Jeremiah 43:7

KJV

So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they [even] to Tahpanhes.

KJV (with Strong's)

So they came {H935} into the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}: for they obeyed {H8085} not the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068}: thus came {H935} they even to Tahpanhes {H8471}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and went to the land of Egypt; for they did not heed what ADONAI had said; and they arrived in Tachpanches.

Berean Standard Bible

So they entered the land of Egypt because they did not obey the voice of the LORD, and they went as far as Tahpanhes.

American Standard Version

And they came into the land of Egypt; for they obeyed not the voice of Jehovah: and they came unto Tahpanhes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 43:7 chronicles the tragic culmination of Judah's remnant's defiant journey into Egypt, specifically their arrival at Tahpanhes, in direct and willful disobedience to the LORD's explicit command delivered through His prophet Jeremiah. This act starkly underscores their profound rejection of divine counsel, their preference for perceived worldly security over God's promised protection within the land, and their unwitting march toward the very dangers and judgments they sought to escape.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 43:7 marks a pivotal and lamentable turning point in the post-fall of Jerusalem narrative, specifically following the assassination of Gedaliah. Chapters 40-42 meticulously detail the chaotic aftermath, the remnant's palpable fear of Babylonian reprisal, and their desperate, albeit insincere, plea to Jeremiah to inquire of the LORD regarding their future. In [Jeremiah 42](/jeremiah/42 "Jeremiah 42 - God's Command to the Remnant"), God delivers an unambiguous command: they are to remain in the land of Judah, where He promises protection, blessing, and restoration. Conversely, He issues a severe warning that if they venture into Egypt, they will inevitably face the very sword, famine, and pestilence they dread. Despite this divine clarity, the people, swayed by proud and unfaithful men like Johanan, accuse Jeremiah of deceit and resolutely decide to flee to Egypt. Jeremiah 43:1-7 records their willful departure, culminating in their arrival at Tahpanhes, thereby setting the stage for further divine pronouncements and judgments against them in Egypt.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC to the Neo-Babylonian Empire signified the end of the Judean kingdom and initiated the Babylonian exile for a significant portion of the population. A small remnant remained in Judah, living under Babylonian-appointed governors. The subsequent assassination of Gedaliah, the governor, ignited widespread fear among the remaining Judeans of further Babylonian retribution. Historically, Egypt, a formidable regional power, had frequently served as a source of false hope and a tempting, yet ultimately unreliable, ally for Israel (cf. [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1-7 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help") and [Isaiah 31:1-3](/isaiah/31-1-3 "Isaiah 31:1-3 - Reliance on Egypt's Horses")). For the remnant, Egypt represented a perceived haven of safety and strength, a place where they might evade Babylonian influence. Tahpanhes, situated in the eastern Nile Delta, was a significant Egyptian frontier city, likely serving as a strategic military outpost or administrative center, making it a logical initial destination for those fleeing from Judah. The cultural propensity to seek alliances or refuge with powerful nations, rather than placing exclusive trust in Yahweh, was a recurring and detrimental pattern throughout Israel's history.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several enduring themes prevalent within the book of Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost among them is **Disobedience to God's Voice**, highlighting the people's willful and conscious rejection of divine counsel, despite its clarity and the prophet's faithful delivery. This act profoundly underscores the theme of **False Security**, as the remnant sought refuge in worldly power (Egypt) rather than trusting in God's promised protection within the land of Judah, thereby demonstrating a profound and ultimately destructive lack of faith. Consequently, the verse introduces the theme of **Consequences of Rebellion**, as their journey to Tahpanhes was not a path to safety but a direct route into the very dangers God had warned them about, foreshadowing further judgment. Finally, it contributes significantly to the theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, as Jeremiah's earlier warnings regarding judgment upon those who fled to Egypt (e.g., [Jeremiah 42:15-18](/jeremiah/42-15-18 "Jeremiah 42:15-18 - God's Warning About Going to Egypt")) begin to unfold with their arrival, setting the stage for subsequent divine pronouncements against them within Egypt itself (cf. [Jeremiah 44:1](/jeremiah/44-1 "Jeremiah 44:1 - God's Word Concerning the Jews in Egypt")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **obeyed (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This primitive root (H8085) means "to hear intelligently," often carrying the crucial implication of attention, consent, and, most significantly, obedience. In the context of "obeyed not," it signifies a deliberate, conscious refusal to heed or comply with the divine instruction. This was not a mere failure to perceive, but a profound failure to act upon what was clearly heard, indicating a deep spiritual rebellion and a hardening of hearts against the LORD's explicit will.
* **voice (Hebrew, _qôwl'_):** This word (H6963), meaning "a voice or sound," here refers specifically to the audible or communicated word of the LORD, representing the authoritative prophetic message delivered by Jeremiah. The phrase "the voice of the LORD" emphasizes the divine origin and absolute authority of the command that was rejected. It underscores that what they disobeyed was not merely human advice but the direct, personal utterance of God Himself, the covenant-keeping Yahweh.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenantal name of God (H3068), often transliterated as "Jehovah" or "Yahweh," signifying "the self-Existent or Eternal One." The use of this specific name highlights that the disobedience was directed against the very God who had entered into a covenant relationship with Israel, who had miraculously delivered them from their original bondage in Egypt, and who continued to reveal His sovereign will to them. Their rebellion was not against a generic deity but against the personal, faithful, and sovereign God of Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So they came into the land of Egypt":** This clause describes the physical act of the remnant's journey and their subsequent arrival in Egypt. It signifies the tangible completion of their defiant decision to flee Judah, illustrating the immediate and direct consequence of their unbelief and rejection of God's command. Their entry into Egypt, a nation historically associated with bondage, idolatry, and a place from which God had liberated their ancestors, symbolically represents their departure from God's promised land and His protective care.
* **"for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD":** This is the pivotal explanatory clause, explicitly stating the fundamental reason for their migration. It reveals their core transgression: a deliberate and active refusal to listen to and follow the divine command communicated through Jeremiah. This disobedience is presented as the direct and primary cause of their journey, highlighting the profound moral and spiritual failure at the heart of their actions, prioritizing their own fears and perceived wisdom over God's clear instruction.
* **"thus came they [even] to Tahpanhes.":** This final clause specifies their precise destination within Egypt. Tahpanhes, a strategic border city, marks the exact location where their flight from God's will and their pursuit of self-preservation concluded. The phrase "thus came they" underscores the grim inevitability of their arrival once the decision to disobey was made, emphasizing that their chosen path, contrary to God's warning, led them directly to a place where further divine judgment would pursue them.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 43:7 employs several significant literary devices that amplify its theological weight. **Irony** is powerfully present, as the people's flight to Egypt, ostensibly undertaken to secure their safety from the Babylonians, leads them directly into a place where God's judgment will inexorably pursue them, as later prophecies in Jeremiah vividly reveal. Their desperate pursuit of perceived safety ironically becomes the very catalyst for their undoing. There is also strong **Foreshadowing** embedded within this verse; their arrival in Tahpanhes sets the stage for God's further pronouncements of judgment against them within Egypt, clearly indicating that their rebellion will not go unpunished but will incur divine retribution. The very act of entering Egypt, a land from which God had miraculously delivered their ancestors during the Exodus, carries deep **Symbolism**. Egypt consistently represents reliance on human strength, worldly alliances, and idolatry, standing in stark contrast to the divine protection and covenant faithfulness promised if they had remained in Judah. Their return to Egypt thus symbolizes a profound spiritual regression, a turning away from the covenant God who had called them out of that very land into freedom and relationship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 43:7 stands as a stark and enduring testament to the profound consequences of human rebellion against divine authority, echoing a recurring and lamentable theme throughout biblical history. It powerfully illustrates the truth that seeking security, provision, or guidance outside of God's revealed will inevitably leads to greater peril and spiritual desolation, even when such choices appear rational or appealing from a purely human perspective. This passage highlights God's unwavering expectation of radical obedience from His covenant people and His absolute faithfulness in executing both His promises of blessing for obedience and His warnings of judgment for defiance. The people's defiance here is not merely a political or strategic misstep but a deep spiritual betrayal, demonstrating a profound distrust in the LORD's sovereign care, wisdom, and power. Their journey to Tahpanhes is a tangible, physical manifestation of a heart that prioritizes fear, self-preservation, and human schemes over faith and humble submission to the divine voice.

* [Numbers 14:4](/numbers/14-4 "Numbers 14:4 - Israel's Desire to Return to Egypt")
* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "Proverbs 14:12 - There is a Way that Seems Right to a Man")
* [Hebrews 3:7-19](/hebrews/3-7-19 "Hebrews 3:7-19 - The Danger of Unbelief and Disobedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 43:7 serves as a timeless and convicting mirror for believers across all generations, challenging us to deeply examine the true source of our trust, security, and guidance. In moments of fear, uncertainty, or perceived danger, our fallen human inclination might be to devise our own solutions, relying on human wisdom, personal resources, or worldly alliances that seem logical, expedient, or less demanding than God's way. However, this verse powerfully reminds us that true safety, genuine peace, and ultimate flourishing are found only in radical, unwavering obedience to God's voice, even when His commands seem counter-intuitive, demand significant sacrifice, or appear to lead us into greater vulnerability. The remnant's journey to Tahpanhes, a place of supposed refuge that tragically became a place of further judgment, warns us against seeking "Egypts" in our own lives—any worldly solution, comfort, or perceived escape that pulls us away from God's explicit will and revealed path. Our spiritual well-being, our peace of mind, and our ultimate destiny are inextricably linked to our willingness to listen attentively, obey humbly, and trust implicitly that God's path, though sometimes challenging or requiring great faith, is always the path of blessing, true deliverance, and eternal life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life am I currently tempted to seek security or solutions outside of God's revealed will, perhaps by relying on my own wisdom or worldly strategies?**
* **How does my immediate response to fear, uncertainty, or perceived danger reveal the true object of my trust and the deepest loyalties of my heart?**
* **Am I truly listening to "the voice of the LORD" through diligent engagement with His Word, fervent prayer, and wise spiritual counsel, or am I prone to rationalize disobedience when it conflicts with my personal desires, comfort, or fears?**
* **What "Tahpanhes"—what perceived refuge or self-devised plan—might I be heading towards by prioritizing my own plans or anxieties over God's clear direction and promises?**

