Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 42:22

Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go [and] to sojourn.

Verse 22. Now therefore know certainly] As ye have determined to disobey, God has determined to punish. Ye may now follow the full bent of your wicked devices, and I will follow the requisitions of my justice. Ye shall die by the sword, by the pestilence, and by the famine, in the place whither ye desire to go to sojourn. Thus was their doom sealed.

With such dispositions and with such rebellion of heart, it is strange that they should put themselves to any trouble to inquire of the Lord relative to their future operations. They did not intend to obey; but as a matter of curiosity they would inquire to hear what the prophet might say; and if according to their own inclination, they would obey.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

The prophet ascertaineth that doom unto them which, Jer 42:15-17, he had threatened them with, in case they were resolved to go into Egypt. We must expect nothing but utmost disappointments upon actions done in disobedience to the revealed will of God: you think to avoid death by going thither for a little time to sojourn, but you shall die there, and that by those very deaths which by going thither you seek to avoid,

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

22. sojournfor a time,until they could return to their country. They expected, therefore,to be restored, in spite of God’s prediction to the contrary.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Now therefore know certainly,…. Or, “in knowing know” d; they might assure themselves of this, that it would certainly come to pass, and most justly and deservedly; since it was at their own request the prophet sought the mind of the Lord for them, and had faithfully related it to them, and they had promised to observe it; wherefore, should they go into Egypt, as their inclination scented to be entirely that way, they must expect what follows:

that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence; by one or other of these, or all of them; some by one, and some by another, as before threatened; evils they thought to escape by going thither, but which should surely follow them, and overtake them:

in the place whither ye desire to go [and] to sojourn; that is, in Egypt, to which they had a strong inclination, where they greatly desired to be, pleased themselves with the thoughts of, and which they chose of their own will and pleasure for their habitation.

d “sciendo scietis”, Schmidt; “sciendo sciatis”, Pagninus, Montanus.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

The Prophet at length concludes his discourse, after having mentioned the reasons why God would deal so severely with them, even because their perfidy, impiety, ingratitude, and obstinate contempt were unsufferable. After having then shewn that they had no reason to expostulate as though God were extremely rigid, he at length declares what end awaited them, even that they should die by the sword, famine, or pestilence, that is, that there would be no hope of safety to them, because if they escaped from the sword, they should be beset with famine, and if they evaded the famine, they should be destroyed by pestilence. It is a common mode of speaking with the Prophets, as it is well known, that when they intimate that the ungodly in vain hope for impunity, they represent God as having at his command all kinds of punishment.

Ye shall then, he says, die in that place which ye seek for your sojourn, he again shews the object of the people, for they did not intend to dwell perpetually in Egypt, but only for a time, until there was liberty to return to their own country. In short, they wished to be restored, as it were, against God’s will; and yet they ceased not falsely to put forward the name of God, as hypocrites, who mock God, always do. Now follows, —

Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary

REFLECTIONS

READER! you and I shall lose all the beauties of these scriptures, if from the representation here made of the Church, in the days of Jeremiah we do not gather instruction, to suit the Church in our’s. Depend upon it in all ages, more or less, it is the same. Oh! how doth Zion languish! How are the glorious distinguishing truths of our holy faith kept back, or believed only in part! And as these pillars, and ground of the truth, are but coolly received; so in proportion, like Johanan and his party, we are looking more to an arm of flesh for our confidence, than to the living God. Thus turning from one creature to another, we seek salvation from any, and from every resource, rather than the one great and finished redemption of Jesus! Oh that the Lord would give his people grace, that in the present hour the advice of Jeremiah might be followed; that we may abide in Christ, that the Lord might build us up, and plant us in the glorious salvation by Jesus! For then when the Lord comes to bless his land and people, he will bring with him grace to pardon, grace to renew, grace to sanctify, grace to save, and an abundance of grace, to enable us to triumph; over all our enemies. Precious Lord! fulfil all thy merciful dispensations towards us, and return to thy people, as thou hast said, a pure language, that they may call upon the name of the Lord with one consent.

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Jer 42:22 Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go [and] to sojourn.

Ver. 22. Now, therefore, know certainly that ye shall die. ] In running from death ye shall but run to it, as Jonah did.

“ Quo fugis, Encelade? quaseunque accesseris orss,

Sub Iove semper eris. ”

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)