TRV
Translation
King James Version
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:
KJV (with Strong's)
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:
Complete Jewish Bible
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'!
Berean Standard Bible
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.’
American Standard Version
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;
World English Bible Messianic
then spoke Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Yochanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying to Jeremiah, You speak falsely: the LORD our God has not sent you to say, You shall not go into Egypt to live there;
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then spake Azariah the sonne of Hoshaiah, and Iohanan the sonne of Kareah, and all the proude men, saying vnto Ieremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the Lord our God hath not sent thee to say, Goe not into Egypt to dwell there,
Young's Literal Translation
that Azariah son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan son of Kareah, and all the proud men, speak unto Jeremiah, saying, `Falsehood thou art speaking; Jehovah our God hath not sent thee to say, Do not enter Egypt to sojourn there;
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Commentary on Jeremiah 43 verses 1–7
1 ¶ And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, even all these words,
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:
3 But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon.
4 So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Judah.
5 But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah;
6 Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.
7 So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they even to Tahpanhes.
What God said to the builders of Babel may be truly said of this people that Jeremiah is now dealing with: Now nothing will be restrained from them which they have imagined to do, Gen 11:6. They have a fancy for Egypt, and to Egypt they will go, whatever God himself says to the contrary. Jeremiah made them hear all he had to say, though he saw them uneasy at it; it was what the Lord their God had sent him to speak to them, and they shall have it all. And now let us see what they have to say to it.
I. They deny it to be a message from God: Johanan, and all the proud men, said to Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely, Jer 43:2. See here, 1. What was the cause of their disobedience - it was pride; only by that comes contention both with God and man. They were proud men that gave the lie to the prophet. They could not bear the contradiction of their sentiments and the control of their designs, no, not by the divine wisdom, by the divine will itself. Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey him? Exo 5:2. The proud unhumbled heart of man is one of the most daring enemies God has on this side hell. 2. What was the colour for their disobedience. They would not acknowledge it to be the word of God: The Lord hath not sent thee on this errand to us. Either they were not convinced that what was said came from God or (which I rather think) though they were convinced of it they would not own it. The light shone strongly in their face, but they either shut their eyes against it or would not confess that they saw it. Note, The reason why men deny the scriptures to be the word of God is because they are resolved not to conform to scripture-rules, and so an obstinate infidelity is made the sorry subterfuge of a wilful disobedience. If God had spoken to them by an angel, or as he did from Mount Sinai, they would have said that it was a delusion. Had they not consulted Jeremiah as a prophet? Had he not waited to receive instructions from God what to say to them? Had not what he said all the usual marks of prophecy upon it? Was not the prophet himself embarked in the same bottom with them? What interests could he have separate from theirs? Had he not always approved himself an Israelite indeed? And had not God proved him a prophet indeed? Had any of his words ever fallen to the ground? Why, truly, they had some good thoughts of Jeremiah, but they suggest (Jer 43:3), Baruch sets thee on against us. A likely thing, that Baruch should be in a plot to deliver them into the hands of the Chaldeans; and what would he get by that? If Jeremiah and he had been so well affected to the Chaldeans as they would represent them, they would have gone away at first with Nebuzaradan, when he courted them, to Babylon, and not have staid to take their lot with this despised ungrateful remnant. But the best services are no fences against malice and slander. Or, if Baruch had been so ill disposed, could they think Jeremiah would be so influenced by him as to make God's name an authority to patronise so villainous a purpose? Note, Those that are resolved to contradict the great ends of the ministry are industrious to bring a bad name upon it. When men will persist in sin they represent those that would turn them from it as designing men for themselves, nay, as ill-designing men against their neighbours. It is well for persons who are thus misrepresented that their witness is in heaven and their record on high.
II. They determine to go to Egypt notwithstanding. They resolve not to dwell in the land of Judah, as God had ordered them (Jer 43:4), but to go themselves with one consent and to take all that they had under their power along with them to Egypt. Those that came from all the nations whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah, out of a sincere affection to that land, they would not leave to their liberty, but forced them to go with them into Egypt (Jer 43:5), men, women, and children (Jer 43:6), a long journey into a strange country, an idolatrous country, a country that had never been kind of faithful to Israel; yet thither they would go, though they deserted their own land and threw themselves out of God's protection. It is the folly of men that they know not when they are well off, and often ruin themselves by endeavouring to better themselves; and it is the pride of great men to force those they have under their power to follow them, though ever so much against their duty and interest. These proud men compelled even Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch his scribe to go along with them to Egypt; they carried them away as prisoners, partly to punish them (and a greater punishment they could not inflict upon them than to force them against their consciences; theirs is the worst of tyranny who say to men's souls, even to good men's souls, Bow down, that we may go over), partly to put some reputation upon themselves and their own way. Though the prophets were under a force, they would make the world believe that they were voluntary in going along with them; and who could have blamed them for acting contrary to the word of the Lord if the prophets themselves had acted so? They came to Tahpanhes, a famous city of Egypt (so called from a queen of that name, Kg1 11:19), the same with Hanes (Isa 30:4); it was now the metropolis, for Pharaoh's house was there, Jer 43:9. No place could serve these proud men to settle in but the royal city and near the court, so little mindful were they of Joseph's wisdom, who would have his brethren settle in Goshen. If they had had the spirit of Israelites, they would have chosen rather to dwell in the wilderness of Judah than in the most pompous populous cities of Egypt.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–7. Public domain.
