Jeremiah 44
Judgment on Jews in Egypt
1The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews who lived in the land of Egypt, who lived at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Memphis, and in the country of Pathros, saying,
2“The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have seen all the evil that I have brought on Jerusalem, and on all the cities of Judah. Behold, today they are a desolation, and no man dwells in them,
3because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went to burn incense, to serve other gods that they didn’t know, neither they, nor you, nor your fathers.
4However I sent to you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, “Oh, don’t do this abominable thing that I hate.”
5But they didn’t listen and didn’t incline their ear. They didn’t turn from their wickedness, to stop burning incense to other gods.
6Therefore my wrath and my anger was poured out, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as it is today.’
7“Therefore now the LORD, the God of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Why do you commit great evil against your own souls, to cut off from yourselves man and woman, infant and nursing child out of the middle of Judah, to leave yourselves no one remaining,
8in that you provoke me to anger with the works of your hands, burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt where you have gone to live, that you may be cut off, and that you may be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?
9Have you forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, the wickedness of the kings of Judah, the wickedness of their wives, your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives which they committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
10They are not humbled even to this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers.’
11“Therefore the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, even to cut off all Judah.
12I will take the remnant of Judah that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to live there, and they will all be consumed. They will fall in the land of Egypt. They will be consumed by the sword and by the famine. They will die, from the least even to the greatest, by the sword and by the famine. They will be an object of horror, an astonishment, a curse, and a reproach.
13For I will punish those who dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence;
14so that none of the remnant of Judah, who have gone into the land of Egypt to live there, will escape or be left to return into the land of Judah, to which they have a desire to return to dwell there; for no one will return except those who will escape.’”
The People's Defiant Response
15Then all the men who knew that their wives burned incense to other gods, and all the women who stood by, a great assembly, even all the people who lived in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,
16“As for the word that you have spoken to us in the LORD’s name, we will not listen to you.
17But we will certainly perform every word that has gone out of our mouth, to burn incense to the queen of the sky and to pour out drink offerings to her, as we have done, we and our fathers, our kings and our princes, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; for then we had plenty of food, and were well, and saw no evil.
18But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of the sky, and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.”
19The women said, “When we burned incense to the queen of the sky and poured out drink offerings to her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings to her, without our husbands?”
20Then Jeremiah said to all the people—to the men and to the women, even to all the people who had given him an answer, saying,
21“The incense that you burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your fathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, didn’t the LORD remember them, and didn’t it come into his mind?
22Thus the LORD could no longer bear it, because of the evil of your doings and because of the abominations which you have committed. Therefore your land has become a desolation, an astonishment, and a curse, without inhabitant, as it is today.
23Because you have burned incense and because you have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the LORD’s voice, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil has happened to you, as it is today.”
24Moreover Jeremiah said to all the people, including all the women, “Hear the LORD’s word, all Judah who are in the land of Egypt!
25The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says, ‘You and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and with your hands have fulfilled it, saying, “We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of the sky, and to pour out drink offerings to her.” “‘Establish then your vows, and perform your vows.’
26“Therefore hear the LORD’s word, all Judah who dwell in the land of Egypt: ‘Behold, I have sworn by my great name,’ says the LORD, ‘that my name will no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, “As the Lord GOD lives.”
27Behold, I watch over them for evil, and not for good; and all the men of Judah who are in the land of Egypt will be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until they are all gone.
28Those who escape the sword will return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah few in number. All the remnant of Judah, who have gone into the land of Egypt to live there, will know whose word will stand, mine or theirs.
29“‘This will be the sign to you,’ says the LORD, ‘that I will punish you in this place, that you may know that my words will surely stand against you for evil.’
30The LORD says, ‘Behold, I will give Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies and into the hand of those who seek his life, just as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who was his enemy and sought his life.’”
Jeremiah delivers God's final judgment oracle against the Jewish refugees who fled to Egypt after Jerusalem's destruction. Despite witnessing God's punishment of Jerusalem for idolatry, these exiles continue worshiping foreign gods, particularly the Queen of Heaven, throughout Egyptian cities like Memphis and Tahpanhes. When confronted with this prophecy of complete destruction, the people defiantly reject Jeremiah's message, claiming their idol worship brought them prosperity and vowing to continue their religious practices regardless of God's warnings.
Context
This chapter represents Jeremiah's final recorded prophecy, concluding his ministry with the tragic reality that even exile and destruction failed to turn God's people from idolatry.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-6God's Indictment of Egyptian ExilesThe Lord reminds the Jewish refugees in Egypt that Jerusalem's destruction resulted from persistent idolatry despite prophetic warnings.
- 7-10Continued Rebellion in EgyptGod condemns the exiles for repeating the same idolatrous practices in Egypt that led to Judah's downfall.
- 11-14Prophecy of Total DestructionThe Lord pronounces complete judgment on the Egyptian Jewish community, declaring none will survive to return to Judah.
- 15-19The People's Defiant ResponseThe Jewish exiles boldly reject Jeremiah's message, attributing their past prosperity to worshiping the Queen of Heaven.
- 20-23Jeremiah's Counter-ResponseThe prophet argues that their idolatry, not their devotion to foreign gods, caused Jerusalem's destruction.
- 24-30Final Divine JudgmentGod confirms the irrevocable nature of judgment while providing Pharaoh Hophra's downfall as a confirming sign.
Judgment on Jews in Egypt
44:1–44:14God pronounces judgment through Jeremiah on the Jews living in Egypt, condemning their continued idolatry and warning of destruction. He reminds them of Jerusalem's fate and declares they will face similar consequences for their persistent wickedness and idol worship.
person_contrast
Jeremiah's final recorded prophecy targets Jewish refugees in four specific Egyptian cities—Migdol, Tahpanhes, Memphis, and Pathros—marking his ministry's geographic expansion beyond Judah's borders.
The People's Defiant Response
44:15–44:30The Jewish exiles in Egypt defiantly reject Jeremiah's message, insisting they will continue worshipping the queen of heaven despite God's warnings. Jeremiah responds that their idolatry is the cause of their judgment and desolation.
person_contrast
The exiles' collective defiance transforms Jeremiah from prophet delivering judgment to prophet receiving direct rejection, marking the only passage where an entire community openly refuses to hear God's word through him.
Jeremiah 44:3
Jeremiah 32:29lexicalThe Chaldeans, who fight against this city, will come and set this city on fire, and burn it with the houses on whose ro…
2 Chronicles 28:25lexicalIn every city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other gods, and provoked the LORD, the God of his fathers,…
2 Kings 22:17lexicalBecause they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the wo…
Jeremiah 25:6lexicalDon’t go after other gods to serve them or worship them, and don’t provoke me to anger with the work of your hands; then…
Jeremiah 44:5
Jeremiah 17:23lexicalBut they didn’t listen. They didn’t turn their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, and might not r…
Jeremiah 35:15lexicalI have sent also to you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, ‘Every one of you must r…
Jeremiah 44:6
Jeremiah 7:20lexicalTherefore the Lord GOD says: “Behold, my anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place, on man, on animal, on the…
Jeremiah 42:18lexicalFor the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘As my anger and my wrath has been poured out on the inhabitants of Jer…
Ezekiel 22:20lexicalAs they gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the middle of the furnace, to blow the fire on it, to melt it, s…
Nahum 1:6lexicalWho can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the fierceness of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and…
Isaiah 42:25lexicalTherefore he poured the fierceness of his anger on him, and the strength of battle. It set him on fire all around, but h…
Jeremiah 44:8
2 Kings 22:17lexicalBecause they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the wo…
Jeremiah 32:29lexicalThe Chaldeans, who fight against this city, will come and set this city on fire, and burn it with the houses on whose ro…
2 Chronicles 34:25lexicalBecause they have forsaken me, and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the w…
2 Chronicles 28:25lexicalIn every city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other gods, and provoked the LORD, the God of his fathers,…
Jeremiah 25:6lexicalDon’t go after other gods to serve them or worship them, and don’t provoke me to anger with the work of your hands; then…
Jeremiah 44:12
Jeremiah 29:18lexicalI will pursue after them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be tossed ba…
Jeremiah 42:18lexicalFor the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘As my anger and my wrath has been poured out on the inhabitants of Jer…
Jeremiah 49:13lexicalFor I have sworn by myself,” says the LORD, “that Bozrah will become an astonishment, a reproach, a waste, and a curse.…
Jeremiah 14:15lexicalTherefore the LORD says concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name, but I didn’t send them, yet they say, ‘Sword an…
Jeremiah 27:8lexical“‘“‘It will happen that I will punish the nation and the kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar king of Ba…
Jeremiah 44:13
Jeremiah 27:8lexical“‘“‘It will happen that I will punish the nation and the kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar king of Ba…
Jeremiah 29:18lexicalI will pursue after them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be tossed ba…
1 Chronicles 21:12lexicaleither three years of famine; or three months to be consumed before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes…
Jeremiah 21:9lexicalHe who remains in this city will die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, but he who goes out and passes…
Jeremiah 14:12lexicalWhen they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and meal offering, I will not accept them;…
Jeremiah 44:17
Jeremiah 7:18lexicalThe children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead the dough, to make cakes to the queen of…
Jeremiah 19:13lexicalThe houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah, which are defiled, will be as the place of Topheth, even a…
Jeremiah 32:29lexicalThe Chaldeans, who fight against this city, will come and set this city on fire, and burn it with the houses on whose ro…
2 Kings 16:13lexicalHe burned his burnt offering and his meal offering, poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offe…
2 Chronicles 13:11lexicalThey burn to the LORD every morning and every evening burnt offerings and sweet incense. They also set the show bread in…
Jeremiah 44:18
Jeremiah 7:18lexicalThe children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead the dough, to make cakes to the queen of…
Jeremiah 19:13lexicalThe houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah, which are defiled, will be as the place of Topheth, even a…
2 Kings 16:13lexicalHe burned his burnt offering and his meal offering, poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offe…
Jeremiah 32:29lexicalThe Chaldeans, who fight against this city, will come and set this city on fire, and burn it with the houses on whose ro…
Jeremiah 24:10lexicalI will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence among them, until they are consumed from off the land that I gave…
Jeremiah 44:19
Jeremiah 7:18lexicalThe children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead the dough, to make cakes to the queen of…
Jeremiah 19:13lexicalThe houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah, which are defiled, will be as the place of Topheth, even a…
Jeremiah 32:29lexicalThe Chaldeans, who fight against this city, will come and set this city on fire, and burn it with the houses on whose ro…
2 Kings 16:13lexicalHe burned his burnt offering and his meal offering, poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offe…
Jeremiah 44:22
Jeremiah 49:13lexicalFor I have sworn by myself,” says the LORD, “that Bozrah will become an astonishment, a reproach, a waste, and a curse.…
Jeremiah 25:18lexicalJerusalem, and the cities of Judah, with its kings and its princes, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, a hissin…
Jeremiah 44:23
1 Kings 2:3lexicaland keep the instruction of the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, his commandments, his ordinanc…
Deuteronomy 30:10lexicalif you will obey the LORD your God’s voice, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of…
Genesis 26:5lexicalbecause Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my requirements, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”
Jeremiah 44:25
Jeremiah 7:18lexicalThe children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead the dough, to make cakes to the queen of…
Jeremiah 19:13lexicalThe houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah, which are defiled, will be as the place of Topheth, even a…
2 Kings 16:13lexicalHe burned his burnt offering and his meal offering, poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offe…
Jeremiah 32:29lexicalThe Chaldeans, who fight against this city, will come and set this city on fire, and burn it with the houses on whose ro…
Jeremiah 44:27
Jeremiah 27:8lexical“‘“‘It will happen that I will punish the nation and the kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar king of Ba…
Jeremiah 24:10lexicalI will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence among them, until they are consumed from off the land that I gave…
Jeremiah 14:15lexicalTherefore the LORD says concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name, but I didn’t send them, yet they say, ‘Sword an…
Joshua 8:24lexicalWhen Israel had finished killing all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness in which they pursued them, a…
Jeremiah 14:12lexicalWhen they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and meal offering, I will not accept them;…
Jeremiah 44:28
1 Chronicles 16:19lexicalwhen you were but a few men in number, yes, very few, and foreigners in it.
Psalms 105:12lexicalwhen they were but a few men in number, yes, very few, and foreigners in it.
Jeremiah 42:17lexicalSo will it be with all the men who set their faces to go into Egypt to live there. They will die by the sword, by the fa…
Jeremiah 44:30
Jeremiah 21:7lexicalAfterward,” says the LORD, “I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, his servants, and the people, even those who are left…
Jeremiah 29:21lexicalThe LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maase…
Jeremiah 34:21lexical“I will give Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes into the hands of their enemies, into the hands of those who seek th…
Jeremiah 37:1lexicalZedekiah the son of Josiah reigned as king instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon m…
Jeremiah 39:1lexicalIn the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came ag…
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