King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 42:20 Mean?

Jeremiah 42:20 in the King James Version says “For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 42 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it. ye dissembled: or, ye have used deceit against your souls

Jeremiah 42:20 · KJV


Context

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.

19

The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day. admonished: Heb. testified against you

20

For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it. ye dissembled: or, ye have used deceit against your souls

21

And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you.

22

Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn. to go: or, to go to sojourn


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For ye dissembled in your hearts (כִּי הִתְעֵתֶם בְּנַפְשׁוֹתֵיכֶם)—the Hebrew hit'etem means 'you deceived yourselves,' from the root ta'ah (תָּעָה), to wander or err. Not merely lying to Jeremiah but self-deception—they believed their own false piety. When ye sent me unto the LORD your God—note the distance: 'your God,' not 'our God,' subtly distancing themselves from covenant accountability while using religious language.

Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it—quoting their earlier vow (v. 5-6) highlights the duplicity. They swore absolute obedience, even calling down covenant curses: 'The LORD be a true and faithful witness' (v. 5). Yet they had already decided to flee to Egypt (43:2-3), making their inquiry theatrical—seeking prophetic endorsement, not divine guidance. Their sin wasn't disobeying after honest inquiry but dishonest inquiry masking predetermined rebellion.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This confrontation occurred after Jerusalem's fall (586 BC) and Gedaliah's assassination (41:1-3), when the remnant feared Babylonian retaliation. They approached Jeremiah seeking God's will (42:1-3), waited ten days for His answer (42:7), but rejected it when it contradicted their plan to flee to Egypt. This represents covenant community's final rebellion before Jeremiah's forced exile to Egypt.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you sought God's will while already knowing what you wanted, making prayer a formality rather than genuine submission?
  2. What's the difference between changing your mind after honest prayer and self-deception that pretends to seek God's guidance?
  3. How does using religious language ('pray for us,' 'we will obey') mask rather than express genuine faith commitment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
כִּ֣י1 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִתְעֵתיֶם֮2 of 25

For ye dissembled

H8582

to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both

בְּנַפְשֽׁוֹתֵיכֶם֒3 of 25

in your hearts

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

כִּֽי4 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אַתֶּ֞ם5 of 25
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

שְׁלַחְתֶּ֣ם6 of 25

when ye sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֹתִ֗י7 of 25
H853

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

אֶל8 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֧ה9 of 25

and according unto all that the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ10 of 25

our God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יֹאמַ֜ר11 of 25

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל12 of 25

Pray

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

בַּעֲדֵ֔נוּ13 of 25
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

אֶל14 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֧ה15 of 25

and according unto all that the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ16 of 25

our God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וּכְכֹל֩17 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר18 of 25
H834

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

יֹאמַ֜ר19 of 25

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֧ה20 of 25

and according unto all that the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ21 of 25

our God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

כֵּ֥ן22 of 25
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

הַגֶּד23 of 25

so declare

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לָ֖נוּ24 of 25
H0
וְעָשִֽׂינוּ׃25 of 25

unto us and we will do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application


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 42:20 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 42:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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