John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 42:22

"Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go to sojourn there." — Jeremiah 42:22 (ASV)

The Prophet finally concludes his discourse, after having mentioned the reasons why God would deal so severely with them: because their treachery, impiety, ingratitude, and obstinate contempt were unbearable. After then showing that they had no reason to protest as though God were extremely harsh, he finally declares what end awaited them—that they should die by the sword, famine, or pestilence. This means that there would be no hope of safety for them, because if they escaped from the sword, they would be beset by famine, and if they evaded the famine, they would be destroyed by pestilence. This is a common way of speaking for the Prophets, as is well known: when they indicate that the ungodly hope in vain for impunity, they represent God as having all kinds of punishment at his command.

Ye shall then," he says, "die in that place which ye seek for your sojourn, he again shows the aim of the people, for they did not intend to live permanently in Egypt, but only for a time, until they were free to return to their own country. In short, they wished to be restored, so to speak, against God’s will; and yet they did not cease to falsely use the name of God, as hypocrites, who mock God, always do.