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Text -- Jeremiah 42:1-3 (NET)

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Context
The Survivors Ask the Lord for Advice but Refuse to Follow It
42:1 Then all the army officers, including Johanan son of Kareah and Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah and all the people of every class, went to the prophet Jeremiah. 42:2 They said to him, “Please grant our request and pray to the Lord your God for all those of us who are still left alive here. For, as you yourself can see, there are only a few of us left out of the many there were before. 42:3 Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.”
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · Hoshaiah a leader who helped dedicate Nehemiah's wall,father of Azariah, a commander under Gedaliah
 · Jeremiah a prophet of Judah in 627 B.C., who wrote the book of Jeremiah,a man of Libnah; father of Hamutal, mother of Jehoahaz, king of Judah,head of an important clan in eastern Manasseh in the time of Jotham,a Benjamite man who defected to David at Ziklag,the fifth of Saul's Gadite officers who defected to David in the wilderness,the tenth of Saul's Gadite officers who defected to David in the wilderness,a man from Anathoth of Benjamin; son of Hilkiah the priest; a major prophet in the time of the exile,an influential priest who returned from exile with Zerubbabel, who later signed the covenant to obey the law, and who helped dedicate Nehemiah's wall,one of Saul's Gadite officers who defected to David in the wilderness
 · Johanan son of Kareah; a militia leader who rallied to Gedaliah,son of King Josiah,son of Eli-O-Enai, a descendant of Hananiah, Zerubbabel and David,a high priest; son of Azariah I,a Benjamite man who defected to David at Ziklag,Gadite officer who defected to David in the wilderness,a man of Ephraim; father of Azariah, who opposed Israel's taking Judeans captive,son of Hakkatan; head of a family group descended from Azgad who returned from exile,a Levite leader during the time of Nehemiah,son of Eliashib; a chief priest
 · Kareah father of Johanan, a militia leader in the time of Gedaliah


Dictionary Themes and Topics: Seekers | SALVATION | Remnant | KAREAH | Johanan | Jerusalem | Jeremiah | Jaazaniah | Jaaz-aniah | JEZANIAH | Intercession | Hypocrisy | Hoshaiah | BARUCH, BOOK OF | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

JFB: Jer 42:2 - -- He probably was one of the number carried off from Mizpah, and dwelt with Johanan (Jer 41:16). Hence the expression is, "came near" (Jer 42:1), not "s...

He probably was one of the number carried off from Mizpah, and dwelt with Johanan (Jer 41:16). Hence the expression is, "came near" (Jer 42:1), not "sent."

JFB: Jer 42:2 - -- Literally, "fall" (see on Jer 36:7; Jer 37:20).

Literally, "fall" (see on Jer 36:7; Jer 37:20).

JFB: Jer 42:2 - -- (Gen 20:7; Isa 37:4; Jam 5:16).

JFB: Jer 42:2 - -- (Jer 42:5). The Jews use this form to express their belief in the peculiar relation in which Jeremiah stood to God as His accredited prophet. Jeremia...

(Jer 42:5). The Jews use this form to express their belief in the peculiar relation in which Jeremiah stood to God as His accredited prophet. Jeremiah in his reply reminds them that God is their God ("your God") as well as his as being the covenant people (Jer 42:4). They in turn acknowledge this in Jer 42:6, "the Lord our God."

JFB: Jer 42:2 - -- As had been foretold (Lev 26:22).

As had been foretold (Lev 26:22).

JFB: Jer 42:3 - -- They consulted God, like many, not so much to know what was right, as wishing Him to authorize what they had already determined on, whether agreeable ...

They consulted God, like many, not so much to know what was right, as wishing Him to authorize what they had already determined on, whether agreeable to His will or not. So Ahab in consulting Micaiah (1Ki 22:13). Compare Jeremiah's answer (Jer 42:4) with Micaiah's (1Ki 22:14).

Clarke: Jer 42:1 - -- The captains of the forces - The different leaders of the small bands or companies, collected from different parts of the land. The principal are th...

The captains of the forces - The different leaders of the small bands or companies, collected from different parts of the land. The principal are those here named.

