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Jeremiah 43

ScriptureDepth's study of Jeremiah 43

“Then Yahweh’s word came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,”

Jeremiah 43:8

Yahweh speaks to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, giving him a new message about impending judgment on Egypt, which sets in motion the prophetic action involving 'great stones'.

What Jeremiah 43 is about

Jeremiah delivers Yahweh's message to the people, warning them not to go to Egypt (v. 1). Azariah and Johanan, along with other prideful men, accuse Jeremiah of false prophecy, claiming that Baruch is misleading him (vv. 2-3). They reject Yahweh's voice and decide to remain in Judah (vv. 4-6). Instead, Johanan and the captains of the forces take the remnant of Judah to Egypt, disobeying God's command (v. 7). While in Tahpanhes, Yahweh instructs Jeremiah to hide stones in mortar at Pharaoh's house and prophesy against Egypt (vv. 8-10). God declares that Nebuchadnezzar will come to Egypt, enacting judgment on its people, with some destined for death, captivity, or the sword (vv. 11-12). He will burn the houses of Egypt's gods and break their pillars (v. 13).

The chapter leaves readers with the reality of judgment upon Egypt and the consequences of disobedience.

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Jeremiah 43 at a glance

  1. Jeremiah 43:1Jeremiah's Message to the People
  2. Jeremiah 43:2–3Accusations Against Jeremiah
  3. Jeremiah 43:4–6Disobedience to God's Voice
  4. Jeremiah 43:7Journey to Egypt
  5. Jeremiah 43:8–10God's New Message in Egypt
  6. Jeremiah 43:11–13Judgment on Egypt

Key verse: Jeremiah 43:8

One thing to notice

Jeremiah delivers 'all the words of Yahweh' to the people in v. 1. The people's rejection of his message occurs in vv. 2-3, where they accuse him of speaking falsely. Their response contrasts with Jeremiah's prophetic role.

Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.

Chapter text

Read Jeremiah 43 (WEB)

Jeremiah's Message to the People Jeremiah 43:1

Verse 1. When Jeremiah had finished speaking to all the people all the words of Yahweh their God, with which Yahweh their God had sent him to them, even all these words,

Accusations Against Jeremiah Jeremiah 43:2–3

Verse 2. then Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men spoke, saying to Jeremiah, “You speak falsely. Yahweh our God has not sent you to say, ‘You shall not go into Egypt to live there;’ Verse 3. but Baruch the son of Neriah has turned you against us, to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they may put us to death, and carry us away captive to Babylon.”

Disobedience to God's Voice Jeremiah 43:4–6

Verse 4. So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, didn’t obey Yahweh’s voice, to dwell in the land of Judah. Verse 5. But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, who had returned from all the nations where they had been driven, to live in the land of Judah; Verse 6. the men, and the women, and the children, and the king’s daughters, and every person who Nebuzaradan 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;

Journey to Egypt Jeremiah 43:7

Verse 7. and they came into the land of Egypt; for they didn’t obey Yahweh’s voice: and they came to Tahpanhes.

God's New Message in Egypt Jeremiah 43:8–10

Verse 8. Then Yahweh’s word came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying, Verse 9. “Take great stones in your hand, and hide them in mortar in the brick work, which is at the entry of Pharaoh’s house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah; Verse 10. and tell them, Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne on these stones that I have hidden; and he will spread his royal pavilion over them.

Judgment on Egypt Jeremiah 43:11–13

Verse 11. He will come, and will strike the land of Egypt; such as are for death will be put to death, and such as are for captivity to captivity, and such as are for the sword to the sword. Verse 12. I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt. He will burn them, and carry them away captive. He will array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd puts on his garment; and he will go out from there in peace. Verse 13. He will also break the pillars of Beth Shemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and he will burn the houses of the gods of Egypt with fire.’”

