Jeremiah 42:5-6
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Their plea to the LORD to be a witness isn't just a casual oath; they're essentially saying, "May God punish us severely if we don't follow His word through you!" They are fully aware that God's judgment will be on them if they break this solemn promise, making their later disobedience a far graver offense.
Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the word with which the LORD your God sends you to us. Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After escaping the destruction of Jerusalem and finding refuge in Mizpah, the remaining Judeans, led by Johanan, approach Jeremiah with a crucial request. They implore him to seek God's guidance on what they should do, making a solemn vow to obey whatever the LORD commands through him. This plea comes after they've faced deep loss and uncertainty, desperately seeking a path forward.
These desperate people are asking Jeremiah to consult God on their behalf. How do they try to convince him (and God!) that they're serious about obeying?
The people of Judah are in a desperate situation, having fled to Egypt against God's clear warnings. Now, in their distress, they turn to Jeremiah to ask God what they should do. To emphasize their sincerity, they call upon the LORD to be a "true and faithful witness."
This isn't just a casual statement; it's a solemn oath. They are essentially saying, 'Let God judge us, and punish us if we don't do exactly what He tells us through you!' They understand that God is the ultimate authority and that His Word carries weight. They are trying to bind themselves to obedience by invoking God's own truthfulness as their guarantor. It's a powerful moment where they acknowledge God's sovereignty, even if their hearts aren't fully surrendered.
These people promise to obey God's word, whether 'good or evil.' Sounds good, right? But what's the subtle danger lurking in their pledge?
The people declare they will obey 'all the word with which the LORD your God sends you to us.' Later in the chapter (v. 6), they even expand this to say, 'Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God.'
On the surface, this sounds like ultimate submission. But the commentary reveals a crucial insight: the 'good' likely refers to what is pleasant or brings joy, and the 'evil' refers to what is difficult, sad, or goes against their own desires. Their promise is to obey no matter the consequence or feeling associated with God's command.
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This is where hypocrisy can hide. They are vowing obedience in advance, without knowing what God will actually say. If God's command is difficult or goes against their plans (like, for example, staying in Judah instead of fleeing to Egypt!), will they still obey? Their willingness to obey 'evil' (meaning burdensome or difficult) commands is tested by whether they actually do it when the time comes. True obedience isn't just agreeing in theory; it's acting out God's will, even when it's hard.
These people make a vow to God. What does it mean when we invoke God's name in our promises, and what are the risks?
Invoking God as a witness is a very serious act. By saying 'May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us,' they are essentially placing themselves under divine judgment. They are daring God to hold them accountable if they break their word.
This oath highlights the danger of hypocrisy. When people make such solemn promises without a sincere heart, they aren't just breaking a promise to Jeremiah; they are profaning God's name. As one commentator notes, their oath doubles their crime if they later disobey, because they chose to bind themselves so strongly. It reveals a blindness that can come with false intentions, where people think they can outwit God or minimize their sin through elaborate vows.
This should be a powerful warning to us. Our words have weight, especially when we bring God into them. A genuine commitment to follow God means our actions must back up our oaths, not just our intentions.
Understand the original words
’emet · Hebrew Noun
An attribute of God describing His absolute truthfulness, reliability, and steadfast consistency in keeping His promises and covenant commitments.
’ĕmûnâ · Hebrew Noun
The quality of being steady, reliable, and trustworthy, especially regarding God's character and His adherence to His covenant obligations.
‘ēd · Hebrew Noun
One who observes an event or provides testimony; in a legal or covenantal sense, one who validates the truth of a vow or agreement.
shama' · Hebrew Verb
The act of hearing and complying with the commands or will of another; in a biblical context, it is the primary expression of faith and love toward God, signifying submission to His authority.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun (Proper)
The sovereign Lord of the universe, the covenant-keeping God of the Hebrews who reveals Himself through history and His written word.
This solemn oath is made by a desperate remnant of Jews who have just witnessed the utter destruction of their homeland and are now fleeing to Egypt. Their promise to obey God is made under extreme duress, highlighting the perilous spiritual state of a people facing exile and divine judgment.
c. 597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of Jerusalem's elite to Babylon. This event marks a major blow to Judah's sovereignty and spiritual life.
c. 588 BC
Siege of Jerusalem Begins
Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem as Zedekiah, the new king, rebels against Babylonian rule. The siege will last for over a year, leading to immense suffering.
c. 587-586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Jerusalem is captured by the Babylonians. The Temple is destroyed, and the remaining population is largely deported to Babylon, leaving only a remnant in the land.
c. 586-582 BC— this verse
Remnant flees to Egypt
Fearful of Babylonian reprisal after the assassination of the governor Gedaliah, the remaining Jewish leaders, including many soldiers and civilians, force the prophet Jeremiah to ask God for guidance, and then compel him and his scribe Baruch to accompany them to Egypt. This verse occurs in this context of desperate flight and uncertainty.
This passage uses a similar formula invoking God as a witness to a covenant or agreement, highlighting the gravity of promises made before Him, just as the people did with Jeremiah.
Deuteronomy 11:26-28This text presents a clear parallel to Jeremiah's situation, laying out the consequences of obedience versus disobedience to God's commands, which is the core of the people's promise and subsequent failure.
Joshua 24:14-15Joshua calls the people to choose whom they will serve, emphasizing that their service should be with 'integrity and truth,' a commitment the people in Jeremiah's time claimed to make but ultimately failed to uphold.
Romans 10:16-17This New Testament passage speaks to the importance of hearing and obeying God's word, showing that faith comes by hearing, and connects to the people's stated willingness to obey whatever God's word proclaimed through Jeremiah.
barnesJeremiah 42:5: "Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us."
Between us - Against us, as in Jeremiah 42:19 (margin.) According to all things - literally, "according to the whole word as to which Yahweh thy God shall send thee to us."
calvinJeremiah 42:5-6: "Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us."
Ipsi antem dixerunt ad Jeremiam, Erit Jehova inter nos in testem (vel, testis) fidei et veritatis (testis fidelis et verax,) nisi secundum omnem sermonem quem miserit (id est, pro quo miserit) Jehova Deus tuus ad nos, sic facturi sumus;
Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the…
Their plea to the LORD to be a witness isn't just a casual oath; they're essentially saying, "May God punish us severely if we don't follow His word through you!" They are fully aware that God's judgment will be on them if they break this solemn promise, making their later disobedience a far graver offense.
After escaping the destruction of Jerusalem and finding refuge in Mizpah, the remaining Judeans, led by Johanan, approach Jeremiah with a crucial request. They implore him to seek God's guidance on what they should do, making a solemn vow to obey whatever the LORD commands through him. This plea comes after they've faced deep loss and uncertainty, desperately seeking a path forward.
After escaping the destruction of Jerusalem and finding refuge in Mizpah, the remaining Judeans, led by Johanan, approach Jeremiah with a crucial request. They implore him to seek God's guidance on what they should do, making a solemn vow to obey whatever the LORD commands through him. This plea comes after they've faced deep loss and uncertainty, desperately seeking a path forward.
"Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the word with which the LORD your God sends you to us. Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the LORD our…" — Their plea to the LORD to be a witness isn't just a casual oath; they're essentially saying, "May God punish us severely if we don't follow His word through you!" They are fully aware that God's judg…
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Last reviewed October 2026
