But Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces took all the remnant of Judah who had returned to live in the land of Judah from all the nations to which they had been driven—
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just a historical note; it highlights a forced migration. The phrase "took all the remnant of Judah" suggests that these returning exiles weren't going willingly to Egypt but were essentially rounded up and compelled to go, becoming prisoners of their own countrymen.
But Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces took all the remnant of Judah who had returned to live in the land of Judah from all the nations to which they had been driven—
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the prophet Jeremiah delivered God's final message, a group of defiant military leaders, led by Johanan, forcibly rounded up all the remaining people of Judah who had returned to their homeland. This included not only those left behind after the Babylonian conquest but also those who had fled to surrounding nations and were now back, intent on taking them all to Egypt against God's clear command.
After experiencing the devastation of Jerusalem, many of Judah's scattered people returned home, seeking stability. But their leaders had a different plan, one that defied God's clear word.
Jeremiah had delivered God's message: stay in the land and obey the LORD, or flee to Egypt and face destruction. Despite this warning, the military leaders, led by Johanan, chose the latter. They gathered the remnant of Judah – those who had returned from exile in places like Moab, Ammon, and Edom, seeking a new start in their homeland – and forced them to join their ill-fated journey to Egypt. This wasn't a free choice for many; they were essentially taken captive by their own countrymen, caught between the prophet's divine counsel and the commanders' rebellious will.
It’s a stark reminder that sometimes, the most dangerous path can appear to offer security. The 'safety' of Egypt was a lie, a lure that pulled them away from God’s protection and towards judgment.
The commanders didn't just decide to go to Egypt; they rounded up the people, including women, children, and even the king's daughters, to compel them.
This wasn't a voluntary pilgrimage. The leaders, driven by their own fears and presumptions, acted with force and defiance. They took "all the remnant of Judah" – a phrase that implicitly includes everyone left, not just the soldiers. Calvin points out that this included men, women, children, and even royal daughters, indicating a forceful relocation.
This forced migration highlights a critical point: obedience isn't genuine if it's coerced. True faith involves a willing surrender to God’s will. When leaders (or anyone in authority) override the people's will and God’s clear commands, it’s a sign of rebellion, not righteousness.
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Understand the original words
she'erith · Hebrew Noun
A small remaining part or group that survives after a disaster or judgment. Theologically, it represents the faithful portion of God’s people who are preserved by His grace to continue His purposes.
This verse captures a pivotal moment of profound disobedience, where military leaders, driven by fear and pride, force the last remnants of Judah, including the prophet Jeremiah, into exile in Egypt, directly defying God's clear warnings delivered through Jeremiah.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and exile a significant portion of the population to Babylon.
586 BC
Gedaliah appointed governor
Nebuchadnezzar appoints Gedaliah as governor over the remaining people in Judah, establishing a Babylonian province.
c. 586 BC
Jews flee to surrounding nations
As Nebuchadnezzar's army withdraws, many Jews who had fled to surrounding nations like Moab, Ammon, and Edom begin to return to Judah.
c. 586 BC
Assassination of Gedaliah
Gedaliah is assassinated by Ishmael, a disgruntled member of the royal family, leading to widespread fear among the remaining Jews.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Forced migration to Egypt
Fearing Babylonian retaliation for Gedaliah's assassination, Johanan and other military leaders force the remnant of Judah, including the prophet Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch, to flee to Egypt.
c. 586 BC
Arrival in Tahpanhes, Egypt
The group arrives in Tahpanhes, a major Egyptian city, continuing to disobey God's word despite their perilous situation.
This passage describes some of the very remnant of Judah who had fled to neighboring nations and were now returning to Judah after hearing of Gedaliah's appointment as governor, mirroring the group Johanan forcibly takes.
Jeremiah 42:1-6This shows the people, including the commanders, asking Jeremiah to pray for them and promising to obey God's voice, setting up the tragic irony of their later disobedience and forced migration.
Jeremiah 44:12-14This highlights the disastrous consequences of their disobedience in Egypt, showing that the remnant they forcibly took with them met their end by the sword, famine, and plague, fulfilling God's warnings.
Jeremiah 24:8-10This provides the prophetic backdrop, detailing God's judgment upon Judah through affliction, captivity, and becoming a curse, which is precisely the fate of this remnant who refused to heed His word.
pooleJeremiah 43:5: "But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah;"
This resolution they presently put in practice. Though it is certain that Jeremiah and Baruch were not willing to go along with them, and probably that many of the people were not willing, yet these rebellious captains forced them all along with them, so as many of them were now a kind…
calvinJeremiah 43:5-7: "But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah;"
Et assumpsit Joannes filius Kareah et cuncti duces copiarum reliquias Jehudah, quae reversae fuerant e cunctis gentibus, ad quas illuc expulsae fuerant (sed abundat illuc) ad habitandum in terra Jehudah;
Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every pe…
This verse isn't just a historical note; it highlights a forced migration. The phrase "took all the remnant of Judah" suggests that these returning exiles weren't going willingly to Egypt but were essentially rounded up and compelled to go, becoming prisoners of their own countrymen.
After the prophet Jeremiah delivered God's final message, a group of defiant military leaders, led by Johanan, forcibly rounded up all the remaining people of Judah who had returned to their homeland. This included not only those left behind after the Babylonian conquest but also those who had fled to surrounding nations and were now back, intent on taking them all to Egypt against God's clear command.
After the prophet Jeremiah delivered God's final message, a group of defiant military leaders, led by Johanan, forcibly rounded up all the remaining people of Judah who had returned to their homeland. This included not only those left behind after the Babylonian conquest but also those who had fled to surrounding nations and were now back, intent on taking them all to Egypt against God's clear command.
"But Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces took all the remnant of Judah who had returned to live in the land of Judah from all the nations to which they had been driven—" — This verse isn't just a historical note; it highlights a forced migration. The phrase "took all the remnant of Judah" suggests that these returning exiles weren't going willingly to Egypt but were es…
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Last reviewed October 2026