'Pray for us to Hashem your God' — after ten days the word comes: 'If you will still abide in this land, then will I build you and not pull you down... but if you set your faces to enter into Egypt, the sword which you fear shall overtake you there.'
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even to the greatest, came near,
verse value 2507
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 58 letters. The shortest word is "from·small" (מִקָּטֹ֥ן, 4 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Hoshaiah" (בֶּן־הוֹשַֽׁעְיָ֑ה, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·approached" (וַֽיִּגְּשׁוּ֙), "and·Jezaniah" (וִיזַנְיָ֖ה). The root בין appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·all·the·people" (root כל, 167x in Jeremiah); "son·of·Kareah" (root בין, 146x in Jeremiah); "and·unto·great" (root גדול, 48x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'son·of·Hoshaiah', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַֽיִּגְּשׁוּ֙ [and·approached] (325) + כׇּל־שָׂרֵ֣י [all·the·princes·of] (560) + הַחֲיָלִ֔ים [strength] (103) + וְיֽוֹחָנָן֙ [and·Johanan] (130) + בֶּן־קָרֵ֔חַ [son·of·Kareah] (360) + וִיזַנְיָ֖ה [and·Jezaniah] (88) + בֶּן־הוֹשַֽׁעְיָ֑ה [son·of·Hoshaiah] (448) + וְכׇל־הָעָ֖ם [and·all·the·people] (171) + מִקָּטֹ֥ן [from·small] (199) + וְעַד־גָּדֽוֹל [and·unto·great] (123) = 2507.
and said to Jeremiah the prophet: ‘Let, we pray you, our supplication be accepted before you, and pray for us to Hashem your God, even for all this remnant; for we are left but a few of many, as your eyes do behold us;
verse value 7312
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 105 letters. The shortest word is "behind" (בְּעַ֖ד, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·Jeremiah" (אֶל־יִרְמְיָ֣הוּ, 8 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "our·supplication" (תְחִנָּתֵ֙נוּ֙), "and·pray" (וְהִתְפַּלֵּ֤ל), "all·the·remnant" (כׇּל־הַשְּׁאֵרִ֣ית). 20 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "and·they·said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "as" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'this', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 7 words.
Metzudat David
"Let [our plea] fall, we beseech you." They asked him to pray on their behalf to the Lord.
As your eyes have seen us, that we are but a few in number:
Metzudat Zion
"Tippol" [Let ... fall]. A matter of inclining [i.e., directing]:
"Na." Now:
that Hashem your God may tell us the way wherein we should walk, and the thing that we should do.’
verse value 2983
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 44 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֣ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֣ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·may·he·declare·to·us" (וְיַגֶּד־לָ֙נוּ֙, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: that, that. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·may·he·declare·to·us" (וְיַגֶּד־לָ֙נוּ֙), "the·way" (אֶת־הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ), "we·shall·walk·in·it" (נֵֽלֶךְ־בָּ֑הּ). The root אשר appears 2 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "and·the·thing" (root דבר, 270x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'we·shall·walk·in·it', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְיַגֶּד־לָ֙נוּ֙ [and·may·he·declare·to·us] (109) + יְהֹוָ֣ה [Hashem] (26) + אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ [your·God] (66) + אֶת־הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ [the·way] (630) + אֲשֶׁ֣ר [that] (501) + נֵֽלֶךְ־בָּ֑הּ [we·shall·walk·in·it] (107) + וְאֶת־הַדָּבָ֖ר [and·the·thing] (618) + אֲשֶׁ֥ר [that] (501) + נַעֲשֶֽׂה [we·will·do] (425) = 2983.
Metzudat David
"And He will tell us." This means that the prayer should be that He will tell us the way, etc., whether to go to Egypt or to remain here.
"And the matter..." – The repetition of the matter in what is stated:
Malbim
"And He told us" — they did not ask whether they should go to the land of Egypt or not, for they had already agreed to go to Egypt (as stated above, 41:17); rather, they requested that God inform them of the route, specifying which way they should travel to Egypt, and of the matter that would befall them after they arrived there, and how they would be saved on the way from the sword of the king of Babylon.
Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them: ‘I have heard you; behold, I will pray to Hashem your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing Hashem shall answer you, I will declare it to you; I will keep nothing back from you.’
verse value 4672
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 98 letters. Notable word values: "to·them" (אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "to·you" (לָכֶ֔ם, 3 letters) and the longest is "as·your·words" (כְּדִבְרֵיכֶ֑ם, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 26: and·it·shall·be, Hashem. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "praying" (מִתְפַּלֵּ֛ל), "as·your·words" (כְּדִבְרֵיכֶ֑ם), "every·matter" (כׇּֽל־הַדָּבָר֩). The root דבר appears 3 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "and·said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "that·He·will·answer" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'as·your·words', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 10 words.
Metzudat David
I have heard. I have accepted your words, and behold, I am praying:
"You." This means: in response to your question.
"I will not withhold from saying it:"
Matter. Any matter [at all]:
Metzudat Zion
He shall answer. From the language of “answering” and “response”:
Malbim
The questions: What is the meaning of that which is stated, "And it shall be that whatever matter the Lord answers, I will tell you," seeing that this is a matter that does not need to be said?
And Jeremiah said, “Behold, I am praying according to your words”—meaning, in accordance with your request that He show you the best path to take to Egypt. And yet, whatever matter the Lord answers you—namely, if He answers that you should not go this way at all, but rather remain in the Land of Israel—I too will tell you.
Then they said to Jeremiah: ‘Hashem be a true and faithful witness against us, if we do not even according to all the word wherewith Hashem your God shall send you to us.
verse value 3312
Insights
Verse structure: 18 words, 76 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 3312 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "so" (כֵּ֥ן, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·Jeremiah" (אֶֽל־יִרְמְיָ֔הוּ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 26: Hashem, Hashem. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "let·it·be" (יְהִ֤י), "witness" (לְעֵ֖ד), "and·supported" (וְנֶאֱמָ֑ן). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "they·said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·supported', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 9 words.
Metzudat David
And they. The princes and the people:
"A witness, true and faithful." This means: the Omnipresent will be to us a true witness that we have accepted upon ourselves to do as you tell us in His name, and He will be faithful over us to exact retribution from us if we do not act according to all the matter, etc. "Thus we will do."
Malbim
(5-6) The Questions: And why does Scripture say, “They shall do all that the Lord sends him with,” is this not obvious? For this reason they asked for the word of the Lord and His counsel, and what it is, whether good or bad. And why does Scripture say, “That it may be well”?
And they said to Jeremiah, etc., “According to all the word that the Lord shall send you, so will we do,” even if He commands that we remain in the Land of Israel.
Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will hearken to the voice of Hashem our God, to whom we send you; that it may be well with us, when we hearken to the voice of Hashem our God.’
verse value 4194
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 85 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֣ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 4194 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "it·may·be·well·with·us" (יִֽיטַב־לָ֔נוּ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: that, that. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "vigour" ((אנו)), "sending away" (שֹׁלְחִ֥ים), "it·may·be·well·with·us" (יִֽיטַב־לָ֔נוּ). The root קול appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "for" (root כי, 318x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'is·heard', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 8 words.
Radak
"Which we send." [The word] is written [ketiv] as anu but read [qere] as anachnu; the meaning is the same, except that the form anu is not found elsewhere in the Bible except here, but it is customary in the language of the Mishnah and the Talmud.
Metzudat David
“If it is good.” Whether the matter is good in our eyes or whether it is evil in our eyes, we will hearken to the voice of the Lord.
For this reason: It will be good for us when we heed His voice.
Malbim
“Whether good or bad”: Even though, if [God] were to command them to remain in the Land of Israel, this would be considered bad in their opinion, nevertheless, “we will listen to the voice of the Lord.” The phrase “so that it may be good for us” means to say that even if evil befalls us through the commandment of the Lord, at any rate, the very fact that we listen to the voice of the Lord is itself a good thing. This is what it says: “so that it may be good for us, because we have listened to the voice of the Lord our God,” meaning that listening to the voice of the Lord is the true good. Furthermore, it means to say that thereby the Lord will watch over us to do good for us, because we listen to His voice.
And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of Hashem came to Jeremiah.
verse value 1896
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 34 letters. The shortest word is "from·end·of" (מִקֵּ֖ץ, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·Jeremiah" (אֶֽל־יִרְמְיָֽהוּ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 31: and·it·was, and·it·was. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "ten" (עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת). The root היה appears 2 times in this verse. 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·word·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "to·Jeremiah" (root איל, 293x in Jeremiah); "and·it·was" (root היה, 250x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'days', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיְהִ֕י [and·it·was] (31) + מִקֵּ֖ץ [from·end·of] (230) + עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת [ten] (970) + יָמִ֑ים [days] (100) + וַיְהִ֥י [and·it·was] (31) + דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֖ה [the·word·of·Hashem] (232) + אֶֽל־יִרְמְיָֽהוּ [to·Jeremiah] (302) = 1896.
Metzudat David
"And it came to pass at the end of." From the time that they asked him to seek the favor of the Lord:
Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest,
verse value 2993
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 56 letters. The shortest word is "and·to" (וְאֶ֛ל, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·Johanan" (אֶל־יֽוֹחָנָן֙, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·to·all·the·people" (וּ֨לְכׇל־הָעָ֔ם), "to·youngest" (לְמִקָּטֹ֖ן). 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "to·Johanan" (root איל, 293x in Jeremiah); "and·to" (root אל, 204x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'with·him', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיִּקְרָ֗א [and·called] (317) + אֶל־יֽוֹחָנָן֙ [to·Johanan] (155) + בֶּן־קָרֵ֔חַ [son·of·Kareah] (360) + וְאֶ֛ל [and·to] (37) + כׇּל־שָׂרֵ֥י [all·the·princes·of] (560) + הַחֲיָלִ֖ים [strength] (103) + אֲשֶׁ֣ר [that] (501) + אִתּ֑וֹ [with·him] (407) + וּ֨לְכׇל־הָעָ֔ם [and·to·all·the·people] (201) + לְמִקָּטֹ֖ן [to·youngest] (229) + וְעַד־גָּדֽוֹל [and·unto·great] (123) = 2993.
and said to them: ‘Thus says Hashem, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your supplication before Him:
verse value 4208
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 59 letters. Notable word values: "to·them" (אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֨ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "your·supplication" (תְּחִנַּתְכֶ֖ם, 6 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "to·cast·down" (לְהַפִּ֥יל), "your·supplication" (תְּחִנַּתְכֶ֖ם). The root אמר appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "and·said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Israel', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 7 words. Full calculation: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר [and·said] (257) + אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם [to·them] (86) + כֹּה־אָמַ֥ר [thus·says] (266) + יְהֹוָ֖ה [Hashem] (26) + אֱלֹהֵ֣י [the·God·of] (46) + יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל [Israel] (541) + אֲשֶׁ֨ר [that] (501) + שְׁלַחְתֶּ֤ם [sent] (778) + אֹתִי֙ [me] (411) + אֵלָ֔יו [to·him] (47) + לְהַפִּ֥יל [to·cast·down] (155) + תְּחִנַּתְכֶ֖ם [your·supplication] (918) + לְפָנָֽיו [to·his·face] (176) = 4208.
Malbim
The Questions: What is the meaning of the phrase "that you sent me," which appears superfluous?
Thus said the Lord: "You sent me," He said to them, meaning that God's response was not in accordance with your request that He show them the way to Egypt, for He does not consent to their leaving the Land of Israel. Rather, His response is based on the fact that you sent me to plead your case before Him. On this account, He had mercy on you to grant you a remnant in the land. And therefore, if you return to dwell in this land, and I build you up with sovereignty and guidance, and plant you with a multitude of people, for I have relented concerning the evil, and I desire that there be a remnant in the land, a future and a hope.
If you will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up; for I repent Me of the evil that I have done to you.
verse value 6985
Insights
Verse structure: 18 words, 75 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֤י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·I·will·build" (וּבָנִ֤יתִי, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 461: you, you. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "if·to·return" (אִם־שׁ֤וֹב), "and·I·will·build" (וּבָנִ֤יתִי), "and·I·planted" (וְנָטַעְתִּ֥י). The root לא appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "for" (root כי, 318x in Jeremiah); "and·not" (root לא, 307x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'I·will·pull·up', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 6 words.
Radak
"If you return [and] dwell in this land." *Shuv* is an infinitive with the first radical of the verb omitted, and its correct form, when complete, would be *yashuv*. And even though the custom is not for an infinitive of this pattern, among roots weak in the first radical, to appear defective, behold, I know of a similar case: that [the word] *kol* [in the phrase 'kol tukhal'] is like *yakhol*.
Metzudat David
“And I will build you up.” This means that they will multiply and increase there, and they will no longer be exiled from it.
"And I will plant." This is a repetition of the matter already stated:
"For I have relented." I have had a different thought about the evil that I did to them, for I will no longer continue to harm them.
Metzudat Zion
"and I will build." The word is in the form of "building."
"I will overthrow." The matter of breaking and demolition:
Atush. The matter of uprooting:
"I relented." A matter of reversed thought [i.e., a change of mind]:
Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; be not afraid of him, says Hashem; for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.
verse value 5368
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 84 letters. The shortest word is "king" (מֶ֣לֶךְ, 3 letters) and the longest is "do·not·fear" (אַל־תִּֽירְא֗וּ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 648: do·not·fear, do·not·fear. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "from·his·face" (מִפָּנָ֑יו), "for·with·you" (כִּֽי־אִתְּכֶ֣ם), "and·to·deliver" (וּלְהַצִּ֥יל). The root איל appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "says·Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "whom·you" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "for·with·you" (root כי, 318x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·his·face', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 10 words.
Metzudat David
"Whom you fear." This means: the thing that you fear stems from the killing of Gedaliah, as stated above.
"From him." Of that matter you shall not fear, for Nebuchadnezzar will not treat you evilly on account of this.
And to save you, lest he [the king of Babylon] be able to do harm to you:
Malbim
(11-12) The Questions: Why did He say twice, "Fear not"? And initially, He said, "I am with you to save you," which implies that he [the king of Babylon] intends to do harm, and afterwards, "And I will grant you mercy."
"Do not fear." Do not fear on account of that which you now fear from him, namely, that he will take vengeance upon you for the murder of Gedaliah; and likewise, do not fear from him in the future regarding other evils and harsh servitude. For concerning that over which his anger was kindled against you—the murder of Gedaliah—"I am with you to save you and deliver you from his hand," so that he will not punish you for this; and likewise concerning the future, "I will grant you mercy," and he will have compassion on you, to lighten the taxes and the servitude, and he will restore you to your land, so that your land and your possessions will be as they were before.
And I will grant you compassion, that he may have compassion upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.
verse value 2880
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 37 letters. Verse gematria: 2880 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "to·you" (לָכֶ֛ם, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·ground" (אֶל־אַדְמַתְכֶֽם, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 461: you, you. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "compassion" (רַחֲמִ֖ים), "and·He·will·have·compassion" (וְרִחַ֣ם), "and·he·will·bring·back" (וְהֵשִׁ֥יב). The root רחם appears 2 times in this verse. 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·I·will·give" (root נתן, 141x in Jeremiah); "and·he·will·bring·back" (root שוב, 106x in Jeremiah); "to·you" (root לכם, 51x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'you', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְאֶתֵּ֥ן [and·I·will·give] (457) + לָכֶ֛ם [to·you] (90) + רַחֲמִ֖ים [compassion] (298) + וְרִחַ֣ם [and·He·will·have·compassion] (254) + אֶתְכֶ֑ם [you] (461) + וְהֵשִׁ֥יב [and·he·will·bring·back] (323) + אֶתְכֶ֖ם [you] (461) + אֶל־אַדְמַתְכֶֽם [to·ground] (536) = 2880.
Radak
"And He will bring you back to your land." This is stated with reference to the exiles, and it says "you" [plural], because the majority went into exile, and the minority is included in the majority.
Metzudat David
"And I will give." And furthermore, I will place you in a position of mercy before him [the king of Babylon], and he will have mercy on you.
"And he will bring you back." This means that he [the king of Babylon] will willingly return the exiles from among you, who are in Babylonia, to their land.
