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Jeremiah 11:4

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 11:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of 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;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of 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;
Jeremiah 11:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying,
2Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
3and say thou unto them, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man that heareth not the words of this covenant,
4which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of 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;
5that I may establish the oath which I sware unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day. Then answered I, and said, Amen, O Jehovah.
6And Jehovah said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.
7For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.
← Jeremiah 11:3Jeremiah 11:5 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Which I commanded your fathers, etc.] To observe and keep: in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt: that is, quickly after, when they were in the wilderness, and before they came into the land of Canaan. The “day” seems to include the whole time from their coming out of Egypt, to their entrance into Canaan’s land; it was in the first year of their coming out from thence that the law was given them on Mount Sinai, (<021901>Exodus 19:1-11), and it was in the fortieth year, and when they were upon the borders of Canaan, that the covenant was made with them in the land of Moab, (<050103>Deuteronomy 1:3 29:1): “from the iron furnace”; meaning Egypt, and their bondage and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“in the day--that is, when. The Sinaitic covenant was made some time after the exodus, but the two events are so connected as to be viewed as one. iron furnace-- (Deu 4:20; Kg1 8:51). "Furnace" expresses the searching ordeal; "iron," the long duration of it. The furnace was of earth, not of iron (Psa 12:6); a furnace, in heat and duration enough to melt even iron. God's deliverance of them from such an ordeal aggravates their present guilt. do them--namely, the words of the covenant (Jer 11:3). so, &c.-- (Lev 26:3, Lev 26:12).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“From the iron furnace - Rather, out of “the iron furnace,” Egypt (see Deuteronomy 4:20). The constant reference to Deuteronomy shows how great had been the effect upon Jeremiah’s mind of the public recitation of the “Book of the covenant” found in the temple. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“11:4 The Egyptians knew how to smelt iron, but the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt was also a metaphor for the Israelites’ slavery in that land from which the Lord had rescued them. God had also promised to be uniquely theirs if they would be uniquely his (Exod 6:7).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I commanded: Jer 31:32; Exo 24:3-8; Deu 5:2, Deu 5:3, Deu 29:10-15; Eze 20:6-12; Heb 8:8-10 iron: Deu 4:20; Kg1 8:51; Isa 48:10 Obey: Jer 7:22, Jer 7:23, Jer 26:13; Exo 20:6, Exo 23:21, Exo 23:22; Lev 26:3, Lev 26:12; Deu 11:27, Deu 28:1-14; Sa1 15:22; Zac 6:15; Mat 28:20; Heb 5:9 ye be: Jer 24:7, Jer 30:22, Jer 31:31, Jer 31:33, Jer 32:38; Gen 17:8; Lev 26:12; Eze 11:20, Eze 14:11; Eze 36:28, Eze 37:23, Eze 37:27; Zac 8:8, Zac 13:9; Co2 6:16; Heb 8:10 Jeremiah 11:5”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification