Jeremiah 43:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Johanan {H3110} the son {H1121} of Kareah {H7143}, and all the captains {H8269} of the forces {H2428}, and all the people {H5971}, obeyed {H8085} not the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068}, to dwell {H3427} in the land {H776} of Judah {H3063}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So Yochanan the son of Kareach, all the military commanders and all the people did not heed what ADONAI said, to live in the land of Y'hudah.

Berean Standard Bible

So Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces disobeyed the command of the LORD to stay in the land of Judah.

American Standard Version

So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of Jehovah, to dwell in the land of Judah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 43:4 records a profound act of defiance by the remnant of Judah, led by Johanan son of Kareah and other military captains, alongside the entire populace. Despite having explicitly sought divine counsel through the prophet Jeremiah regarding their future after the fall of Jerusalem, they deliberately chose to disregard the LORD's clear command to remain in the land of Judah, opting instead to pursue their own perceived safety by fleeing to Egypt. This verse serves as a stark testament to the human tendency to prioritize fear and self-will over faithful obedience to God's revealed will, even when that will is directly communicated.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 43:4 is situated immediately after a critical exchange between the Jewish remnant and the prophet Jeremiah, detailed in [Jeremiah chapter 42](/jeremiah/42 "Jeremiah 42 - The Remnant Seeks Counsel"). Following the assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor, the surviving leaders and people were gripped by fear of Babylonian reprisal. They approached Jeremiah, earnestly requesting him to inquire of the LORD on their behalf, promising to obey whatever God commanded, whether "good or bad." After ten days, Jeremiah delivered God's unequivocal message: they were to remain in Judah, where God promised to build them up and protect them from the king of Babylon ([Jeremiah 42:10-12](/jeremiah/42-10 "Jeremiah 42:10-12 - God's Promise to the Remnant")). Conversely, God warned of severe judgment—death by sword, famine, and pestilence—if they went to Egypt ([Jeremiah 42:15-17](/jeremiah/42-15 "Jeremiah 42:15-17 - Warning Against Fleeing to Egypt")). Jeremiah 43:4 directly follows this divine pronouncement, revealing their immediate and direct rejection of the very counsel they had sworn to obey. This sets the stage for the subsequent narrative of their flight to Egypt and the judgments that follow, as seen in [Jeremiah chapter 44](/jeremiah/44 "Jeremiah 44 - Judgment in Egypt").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, a cataclysmic event that marked the end of the Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian exile. The land was devastated, and the remaining population was small and vulnerable. Gedaliah had been appointed governor by Nebuchadnezzar to oversee the remnant, but his assassination by Ishmael son of Nethaniah ([Jeremiah 41:1-3](/jeremiah/41-1 "Jeremiah 41:1-3 - Ishmael Murders Gedaliah")) plunged the region into further chaos and fear. The people's primary concern was self-preservation, and Egypt, a traditional refuge and rival power to Babylon, seemed a logical choice for safety from Babylonian retribution. Culturally, seeking prophetic counsel from a recognized prophet like Jeremiah was a common practice in ancient Israel, especially in times of national crisis, reflecting a general belief in divine guidance. However, the narrative here exposes a deeper cultural flaw: a tendency to seek God's will not for genuine obedience, but to legitimize pre-determined plans or to alleviate anxiety without true submission.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several enduring theological and narrative themes. Foremost is the theme of **Disobedience to Divine Will**, highlighting the tragic human propensity to reject God's clear commands, even after earnestly seeking them. This act underscores the deep-seated rebellion of the human heart against divine authority, mirroring earlier instances of Israel's unfaithfulness throughout their history, such as their refusal to enter the Promised Land ([Numbers 14:1-10](/numbers/14-1 "Numbers 14:1-10 - Israel's Rebellion at Kadesh Barnea")). Another crucial theme is the **Conflict Between Faith and Fear**. The remnant's choice to flee to Egypt demonstrates a profound lack of faith in God's promise of protection in Judah, prioritizing their immediate fear of Babylon over the Almighty's explicit assurance. This echoes the broader biblical tension between trusting in human strength or perceived security versus relying on God's sovereign care ([Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the LORD")). Finally, the verse sets the stage for the theme of **Consequences of Ignoring Prophetic Warnings**. Their disobedience in [Jeremiah 43:4](/jeremiah/43-4 "Jeremiah 43:4 - The Remnant Disobeys") directly leads to the judgments detailed in subsequent chapters, demonstrating that divine warnings are not arbitrary threats but merciful calls to avert disaster, and their rejection inevitably brings about the very outcomes God sought to prevent ([Jeremiah 44:12-14](/jeremiah/44-12 "Jeremiah 44:12-14 - Consequences of Fleeing to Egypt")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **obeyed (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, a primitive root meaning "to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)." The use of "obeyed not" (לֹא שָׁמְעוּ, _lo sham'u_) is a powerful negation. It signifies not merely a failure to hear, but a deliberate and active refusal to comply with what was heard. This highlights the intentionality of their rebellion; they understood the command but chose to disregard it, demonstrating a willful act of insubordination rather than ignorance.
* **voice (Hebrew, _qôwl'_):** From H6963, meaning "a voice or sound." In this context, "the voice of the LORD" (קֹול יְהוָה, _qôwl Yᵉhôvâh_) refers to the explicit divine revelation delivered through Jeremiah. It emphasizes the clarity and directness of God's command. It was not an ambiguous sign or a vague impression, but a clear, audible (through the prophet) instruction, making their disobedience all the more egregious.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God. This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, relational, and unchanging character, as well as His supreme authority as the God of Israel. Their disobedience is not merely against a command, but against the very character and authority of the God who had delivered them and sustained them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people":** This clause identifies the collective group responsible for the disobedience. It highlights the widespread nature of the rebellion, encompassing not just the military leadership (captains of the forces, H8269 sar, H2428 chayil, indicating military power and valor) but also "all the people" (H5971 ʻam, meaning a congregated unit or nation). This emphasizes that the decision was a communal one, reflecting a pervasive lack of faith and a collective will to defy God.
* **"obeyed not the voice of the LORD":** This is the core statement of the verse, declaring the direct and intentional act of rebellion. The phrase "obeyed not" (H8085 shâmaʻ, with negation) signifies a deliberate refusal to heed the clear divine instruction. "The voice of the LORD" (H6963 qôwl, H3068 Yᵉhôvâh) underscores that the command came directly from God Himself, making their disobedience a direct affront to His authority and covenant faithfulness.
* **"to dwell in the land of Judah":** This specifies the particular command that was disobeyed. The LORD had explicitly instructed them to "dwell" (H3427 yâshab, meaning to sit down, specifically to remain or inhabit) in the land of Judah (H776 ʼerets, H3063 Yᵉhûwdâh, their ancestral territory). This command was accompanied by promises of protection and blessing if they stayed, and warnings of judgment if they left. Their refusal to remain in the land signifies their rejection of God's promised provision and their preference for a path dictated by human fear and reasoning.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 43:4 is rich in **Irony**. The most striking irony lies in the fact that the very people who had earnestly sought God's counsel through Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 42:2-6](/jeremiah/42-2 "Jeremiah 42:2-6 - The Remnant Seeks Jeremiah's Counsel")) and solemnly promised to obey "whatever the LORD our God sends us word" ([Jeremiah 42:6](/jeremiah/42-6 "Jeremiah 42:6 - Promise of Obedience")) are immediately shown to "obey not the voice of the LORD." This highlights the deceptive nature of the human heart and the superficiality of their initial commitment. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing** in this verse, as their disobedience sets the stage for the subsequent judgments detailed in [Jeremiah chapter 44](/jeremiah/44 "Jeremiah 44 - Judgment in Egypt"), where the very calamities God warned them about in Judah ultimately befall them in Egypt. The **Repetition** of the theme of disobedience throughout Jeremiah's prophecy, particularly concerning the people's refusal to heed God's warnings, is powerfully encapsulated here, serving as a microcosm of Israel's historical unfaithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 43:4 stands as a poignant biblical example of the human struggle with obedience to divine authority, especially when God's will conflicts with personal fears or perceived self-interest. It underscores the critical distinction between merely seeking information from God and truly submitting to His sovereign command. The people's refusal to dwell in Judah, despite God's explicit promise of protection, reveals a deep-seated lack of trust in the LORD's faithfulness and power. This act of rebellion is not an isolated incident but reflects a recurring pattern in the history of Israel, where fear of external threats often overshadowed their covenant relationship with Yahweh, leading them away from the path of blessing and into further judgment. It serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of selective obedience and the futility of attempting to outmaneuver divine providence through human ingenuity or fear-driven decisions.

