King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 42:6 Mean?

Jeremiah 42:6 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 42 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 42:6 · KJV


Context

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.

7

And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah.

8

Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces which were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The remnant pledges unconditional obedience to God's word through Jeremiah, promising to obey whether 'it be good, or whether it be evil' (meaning pleasant or difficult). This is the proper stance before God's revealed will - submission regardless of personal preference. Yet their subsequent actions prove the pledge hollow. Easy promises made in crisis often fail in execution.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This pledge is made with apparent sincerity, but verse 20 reveals 'ye dissembled in your hearts.' They wanted God to confirm their Egypt plan, not redirect it.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you ensure your pledges of obedience to God aren't merely circumstantial?
  2. What's the difference between seeking God's will and seeking His approval of your will?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
אִם1 of 22
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

ט֣וֹב2 of 22

Whether it be good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וְאִם3 of 22
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

רָ֔ע4 of 22

or whether it be evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

בְּק֖וֹל5 of 22

the voice

H6963

a voice or sound

יְהוָ֥ה6 of 22

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃7 of 22

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר8 of 22
H834

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

אֲנַ֜וּ9 of 22

to whom we

H580

we

שֹׁלְחִ֥ים10 of 22

send

H7971

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

אֹתְךָ֛11 of 22
H853

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

אֵלָ֖יו12 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נִשְׁמַ֔ע13 of 22

we will obey

H8085

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

לְמַ֙עַן֙14 of 22
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

אֲשֶׁ֣ר15 of 22
H834

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

יִֽיטַב16 of 22

thee that it may be well

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

לָ֔נוּ17 of 22
H0
כִּ֣י18 of 22
H3588

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

נִשְׁמַ֔ע19 of 22

we will obey

H8085

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

בְּק֖וֹל20 of 22

the voice

H6963

a voice or sound

יְהוָ֥ה21 of 22

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃22 of 22

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


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 42:6 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 42:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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