World English Bible (public domain)

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Main themes in Jeremiah 43

Disobedience

Disobedience is evident as Johanan and the leaders reject Jeremiah's warning from Yahweh. In v. 4, they do not obey 'Yahweh’s voice' regarding staying in Judah, choosing instead to flee to Egypt. Their decision to disregard God's command leads them away from safety, as indicated by their choice to travel to Tahpanhes in v. 7. This rejection of divine instruction sets the stage for further consequences.

Divine Judgment

Divine Judgment is pronounced through the prophecy given to Jeremiah in Egypt, where he outlines the coming fate of the Egyptians. In vv. 11-12, God declares that Nebuchadnezzar will come to Egypt and execute judgment, stating that 'such as are for death will be put to death.' The imagery of fire kindling in the houses of the gods in v. 12 emphasizes the severity of this judgment against Egypt's idolatry and oppression.

False Accusations

False Accusations against Jeremiah arise when the leaders claim he is misleading them. In vv. 2-3, Azariah and others assert, 'You speak falsely. Yahweh our God has not sent you,' accusing Jeremiah of collusion with Baruch. This challenge to Jeremiah’s integrity not only questions his prophetic authority but also reveals a deeper rejection of God's message to them through him.

Prophetic Symbolism

In this chapter, Jeremiah is told to take stones and hide them in the brickwork at Pharaoh's house (vv. 9-10). This action signifies the future establishment of Nebuchadnezzar's throne in Egypt. The act itself illustrates God's declaration of judgment, as it foreshadows the coming events that will affect Egypt and its gods, making the divine message tangible through physical acts.

Chapter outline

How Jeremiah 43 unfolds

  1. Jeremiah 43:1 Jeremiah's Message to the People

    Jeremiah speaks to all the people the words of Yahweh, relaying the message given to him by God about their situation, as noted in 'all these words' (verse 1).

  2. Jeremiah 43:2–3 Accusations Against Jeremiah

    Azariah, Johanan, and other proud men confront Jeremiah, accusing him of lying and claiming that he was influenced by Baruch to falsely warn against going to Egypt (vv. 2-3).

  3. Jeremiah 43:4–6 Disobedience to God's Voice

    The leaders and people reject Yahweh’s message delivered by Jeremiah, choosing instead to disobey and remain outside the land of Judah (vv. 4-6).

  4. Jeremiah 43:7 Journey to Egypt

    Johanan and the captains of the forces bring the remnant of Judah and 'came into the land of Egypt' because they did not obey Yahweh's voice, arriving at Tahpanhes (verse 7).

  5. Jeremiah 43:8–10 God's New Message in Egypt

    While in Egypt, Yahweh instructs Jeremiah to perform a symbolic act with stones, emphasizing that Nebuchadnezzar will come and establish his authority over Egypt (vv. 8-10).

  6. Jeremiah 43:11–13 Judgment on Egypt

    Yahweh declares judgment on Egypt through Nebuchadnezzar, predicting death, captivity, and destruction of their gods, which will illustrate his power over the nation (vv. 11-13).

Key verses

  • Jeremiah 43:8Yahweh speaks to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, giving him a new message about impending judgment on Egypt, which sets in motion the prophetic action involving 'great stones'.

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Study questions

Questions for studying Jeremiah 43

SummarizeObserveInterpretApply

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeWhat does Johanan claim about Baruch in v3?
  2. observeIn v5, who are the people taken to Egypt by Johanan?
  3. interpretIn v2, why do the proud men reject Jeremiah's message?
  4. interpretIn vv. 9-10, what does hiding the stones symbolize for Egypt?
  5. applyWhen have you felt pressured to ignore wise counsel from others?

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Jeremiah 43: frequently asked questions

What is Jeremiah 43 about?+
Jeremiah delivers Yahweh's message to the people, warning them not to go to Egypt (v. 1).
What is the key verse in Jeremiah 43?+
Jeremiah 43:8: “Then Yahweh’s word came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,”
What are the main themes of Jeremiah 43?+
The main themes of Jeremiah 43 are Disobedience, Divine Judgment, False Accusations, Prophetic Symbolism.

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Study Notes