### FAQ
**What was the "voice of the LORD" that they disobeyed?**
Answer: The "voice of the LORD" refers to the explicit and unequivocal message God delivered through the prophet Jeremiah in [Jeremiah 42](/jeremiah/42 "Jeremiah 42 - Jeremiah's Message to the Remnant"). After ten days of seeking God's will, Jeremiah conveyed God's command to the remnant: they were to remain in the land of Judah, where God promised them protection, blessing, and restoration if they obeyed. Conversely, God issued a severe warning that if they went to Egypt, they would inevitably face the very sword, famine, and pestilence they feared, and would perish there. Despite this clear, divinely authoritative instruction, they chose to disregard it completely.

**Why did the remnant choose to go to Egypt despite God's warning?**
Answer: The text indicates that the remnant, particularly the "proud men" led by Johanan, did not genuinely trust God's word delivered through Jeremiah. They accused Jeremiah of speaking falsely, claiming he was influenced by Baruch to deliver a message that would lead to their demise at the hands of the Babylonians ([Jeremiah 43:2-3](/jeremiah/43-2-3 "Jeremiah 43:2-3 - The Proud Men Reject Jeremiah's Message")). Their decision was primarily driven by intense fear of Babylonian reprisal and a desperate desire for perceived safety and sustenance in Egypt. This choice reflected a deep-seated lack of faith in God's ability or willingness to protect and provide for them in Judah, demonstrating a preference for human reasoning and worldly solutions over divine command.

**What was Tahpanhes, and why is its mention significant?**
Answer: Tahpanhes (also spelled Tehaphnehes or Hanes) was an important Egyptian frontier city located in the eastern Nile Delta, likely serving as a strategic military outpost or administrative center. Its mention in [Jeremiah 43:7](/jeremiah/43-7 "Jeremiah 43:7 - Arrival in Tahpanhes") is highly significant because it was the specific destination where the disobedient remnant settled. This act directly fulfilled God's earlier warning that if they went to Egypt, He would pursue them there with judgment. Later in Jeremiah, God pronounces further judgment upon the Jews in Egypt, specifically mentioning Tahpanhes as a place where Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, would set up his throne and conquer ([Jeremiah 43:8-13](/jeremiah/43-8-13 "Jeremiah 43:8-13 - Jeremiah Prophesies Against Egypt")). Thus, their chosen refuge, intended to provide safety, ironically became a focal point for further divine judgment and Babylonian conquest.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 43:7, with its poignant narrative of human disobedience and its dire consequences, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several transformative ways. While the remnant of Judah chose to disobey the explicit "voice of the LORD" and desperately sought refuge in the fleeting, worldly strength of Egypt, Jesus Christ perfectly embodied radical, unwavering obedience to the Father's will. He did not seek His own way, worldly security, or escape from suffering, but declared, "I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but to do the will of him who sent me" ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Does the Father's Will")). Unlike the proud men who accused Jeremiah of deceit and rejected God's truth, Jesus is the faithful Prophet, the very Word of God incarnate, whose "voice" always leads to life, truth, and genuine freedom ([John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")). The people's futile journey to Tahpanhes highlights the ultimate futility of seeking refuge or salvation in anything other than God; Christ, however, is the ultimate and true refuge, the one who offers genuine safety, peace, and deliverance from the judgment of sin and the perils of a fallen world ([Psalm 46:1](/psalm/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God is Our Refuge and Strength"), [Hebrews 6:18](/hebrews/6-18 "Hebrews 6:18 - Refuge in Hope")). Their disobedience led to further exile and an escalation of judgment, but Christ's perfect obedience, even to the agonizing point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")), secured salvation, reconciliation, and true freedom for all who believe, bringing them into the promised spiritual land of God's presence and blessing, not through their own flawed efforts or worldly schemes, but through His finished, redemptive work.

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 44:1

¶ The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews which dwell in the land of Egypt, which dwell at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying,

Jeremiah 2:16

Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head.

Isaiah 30:4

For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.

Jeremiah 46:14

Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee.

Ezekiel 30:18

At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity.

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.