Jeremiah 42:17

Authorized King James Version

So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְיִֽהְי֣וּ

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שָׂ֨מוּ

H7760

that set

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִפְּנֵי֙

H6440

from

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מֵבִ֥יא

H935

that I will bring

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מִצְרַ֙יִם֙

H4714

into Egypt

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

#10

לָג֣וּר

H1481

to sojourn

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

#11

שָׁ֔ם

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

#12

יָמ֕וּתוּ

H4191

there they shall die

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#13

בַּחֶ֖רֶב

H2719

by the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

#14

בָּרָעָ֣ב

H7458

by the famine

hunger (more or less extensive)

#15

וּבַדָּ֑בֶר

H1698

and by the pestilence

a pestilence

#16

וְלֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#17

יִהְיֶ֤ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#18

לָהֶם֙

#19

שָׂרִ֣יד

H8300

and none of them shall remain

a survivor

#20

וּפָלִ֔יט

H6412

or escape

a refugee

#21

מִפְּנֵי֙

H6440

from

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#22

הָֽרָעָ֔ה

H7451

the evil

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

#23

אֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#24

אֲנִ֖י

H589

#25

מֵבִ֥יא

H935

that I will bring

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#26

עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within Jeremiah chapter 42 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

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