Jeremiah 11:4
Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֡ם
your fathers
H1
אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֡ם
your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
4 of 27
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
בְּי֣וֹם
in the day
H3117
בְּי֣וֹם
in the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 27
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הוֹצִיאִֽי
that I brought them forth
H3318
הוֹצִיאִֽי
that I brought them forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
6 of 27
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אוֹתָ֣ם
H853
אוֹתָ֣ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַבַּרְזֶ֜ל
from the iron
H1270
הַבַּרְזֶ֜ל
from the iron
Strong's:
H1270
Word #:
11 of 27
iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
שִׁמְע֤וּ
Obey
H8085
שִׁמְע֤וּ
Obey
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
13 of 27
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֣ם
and do
H6213
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֣ם
and do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
15 of 27
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אוֹתָ֔ם
H853
אוֹתָ֔ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כְּכֹ֥ל
H3605
כְּכֹ֥ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וִהְיִ֤יתֶם
H1961
וִהְיִ֤יתֶם
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
21 of 27
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְעָ֔ם
you so shall ye be my people
H5971
לְעָ֔ם
you so shall ye be my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
23 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
Cross References
Deuteronomy 4:20But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.Leviticus 26:12And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.Jeremiah 24:7And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.Zechariah 8:8And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.2 Corinthians 6:16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.1 Kings 8:51For they be thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron:Jeremiah 26:13Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.Jeremiah 30:22And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.Zechariah 13:9And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.Genesis 17:8And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
Historical Context
The Exodus (traditionally c. 1446 BC) was Israel's foundational redemptive event—God delivered them from Egyptian bondage to enter covenant at Sinai. The 'iron furnace' metaphor suggests both suffering and purification. Archaeological evidence of Egyptian metallurgical practices confirms the imagery. The covenant at Sinai established Israel as YHWH's people with obligations of exclusive loyalty and moral obedience.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recalling the Exodus remind Israel of God's prior grace before their covenant obligations?
- What does the 'iron furnace' metaphor suggest about suffering as preparation for relationship with God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse recalls covenant origin: 'Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace.' The reference to 'the day' (yom) of exodus and 'iron furnace' (kur habbarzel) as metaphor for Egyptian slavery appears in Deuteronomy 4:20 and 1 Kings 8:51. Egypt as 'iron furnace' depicts the refining suffering that prepared Israel for covenant relationship. 'Saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God.' This is the covenant formula (Exodus 6:7, Leviticus 26:12)—obedience produces relationship. The terms are clear: obey and belong; disobey and forfeit.