The big picture
Jeremiah 43 opens in verse 1 with “And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 7 with “So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD : thus…”, and closes in verse 13 with “He shall break also the images of Beth-shemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, Egypt, land, Jeremiah, Judah. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Jeremiah · King James Version · 13Jeremiah 43:1-7
1–7: It came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all…
Jeremiah 43:1–7 opens with “And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the…” and reaches “So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD : thus came they…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 43 develops its own movement around LORD, Egypt, land, Jeremiah, Judah, with particular weight carried by LORD, Jeremiah, Johanan.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.
“Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah…” Naming Azariah and Egypt keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they…” Naming Babylon and Baruch keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Jeremiah 43:1-7
King James Version1And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, even all these words,
2Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:
3But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon.
4So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD , to dwell in the land of Judah.
5But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah;
6Even men, and women, and children, and the king’s daughters, and every person that Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.
7So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD : thus came they even to Tahpanhes.
Jeremiah 43:8-13
8–13: Came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,
Jeremiah 43:8–13 opens with “Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,” and reaches “He shall break also the images of Beth-shemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the houses of…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 43 develops its own movement around LORD, Egypt, land, Jeremiah, Judah, with particular weight carried by Egypt, land, burn.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,” Naming Jeremiah and Tahpanhes keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh’s house…” Naming Judah and Pharaoh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Jeremiah 43:8-13
King James Version8Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,
9Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh’s house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;
10And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.
11And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for captivity to captivity; and such as are for the sword to the sword.
12And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.
13He shall break also the images of Beth-shemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Jeremiah 43:1 begins with “And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God…”
Where the chapter turns
Jeremiah 43:8 forms a natural hinge: “Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,”
The final note
Jeremiah 43:13 leaves the reader with “He shall break also the images of Beth-shemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, Egypt, land, Jeremiah, Judah, death help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
How does Judah's pledge differ from Reuben's earlier offer?
Judah accepts continuing personal responsibility rather than offering the lives of his sons.
What repeats an old family pressure?
Benjamin receives special treatment, recalling favoritism toward Joseph. Watch the brothers' response in chapter 44.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.