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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 42:7-22

We have here the answer which Jeremiah was sent to deliver to those who employed him to ask counsel of God. I. It did not come immediately, not till ten days after, Jer. 42:7. They were thus long held in suspense, perhaps, to punish them for their hypocrisy or to show that Jeremiah did not speak of himself, nor what he would, for he could not speak when he would, but must wait for instructions. However, it teaches us to continue waiting upon God for direction in our way. The vision is for an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 42:20

For ye dissembled in your hearts ,.... Did not honestly and faithfully declare their intentions; they said one thing with their mouths, and meant another in their minds; they pretended they would act according to the will of God, as it should be made known to them by him, when they were determined to take their own way. Some render it, "ye have deceived me in your hearts" F26 התעי־תאם בנפשותיכם "seduxistis me animis vestris", so some in Vatablus; "fefellistis me", Munster. So Ben... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 42:20

For ye dissembled in your hearts - What a most miserable and incorrigible people! Ingratitude, hypocrisy, rebellion, and cruelty seem to have been enthroned in their hearts! And what are they still? Just what their fathers were, except in the mere article of idolatry; and that they do not practice because they are indifferent to their own religion and to that of all others. Examine their devotions and their lives, and see whether Charity herself can say they believe in the God of Abraham! read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 42:20

Verse 20 He now adds another circumstance, that they had sent him under the pretense of rare piety, as though they were in every way ready to render obedience to God. But he first says that they had deceived themselves, or had been deceived. The verb תעה, toe, from which the Hithpael comes, means to err or go astray. But interpreters do not agree; for some give this explanation, that they deceived the Prophet in their hearts, that is, that they craftily retained their perverse design of going... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 42:19-22

Carnal predispositions. I. THEY ARE THE GREAT SOURCES OF UNREALITY IN RELIGION . In sending Jeremiah to God they did not mean what they said. There was no honest willingness to do as the prophet might reveal. The only hope for them in their forlorn condition is thus tampered with and destroyed. It is possible that at first they may have meant well, but as they proceeded with their inquiry through the prophet they must have known that they had only one intention, which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 42:19-22

Searching the heart. There is here a very sudden and striking turn away from the tone of the previous part of the message. God looks into the future, and, seeing what actually will happen, seeing that Egypt will maintain its attraction, he warns the people they are going towards a certain doom. Their present state was one of undue, overweening self-confidence; and God will not allow people to remain under deception as to their own weakness, if a startling and abrupt message will serve to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 42:20

For ye dissembled in your hearts; rather, for ye have gone astray ( from the right path ) at the risk of your lives; or, another possible rendering, for ye hate led yourselves astray. Hypocrisy is certainly not the accusation which Jeremiah brings against the people. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 42:20

Ye dissembled in your hearts - Or, “ye have led yourselves astray,” i. e., your sending me to ask counsel of God was an act of self-delusion. You felt so sure that God would direct you to go into Egypt, that now that He has spoken to the contrary, you are unable to reconcile yourselves to it. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 42:20-22

Jeremiah 42:20-22. For ye dissembled in your hearts Hebrew, התעתום , have used deceit. They acted deceitfully, either toward God, calling him to bear witness to their sincerity in a matter in which they were not sincere; or toward the prophet, sending him to inquire of God for them, and promising to act according as God should direct, when they never intended it; or, toward their own souls, as the margin reads it. Thus Blaney, Surely ye have practised deceit against your own souls, ... read more

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