Jeremiah 43:2

Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:

Then spake {H559} Azariah {H5838} the son {H1121} of Hoshaiah {H1955}, and Johanan {H3110} the son {H1121} of Kareah {H7143}, and all the proud {H2086} men {H582}, saying {H559} unto Jeremiah {H3414}, Thou speakest {H1696} falsely {H8267}: the LORD {H3068} our God {H430} hath not sent {H7971} thee to say {H559}, Go {H935} not into Egypt {H4714} to sojourn {H1481} there:

then 'Azaryah the son of Hosha'yah, Yochanan the son of Kareach and all the men with him had the effrontery to say to Yirmeyahu, "You are lying! ADONAI our God did not send you to say, 'Don't go to Egypt and live there'!

Azariah son of Hoshaiah, Johanan son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to reside there.’

then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: Jehovah our God hath not sent thee to say, Ye shall not go into Egypt to sojourn there;

Commentary on Jeremiah 43:2 KJV

Jeremiah 43:2 captures the dramatic and defiant response of the Jewish remnant to the prophet Jeremiah's divine message. This verse reveals the deep-seated pride and unbelief that led to their ultimate disobedience.

Context

Following the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon, the remaining Jewish people in Judah feared retribution and sought counsel from Jeremiah regarding their future. They promised to obey whatever the LORD commanded (see Jeremiah 42:5-6). After ten days, Jeremiah delivered God's explicit instruction: they were to remain in the land of Judah and not go to Egypt, promising blessing if they obeyed and disaster if they disobeyed (see Jeremiah 42:10-12). God specifically warned them, "Go not into Egypt to sojourn there." This verse is their immediate, arrogant rejection of that very clear divine word.

Key Themes

  • Rejection of Divine Authority: Despite asking for God's will, Azariah, Johanan, and the other men had already made up their minds. They outright deny that the LORD sent Jeremiah with this message, effectively rejecting God Himself.
  • Pride and Arrogance: The phrase "all the proud men" highlights their haughty spirit. Their pride prevented them from submitting to God's clear command, leading them to accuse His prophet of falsehood. This illustrates how pride often precedes destruction and leads to spiritual blindness.
  • Accusation of False Prophecy: It was a common tactic for those who disliked a prophet's message to accuse him of speaking falsely, particularly when the message contradicted their desires or plans. This was a grave charge, punishable by death under the Law (see Deuteronomy 18:20).
  • Disobedience and Self-Deception: Their declaration sets the stage for their eventual defiance of God's command and their journey into Egypt, which would bring about the very calamities God had warned them against (see Jeremiah 44:12-14).

Linguistic Insight

The KJV phrase "all the proud men" translates from the Hebrew word zedim (זֵדִים), which denotes individuals who are arrogant, presumptuous, and rebellious, particularly against God's commands. It signifies a hardened heart that acts with insolence and contempt for divine authority, often leading to severe consequences.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 43:2 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of seeking God's will with a preconceived outcome. It highlights:

  • The temptation to reject truth when it contradicts our personal desires, comfort, or plans.
  • The destructive nature of pride, which can blind us to God's clear instructions and lead to self-deception.
  • The importance of genuinely seeking God's counsel with a humble and obedient heart, ready to follow His word even when it is difficult or unpopular.
  • The reality that true prophets often deliver inconvenient truths, and their messages should be evaluated by their alignment with God's established word, not by their palatability.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:13

    And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.

  • Isaiah 7:9

    And the head of Ephraim [is] Samaria, and the head of Samaria [is] Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.

  • Jeremiah 13:15

    Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.

  • James 4:6

    But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

  • Habakkuk 2:4

    Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

  • Habakkuk 2:5

    ¶ Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, [he is] a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and [is] as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:

  • Proverbs 16:5

    ¶ Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

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