Breakdown of Jeremiah 43:5-7

"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— the men, the women, the children, the prince…" — It's easy to read this as just a list of people, but the phrasing "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" emphasize…

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Jeremiah 43:5-7

What does Jeremiah 43:5-7 mean?

It's easy to read this as just a list of people, but the phrasing "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" emphasizes that these weren't just any survivors. They were people who had already experienced displacement and, against God's clear warning through Jeremiah, were about to be forced into another exile, this time to Egypt.

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— the men, the women, the children, the princesses, and every person whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan; also Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah. And they came into the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the LORD. And they arrived at Tahpanhes.

English Standard Version (ESV)

What Jeremiah 43:5-7 means

Following a prophetic message from Jeremiah that angered the people, the military leaders, led by Johanan, forcefully took all the surviving Judeans who had returned to their homeland. This included not only those left behind after the Babylonian conquest but also those who had fled and were now returning, compelling them all to travel into Egypt against God's explicit command.

The Gathering and the Force

Imagine finally returning home after years of exile, only to be forcibly taken away again. That's the harsh reality for the remnant of Judah.

Jeremiah 43:5 introduces a tragic turn of events. After the devastation of Jerusalem, many Judeans had scattered, seeking refuge in surrounding nations like Moab, Ammon, and Edom. Some eventually returned to Judah, hoping to rebuild under Gedaliah's governorship. However, this verse reveals that Johanan and the other military leaders didn't just decide to go to Egypt; they took the people with them. This wasn't a voluntary migration for safety or opportunity, but a forceful relocation, turning those who had sought refuge in their homeland into captives within their own community.

The Exodus of Disobedience

They heard God's warning, but chose a path that seemed right to them. What happens when human plans override divine commands?

The leaders' decision to flee to Egypt, detailed in Jeremiah 43:5-7, was a direct act of disobedience to God's word delivered through Jeremiah. Despite the devastation and loss, Judah was still their divinely appointed land. Fleeing to Egypt, a nation already under judgment and with a history of oppressing Israel, was a step of desperation and defiance. The commentators highlight this as a 'diabolical madness,' a rashness born from rejecting God's authority. They were choosing their own perceived security over God's promised faithfulness.

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The original words in Jeremiah 43:5-7

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What Jeremiah 43:5-7 means

What does Jeremiah 43:5-7 mean?

What Jeremiah 43:5-7 means

The Gathering and the Force

The Exodus of Disobedience

The original words in Jeremiah 43:5-7

Ask Sola about this verse

What Jeremiah 43:5-7 means

The Gathering and the Force

The Exodus of Disobedience

The original words in Jeremiah 43:5-7

Ask Sola about this verse

The situation behind Jeremiah 43:5-7

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