* [1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Rebellion is as the Sin of Witchcraft")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with All Your Heart")
* [Hebrews 3:12-19](/hebrews/3-12 "Hebrews 3:12-19 - The Danger of Unbelief")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 43:4 offers a sobering mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the sincerity of our own spiritual inquiries and commitments. How often do we, like Johanan and the people, approach God in prayer or through His Word, seeking guidance, only to find ourselves resistant when His answer demands a step of faith that contradicts our comfort, logic, or fears? This verse calls us to a deeper, more authentic trust in God's wisdom and goodness, recognizing that His commands, even when difficult, are always for our ultimate good and protection. True obedience stems from a heart that believes God's promises are more reliable than any perceived security offered by the world. It compels us to move beyond merely "hearing" God's voice to actively "obeying" it, demonstrating a genuine submission to His Lordship in all areas of our lives, especially when circumstances are daunting and the path of faith seems counter-intuitive.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be seeking God's counsel but secretly hoping for an answer that aligns with your own desires or fears?**
* **How does fear of external circumstances (e.g., financial insecurity, social pressure, future uncertainty) sometimes prevent you from fully trusting and obeying God's clear commands?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a heart that prioritizes genuine obedience to God's voice, even when it feels "bad" or uncomfortable?**

### FAQ

**What was the specific command from the LORD that Johanan and the people disobeyed?**

Answer: The specific command was for the remnant of Judah to remain in the land of Judah and not to flee to Egypt. This instruction was given through the prophet Jeremiah in [Jeremiah 42:10-12](/jeremiah/42-10 "Jeremiah 42:10-12 - God's Command to Remain in Judah"), where God promised to protect and bless them if they stayed, and warned of severe judgment if they departed for Egypt. Their disobedience in [Jeremiah 43:4](/jeremiah/43-4 "Jeremiah 43:4 - The Remnant Disobeys") was a direct rejection of this divine directive.

**Why did Johanan and the people choose to disobey God's command?**

Answer: Their primary motivation for disobedience was fear. Following the assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor, they feared retribution from the Babylonians ([Jeremiah 41:17-18](/jeremiah/41-17 "Jeremiah 41:17-18 - Fear of the Chaldeans")). They believed that fleeing to Egypt would offer them safety and escape from further suffering, despite God's explicit warnings that judgment would follow them there ([Jeremiah 42:13-17](/jeremiah/42-13 "Jeremiah 42:13-17 - Warnings Against Going to Egypt")). Their fear overshadowed their faith in God's promises of protection within Judah.

**What were the consequences of their disobedience?**

Answer: The consequences of their disobedience were severe, exactly as God had warned. When they went to Egypt, God's judgment followed them there. They eventually perished by the sword, famine, and pestilence, and none of them returned to the land of Judah as they had hoped ([Jeremiah 44:12-14](/jeremiah/44-12 "Jeremiah 44:12-14 - The Fate of the Remnant in Egypt")). This tragic outcome serves as a powerful testament to the futility of resisting God's will and the certainty of His judgments.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 43:4, with its stark portrayal of human disobedience to God's clear voice, profoundly illuminates the necessity of Christ's perfect obedience and His redemptive work. The failure of Johanan and the remnant to obey the LORD's command to dwell in Judah foreshadows humanity's universal inability to perfectly keep God's law and trust His provision. This persistent rebellion, rooted in fear and self-will, culminates in the need for a divine solution. Jesus Christ stands in stark contrast to this disobedience. He is the Son who perfectly "obeyed the voice of the LORD" in every aspect of His life, from His incarnation to His crucifixion. Whereas the remnant chose their own path of perceived safety, Jesus chose the path of suffering and sacrifice, declaring, "Not my will, but yours be done" ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). His perfect obedience, even unto death on the cross, atoned for the disobedience of humanity, including that of Johanan and the people of Judah. Through faith in Christ, believers are not only forgiven for their own acts of rebellion but are also empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in new obedience, trusting God's voice and dwelling securely in His promises, no longer driven by the fears that plagued the remnant. He is the true "dwelling place" and "land of Judah" for all who believe, offering ultimate security and peace that the world cannot provide ([John 14:23](/john/14-23 "John 14:23 - The Father and Son will Dwell with Believers"); [Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - The Rest for the People 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 42:5

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.

Jeremiah 42:6

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.

2 Chronicles 25:16

And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that [the king] said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.

Psalms 37:3

Trust in the LORD, and do good; [so] shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Jeremiah 44:5

But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods.

Ecclesiastes 9:16

Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard.

Jeremiah 42:10

If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull [you] down, and I will plant you, and not pluck [you] up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.