Jeremiah 42:6

KJV

Whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Whether it be good {H2896}, or whether it be evil {H7451}, we will obey {H8085} the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068} our God {H430}, to whom we {H580} send {H7971} thee; that it may be well {H3190} with us, when we obey {H8085} the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068} our God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Whether it be good or bad, we will listen to what ADONAI our God says. We are dispatching you to him so that things will go well with us, as we heed what ADONAI our God says."

Berean Standard Bible

Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us, for we will obey the voice of the LORD our God!”

American Standard Version

Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of Jehovah our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of Jehovah our God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 42:6 encapsulates the solemn and seemingly unconditional pledge of the Jewish remnant in Judah, led by Johanan, to obey the divine word delivered through the prophet Jeremiah. Following the devastation of Jerusalem and the assassination of Gedaliah, the fearful survivors sought God's guidance regarding their future, promising to adhere to His instruction whether it appeared favorable or adverse from their human perspective, believing such obedience was the pathway to their well-being. This verse stands as a profound declaration of intent, yet it is imbued with tragic dramatic irony when viewed against the backdrop of their subsequent actions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in the book of Jeremiah, specifically within chapters 40-44, which detail the tumultuous aftermath of Jerusalem's fall and the Babylonian exile in 586 BC. After the assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor, the remaining Jewish population, gripped by fear of further Babylonian retribution, approached Jeremiah. Recognizing his established prophetic authority, they earnestly pleaded with him to intercede with the LORD on their behalf, seeking divine direction on whether to remain in Judah or flee to Egypt. Jeremiah 42:6 records their fervent, yet ultimately hollow, commitment to obey whatever divine message Jeremiah would convey to them. This sets up a profound narrative tension, as the reader anticipates the resolution of this pledge, which tragically unfolds in the subsequent chapters, particularly [Jeremiah 43](/jeremiah/43 "Jeremiah 43 - The Remnant Disobeys").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the immediate post-exilic period in Judah, a time marked by profound national trauma, political instability, and a shattered sense of security. The Babylonian Empire's brutal destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred Temple had uprooted the very foundations of Jewish identity and faith. The murder of Gedaliah, a figure of fragile stability, plunged the remnant into deeper despair and fear of reprisal from the dominant Babylonian power. Culturally, the people understood the prophet's role as a direct conduit for God's will, especially during national crises, making their appeal to Jeremiah a traditional act of seeking a divine oracle. The concept of "well-being" (Hebrew: *shalom*) was deeply embedded in their understanding of covenant faithfulness and obedience to God's commands, a principle explicitly articulated throughout the Mosaic Law, notably in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses of the Covenant").