Clarke: Jer 42:3 - -- That the Lord thy God may show us - They all thought there was no safety in Jerusalem or in Judea, and therefore determined to leave the land: but t...

That the Lord thy God may show us - They all thought there was no safety in Jerusalem or in Judea, and therefore determined to leave the land: but they did not know which might be the safest direction to take; for though they inclined to Egypt, yet they wished to know the mind of God on that point.

Calvin: Jer 42:1 - -- I have said that John, and his associates, and the whole people acted much more culpably by coming to the Prophet, than if they had not done so, and ...

I have said that John, and his associates, and the whole people acted much more culpably by coming to the Prophet, than if they had not done so, and had gone directly to Egypt: for they either came dissemblingly, and thus designedly spoke what was false, or they were extremely stupid, and hypocrisy had wholly deprived them of their understanding. They came to the Prophet to ask counsel; nay, that he might be to them God’s interpreter, and that thus they might know what to do; and they promised to obey, as we shall hereafter see. However this may have been, they sought an oracle in which it was their duty to acquiesce, except they resolved openly to shake off the yoke and to show themselves to be gross and profane despisers of God. They came to the Prophet, when yet it was their fixed purpose, as we shall see, to go to Egypt.

He who asks counsel, ought first to see that he bring no prejudice, but be free and honest: but it is, however, a fault too common, that men deliberate and ask counsel, when they have already settled what to do; nay, nothing is more common than this; for those who consult do not, for the most part, wish to learn what is right, but that others should fall in with their own inclinations. He who has resolved on this or that point, pretends that he is in doubt, and held in suspense; he asks what ought to be done: if the answer be according to his wishes, he embraces what is said; but if he who is consulted, disapproves of what he has already resolved to do, he rejects the counsel given. Such was the dissimulation described by the Prophet, when the leaders of the forces and the whole people came to him.

He mentions, first, the leaders of the forces, and then John the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshiah He adds these two last; but it was to give them honor, as when the angel said,

“Go and tell his disciples and Peter.” (Mar 16:7)

He did not put aside Peter, as though he was inferior to all the rest; but for the sake of honor he mentions his name, after having spoken generally of them all. So also here, the Prophet names generally the leaders, but as John the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah were the chief men, he expressly gives their names. He adds, the whole people, from the least to the greatest This does not refer to age; but what he means is, that all, of every grade, came with one consent to Jeremiah. It was not then the conspiring of a few men, but all from the least to the greatest had resolved to go to Egypt; and yet they came, as though with an honest purpose, to the Prophet; wherefore? They wished their own perverse design to be approved by God, and thus to subject God to their own will and humor; for they did not suffer themselves to be ruled by his Spirit, but audaciously disregarded his word. The Prophet then shews that they were all implicated in the same sin.

Calvin: Jer 42:2 - -- It is added, that they said, as though they were ready to obey, Let our prayer fall before thee. This, as we have said, when addressed to God, is...

It is added, that they said, as though they were ready to obey, Let our prayer fall before thee. This, as we have said, when addressed to God, is an evidence of humility; but it is applied here to man; and when the Hebrews make a humble request, they say, “Let my prayer fall before thee,” that is, Hear what I suppliantly and humbly ask. Pray, they said, to Jehovah thy God for us They called him the God of Jeremiah, not that they intended to exempt themselves from his authority; they did not mean that they were alienated from God; but in this way they extolled Jeremiah, and acknowledged him to be God’s true and lawful Prophet. In short, this saying refers to the prophetic office, as though they had said, that Jeremiah had hitherto confirmed his vocation, so that it was clearly evident that he had been sent from above.

We hence see why they called Jehovah the God of Jeremiah, not as though they had rejected God, and as though he was not their God in common with Jeremiah, but they allowed that the Prophet possessed a higher honor, and that his faithfulness and integrity were beyond controversy.

But this admission justly recoiled on their own head; for if Jeremiah was God’s Prophet, why did they not instantly obey him, after knowing that what he faithfully told them he had received from God? and why did they insolently and ferociously resist him and accuse him of falsehood? Their own admission then was not sincere, but a fallacious flattery, as is the case with all hypocrites, who never speak in sincerity and truth.

