Bible Strands
Jeremiah 42:11
Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear; do not be afraid of him, declares the LORD, for I am with you to save you and deliver you from him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God speaks through Jeremiah to the remnant of Judah who have fled to Egypt and now ask him to intercede for them. The promise is conditional, hinging on their return to Judah (42:10).
The words — The root y-r-a appears twice in different forms: the imperative תִּירְאוּ (tîrə'û, "do not fear") commands, while the participle יְרֵאִים (yərê'îm, "you are afraid") merely observes. God names their fear as fact before issuing the command to release it.
The thread — The formula "Do not be afraid, for I am with you to deliver you" is nearly verbatim from Jeremiah 1:8, given to the young Jeremiah at the start of his calling. The "I am with you" thread runs through Isaiah 43:2 and into Romans 8:31.
Why it lands — The promise is not abstract; it names a specific king and a specific fear, then ties divine presence to a concrete act of deliverance. The reader is asked to weigh whether God's stated presence outweighs the visible threat, in a situation where the required response is to return to a land under siege.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the Lord: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.
Cross-references
- Romans 8:31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
- Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.
- Jeremiah 1:8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.
- Jeremiah 1:19 They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 32:7 “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him.
- Isaiah 43:5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east and gather you from the west.
- Numbers 14:9 Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be like bread for us. Their protection has been removed, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!”
- Deuteronomy 20:4 For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”
- Joshua 1:5 No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
- Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”