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 42:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **divine guidance and human responsibility**, as the remnant actively seeks God's direction but ultimately bears the weight of their choice to obey or disobey. Secondly, it underscores the **covenantal principle that obedience leads to blessing**, as the people themselves articulate their belief that "it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God," echoing promises found in passages like [Deuteronomy 30:19-20](/deuteronomy/30-19-20 "Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - Choose Life and Obey"). Thirdly, and most tragically, it serves as a stark illustration of **human fallibility and the deceptive nature of the human heart**, revealing the vast chasm between declared intention and actual faithfulness. Despite their solemn oath, the remnant's subsequent actions in [Jeremiah 43:1-7](/jeremiah/43-1-7 "Jeremiah 43:1-7 - The Remnant Disobeys and Goes to Egypt") expose their deep-seated distrust and fear, leading them to defiantly reject God's clear command and flee to Egypt, thereby inviting the very judgment they sought to avoid.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** From H2896, this word signifies that which is favorable, beneficial, pleasant, or prosperous. In this context, it refers to an outcome or command that the people would perceive as advantageous or desirable for their immediate situation, such as remaining safe or finding comfort. It encompasses a wide range of positive attributes, from beauty to well-being, reflecting what is deemed "good" from a human perspective.
* **evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** From H7451, this term denotes that which is bad, harmful, undesirable, or difficult. Here, it refers to an instruction or consequence that the people would perceive as adverse, dangerous, or unpleasant from their human perspective. It does not primarily refer to moral evil but to experiential hardship, misfortune, or an undesirable outcome.
* **obey (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, this primitive root means "to hear intelligently," often implying not just auditory perception but also attention, understanding, and, crucially, compliance or obedience. The repetition of this verb in the verse emphasizes the people's stated commitment to not merely hear God's voice but to actively and completely act upon it. True hearing, in Hebrew thought, culminates in responsive action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil":** This opening clause establishes the seemingly unconditional nature of the remnant's promised obedience. The people declare their readiness to accept God's command regardless of whether it aligns with their personal preferences, perceived safety, or immediate comfort. It signifies a willingness to embrace an outcome that might seem difficult or undesirable from a human standpoint, trusting in God's ultimate wisdom and sovereignty.
* **"we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee":** This is the core pledge and the central declaration of intent. The remnant explicitly states their intention to "obey the voice" (literally, "hear the voice" and act upon it) of Yahweh, their covenant God. By sending Jeremiah as their emissary, they acknowledge his legitimate role as God's messenger, and their promise is directed towards the divine word that will come through him. This highlights their understanding of prophetic authority and their stated commitment to submit to it.
* **"that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God":** This concluding phrase reveals their motivation and expectation. They articulate a fundamental biblical principle: their well-being—their peace, security, and flourishing—is directly contingent upon their obedience to God's voice. This reflects the deep-seated belief that God's commands are always for the ultimate good of His people, and faithfulness to Him brings blessing and prosperity, not merely in a material sense but in a holistic sense of divine favor and right relationship.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 42:6 employs several powerful literary devices that enhance its meaning and foreshadow its tragic outcome. **Antithesis** is prominently featured in the contrasting pair "good" and "evil," which sets up the dilemma and the people's stated resolve to obey irrespective of the perceived outcome. This highlights the absolute nature of their pledge. The verse also utilizes **Repetition**, particularly of the phrase "obey the voice of the LORD our God," which underscores the central theme of obedience and emphasizes the solemnity of their oath. Furthermore, the entire verse is imbued with profound **Dramatic Irony**. The reader, possessing foreknowledge of the subsequent narrative in [Jeremiah 43](/jeremiah/43 "Jeremiah 43 - The Remnant's Disobedience"), understands that the people will ultimately fail to uphold this very promise, choosing disobedience over the divine command. This irony serves as a poignant cautionary tale about the human heart's capacity for self-deception and its struggle with genuine submission to God's will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 42:6 profoundly illustrates the perennial human struggle between declared faith and actual obedience. The remnant's sincere-sounding promise to obey God's voice, regardless of whether it seemed "good" or "evil" from their perspective, articulates a foundational principle of covenant theology: that true well-being and divine blessing are intrinsically linked to faithful submission to God's revealed will. However, the tragic irony of their subsequent disobedience (see [Jeremiah 43:1-7](/jeremiah/43-1-7 "Jeremiah 43:1-7 - The Remnant Disobeys and Goes to Egypt")) reveals the deep-seated human tendency to seek God's guidance only to reject it when it conflicts with personal fears or desires. This highlights the critical distinction between intellectual assent to God's sovereignty and a genuine, trusting surrender of one's will. The verse thus serves as a timeless reminder that God's ways are always for our ultimate good, even when they appear difficult or counter-intuitive from a limited human viewpoint.

* [Deuteronomy 30:19-20](/deuteronomy/30-19-20 "Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - Choose Life and Obey")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD")
* [Luke 6:46](/luke/6-46 "Luke 6:46 - Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 42:6 offers a profound mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the depth of our commitment to God's will. It is often easy to declare our intention to obey God when we are actively seeking His direction, especially in times of uncertainty or crisis. We pray for guidance, earnestly asking God to show us the way, but the true test of our faith comes when God's answer does not align with our preconceived notions, our comfort zones, or our perceived safety. This verse compels us to ask if our "yes, Lord" is truly unconditional, extending even to paths that appear "evil" or difficult from our limited human perspective. Our well-being, as the remnant rightly understood, is indeed tied to our obedience, but this well-being is often defined by God's eternal purposes and holistic flourishing rather than our immediate desires for ease or comfort. We are called to trust that God's commands, however challenging, are always for our ultimate good and His glory, and to vigilantly guard against the self-deception that allows fear or personal preference to override clear divine instruction.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I most tempted to seek God's will but then hesitate to obey if His answer is not what I hoped for?**
* **How do I define "good" and "evil" in the context of God's commands, and how might my human perspective differ from God's divine wisdom?**
* **What specific fears or desires might prevent me from fully embracing God's will, even when I know it is for my ultimate well-being?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart of genuine, unconditional obedience that trusts God's goodness and wisdom even when His path seems difficult or counter-intuitive?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the remnant's promise to obey God "whether it be good, or whether it be evil"?**