They afterwards added, Pray for all this remnant, for we are left, a few from many This they added to produce pity, in order that they might more easily obtain from Jeremiah what they asked; nor was that difficult; but as they felt conscious of wrong, they sought the favor of the Prophet by flatteries, Had they asked him without disguise, they knew that he was of himself disposed to seek the well being of the people; but as they were of a double mind, they set before him their miserable state, which might; have roused the Prophet still more to make intercession to God for them. And for this reason they added, as thine eyes see us And they set before him this sad spectacle, to create sympathy in the Prophet. And it then follows, And may Jehovah thy God shew us the way in which we are to walk. They now explained more clearly why they wished prayer to be made for them, even that God might answer and shew what he wished them to do.

Calvin: Jer 42:3 - -- They came then, as it has been stated, as though they were ready to obey; and then they professed humility, because they did not wish to do anything ...

They came then, as it has been stated, as though they were ready to obey; and then they professed humility, because they did not wish to do anything rashly, but only to follow where God called them. Had they spoken from the heart, it would have been a rare virtue thus to-have fled in perplexities to God, and to have allowed themselves to be ruled by his word; but we shall see that it was all a pre-tence. We have then here set before us the hypocrisy of that people, so that we may learn that whenever we ask what pleases God, we should bring a pure and sincere heart, so that nothing may prevent or hinder us immediately to embrace whatever God may command us. But their hypocrisy is discovered to have been still baser, when the Prophet adds,

TSK: Jer 42:1 - -- all the : Jer 42:8, Jer 40:8, Jer 40:13, Jer 41:11, Jer 41:16, Jer 43:4, Jer 43:5 Jezaniah : 2Ki 25:23; Eze 8:11, Eze 11:1, Jaazaniah from : Jer 42:8,...

TSK: Jer 42:2 - -- be accepted before thee : Heb. fall before thee, Jer 36:7, Jer 37:20 *marg. and pray : Jer 17:15, Jer 17:16, Jer 21:2, Jer 37:3; Exo 8:28, Exo 9:28; 1...

TSK: Jer 42:3 - -- Jer 6:16; Deu 5:26, Deu 5:29; 1Ki 8:36; Ezr 8:21; Psa 25:4, Psa 25:5, Psa 27:11, Psa 86:11; Psa 143:8-10; Pro 3:6; Isa 2:3; Mic 4:2; Mar 12:13, Mar 12...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Jer 42:1 - -- Among those delivered by Johanan from Ishmael had been Jeremiah and Baruch Jer 43:6; and to them now all, without exception, come for counsel. ...

Among those delivered by Johanan from Ishmael had been Jeremiah and Baruch Jer 43:6; and to them now all, without exception, come for counsel.

Jezaniah - He is called Azariah in Jer 43:2. The Septuagint, in both places, call him Azariah. Since there is little reason for identifying him with Jezaniah the Maachathite Jer 40:8, it is probable that the Septuagint is right in calling him in both places Azariah, and that the reading Jezaniah arose from some scribe assuming that his name must be found in the earlier list.

Poole: Jer 42:2 - -- These men (though wretched hypocrites) yet come to the prophet with great respect and reverence, first desiring that he would allow them to make the...

These men (though wretched hypocrites) yet come to the prophet with great respect and reverence, first desiring that he would allow them to make their request to him: probably the evidence they had had so lately of his being a prophet of the Lord, by the fulfilling of all that he had foretold against both the city and the temple, might in some measure occasion this. Their request was, that he would put up his prayer to God for the remnant, for now there was but a small remnant of Jews left, a few of many.

Poole: Jer 42:3 - -- The thing they would have him pray to God for, was direction what they should do in this desolate state into which God had brought them. What could ...

