Jeremiah 42:3
Jeremiah 42:3 in Multiple Translations
Pray that the LORD your God will tell us the way we should walk and the thing we should do.”
That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.
that Jehovah thy God may show us the way wherein we should walk, and the thing that we should do.
That the Lord your God may make clear to us the way in which we are to go and what we are to do.
Pray to the Lord your God for all of us. As you can see there are only a few of us left compared to how many there were before. In your prayer please ask the Lord your God to tell where to go and what to do.”
That the Lord thy God may shewe vs the way wherein wee may walke, and the thing that we may doe.
and Jehovah thy God doth declare to us the way in which we walk, and the thing that we do.'
that the LORD your God may show us the way in which we should walk, and the things that we should do.”
That the LORD thy God may show us the way in which we may walk, and the thing that we may do.
And let the Lord thy God shew us the way by which we may walk, and the thing that we must do.
Pray that Yahweh our God will show us what we should do and where we should go.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 42:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 42:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/יַגֶּד
לָ֨/נוּ֙
יְהוָ֣ה
אֱלֹהֶ֔י/ךָ
אֶת
הַ/דֶּ֖רֶךְ
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
נֵֽלֶךְ
בָּ֑/הּ
וְ/אֶת
הַ/דָּבָ֖ר
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
נַעֲשֶֽׂה
וְ/יַגֶּד
nâgad
H5046
to tell
Conj | V-Hiphil-Juss-3ms
לָ֨/נוּ֙
Prep | Suff
יְהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֱלֹהֶ֔י/ךָ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/דֶּ֖רֶךְ
derek
H1870
way
Art | N-cs
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
נֵֽלֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
בָּ֑/הּ
Prep | Suff
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
הַ/דָּבָ֖ר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
Art | N-ms
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
נַעֲשֶֽׂה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 42:3
וְ/יַגֶּד
nâgad
H5046
"to tell"
Conj | V-Hiphil-Juss-3ms
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.
לָ֨/נוּ֙
""
Prep | Suff
יְהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֱלֹהֶ֔י/ךָ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/דֶּ֖רֶךְ
derek
H1870
"way"
Art | N-cs
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
נֵֽלֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
בָּ֑/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/דָּבָ֖ר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
Art | N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
נַעֲשֶֽׂה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 42:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 42:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 42:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 42:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 42:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 42:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 42:3
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 42:3
- Sermons on Jeremiah 42:3
Context — A Warning against Going to Egypt
1Then all the commanders of the forces, along with Johanan son of Kareah, Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest, approached
2Jeremiah the prophet and said, “May our petition come before you; pray to the LORD your God on behalf of this entire remnant. For few of us remain of the many, as you can see with your own eyes.
3Pray that the LORD your God will tell us the way we should walk and the thing we should do.”
4“I have heard you,” replied Jeremiah the prophet. “I will surely pray to the LORD your God as you request, and I will tell you everything that the LORD answers. I will not withhold a word from you.” 5Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act upon every word that the LORD your God sends you to tell us.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 86:11 | Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name. |
| 2 | Proverbs 3:6 | in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. |
| 3 | Psalms 25:4–5 | Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 6:16 | This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ |
| 5 | Ezra 8:21 | And there by the Ahava Canal I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. |
| 6 | Micah 4:2 | And many nations will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. |
| 7 | Deuteronomy 5:29 | If only they had such a heart to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it might be well with them and with their children forever. |
| 8 | Isaiah 2:3 | And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. |
| 9 | Deuteronomy 5:26 | For who of all flesh has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the fire, as we have, and survived? |
| 10 | 1 Kings 8:36 | then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, so that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk. May You send rain on the land that You gave Your people as an inheritance. |
Jeremiah 42:3 Summary
In Jeremiah 42:3, the people of Judah are asking God to show them what to do and where to go, because they are unsure of what's next. This verse reminds us that we can always ask God for guidance and direction, just like the people did. We can trust that God will show us the right path to follow, as promised in Psalm 32:8 and Proverbs 3:5-6. By seeking God's guidance, we can have confidence that He will lead us in the right way, even when we're not sure what's ahead, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11 and Isaiah 43:2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the context of Jeremiah 42:3?