But if you say: We will not abide in this land; so that you hearken not to the voice of Hashem your God;
verse value 3020
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 46 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֥ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "not" (לֹ֥א, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·if·you·say" (וְאִם־אֹמְרִ֣ים, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·if·you·say" (וְאִם־אֹמְרִ֣ים). 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "and·if·you·say" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "not" (root לא, 307x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'this', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 5 words. Full calculation: וְאִם־אֹמְרִ֣ים [and·if·you·say] (338) + אַתֶּ֔ם [you] (441) + לֹ֥א [not] (31) + נֵשֵׁ֖ב [we·will·dwell] (352) + בָּאָ֣רֶץ [in·the·land] (293) + הַזֹּ֑את [this] (413) + לְבִלְתִּ֣י [and·not·to] (472) + שְׁמֹ֔עַ [hear] (410) + בְּק֖וֹל [voice] (138) + יְהֹוָ֥ה [Hashem] (26) + אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם [your·God] (106) = 3020.
Metzudat David
"lest you not hear": This means, "And if even now, after you have heard the word of the Lord, you will not remain here and refuse to heed the word of the Lord."
Malbim
(13-14) The questions: What is the meaning of “And if you say,” and why does the term “to say” reappear? And why was it not written, “We will not dwell in this land, for we will go to the land of Egypt”?
And if you say, “Indeed, if you do not wish to listen to the voice of the Lord to remain in the Land of Israel, in which there are two ways: either because they do not wish to dwell in the land, which is the departure from what is from, or because they desire the land of Egypt, which is the journey to what is to, regarding the first aspect it says, ‘You say, We will not dwell in this land, lest we not listen to the voice of the Lord who promised you that He will do good to you,’ and you wish to go out from the Land of Israel to outside the Land, to other places besides Egypt; and regarding the second aspect it says, ‘Saying, Or shall we say, No, but we will go to the land of Egypt where we will not see war,’ for in the other lands besides Egypt there was then war with Nebuchadnezzar, who conquered all the lands of Syria after the destruction, unlike Egypt, where there is no war and no famine.”
saying: No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the horn, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we abide;
verse value 4357
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 65 letters. The shortest word is "not" (לֹ֚א, 2 letters) and the longest is "not·we·will·see" (לֹֽא־נִרְאֶה֙, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 31: not, not. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "we·come" (נָב֔וֹא), "not·we·will·see" (לֹֽא־נִרְאֶה֙), "and·to·the·bread" (וְלַלֶּ֥חֶם). The root לא appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "saying" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "for" (root כי, 318x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'is·heard', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 4 words.
Rashi
"And the voice of the shofar" – that the watchmen blow to warn the people:
Metzudat David
"To say: When you say, 'We will go down to Egypt, where we will not see war,' for while you are here you will fear the war of the Chaldeans."
"And the sound of the shofar." The custom is to sound shofars in war.
"We shall not hunger." Not like here, where the famine is continuous.
"And there we shall dwell." And we shall not be exiled from there.
now therefore hear you the word of Hashem, O remnant of Judah: Thus says Hashem of hosts, the God of Israel: If you wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there;
verse value 6813
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 88 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֨ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "there" (שָֽׁם, 2 letters) and the longest is "the·word·of·Hashem" (דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֖ה, 7 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "if·you" (אִם־אַ֠תֶּ֠ם), "surely·set" (שׂ֣וֹם), "you·will·put" (תְּשִׂמ֤וּן). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·word·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "thus·says" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "to·go·in" (root בוא, 211x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Judah', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 14 words.
Metzudat David
"And now." Since you will indeed say so, therefore hear, etc.
"You shall set it upon you." If you intend to come there of your own knowledge and will:
"And you shall come." This means that you are also to actually perform the act of coming there and dwelling in it.
Malbim
"And now, therefore, hear the word of the Lord" — this means: regarding the aspect of their going forth from the Land of Israel to dwell in other lands, excluding Egypt, the Lord did not speak of a punishment for this. Rather, He only stated above that if they do not heed the voice of the Lord, the good that He promised them would not come to them if they remain in the Land of Israel. But if you set your faces to go to Egypt — concerning which He specifically warned them (and they were already warned by the Torah not to return to Egypt; and there is an opinion that the prohibition applies only to this specific route from the Land of Israel to Egypt, as stated by the early authorities. And this is what is meant by "if you set your faces to go to Egypt," which is the prohibited act. There is also an opinion that it is not forbidden except for one who goes to settle there, not for one who goes to conduct trade. And if one went to conduct trade and then settled there, he has not transgressed the negative commandment through his initial action. See what I wrote in Artzot HaChaim, Be'er Yitzchak, siman 8, se'if katan 2. And this is what is meant by "and you come to dwell there"):
then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which you fear, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof you are afraid, shall follow hard after you there in Egypt; and there you shall die.
verse value 7892
Insights
Verse structure: 21 words, 87 letters. The shortest word is "there" (שָׁ֛ם, 2 letters) and the longest is "whom·you" (אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּ֣ם, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 380: Egypt, Egypt. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "can·afford" (תַּשִּׂ֥יג), "fearing" (דֹּאֲגִ֣ים), "after·you" (אַחֲרֵיכֶ֛ם). The root שם appears 3 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "and·it·shall·be" (root היה, 250x in Jeremiah); "in·land·of" (root ארץ, 245x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Egypt', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 10 words.
Metzudat David
"Which you fear" – this refers to the sword of the Chaldeans.
"There it shall cleave after you." It shall cleave to you, to go after you there. And for further elucidation, it said "Egypt."
"And there you shall die." By the sword and by famine.
Metzudat Zion
"Do'agim" [worried]. From the language of 'worry' and 'fear':
"Yidbak" (He shall cleave). The matter of joining:
Malbim
"And the sword from which you are afraid"—because of this reason you chose the land of Egypt, as it is stated, "where no battle is seen"—there it will overtake you, for the sword will be in the land of Egypt, since Nebuchadnezzar will subsequently conquer the land of Egypt.
So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence; and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.
verse value 6107
Insights
Verse structure: 22 words, 101 letters. The shortest word is "there" (שָׁ֔ם, 2 letters) and the longest is "all·the·men" (כׇל־הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים, 8 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "their·faces" (אֶת־פְּנֵיהֶ֜ם), "die" (יָמ֕וּתוּ), "and·refugee" (וּפָלִ֔יט). The root היה appears 2 times in this verse. 18 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that·set" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "upon·them" (root על, 276x in Jeremiah); "and·in·the·pestilence" (root דבר, 270x in Jeremiah). First appearance of the root פליט ("and·refugee") in Jeremiah. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·in·the·pestilence', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 10 words.
Metzudat David
"And all the people" – All who desired to go there, they shall all die; not a single person shall be absent, nor shall any remnant remain. Why? Because of the magnitude of the evil that I shall bring upon them.
Metzudat Zion
"Remnant and survivor." [These terms denote] a remnant and rescue. Similarly, [it is written], "There was no survivor or remnant on the day of the Lord's anger" (Lamentations 2:22).
Malbim
The Questions: What is the meaning of what is stated, "And it shall come to pass," which is a redundant expression?
“And it shall come to pass,” and besides what the sword and famine will naturally bring upon you there, besides this, they shall die by the sword and by the famine, until there shall be no remnant or survivor left of them, because of the evil that I am bringing upon them—an evil of providential decree, specifically designated for them as a punishment, distinct from the general sword that will also reach Egypt.
For thus says Hashem of hosts, the God of Israel: As Mine anger and My fury has been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so shall My fury be poured forth upon you, when you shall enter into Egypt; and you shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and you shall see this place no more.
verse value 8706
Insights
Verse structure: 28 words, 123 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֣ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "for" (כִּי֩, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·you·will·not·see" (וְלֹא־תִרְא֣וּ, 7 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "was·poured·forth" (נִתַּ֨ךְ), "shall·be·poured·out" (תִּתַּ֤ךְ), "when·you·enter" (בְּבֹאֲכֶ֖ם). The root נתך appears 2 times in this verse. 26 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "as" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Egypt', dividing the verse into phrases of 19 and 9 words.
