26-25-26 "Leviticus 26:25-26 - Consequences of Covenant Disobedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 42:22 stands as a timeless and sobering reminder that genuine security, peace, and flourishing are found not in human ingenuity, strategic maneuvering, or flight from perceived dangers, but in humble, obedient trust in God's sovereign guidance. The remnant of Judah, gripped by fear, sought to escape one form of peril only to run headlong into another, precisely because they prioritized their own fear-driven desires and perceived safety over God's clear, protective command. For us today, this verse challenges us to profoundly examine where we place our trust when confronted with uncertainty, hardship, or difficult choices. Do we instinctively seek refuge in worldly solutions, our own strength, popular opinion, or convenient compromises, even when these paths contradict biblical principles or God's revealed will? Or do we, like Abraham, step out in faith, trusting that God's way, however counterintuitive, challenging, or seemingly risky it may appear, is always the path to true life, blessing, and ultimate security? This passage calls us to cultivate a radical dependence on God, understanding that His warnings are born of profound love and His commands are always for our ultimate good and eternal well-being.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life are you currently tempted to rely on your own wisdom or worldly solutions rather than seeking and obeying God's clear guidance?**
* **How does fear, anxiety, or the desire for comfort sometimes lead you to make decisions that contradict what you know God desires for you?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate deeper, more consistent trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem dire or His path feels counterintuitive?**
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment in this verse inform your understanding of His holy character, His unwavering justice, and His expectations for obedience from His people?**

### FAQ
**Why did God warn them so explicitly if He knew they would disobey?**

Answer: God's explicit and repeated warning in [Jeremiah 42:22](/jeremiah/42-22 "Jeremiah 42:22 - Certain Death for Disobedience") and throughout the preceding verses demonstrates His perfect justice, boundless patience, and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant. It underscores that His judgments are never arbitrary but are always a direct and righteous consequence of deliberate disobedience to His clearly communicated will. While God, in His omniscience, knows the hearts and future choices of humanity, He still provides ample opportunity for repentance and obedience. The warning serves as a profound testament to His righteousness, ensuring that the people were fully aware of the dire consequences of their actions, thereby leaving them without excuse. It also highlights the gravity of their rebellion, as they chose their own path despite a clear, compassionate, and life-giving divine directive.

**What is the significance of the "sword, famine, and pestilence" triad?**

Answer: The "sword, famine, and pestilence" is a profoundly significant and recurring motif in the Old Testament, particularly prominent in prophetic books such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel ([Ezekiel 5:12](/ekekiel/5-12 "Ezekiel 5:12 - God's Judgment on Jerusalem") and [Jeremiah 14:12](/jeremiah/14-12 "Jeremiah 14:12 - God Refuses to Hear Their Prayers")). This triad represents a comprehensive, multi-faceted, and inescapable form of divine judgment, signifying total destruction and the complete unraveling of societal order and human life. The "sword" brings violent, external death, often through warfare or execution. "Famine" leads to slow, agonizing starvation and societal collapse due to lack of sustenance. "Pestilence" (plague or disease) causes widespread, indiscriminate death, often striking suddenly and uncontrollably. Together, these three calamities symbolize the full and devastating extent of God's wrath against persistent rebellion, illustrating His absolute sovereignty and His ability to execute judgment through various, inescapable means, leaving no avenue for escape or survival.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 42:22 speaks of temporal judgment for disobedience under the Old Covenant, its underlying theological principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The "place whither ye desire to go" for humanity, apart from God's revealed will, is a path of self-reliance, rebellion, and spiritual autonomy, leading inevitably to eternal spiritual death. Just as the remnant of Judah sought false security in Egypt, humanity continually seeks refuge in worldly systems, self-righteousness, fleeting pleasures, or human philosophies, mistakenly believing these will provide ultimate safety and life. However, Jesus Christ reveals that true life, security, and eternal refuge are found only in Him and in humble obedience to His Father [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life"). He is the true "place" of refuge, the divine sanctuary in whom we "live and move and have our being" [Acts 17:28](/acts/17-28 "Acts 17:28 - In Him We Live and Move"). The "sword, famine, and pestilence" of divine wrath, which justly fell upon disobedient Israel, ultimately fell upon Christ on the cross. He, the sinless Lamb of God, bore the full, comprehensive weight of sin's consequences for all who trust in Him [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - He Was Pierced for Our Transgressions"). He delivers us not merely from physical calamities in a foreign land, but from the eternal "death" that is the just wages of sin [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death"). Thus, Jeremiah 42:22, in its stark warning of judgment for those who reject God's way and seek their own, points forward to the ultimate salvation offered in Christ, who is the only true refuge from spiritual death and the guarantor of eternal life for all who obey His call to faith and surrender [Hebrews 5:9](/hebrews/5-9 "He Became the Source of Eternal Salvation").

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 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.

Ezekiel 6:11

¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.

Hosea 9:6

For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant [places] for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns [shall be] in their tabernacles.

Jeremiah 43:11

And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, [and deliver] such [as are] for death to death; and such [as are] for captivity to captivity; and such [as are] for the sword to the sword.

Ezekiel 5:3

Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts.

Ezekiel 5:4

Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; [for] thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel.