TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
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.
World English Bible Messianic
Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send you; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Whether it be good or euill, we will obey the voyce of the Lord God, to whom we sende thee that it may be well with vs, when wee obey the voyce of the Lord our God.
Young's Literal Translation
Whether good or evil, to the voice of Jehovah our God, to whom we are sending thee, we do hearken; because it is good for us when we hearken to the voice of Jehovah our God.'
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In the KJVVerse 19,982 of 31,102
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Commentary on Jeremiah 42 verses 1–6
1 ¶ Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near,
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:)
3 That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.
4 Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you.
5 Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.
6 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.
We have reason to wonder how Jeremiah the prophet escaped the sword of Ishmael; it seems he did escape, and it was not the first time that the Lord hid him. It is strange also that in these violent turns he was not consulted before now, and his advice asked and taken. But it should seem as if they knew not that a prophet was among them. Though this people were as brands plucked out of the fire, yet have they not returned to the Lord. This people has a revolting and a rebellious heart; and contempt of God and his providence, God and his prophets, is still the sin that most easily besets them. But now at length, to serve a turn, Jeremiah is sought out, and all the captains, Johanan himself not excepted, with all the people from the least to the greatest, make him a visit; they came near (Jer 42:1), which intimates that hitherto they had kept at a distance from the prophet and had been shy of him. Now here,
I. They desire him by prayer to ask direction from God what they should do in the present critical juncture, Jer 42:2, Jer 42:3. They express themselves wonderfully well. 1. With great respect to the prophet. Though he was poor and low, and under their command, yet they apply to him with humility and submissiveness, as petitioners for his assistance, which yet they intimate their own unworthiness of: Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee. They compliment him thus in hopes to persuade him to say as they would have him say. 2. With a great opinion of his interest in heaven: "Pray for us, who know not how to pray for ourselves. Pray to the Lord thy God, for we are unworthy to call him ours, nor have we reason to expect any favour from him." 3. With a great sense of their need of divine direction. They speak of themselves as objects of compassion: "We are but a remnant, but a few of many; how easily will such a remnant be swallowed up, and yet it is a pity that it should. Thy eyes see what distress we are in, what a plunge we are at; if thou canst do any thing, help us." 4. With desire of divine direction: "Let the Lord thy God take this ruin into his thoughts and under his hand, and show us the way wherein we may walk and may expect to have his presence with us, and the thing that we may do, the course we may take for our own safety." Note, In every difficult doubtful case our eye must be up to God for direction. They then might expect to be directed by a spirit of prophecy, which has now ceased; but we may still in faith pray to be guided by a spirit of wisdom in our hearts and the hints of Providence.
II. Jeremiah faithfully promises them to pray for direction for them, and, whatever message God should send to them by him, he would deliver it to them just as he received it without adding, altering, or diminishing, Jer 42:4. Ministers may hence learn, 1. Conscientiously to pray for those who desire their prayers: I will pray for you according to your words. Though they had slighted him, yet, like Samuel when he was slighted, he will not sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for them, Sa1 12:23. 2. Conscientiously to advise those who desire their advice as near as they can to the mind of God, not keeping back any thing that is profitable for them, whether it be pleasing or no, but to declare to them the whole counsel of God, that they may approve themselves true to their trust.
III. They fairly promise that they will be governed by the will of God, as soon as they know what it is (Jer 42:5, Jer 42:6), and they had the impudence to appeal to God concerning their sincerity herein, though at the same time they dissembled: "The Lord be a true and faithful witness between us; do thou in the fear of God tell us truly what his mind is and then we will in the fear of God comply with it, and for this the Lord the Judge be Judge between us." Note, Those that expect to have the benefit of good ministers' prayers must conscientiously hearken to their preaching and be governed by it, as far as it agrees with the mind of God. Nothing could be better than this was: Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God, that it may be well with us. 1. They now call God their God, for Jeremiah had encouraged them to call him so (Jer 42:4): I will pray to the Lord your God. He is ours, and therefore we will obey his voice. Our relation to God strongly obliges us to obedience. 2. They promise to obey his voice because they sent the prophet to him to consult him. Note, We do not truly desire to know the mind of God if we do not fully resolve to comply with it when we do know it. 3. It is an implicit universal obedience that they here promise. They will do what God appoints them to do, whether it be good or whether it be evil: "Though it may seem evil to us, yet we will believe that if God command it it is certainly good, and we must not dispute it, but do it. Whatever God commands, whether it be easy or difficult, agreeable to our inclinations or contrary to them, whether it be cheap or costly, fashionable or unfashionable, whether we get or lose by it in our worldly interests, if it be our duty, we will do it." 4. It is upon a very good consideration that they promise this, a reasonable and powerful one, that it may be well with us, which intimates a conviction that they could not expect it should be well with them upon any other terms.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–6. Public domain.
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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.
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.
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. 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 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
Verse Breakdown
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, 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) 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.
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
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.
Did the remnant actually keep their promise to obey God's voice?
Answer: Tragically, no. Despite their solemn oath in Jeremiah 42:6, 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). 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). 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 to the wisdom literature in Proverbs 3:5-6, 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 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", 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). 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).