Radak
"For an execration (alah), and for a horror (shammah), and for a curse (kelalah)." Explanation: [the word] 'alah' means a curse — a doubling of the matter in different words. Or, the explanation is that 'la'alah' means 'for an oath,' and Targum Yonatan renders it 'lemumai' [for My oaths], following the pattern of 'and you shall leave your name for an oath to My chosen ones' [Isaiah 65:15].
Metzudat David
As it was poured out. Like it was poured out, my anger, etc.
"An execration." All of them shall say in their oath: "If I do such a thing, may I become like these who came to Egypt."
"And an astonishment." They will all be astonished at the magnitude of your downfall.
And regarding the curse: One who curses another—upon whom is the curse to be attributed? It is attributed to you, in order to say that he will be cursed like you.
And to reproach. They shall all reproach you:
"And you shall not look." When you go from here, you will not return again to see this place.
Metzudat Zion
"Tatech" [it shall be poured]. The meaning of "pouring out" and "spilling," as in, "and the rain was not poured upon the earth" (Exodus 9).
"Alah." The matter is an oath, like [the case of] "and she hears a voice of an oath" (Leviticus 5:1).
"Shammah." The meaning of "tameh" (to be astonished) is similar to [the verse] "Turn to Me and be astonished" (Job 21:5).
Malbim
For thus says the Lord: Just as My anger and My fury were poured out—meaning, just as the punishment of My providence was in Jerusalem, so it will be when you come to Egypt.
Hashem has spoken concerning you, O remnant of Judah: Go you not into Egypt; know certainly that I have forewarned you this day.
verse value 3379
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 55 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֤ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "has·spoken" (דִּבֶּ֨ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "that·I·have·forewarned" (כִּֽי־הַעִידֹ֥תִי, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "do·not·go" (אַל־תָּבֹ֖אוּ), "that·I·have·forewarned" (כִּֽי־הַעִידֹ֥תִי). The root ידע appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "do·not·go" (root איל, 293x in Jeremiah); "upon·you" (root על, 276x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Egypt', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 5 words. Full calculation: דִּבֶּ֨ר [has·spoken] (206) + יְהֹוָ֤ה [Hashem] (26) + עֲלֵיכֶם֙ [upon·you] (170) + שְׁאֵרִ֣ית [rest] (911) + יְהוּדָ֔ה [Judah] (30) + אַל־תָּבֹ֖אוּ [do·not·go] (440) + מִצְרָ֑יִם [Egypt] (380) + יָדֹ֙עַ֙ [surely] (84) + תֵּדְע֔וּ [you·shall·know] (480) + כִּֽי־הַעִידֹ֥תִי [that·I·have·forewarned] (529) + בָכֶ֖ם [in·you] (62) + הַיּֽוֹם [day] (61) = 3379.
Metzudat David
"He spoke, etc." He said it again, in order to warn them.
"You shall surely know." When distress comes upon you, you will know that I have warned you today and said that it would be so.
Metzudat Zion
"I have testified." The matter is a forewarning, for usually one gives warning in the presence of witnesses, so that [the person warned] cannot deny it [later].
Malbim
The questions: What is stated, "The LORD has spoken concerning you," has no explanation, and the entire matter is redundant and superfluous.
"The LORD has spoken concerning you"—until this point, He had made known to them the word of the Lord; from now on the prophet will speak his own words. Is it not so that the Lord has spoken concerning you, saying, "Do not enter Egypt," and I have testified against you today and warned you in the name of the Lord? And thus it is known from this:
For you have dealt deceitfully against your own souls; for you sent me to Hashem your God, saying: Pray for us to Hashem our God; and according to all that Hashem our God shall say, so declare to us, and we will do it;
verse value 7284
Insights
Verse structure: 22 words, 109 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֧ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·your·souls" (בְּנַפְשׁוֹתֵיכֶם֒, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 102: our·God, our·God. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "you·have·deceived" (הִתְעֵיתֶם֮), "for·you" (כִּֽי־אַתֶּ֞ם), "intercede" (הִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל). The root יהוה appears 3 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "saying" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'our·God', dividing the verse into phrases of 14 and 8 words.
