TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
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.
World English Bible Messianic
So Yochanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, didn’t obey the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Judah.
Geneva Bible (1599)
So Iohanan the sonne of Kareah, and all the captaines of the hoste, and all the people obeied not the voyce of the Lord, to dwell in the lande of Iudah.
Young's Literal Translation
And Johanan son of Kareah, and all the heads of the forces, and all the people, have not hearkened to the voice of Jehovah, to dwell in the land of Judah;
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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 43:4 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. 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). Conversely, God warned of severe judgment—death by sword, famine, and pestilence—if they went to Egypt (Jeremiah 42:15-17). 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.
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) 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). 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). Finally, the verse sets the stage for the theme of Consequences of Ignoring Prophetic Warnings. Their disobedience in Jeremiah 43:4 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).
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
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) and solemnly promised to obey "whatever the LORD our God sends us word" (Jeremiah 42:6) 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, 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.
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
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, 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 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). 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). 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). 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). 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; Hebrews 4:9-11).