King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 42:16 Mean?

Jeremiah 42:16 in the King James Version says “Then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the fami...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 42 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die. shall follow: Heb. shall cleave after you”

Jeremiah 42:16 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

14

Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:

15

And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there;

16

Then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die. shall follow: Heb. shall cleave after you

17

So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them. So: Heb. So shall all the men be

18

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.

Read Jeremiah 42 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God warns that the sword they fear will 'overtake' them in Egypt, and the famine will 'follow close after' them. What they fear in Judah will find them in Egypt - a common biblical principle. Flight from God's will doesn't provide safety; it multiplies danger. Only obedience to God's revealed will provides genuine security, regardless of circumstances.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The remnant wanted to flee to Egypt for safety, but God warned that Babylon would conquer Egypt too (43:10-13). Their fears would follow them.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does running from God's will often lead to encountering what you most feared?
  2. What does this teach about where true security is found?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְהָיְתָ֣ה1 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הַחֶ֗רֶב2 of 22

“Then it shall come to pass that the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

אֲשֶׁ֤ר3 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אַתֶּם֙4 of 22
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יְרֵאִ֣ים5 of 22
H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

מִמֶּ֔נָּה6 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

שָׁ֛ם7 of 22
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

תַּשִּׂ֥יג8 of 22

“shall overtake”

H5381

to reach (literally or figuratively)

אֶתְכֶ֖ם9 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ10 of 22

“you there in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֖יִם11 of 22

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְהָרָעָ֞ב12 of 22

“and the famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

אֲשֶׁר13 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אַתֶּ֣ם׀14 of 22
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

דֹּאֲגִ֣ים15 of 22

“whereof ye were afraid”

H1672

be anxious

מִמֶּ֗נּוּ16 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

שָׁ֣ם17 of 22
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

יִדְבַּ֧ק18 of 22

“shall follow close”

H1692

properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit

אַחֲרֵיכֶ֛ם19 of 22

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

מִצְרַ֖יִם20 of 22

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְשָׁ֥ם21 of 22
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

תָּמֻֽתוּ׃22 of 22

“and there ye shall die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 42:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 42:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 44:27Ezekiel 11:8Amos 9:1-4John 11:48Jeremiah 42:13Deuteronomy 28:15

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Jeremiah 42 →

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