Jeremiah 42:10
If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 20
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
שׁ֤וֹב
If ye will still
H7725
שׁ֤וֹב
If ye will still
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
2 of 20
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
תֵּֽשְׁבוּ֙
abide
H3427
תֵּֽשְׁבוּ֙
abide
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
אֶתְכֶם֙
H853
אֶתְכֶם֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶהֱרֹ֔ס
you and not pull you down
H2040
אֶהֱרֹ֔ס
you and not pull you down
Strong's:
H2040
Word #:
9 of 20
to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy
וְנָטַעְתִּ֥י
and I will plant
H5193
וְנָטַעְתִּ֥י
and I will plant
Strong's:
H5193
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נִחַ֙מְתִּי֙
for I repent
H5162
נִחַ֙מְתִּי֙
for I repent
Strong's:
H5162
Word #:
15 of 20
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Jeremiah 24:6For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.Jeremiah 31:28And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.Ezekiel 36:36Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it.Joel 2:13And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.Jeremiah 33:7And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first.Amos 7:6The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.Exodus 32:14And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.Jonah 4:2And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.Jonah 3:10And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.Amos 7:3The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.
Historical Context
God promises to replant them in Judah despite its devastation. This required faith that God could protect them from Babylonian reprisal and restore the land.
Questions for Reflection
- How does trusting God's promise to 'build and plant' challenge your desire for security?
- What does God's 'repenting of evil' teach about the purpose of His judgments?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's conditional promise: remain in Judah and I will build you up; flee to Egypt and you'll face what you fear. The phrase 'I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you' shows God's judgment was remedial, not vindictive. Having accomplished His disciplinary purpose, He's ready to bless. But blessing requires obedience to His word. Faith means trusting God in the place He assigns, even when it seems dangerous.