King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 42:4 Mean?

Jeremiah 42:4 in the King James Version says “Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 42 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you.”

Jeremiah 42:4 · KJV

Prayer

Context

2

And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) Let: or, Let our supplication fall before thee

3

That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.

4

Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you.

5

Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.

6

Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.

Read Jeremiah 42 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jeremiah's response—'Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you'—demonstrates faithful prophetic ministry. The acknowledgment 'I have heard you' validates their request before establishing prophetic terms. His commitment to pray 'unto the LORD your God' notably uses 'your God' (matching their language from v.2) rather than 'my God,' subtly challenging their distancing language by throwing it back to them—God is their God whether they claim Him or not. The phrase 'according to your words' commits to seeking God's will on the matters they raised. Jeremiah's promise—'whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare it unto you'—establishes complete transparency: whatever God says, favorable or not, will be communicated. The emphatic conclusion 'I will keep nothing back from you' preemptively addresses any suspicion that Jeremiah might soften or alter God's message. This reflects authentic prophetic ministry: seeking God's word honestly, reporting it faithfully regardless of reception, holding nothing back despite potential cost. Jeremiah's integrity contrasts with false prophets who told people what they wanted to hear (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11, 23:16-17).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah's promise of complete transparency in communicating God's word stood in stark contrast to false prophetic practice. Throughout his 40+ year ministry, Jeremiah consistently delivered unwelcome messages that brought persecution, imprisonment, and attempts on his life (Jeremiah 20:1-2, 26:7-11, 37:11-38:6). His track record of speaking hard truths validated his credibility. The phrase 'I will keep nothing back' echoed prophetic commitment seen in figures like Samuel (1 Samuel 3:17-18), Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1-14), and Elijah (1 Kings 18:17-18, 21:17-24). Ancient Near Eastern court prophets often told rulers what they wanted to hear, making honest prophets like Micaiah (1 Kings 22:14-28) rare and often persecuted. Jeremiah's commitment to full disclosure regardless of consequences demonstrated covenant faithfulness. The ten-day waiting period (v.7) before God's answer came suggests either God testing the people's patience and sincerity or Jeremiah needing time to receive clear prophetic revelation. That the community waited ten days before receiving God's word contrasts with their immediate impulse to flee; genuine seeking of divine will requires patience, not hasty decision-making based on fear.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jeremiah's commitment to speak everything God reveals, regardless of palatability, model authentic ministry versus people-pleasing leadership?
  2. What does the ten-day waiting period teach about patience in seeking God's will versus making hasty decisions based on circumstances?
  3. In what ways are believers tempted to soften or selectively communicate God's word to avoid offense or rejection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 24

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם2 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יִרְמְיָ֤הוּ3 of 24

“Then Jeremiah”

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

הַנָּבִיא֙4 of 24

“the prophet”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

שָׁמַ֔עְתִּי5 of 24

“unto them I have heard”

H8085

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

הִנְנִ֧י6 of 24
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מִתְפַּלֵּ֛ל7 of 24

“you behold I will pray”

H6419

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

אֶל8 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֤ה9 of 24

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם10 of 24

“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

דָּבָֽר׃11 of 24

“according to your words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

וְֽהָיָ֡ה12 of 24
H1961

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

כָּֽל13 of 24
H3605

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

דָּבָֽר׃14 of 24

“according to your words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁר15 of 24
H834

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

יַעֲנֶ֨ה16 of 24

“shall answer”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

יְהוָ֤ה17 of 24

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶתְכֶם֙18 of 24
H853

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

אַגִּ֣יד19 of 24

“you I will 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

לָכֶ֔ם20 of 24
H0
לֹֽא21 of 24
H3808

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

אֶמְנַ֥ע22 of 24

“back”

H4513

to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury

מִכֶּ֖ם23 of 24
H4480

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

דָּבָֽר׃24 of 24

“according to your words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

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 42:4 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 42:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 8:29Psalms 40:101 Samuel 12:231 Samuel 3:17-18Jeremiah 23:28Acts 20:20

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