In Jeremiah 42:3, the people of Judah are asking Jeremiah to pray for God's guidance, as they are unsure of what to do after the fall of Jerusalem, as seen in Jeremiah 41:1-18 and 2 Kings 25:1-21.
Why did the people ask Jeremiah to pray for them?
The people asked Jeremiah to pray for them because they recognized him as a prophet of God, as stated in Jeremiah 1:1-10, and they believed that God would speak to them through him, as seen in Exodus 4:10-17 and Deuteronomy 18:15.
What does it mean to 'pray that the LORD your God will tell us the way we should walk and the thing we should do'?
This means that the people are seeking God's guidance and direction for their lives, asking Him to show them the right path to follow, as also seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 119:105.
How does this verse relate to our lives today?
This verse reminds us of the importance of seeking God's guidance in our lives, just as the people of Judah did, and trusting in His sovereignty, as stated in Romans 11:33-36 and Isaiah 55:8-9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need God's guidance and direction, and how can I seek His will like the people in Jeremiah 42:3?
- How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty, even when I don't understand what's happening in my life, as seen in Jeremiah 42:3 and Romans 8:28?
- What are some ways I can practically apply the principle of seeking God's guidance, as seen in this verse, to my daily decisions and actions, as encouraged in Psalm 37:3-7 and Proverbs 3:5-6?
- How can I balance my desire for God's guidance with the need to take action and make decisions, as seen in James 1:5-8 and Philippians 4:6-7?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 42:3
That the Lord thy God may show us the way wherein we may walk,.... Not the way of their duty as to religious worship, or their moral conversation, which was the way of God's commandments, and had
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 42:3
That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 42:3
The thing they would have him pray to God for, was direction what they should do in this desolate state into which God had brought them. What could be more pious? a practice founded upon a Divine precept, and encouraged by a promise, , Acknowledge him in all thy ways, and he shall direct thy steps. But we may well apply here what God had said to their forefathers, , when they had so freely promised their obedience to the law of God, Oh that there were such an heart in them, &c.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 42:3
Jeremiah 42:3 That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.Ver. 3. That the Lord thy God may show us the way.] But they had set themselves in the way to Egypt before they came with this request to the prophet: why went they else to Goruth Chimham, the road toward Egypt? why were they also so peremptory, when they knew God’ s mind to the contrary? And the thing that we may do.] Good words all along; but those, we say, are light cheap: Quid vero verba quaero, facta cum videam? They were as forward to speak fair, as their ancestors were in the wilderness; but oh that there were a heart in this people, saith God, to do as they have said!
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 42:3
Verse 3. That the Lord thy God may show us] They all thought there was no safety in Jerusalem or in Judea, and therefore determined to leave the land: but they did not know which might be the safest direction to take; for though they inclined to Egypt, yet they wished to know the mind of God on that point.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 42:3
3. that the Lord thy God may shew us] They make up their minds to flee into Egypt, and only after they have done this, proceed to enquire God’s will. Hence we cannot acquit them of hypocrisy. Cp. Ahab in 1 Kings 22:3 ff.
Sermons on Jeremiah 42:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Divided Heart by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon addresses the issue of a divided heart, emphasizing that such a condition leads to spiritual faultiness both individually and within the church. He warns that a divid |
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The Power of Prayer by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer leading to action. He highlights the need for conviction to be carried into life and for decisions to be made based |
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Walking in the Light by Jack Hayford | In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a funny incident involving a little boy named Kyle. The speaker emphasizes that children often do funny things without realizing it |
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God's Problem With a Soul by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the struggle of God for the soul of a nation, using the book of Hosea as a reference. He emphasizes the importance of turning to the Lord and |
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Fear of the Lord by Winkie Pratney | Winkie Pratney emphasizes that the fear of the Lord is the foremost requirement from God, as stated in Deuteronomy 10:12. He explains that while love, service, and obedience are im |
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Unfailing Love by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker begins by describing how sin can start innocently but gradually takes hold of our lives, just like a fly caught in a spider's web. He uses this analogy |
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Southland Keswick Convention Gods Problem With a Soul by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the rebellion in the hearts of people against God. He emphasizes that God's answer to this rebellion is for people to return to Him. The prea |