Radak
"For you have deceived yourselves." It is vocalized with a tzeirei under the ayin [הִתְעֵיתֶם], and the meaning is: 'you have shown it through your own will' — that is, by what was in your souls — like the phrase 'if it is your heart's desire' [אם יש את נפשכם]; meaning: you did not deceive me with your mouths by saying something different from what was in your hearts, for Jeremiah perceived from them that their intention was to go to Egypt; therefore he said to them:
Metzudat David
“Because you have erred.” When he spoke with them, he saw from their faces that they did not desire to remain in their place. Therefore, he said: Truly, you have committed a great error against yourselves in that you sent me, etc. For had you not sent me, you would have been acting unintentionally; but now you are acting willfully.
Metzudat Zion
"You have led [yourselves] astray." – From the language of "erring" and "error."
“With your lives.” With your own selves.
Malbim
"Because you have deceived yourselves": This means that from this it is known that you had resolved in your minds to go to Egypt, and that when you sent me to the Lord, saying, "Pray, etc., and we will do according to all that He says," you thereby deceived yourselves. For the Lord knows the truth that it is not your intention to heed His voice. And from this I knew that...
and I have this day declared it to you; but you have not hearkened to the voice of Hashem your God in any thing for which He has sent me to you.
verse value 2408
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 50 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֣ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 2408 is divisible by 86, the value of Elohim. The shortest word is "to·you" (לָכֶ֖ם, 3 letters) and the longest is "that·He·sent·me" (אֲשֶׁר־שְׁלָחַ֥נִי, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·I·told" (וָאַגִּ֥ד). 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "that·He·sent·me" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "and·not" (root לא, 307x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'day', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 8 words. Full calculation: וָאַגִּ֥ד [and·I·told] (14) + לָכֶ֖ם [to·you] (90) + הַיּ֑וֹם [day] (61) + וְלֹ֣א [and·not] (37) + שְׁמַעְתֶּ֗ם [you·have·heard] (850) + בְּקוֹל֙ [voice] (138) + יְהֹוָ֣ה [Hashem] (26) + אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם [your·God] (106) + וּלְכֹ֖ל [and·to·them] (86) + אֲשֶׁר־שְׁלָחַ֥נִי [that·He·sent·me] (899) + אֲלֵיכֶֽם [to·you] (101) = 2408.
Radak
And I have told you today, yet you did not listen. For his words were not yet finished, and they did not answer him; rather, he perceived in them that their intention was to go to Egypt under any circumstances.
Metzudat David
"And to all." This means: just as you have not heeded until now all that [God] sent me to tell you.
Malbim
"I have made known to you today, and you did not listen; you have acted foolishly, for you gained nothing from this, but only..."
Now therefore know certainly that you shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither you desire to go to sojourn there.’
verse value 4552
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 54 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֗י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·in·the·pestilence" (וּבַדֶּ֖בֶר, 5 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "you·delighted·in" (חֲפַצְתֶּ֔ם). The root ידע appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "for" (root כי, 318x in Jeremiah); "and·in·the·pestilence" (root דבר, 270x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'you·will·die', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 6 words. Full calculation: וְעַתָּה֙ [now] (481) + יָדֹ֣עַ [surely] (84) + תֵּדְע֔וּ [you·shall·know] (480) + כִּ֗י [for] (30) + בַּחֶ֛רֶב [in·the·sword] (212) + בָּרָעָ֥ב [in·the·famine] (274) + וּבַדֶּ֖בֶר [and·in·the·pestilence] (214) + תָּמ֑וּתוּ [you·will·die] (852) + בַּמָּקוֹם֙ [in·the·place] (188) + אֲשֶׁ֣ר [that] (501) + חֲפַצְתֶּ֔ם [you·delighted·in] (618) + לָב֖וֹא [to·come] (39) + לָג֥וּר [to·sojourn] (239) + שָֽׁם [there] (340) = 4552.
Metzudat David
"And now, etc." He again warned them, so that they would know when the evil comes.
Malbim
"Now you shall know that by the sword and by famine you shall die; for if you had not asked Me, you would not have known what your end would be, but now that you have asked, you shall know that your end is death."
Metzudat Zion