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Jeremiah 43

Jeremiah 43

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 · 13

Jeremiah 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.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all…” By verse 4, the text has turned to “So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed…” It lands on “So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD : thus came…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse with a speech marker, 2 stated contrasts, 4 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Accusation, warning, invitation to return, judgment, and hope each do different work. The prophet’s first audience anchors later questions about fulfillment. Words such as LORD, Jeremiah, Johanan, Judah, Kareah, land tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Jeremiah 43 develops its own movement around LORD, Egypt, land, Jeremiah, Judah,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include God, Jeremiah, Johanan, Judah, Kareah, Baruch. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 3: “But 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…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: LORD, Jeremiah, Johanan, Judah, Kareah, land

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Jeremiah 43:1

    “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.

  2. Jeremiah 43:2

    “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.

  3. Jeremiah 43:3

    “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.

  4. Jeremiah 43:4

    “So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

  5. Jeremiah 43:5

    “But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned…” Naming Judah and Johanan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  6. Jeremiah 43:6

    “Even men, and women, and children, and the king’s daughters, and every person that Nebuzar-adan the captain of the…” Naming Ahikam and Baruch keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  7. Jeremiah 43:7

    “So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD : thus came they even to Tahpanhes.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

Jeremiah 43:1-7

King James Version

1And 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.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,” By verse 10, the text has turned to “And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and…” It lands on “He shall break also the images of Beth-shemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the houses…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 2 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Accusation, warning, invitation to return, judgment, and hope each do different work. The prophet’s first audience anchors later questions about fulfillment. Words such as Egypt, land, burn, captivity, death, fire tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Jeremiah 43 develops its own movement around LORD, Egypt, land, Jeremiah, Judah,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Egypt, Tahpanhes, Babylon, Beth, Egyptians, God. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 8: “Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: Egypt, land, burn, captivity, death, fire

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Jeremiah 43:8

    “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.

  2. Jeremiah 43:9

    “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.

  3. Jeremiah 43:10

    “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.

  4. Jeremiah 43:11

    “And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  5. Jeremiah 43:12

    “And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  6. Jeremiah 43:13

    “He shall break also the images of Beth-shemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of 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 Version

8Then 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.

Questions to keep in mind while reading

  1. Identify the historical crisis, covenant failure, warning, and promised hope.
  2. Distinguish the prophet’s immediate audience from later biblical connections.
  3. Do not turn present-day headlines into confident fulfillment claims without textual evidence.

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.

Questions beneath the surface

  1. What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from Jeremiah 43?
  2. Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
  3. What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
  4. Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?

Questions for serious personal contemplation

These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.

Observe without rushing

  1. What part of Jeremiah 43 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?

  2. Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?

  3. Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: Jeremiah 43 develops its own movement around LORD, Egypt, land, Jeremiah, Judah?

  4. What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?

Examine your inner life honestly

  1. Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?

  2. What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?

  3. Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?

  4. If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?

Respond with wisdom and courage

  1. What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?

  2. How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?

  3. What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?

  4. What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?