And they went and stayed in Geruth Chimham, near Bethlehem, in order to proceed into Egypt
Parallel translations
- WEB They departed, and lived in Geruth Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt,
- KJV And they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt,
- NKJV And they departed and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is near Bethlehem, as they went on their way to Egypt,
- NASB And they went and stayed in Geruth Chimham, which is beside Bethlehem, in order to proceed into Egypt
- NLT They took them all to the village of Geruth-kimham near Bethlehem, where they prepared to leave for Egypt.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The remnant sets out southward, intending to flee to Egypt. Fear drives them toward the very refuge God will warn against.
Overview
Johanan and the people stop near Bethlehem on their way toward Egypt, seeking escape from the fallout of Gedaliah's murder. Their instinct to flee to Egypt for safety repeats Israel's old temptation to trust the Nile rather than the LORD (Isa 31:1). This sets up the crucial inquiry of chapter 42, where they will ask Jeremiah for God's direction.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Jer 42:14and if you say, ‘No, but we will go to the land of Egypt and live there, where we will not see war or hear the sound of the ram’s horn or hunger for bread,’
- 2 Sam 19:37–38Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.”
- Jer 42:19The LORD has told you, O remnant of Judah, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Know for sure that I have warned you today!
- Jer 43:7So they entered the land of Egypt because they did not obey the voice of the LORD, and they went as far as Tahpanhes.
- Isa 30:2–3They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Against the failure of false shepherds Jeremiah promises the Righteous Branch, 'The LORD our righteousness,' and the new covenant written on the heart and sealed in the blood of Christ.
How Jeremiah 41:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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