Jeremiah 42

you.] God is said in Scripture to repent, when He alters the outward methods of his providence. (See the note on Gen. vi. 6.) So the expression here implies a declaration from God, that the punishments the Jews have already undergone have made satisfaction to his justice, as far as concerns this world, and that He will not continue the same severity toward them, unless they give Him a new provocation. W. Lowth. 12. — that he may—cause you to return to your own land.] I will incline the heart of the king of Babylon to take pity on you: see Ps. cvi. 46; and so settle you in your own country, from whence you were driven during the late war and distractions: see chap. xl. 11. W. Lowth.

Jeremiah 42:6

6. Whether it be good, or whether it be evil.] Whether it be pleasing to us, or whether it be grievous and displeasing, we will be sure to do it. Bp. Hall.

They are assured of safety in Judea. Their hypocrisy reproved. Before CHRIST about 588. and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.

Jeremiah 42:15

15. — If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt,] If you are fully resolved to go thither; compare Luke ix. 51. W. Lowth.

Jeremiah 42:16

16. — the sword,—shall overtake you there] See chap. xliv. 14. 15. 19. The Lord hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt? God commanded the Jews by Moses not to have any commerce with Egypt; see Deut. xvii. 16; that they might not practise the idolatrous customs of that country: see Lev. xviii. 3: with whose idolatries they had been defiled during their sojourning there: see Josh. xxiv. 14; Ezek. xx. 8. Afterwards He often reproved them by his Prophets, for making alliances with Egypt: see Isa. xxx. 2, &c.; Ezek. xvii. 15. There were particular reasons at this time for so severe a prohibition, as the words here and in the context import; namely, because the Jews either learned several of their idolatrous practices from the Egyptians, or at least were confirmed in those evil customs by their example. See chap. xliv. 8. 15; Ezek. xxix. 16. Besides, it was the rival kingdom that contended for empire with the Babylonians. See chap. xxxvii. 5; xlvi. 2. So the Jews going into Egypt for protection was in effect refusing to submit themselves to the king of Babylon, to whom God had decreed the government of Judea, and all the neighbouring countries, chap. xxvii. 6. W. Lowth.