The thing they would have him pray to God for, was direction what they should do in this desolate state into which God had brought them. What could be more pious? a practice founded upon a Divine precept, and encouraged by a promise, Pro 3:6 , Acknowledge him in all thy ways, and he shall direct thy steps . But we may well apply here what God had said to their forefathers, Deu 5:29 , when they had so freely promised their obedience to the law of God, Oh that there were such an heart in them, &c.

Haydock: Jer 42:2 - -- Pray; consult, ver. 4., and chap. xxxvii. 3. (Haydock) --- Few; comparatively, though there was a great number, chap. xliii. 5.

Pray; consult, ver. 4., and chap. xxxvii. 3. (Haydock) ---

Few; comparatively, though there was a great number, chap. xliii. 5.

Gill: Jer 42:1 - -- Then all the captains of the forces,.... Having taken up their residence at the habitation of Chimham, in their way to Egypt, where they were desirous...

Then all the captains of the forces,.... Having taken up their residence at the habitation of Chimham, in their way to Egypt, where they were desirous of going, and being afraid of the Chaldeans, as they pretended:

and Johanan the son of Kareah; or, "even Johanan" s; especially and particularly he, the principal captain and chief spokesman in this affair:

and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah; said to be the son of a Maachathite, Jer 40:8;

and all the people from the least even unto the greatest: a phrase expressive of the universality of them in the strongest terms:

came near; that is, to Jeremiah; who either was at Mizpah when Gedaliah was slain, but preserved by the Lord; and though carried captive by Ishmael with the rest, was rescued by Johanan; and now along with him: or rather after he had been with Gedaliah at Mizpah, and made a short stay there, he went to Anathoth, and there abode till now; and when Johanan took those that were left at Mizpah, he gathered together all the rest of the Jews in different places to him, in order to go to Egypt, and among the rest the Prophet Jeremiah; for it can hardly be thought, had he been at Mizpah when Ishmael was there, he would have escaped without a miracle.

Gill: Jer 42:2 - -- And said unto Jeremiah the prophet,.... That is, some one of them, as the mouth of the whole body, very probably Johanan: let, we beseech thee, our...

And said unto Jeremiah the prophet,.... That is, some one of them, as the mouth of the whole body, very probably Johanan:

let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee; they treat the prophet with great respect, and are very humble and submissive, as if they were very hearty and sincere in their request:

and pray for us unto the Lord thy God; as if they were conscious of their own inability to pray for themselves, and of their unworthiness to call God their God; and as if they had a high opinion of, he prophet, as having an interest in God, and great power with him in prayer, whom he could not well deny anything:

even for all this remnant; this poor remnant, this handful of people, left of the sword, famine, and pestilence, left in the land by the Chaldeans, and who had escaped the cruelty of Ishmael; and for whom it might be hoped the Lord would still have a regard, since he had so mercifully and wonderfully preserved them:

for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us; the number of the people had been very large, but by the judgments of the sword, famine, and pestilence, and captivity, they were greatly reduced; here was their whole number before the prophet; his eyes beheld them, and the condition they were in: this they said to move his compassion, and very likely to suggest to him how improbable it was that they should ever be able to continue in their own land; but that it would be better to put themselves under the protection of a neighbouring nation, Egypt, whither they were inclined to go; and hoped to have a word from the Lord by the prophet, to direct them thither.

Gill: Jer 42:3 - -- That the Lord thy God may show us the way wherein we may walk,.... Not the way of their duty as to religious worship, or their moral conversation, whi...

That the Lord thy God may show us the way wherein we may walk,.... Not the way of their duty as to religious worship, or their moral conversation, which was the way of God's commandments, and had been shown them, and they knew it; but which way they should steer their course for their safety; they had departed from Mizpah of themselves, and had taken up their dwelling at Geruthchimham, in the way to Egypt; whither they had set their faces, and where their hearts were, only they wanted the Lord's sanction for it, pretending they would be directed by him:

and the thing that we should do; the steps they should take in order to proceed; and what they should do before they left their own country, and went into another.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Jer 42:1 Or “without distinction,” or “All the people from the least important to the most important”; Heb “from the least to the...

NET Notes: Jer 42:2 Heb “For we are left a few from the many as your eyes are seeing us.” The words “used to be” are not in the text but are impli...

