Jeremiah 42:20
For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִתְעֵתיֶם֮
For ye dissembled
H8582
הִתְעֵתיֶם֮
For ye dissembled
Strong's:
H8582
Word #:
2 of 25
to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
בְּנַפְשֽׁוֹתֵיכֶם֒
in your hearts
H5315
בְּנַפְשֽׁוֹתֵיכֶם֒
in your hearts
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
3 of 25
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שְׁלַחְתֶּ֣ם
when ye sent
H7971
שְׁלַחְתֶּ֣ם
when ye sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
6 of 25
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֹתִ֗י
H853
אֹתִ֗י
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֧ה
and according unto all that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֧ה
and according unto all that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ
our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 25
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
הִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל
Pray
H6419
הִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל
Pray
Strong's:
H6419
Word #:
12 of 25
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
בַּעֲדֵ֔נוּ
H1157
בַּעֲדֵ֔נוּ
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
13 of 25
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
יְהוָ֧ה
and according unto all that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֧ה
and according unto all that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ
our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
16 of 25
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וּכְכֹל֩
H3605
וּכְכֹל֩
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֧ה
and according unto all that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֧ה
and according unto all that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
20 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ
our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
21 of 25
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
כֵּ֥ן
H3651
כֵּ֥ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
22 of 25
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
Historical Context
This confrontation occurred after Jerusalem's fall (586 BC) and Gedaliah's assassination (41:1-3), when the remnant feared Babylonian retaliation. They approached Jeremiah seeking God's will (42:1-3), waited ten days for His answer (42:7), but rejected it when it contradicted their plan to flee to Egypt. This represents covenant community's final rebellion before Jeremiah's forced exile to Egypt.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you sought God's will while already knowing what you wanted, making prayer a formality rather than genuine submission?
- What's the difference between changing your mind after honest prayer and self-deception that pretends to seek God's guidance?
- How does using religious language ('pray for us,' 'we will obey') mask rather than express genuine faith commitment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For ye dissembled in your hearts (כִּי הִתְעֵתֶם בְּנַפְשׁוֹתֵיכֶם)—the Hebrew hit'etem means 'you deceived yourselves,' from the root ta'ah (תָּעָה), to wander or err. Not merely lying to Jeremiah but self-deception—they believed their own false piety. When ye sent me unto the LORD your God—note the distance: 'your God,' not 'our God,' subtly distancing themselves from covenant accountability while using religious language.
Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it—quoting their earlier vow (v. 5-6) highlights the duplicity. They swore absolute obedience, even calling down covenant curses: 'The LORD be a true and faithful witness' (v. 5). Yet they had already decided to flee to Egypt (43:2-3), making their inquiry theatrical—seeking prophetic endorsement, not divine guidance. Their sin wasn't disobeying after honest inquiry but dishonest inquiry masking predetermined rebellion.