Jeremiah 42:17 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 42:17 mean?

Jeremiah 42:17 warns that everyone who decides to go and live in Egypt will die there by violence, starvation, or disease, and none will survive or escape the disaster God will bring upon them. The verse is a direct warning that fleeing to Egypt for safety will actually lead to destruction.

Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah after Jerusalem’s fall, as they consider escaping to Egypt to avoid further trouble. God, through Jeremiah, tells them that choosing Egypt out of fear will not protect them; instead, the very dangers they hope to escape—war, hunger, and plague—will find them there. The verse stresses that God’s judgment will reach them wherever they go if they do not trust His guidance.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 42:17

• "set" (שׂוּם, sūm) and "faces" (פָּנִים, pānîm): The phrase "set their faces" uses a Hebrew expression for making a determined decision or commitment. It shows the people’s firm resolve to go to Egypt, not just a passing thought.
• "sojourn" (גּוּר, gūr): This word means to live as a foreigner or resident alien. The people are not just visiting Egypt but planning to settle there for safety.
• "remain" (שָׂרִיד, śārîd) and "escape" (פָּלִיט, pālîṭ): Both words emphasize that no one will survive or get away from the disaster. The verse doubles down on the totality of the warning—no exceptions.

Why Jeremiah 42:17 matters

• Jeremiah 42:17 clarifies that seeking security apart from God’s direction, even in a powerful nation like Egypt, leads to the very dangers people hope to avoid.
• The verse connects to the larger passage where the people ask Jeremiah to seek God’s will, but then resist His answer when it challenges their plans.
• This warning helps explain why later events in Jeremiah show disaster falling on those who fled to Egypt, underlining the seriousness of ignoring God’s guidance.