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SUMMARY
Jeremiah 43:2 captures a moment of profound human defiance, illustrating the immediate and arrogant rejection of God's explicit command by the Jewish remnant in Judah. Despite having earnestly sought Jeremiah's counsel and solemnly promised obedience, Azariah, Johanan, and other proud leaders directly accuse the prophet of falsehood, vehemently asserting that the LORD had not forbidden them from seeking refuge in Egypt. This verse serves as a pivotal and tragic turning point, exposing the hypocrisy of their initial plea and setting the stage for their catastrophic and self-inflicted disobedience.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse marks the dramatic and immediate climax of a narrative arc that begins in Jeremiah 42. Following the assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor, the remaining Jewish people in Judah, gripped by fear of Babylonian reprisal and further instability, approached Jeremiah. They made an earnest and seemingly sincere request for him to inquire of the LORD on their behalf, promising absolute and unwavering obedience to whatever God commanded, "whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (Jeremiah 42:5-6). After a ten-day period of waiting, Jeremiah delivered God's clear, unambiguous message: they were to remain in the land of Judah, where God promised to build them up, plant them, and bless them, but under no circumstances were they to go to Egypt (Jeremiah 42:10-12). God specifically warned them, "Go not into Egypt to sojourn there" (Jeremiah 42:19). Jeremiah 43:2 is their immediate, arrogant, and direct contradiction of this divine word, revealing the true, rebellious intentions hidden beneath their earlier veneer of piety and setting the stage for their tragic departure.
Historical & Cultural Context: The events of Jeremiah 43 unfold in the immediate aftermath of the devastating Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC, and the subsequent assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed over the remaining Jewish population. This period was characterized by immense national trauma, political vacuum, and a deep sense of fear and uncertainty among the survivors. Egypt, a powerful and ancient civilization, had historically been a place of refuge for Israelites during times of famine or political upheaval (e.g., Abraham, Jacob's family, the flight of the Holy Family). However, it was also consistently associated with idolatry, reliance on human strength over divine providence, and a place from which God had explicitly warned His people to stay away, particularly regarding kings seeking horses and military alliances (Deuteronomy 17:16). The accusation of "false prophecy" was an extremely grave charge in ancient Israel, punishable by death, and was often leveled against true prophets whose messages were unpopular or contradicted the people's desires (Deuteronomy 18:20). This accusation against Jeremiah was thus not merely a disagreement but a direct challenge to his divine commission and, by extension, to God Himself.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the profound theme of Rejection of Divine Authority. Despite explicitly seeking God's will, the remnant's leaders demonstrate that they had already decided their course of action, choosing to deny God's clear command rather than submit to it. This illustrates the pervasive human tendency to seek divine affirmation for pre-determined plans rather than genuine, humble guidance, a recurring motif in the prophetic books. Secondly, the phrase "all the proud men" introduces the potent theme of Pride and Arrogance as a fundamental root cause of spiritual rebellion. Their haughty self-will prevented them from accepting a divine message that contradicted their self-serving desires, leading them to accuse God's prophet of deceit. This reflects the biblical principle that pride often precedes destruction and a fall. Thirdly, the accusation of "speaking falsely" underscores the theme of False Accusation and Slander against God's faithful messengers. This was a common tactic to discredit inconvenient truths and avoid accountability for one's own disobedience. Finally, the verse sets the tragic stage for the theme of Disobedience and its Inevitable Consequences, as their defiance directly leads to their journey into Egypt and the very calamities God had warned them against (Jeremiah 44:12-14), demonstrating the futility of human plans when they contradict divine wisdom.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 43:2 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of rebellion and its underlying causes. Irony is profoundly present, as the very men who had earnestly sought God's counsel and vowed absolute obedience (Jeremiah 42:5-6) immediately reject that counsel when it contradicts their desires. This highlights the hypocrisy of their initial plea and the self-deception inherent in their approach to God. The use of Direct Speech ("Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee...") makes the defiance stark, immediate, and visceral, allowing the reader to experience the raw confrontation between divine truth and human rebellion. The phrase "all the proud men" serves as a powerful Characterization, immediately labeling the opposition and providing critical insight into their spiritual state, emphasizing that their rejection stemmed from arrogance and self-will rather than genuine misunderstanding. Finally, there is a clear Antithesis between the divine truth spoken by Jeremiah and the human lie and defiance articulated by the remnant, underscoring the fundamental conflict between God's sovereign will and man's stubborn self-will.