Bible Strands
Jeremiah 42:19
The LORD has told you, O remnant of Judah, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Know for sure that I have warned you today!
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God addresses the surviving remnant of Judah through Jeremiah immediately after they requested prophetic guidance on fleeing to Egypt. The command follows a direct warning of poured-out wrath and the remnant's verbal promise to obey whatever God declares.
The words — The Hebrew דִּבֶּר (dibber) means "he has spoken," marking this as a definitive divine declaration. The command אַל־תָּבֹאוּ (al-tavo'u) literally translates to "do not go," specifically prohibiting entry into מִצְרַיִם (Mitzrayim), Egypt.
The thread — This prohibition mirrors Deuteronomy 17:16's restriction against sending the people back to Egypt for military resources. It intersects with Isaiah 30:1's rebuke of rebellious children executing plans independent of God and Nehemiah 9:26's account of Israel rejecting prophetic instruction.
Why it lands — The text requires immediate compliance with an explicit divine command rather than continued negotiation or self-deception. It demands that readers treat God's direct instruction as final, rejecting alternative strategies when obedience has already been promised.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 17:16 But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’
- Isaiah 30:1 “Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin.
- Nehemiah 9:26 But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.
- Nehemiah 9:29 You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They turned a stubborn shoulder; they stiffened their necks and would not obey.
- Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.
- Ezekiel 17:15 But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’
- Deuteronomy 31:21 And when many troubles and afflictions have come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants. For I know their inclination, even before I bring them into the land that I swore to give them.”
- 2 Chronicles 24:19 Nevertheless, the LORD sent prophets to bring the people back to Him and to testify against them, but they would not listen.
- Jeremiah 38:21 But if you refuse to surrender, this is the word that the LORD has shown me:
- Ezekiel 2:5 And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.