King James Version
What Does Jeremiah 43:4 Mean?
“So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Judah.”
Jeremiah 43:4 · KJV
Context
2
Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:
3
But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon.
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So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Judah.
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But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah;
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Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentarySo Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD—The verse's structure emphasizes comprehensive rebellion. Johanan, who had initially seemed faithful (warning Gedaliah of Ishmael's plot, 40:13-16; rescuing captives, 41:11-16), now leads mass apostasy. All the captains and all the people unite in disobedience—there is no faithful remnant within the remnant.
The phrase obeyed not the voice of the LORD uses lo shama (לֹא שָׁמַע), meaning they did not hear/hearken/obey. The verb shama (שָׁמַע) means both to hear and to obey—hearing that leads to action. They audibly heard Jeremiah's prophecy (43:1) but refused to shama in the full covenantal sense. This echoes Israel's persistent rebellion: 'they have not hearkened to my words' (Jeremiah 6:19, 7:24, 13:10, 16:12, 25:3-7, 35:14-16, 44:16).
The specific disobedience follows: refusing to dwell in the land of Judah (lashevet be'eretz Yehudah, לָשֶׁבֶת בְּאֶרֶץ יְהוּדָה). God had commanded them to remain in the covenant land under His protection (42:10-12), promising blessing for obedience. By abandoning Judah for Egypt, they rejected both God's command and His protective promise. This parallels the wilderness generation who refused to enter Canaan despite divine command (Numbers 14), bringing forty years of judgment.
The phrase obeyed not the voice of the LORD uses lo shama (לֹא שָׁמַע), meaning they did not hear/hearken/obey. The verb shama (שָׁמַע) means both to hear and to obey—hearing that leads to action. They audibly heard Jeremiah's prophecy (43:1) but refused to shama in the full covenantal sense. This echoes Israel's persistent rebellion: 'they have not hearkened to my words' (Jeremiah 6:19, 7:24, 13:10, 16:12, 25:3-7, 35:14-16, 44:16).
The specific disobedience follows: refusing to dwell in the land of Judah (lashevet be'eretz Yehudah, לָשֶׁבֶת בְּאֶרֶץ יְהוּדָה). God had commanded them to remain in the covenant land under His protection (42:10-12), promising blessing for obedience. By abandoning Judah for Egypt, they rejected both God's command and His protective promise. This parallels the wilderness generation who refused to enter Canaan despite divine command (Numbers 14), bringing forty years of judgment.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Johanan son of Kareah had appeared as a heroic figure—warning Gedaliah of Ishmael's assassination plot, rescuing the captives Ishmael took from Mizpah, and apparently seeking God's will through Jeremiah (42:1-3). Yet when God's answer contradicted his predetermined plan, he rejected it. This demonstrates that initial religious appearances and even genuine past faithfulness do not guarantee continued obedience. The 'captains of the forces' were military leaders of the Judean remnant, who should have trusted God's protection but instead trusted Egypt's military power. Archaeological evidence shows the Judean settlements in Egypt (including Tahpanhes, where they settled, 43:7) became centers of syncretistic worship, vindicating Jeremiah's warnings. The community eventually disappeared from history, while the Babylonian exiles who obeyed God's earlier word through Jeremiah returned to rebuild Jerusalem.
Reflection Questions
- How can someone who initially appears faithful (like Johanan) end in disobedience, and what warning does this provide?
- What does it mean to 'hear' God's word without obeying it, and how does this differ from true biblical hearing (<em>shama</em>)?
- In what ways might we abandon the place of God's calling when we face fear or difficulty?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 15 wordsוְלֹֽא1 of 15
H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמַע֩2 of 15
“obeyed”
H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בֶּן4 of 15
“the son”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְכָל6 of 15
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַחֲיָלִ֛ים8 of 15
“of the forces”
H2428probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
וְכָל9 of 15
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֖ם10 of 15
“and all the people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יְהוָ֑ה12 of 15
“of the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לָשֶׁ֖בֶת13 of 15
“to dwell”
H3427properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
יְהוּדָֽה׃15 of 15
“of Judah”
H3063jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
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 43:4 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 43:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge