King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 42:21 Mean?

Jeremiah 42:21 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 42 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 42:21 · KJV

Context

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

Read Jeremiah 42 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And now I have this day declared it to you (וַאַגִּד לָכֶם הַיּוֹם)—emphasis on temporal precision: 'this very day' (הַיּוֹם, hayom) eliminates excuse of ignorance. The verb nagad (נָגַד, declare/report) stresses prophetic faithfulness—Jeremiah discharged his duty fully. But ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God (וְלֹא שְׁמַעְתֶּם בְּקוֹל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם)—again 'your God,' emphasizing their covenant responsibility.

Nor any thing for the which He hath sent me unto you (וּלְכֹל אֲשֶׁר שְׁלָחַנִי אֲלֵיכֶם)—comprehensive disobedience, rejecting not peripheral details but core divine command (stay in the land, vv. 10-12). The phrase 'sent me' (shelachani, שְׁלָחַנִי) grounds Jeremiah's authority in prophetic commission. Deuteronomy 18:18-19 warned: whoever doesn't listen to God's prophet will be held accountable. They face not mere political miscalculation but covenant rebellion.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The remnant's disobedience fulfilled Jeremiah's earlier prophecy that the people would refuse to listen (7:27, 25:3-7). Their rejection mirrors Israel's consistent pattern—demanding prophetic word, then rejecting it when it contradicts their will (1 Kings 22:8, Isaiah 30:10, Amos 7:10-17). This final rebellion precipitates the community's last judgment: forced exile to Egypt, dying there by sword and famine (44:12-14).

Reflection Questions

  1. What's the accountability difference between ignorance of God's will and knowing but disobeying?
  2. How do we sometimes seek prophetic/pastoral counsel not for guidance but for validation of predetermined decisions?
  3. When has God's clear answer to prayer been the opposite of what you hoped—how did you respond?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וָאַגִּ֥ד1 of 12

“declared”

H5046

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

לָכֶ֖ם2 of 12
H0
הַיּ֑וֹם3 of 12

“And now I have this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וְלֹ֣א4 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שְׁמַעְתֶּ֗ם5 of 12

“it to you but ye have not obeyed”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּקוֹל֙6 of 12

“the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

יְהוָ֣ה7 of 12

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם8 of 12

“your 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

וּלְכֹ֖ל9 of 12
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר10 of 12
H834

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

שְׁלָחַ֥נִי11 of 12

“nor any thing for the which he hath sent”

H7971

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

אֲלֵיכֶֽם׃12 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

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 42:21 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 42:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 2:7Zechariah 7:11-12Acts 20:26-27Jeremiah 7:24-27Deuteronomy 11:26-27Deuteronomy 29:19

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