Geneva Bible: Jer 42:3 That the LORD thy God may show us the way in which we may walk, and the thing that we may ( a ) do. ( a ) This declares the nature of hypocrites who ...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Jer 42:1-22 - --1 Johanan desires Jeremiah to enquire of God, promising obedience to his will.7 Jeremiah assures him of safety in Judea;13 and destruction in Egypt.19...

MHCC: Jer 42:1-6 - --To serve a turn, Jeremiah is sought out, and the captains ask for his assistance. In every difficult, doubtful case, we must look to God for direction...

Matthew Henry: Jer 42:1-6 - -- We have reason to wonder how Jeremiah the prophet escaped the sword of Ishmael; it seems he did escape, and it was not the first time that the Lord ...

Keil-Delitzsch: Jer 42:1-6 - -- "And there drew near all the captains, namely, Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people, from little to grea...

Constable: Jer 2:1--45:5 - --II. Prophecies about Judah chs. 2--45 The first series of prophetic announcements, reflections, and incidents th...

Constable: Jer 34:1--45:5 - --D. Incidents surrounding the fall of Jerusalem chs. 34-45 The Book of Consolation contained messages of ...

Constable: Jer 40:1--45:5 - --3. Incidents after the fall of Jerusalem chs. 40-45 One of the important theological lessons of ...

Constable: Jer 42:1--43:8 - --The remnant's flight to Egypt 42:1-43:7 This chapter continues the narrative begun at 41:4. The remnant leaders asked Jeremiah to obtain the Lord's wo...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) JEREMIAH, son of Hilkiah, one of the ordinary priests, dwelling in Anathoth of Benjamin (Jer 1:1), not the Hilkiah the high priest who discovered the ...

JFB: Jeremiah (Outline) EXPOSTULATION WITH THE JEWS, REMINDING THEM OF THEIR FORMER DEVOTEDNESS, AND GOD'S CONSEQUENT FAVOR, AND A DENUNCIATION OF GOD'S COMING JUDGMENTS FOR...

TSK: Jeremiah 42 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Jer 42:1, Johanan desires Jeremiah to enquire of God, promising obedience to his will; Jer 42:7, Jeremiah assures him of safety in Judea;...

Poole: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH THE ARGUMENT IT was the great unhappiness of this prophet to be a physician to, but that could not save, a dying sta...

Poole: Jeremiah 42 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 42 Johanan and the people desire Jeremiah to inquire of God, promising obedience to his will, Jer 42:1-6 . Jeremiah assureth them of safety...

MHCC: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) Jeremiah was a priest, a native of Anathoth, in the tribe of Benjamin. He was called to the prophetic office when very young, about seventy years afte...

MHCC: Jeremiah 42 (Chapter Introduction) (Jer 42:1-6) Johanan desires Jeremiah to ask counsel of God. (v. 7-22) They are assured of safety in Judea, but of destruction in Egypt.

Matthew Henry: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah The Prophecies of the Old Testament, as the Epistles of the New, are p...

Matthew Henry: Jeremiah 42 (Chapter Introduction) Johanan and the captains being strongly bent upon going into Egypt, either their affections or politics advising them to take that course, they had...

Constable: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title of this book derives from its writer, the late seventh an...

Constable: Jeremiah (Outline) Outline I. Introduction ch. 1 A. The introduction of Jeremiah 1:1-3 B. T...

Constable: Jeremiah Jeremiah Bibliography Aharoni, Yohanan, and Michael Avi-Yonah. The Macmillan Bible Atlas. Revised ed. London: C...

Haydock: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) THE PROPHECY OF JEREMIAS. INTRODUCTION. Jeremias was a priest, a native of Anathoth, a priestly city, in the tribe of Benjamin, and was sanct...

Gill: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH The title of the book in the Vulgate Latin version is, "the Prophecy of Jeremiah"; in the Syriac and Arabic versions, "the...

Gill: Jeremiah 42 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 42 This chapter contains a request of the Jews to Jeremiah, to pray to the Lord for them to direct them, and the Lord's an...

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