Jeremiah 42:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The dangers the people hope to escape by fleeing to Egypt will actually follow them there.
The Context of Jeremiah 42:16
God warns that the sword and famine will pursue them even to Egypt.
What Does Jeremiah 42:16 Mean?
God's warning is ironic and stark: the very things the people fear—'the sword' and 'the famine'—will pursue them to Egypt. They imagine that geographic distance will bring safety, but God promises that their disaster will follow them. 'Overtake' and 'follow close after' are hunting metaphors; the dangers will track them down. There is no escape through flight.
The conclusion is absolute: 'there ye shall die.' This is not speculation but divine certainty. By rejecting God's offer of restoration in their homeland, the people will not achieve safety but will perish in exile. The irony is complete: they flee Egypt to avoid death, only to die there anyway. Their attempt to secure life through disobedience costs them their lives.
Jeremiah 42:16 in the Original Language
neṣ (נֵץ), 'overtake' — to catch up with or seize; to reach and capture prey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 42:16
What does Jeremiah 42:16 mean?
The dangers the people hope to escape by fleeing to Egypt will actually follow them there.
What is the context of Jeremiah 42:16?
God warns that the sword and famine will pursue them even to Egypt.