Answer: This phrase highlights the unconditional nature of their stated commitment. "Good" and "evil" here refer not to moral qualities but to what is perceived as favorable or unfavorable from a human perspective. The people were promising to obey God's command regardless of whether it seemed advantageous, comfortable, or safe to them (good), or difficult, dangerous, or undesirable (evil). It was a pledge to accept God's will without reservation, trusting that His way was ultimately best, even if it ran contrary to their immediate preferences or fears. This kind of unconditional obedience is a hallmark of true faith, though in this case, it proved to be a promise they tragically failed to keep, as seen in [Jeremiah 43:7](/jeremiah/43-7 "Jeremiah 43:7 - The Remnant Goes to Egypt").

**Did the remnant actually keep their promise to obey God's voice?**

Answer: Tragically, no. Despite their solemn oath in [Jeremiah 42:6](/jeremiah/42-6 "Jeremiah 42:6 - The Remnant's Pledge of Obedience"), the remnant ultimately disobeyed God's clear command delivered through Jeremiah. God explicitly told them to remain in the land of Judah and not to go to Egypt, promising them protection and blessing if they stayed ([Jeremiah 42:10-12](/jeremiah/42-10-12 "Jeremiah 42:10-12 - God's Promise to the Remnant")). However, out of fear of the Babylonians and a desire for perceived safety, they accused Jeremiah of lying and defiantly went to Egypt, taking Jeremiah with them ([Jeremiah 43:1-7](/jeremiah/43-1-7 "Jeremiah 43:1-7 - The Remnant Disobeys and Goes to Egypt")). This serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the human heart's capacity for self-deception and its struggle with genuine obedience when faced with difficult choices.

**How does this verse relate to the broader biblical theme of obedience and blessing?**

Answer: The remnant's statement, "that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God," articulates a fundamental biblical principle found throughout Scripture. From the covenant promises in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses of the Covenant") to the wisdom literature in [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD"), the Bible consistently teaches that true flourishing, peace, and divine favor are intrinsically linked to obedience to God's commands. While material blessings are sometimes part of this, the primary "well-being" refers to a holistic state of being in right relationship with God, experiencing His presence, protection, and guidance. The irony of [Jeremiah 42:6](/jeremiah/42-6 "Jeremiah 42:6 - The Remnant's Pledge of Obedience") is that the people correctly understood this principle but failed to live it out, thereby forfeiting the very well-being they sought.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 42:6, with its poignant declaration of conditional obedience, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Unlike the vacillating remnant, Jesus perfectly embodied the spirit of unconditional obedience, submitting His will entirely to the Father, "whether it be good, or whether it be evil" from a human perspective. His agonizing prayer in [Gethsemane, "Not my will, but yours be done"](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane"), epitomizes this radical surrender, even when faced with the "evil" of the cross. He willingly embraced suffering and death, not for His own sin, but for ours, demonstrating that true "well-being" (salvation and eternal life) comes through perfect obedience to God's plan, even if it involves immense sacrifice. Through His atoning work, Christ provides the path for us to experience the "well-being" that the remnant sought but could not achieve on their own. His perfect obedience is imputed to us, and His Spirit empowers us to live lives of increasing obedience, transforming our hearts from those prone to promise and fail, to those enabled to truly "hear" and "obey the voice of the LORD our God," thereby inheriting the abundant life He offers ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Good Shepherd")). He is the Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world, fulfilling the covenant promises through His perfect life and sacrificial death ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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 7:23

But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

Deuteronomy 5:29

O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

Deuteronomy 5:33

Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and [that it may be] well with you, and [that] ye may prolong [your] days in the land which ye shall possess.

Romans 8:7

Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Deuteronomy 6:2

That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

Deuteronomy 6:3

Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do [it]; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

Joshua 24:24

And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.