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 43:2 stands as a stark theological commentary on the nature of human rebellion against divine authority and the deceptive power of a hardened heart. It illustrates the perilous state of those who approach God's will with a preconceived outcome, ultimately choosing self-will and perceived worldly security over divine instruction. This act of accusing God's prophet of falsehood is not merely a personal attack on Jeremiah but a direct affront to the LORD Himself, whose word Jeremiah faithfully delivered. It underscores the profound spiritual blindness that pride engenders, leading individuals to deny undeniable truth and embrace self-deception, even when their very survival and well-being are at stake. The refusal to "sojourn" in their divinely appointed land, opting instead for a worldly refuge in Egypt, demonstrates a fundamental lack of trust in God's providence and protection, revealing a preference for human strategy over divine faithfulness.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 43:2 offers timeless lessons for believers today, serving as a powerful warning against the dangers of seeking God's will with a pre-determined agenda. It challenges us to examine the sincerity of our prayers and inquiries when facing difficult decisions, especially those that involve significant life changes or perceived risks. Do we genuinely come before God with an open heart, ready to obey whatever He commands, even if it contradicts our desires, comfort, logical human plans, or the counsel of trusted friends? Or do we, like Azariah and Johanan, secretly harbor a preferred outcome, only seeking God's affirmation for our own intentions, effectively using prayer as a rubber stamp for our will? This verse highlights how easily pride can masquerade as piety, leading to self-deception and ultimately, spiritual disobedience. True humility is demonstrated not just in asking for God's word, but in humbly submitting to it, even when it is inconvenient, unpopular, or seemingly illogical from a human perspective. It reminds us that God's truth is not always palatable, and genuine faith requires trusting His wisdom above our own perceived security or understanding, especially when His path seems counter-intuitive to worldly wisdom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did the remnant accuse Jeremiah of speaking falsely?
Answer: The remnant accused Jeremiah of speaking falsely because his message directly contradicted their pre-determined plan to flee to Egypt for safety. Despite having explicitly asked Jeremiah to inquire of the LORD and promising to obey whatever God said (Jeremiah 42:5-6), they found God's actual command—to remain in Judah—unacceptable. Their accusation was a desperate attempt to discredit Jeremiah and justify their own disobedience, effectively denying that the message came from God because it was not what they wanted to hear. This was a common tactic against prophets who delivered inconvenient truths, as seen in other biblical accounts where true prophets were persecuted for their unpopular messages (Deuteronomy 18:20).
What was the significance of God's command not to "sojourn" in Egypt?
Answer: God's command not to "sojourn" (temporarily dwell) in Egypt was profoundly significant for multiple reasons. Historically, Egypt represented a place of bondage and a symbol of reliance on human power and idolatry, from which God had miraculously delivered Israel during the Exodus. By forbidding them to go to Egypt, God was calling His people to radical trust in His protection and provision within their own land, despite its devastation. It was a test of their faith, challenging them to depend solely on Him rather than seeking refuge in a foreign land that had often led them astray and compromised their spiritual purity. Their disobedience to this specific command, as recounted in Jeremiah 43, ultimately led to further judgment and suffering, demonstrating the dire consequences of choosing worldly security over divine obedience and trust.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The defiant rejection of Jeremiah's prophetic word in Jeremiah 43:2 serves as a poignant foreshadowing of the ultimate rejection of God's perfect Prophet, Jesus Christ. Just as the proud men accused Jeremiah of speaking falsely, so too did the religious leaders of Israel accuse Jesus of blasphemy, deceit, and sedition, refusing to acknowledge His divine authority and the truth of His message (Matthew 26:65-66). The remnant's desire to "sojourn" in Egypt, seeking worldly security and a human solution over God's promised presence and protection in Judah, contrasts sharply with Christ's perfect obedience and His call for His followers to place their trust solely in God. Jesus, unlike the disobedient remnant, perfectly fulfilled the will of the Father, demonstrating complete submission even to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). He is the true refuge, the Lamb of God who takes away the the sin of the world, offering spiritual security and eternal life that no earthly "Egypt" or human scheme can ever provide. While the remnant sought to escape their immediate troubles by fleeing to a foreign land, Christ teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting in His sovereign care and provision. Ultimately, the pride and unbelief that led to the rejection of Jeremiah's message finds its ultimate remedy in the humble submission and saving faith offered through Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the only true path to safety and peace.