Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 42:14
Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:
14. we shall see no war ] We shall be in a land further from Babylon, and therefore not so liable to invasion.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Egypt had lost the battle of Carchemish, but it had not been the scene itself of military operations; while Judaea, from the date of the battle of Megiddo, had perpetually been exposed to the actual horrors of war.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
The sense of the words is obvious, they thought that their life in the land of Judah would be at best an uneasy life, where they should be continually alarmed with the noise of war; and though they could not fear the want of bread in a land that flowed with milk and honey, yet they also considered that Egypt was a very fruitful country, by the overflowing of Nilus; and the prospect of this made them quit that usual fondness which people have of their native country. From whence appears that their great sin was unbelief; they would not take the promise of God for a security to them for a quiet and peaceable abode in Judah, but would fancy noises of drums and trumpets, and fear where no fear was. The prophet saw they were resolved into Egypt they would go, to live a more certain easy life (as they fancied); he therefore tells them, that if after their sending him to God to inquire for them, and promising a compliance with his will, and hearing now what that will was, this were their resolution, he had another word from God to them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
14. where we shall see no warHerethey betray their impiety in not believing God’s promise (Jer 42:10;Jer 42:11), as if He were a liar(1Jo 5:10).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Saying, no, but we will go into the land of Egypt,…. It was all one as if they had said, no, we will not obey the voice of the Lord to continue in our own land; we are determined to go into Egypt, induced by the following reasons:
where we shall see no war; either internal, or with a foreign enemy; as both of late in their own land, and which they feared would be again; but promised themselves exemption from both in the land of Egypt, and therefore coveted to dwell there:
nor hear the sound of the trumpet; neither hear of wars nor rumours of wars; not the sound of the trumpet in the armies of the enemy, or among themselves, to gather together and prepare for battle; or, as Jarchi thinks, the sound of the trumpet blown by the watchman, giving notice to the people of the approach of an enemy:
nor have hunger of bread; as they had had while Judea was invaded and Jerusalem besieged, and a foreign army in the land; and though they had no reason to fear this now, yet they thought they should be more out of the danger of it in Egypt, a fruitful country, overflowed by the Nile:
and there will we dwell; in peace, prosperity, and safety: this was their resolution, to go and abide there; and this their confidence, that such would be their happy state.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
He adds, Saying, No; for we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall not see war, etc. here the Prophet discovers the very fountain of rebellion, namely, that they paid no regard to God’s favor. They were indeed exposed to many dangers in their own land, which produced fear and trembling, and its desolation also might have filled them with horror and weariness; but as God had declared that their safety would be cared for by him, how great and how base an ingratitude it was to deem as nothing that aid which he had freely promised! The Prophet then, in condemning their disobedience, shews at the same time the cause of it, even that unbelief led them away from rendering obedience to God. If, then, ye say, No, — this word was a proof of their obstinacy; but he adds, We shall go into Egypt, where we shall not see war, where we shall not hear the sound of the trumpet, as though, indeed, the promise of God were false or void. But the Prophet here discovers their hidden impiety, that they did not recumb on God’s promise. They promised then to themselves a peaceable life in Egypt. Was it in their power to effect this? and God, what could he do? he had declared that they would be safe and secure in the land of Canaan. It was to charge God with falsehood, to hope for rest in Egypt, and to imagine nothing but disturbances in the land where God bade them to remain in quietness.
We now then see why he says, We shall go into Egypt, where we shall not see war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor hunger for bread They promised to themselves an abundance of all blessings, for the land of Egypt was fruitful. But could not God afflict them with want? The Egyptians, we know, had also been sometimes visited with famine. We hence see why God so much condemned the design of the people as to their going into Egypt; for they entertained vain hopes, and at the same time charged God indirectly with falsehood.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(14) No; but we will go into the land of Egypt.The thoughts that were in the hearts of the applicants are stated with dramatic vividness. Egypt, then under Apries (the Pharaoh-hophra of Jer. 44:30), seemed to them so safe and peaceful. As of old, it was still the granary of the East, and its plenteous harvests formed a bright contrast to the famine which they had experienced during the invasion of the Chaldans. Jeremiah, however, has simply to reject the plan, as from first to last he had resisted altogether the thought of an Egyptian alliance (Jer. 2:36; Jer. 37:7): there would be no safety nor peace nor plenty found in acting on it. Ezekiels prophecies as to Egypt and her king were in this respect in harmony with Jeremiahs (Eze. 17:11-18; Ezekiel 29-32), and were, as nearly as possible, contemporary with them.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
JEREMIAH’S ANSWER, (B) DESTRUCTION IN EGYPT, Jer 42:13-18.
14. Egypt, no war A natural thought for the reason that in the recent troublous times the land of Egypt had been in a state of tranquillity. Egypt had indeed been defeated at Carchemish, but no battle had been fought on her own soil.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jer 42:14 Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:
Ver. 14. Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt. ] Infamous for idolatry, luxury, and the oppression of your ancestors there, besides God’s express prohibition and Deu 17:16 commination of it, as the last and greatest plague. “The Lord shall bring thee unto Egypt.” Deu 28:68
And there will we dwell.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
hunger of bread. Which they had experienced.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
we will go: Jer 41:17, Jer 43:7, Deu 29:19, Isa 30:16, Isa 31:1
nor hear: Jer 4:19, Jer 4:21, Exo 16:3, Exo 17:3, Num 11:5, Num 16:13
Reciprocal: Deu 17:16 – cause 2Ki 18:24 – thy trust 2Ki 25:26 – General Jer 46:25 – and all Lam 5:9 – General Eze 11:8 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 42:14. They professed to believe that by going into Egypt they would escape the ravages of war. They probably based this hope on the few instances of apparent friendship that Egypt had shown to them recently.