Jeremiah 11:4

The Broken Covenant · Jeremiah 11:1–17
Read Jeremiah 11

Translations

Modern
…which I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, ‘Obey Me, and do everything I command you, and you will be My people, and I will be your God.’
Traditional
Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:
Literal
…that I commanded your fathers in the day I brought them from the land of Egypt, from the furnace iron, saying, ‘Listen to My voice, and do according to all that I command you, and you shall be My people, and I shall be your God,
Latin
…quod præcepi patribus vestris, in die qua eduxi eos de terra Ægypti, de fornace ferrea, dicens: Audite vocem meam, et facite omnia quæ præcipio vobis, et eritis mihi in populum, et ego ero vobis in Deum:

Original

Hebrew
English
…which I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, ‘Obey Me, and do everything I command you, and you will be My people, and I will be your God.’

Notes

The Egyptians knew how to smelt iron. However, the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt symbolized the Israelites’ slavery there. The Lord rescued them from this slavery. God also promised to be their unique God if they would be his unique people (Exodus 6:7).

The Lord reminded Jeremiah of several messages (Exodus 19:5) that had formed the foundation of the relationship between the Lord and Israel for many centuries. Since the kingdom of Judah was the last part of Israel, its people were the ones facing judgment before the Lord. This likely happened during King Jehoiakim's reign.

Theme notes and profiles

God’s Covenants

Events

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (Old Testament) Book of Jeremiah Furnace Jeremiah (Person) Minerals and Metals

Topics

Blessing: Contingent Upon Obedience Commandments: General Scriptures Concerning Contingencies in Divine Government of Man Furnace of Affliction Iron: First Recorded Use of Furnace