Jeremiah 44 14

Jeremiah 44:14 kjv

So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.

Jeremiah 44:14 nkjv

so that none of the remnant of Judah who have gone into the land of Egypt to dwell there shall escape or survive, lest they return to the land of Judah, to which they desire to return and dwell. For none shall return except those who escape.' "

Jeremiah 44:14 niv

None of the remnant of Judah who have gone to live in Egypt will escape or survive to return to the land of Judah, to which they long to return and live; none will return except a few fugitives."

Jeremiah 44:14 esv

so that none of the remnant of Judah who have come to live in the land of Egypt shall escape or survive or return to the land of Judah, to which they desire to return to dwell there. For they shall not return, except some fugitives."

Jeremiah 44:14 nlt

Of that remnant who fled to Egypt, hoping someday to return to Judah, there will be no survivors. Even though they long to return home, only a handful will do so."

Jeremiah 44 verses

Jeremiah 44 14 Meaning

The verse declares that while a remnant will escape Jerusalem's destruction, their wicked deeds and continued sin will lead to their demise. Despite Judah's former devotion to God, their persistent disobedience, particularly their idolatry in Egypt, ensures no positive outcome or repentance will be granted from God for the general populace who went into exile there. The phrase "there shall none escape nor remain" emphasizes the totality of their judgment due to their unrepentant sin.

Jeremiah 44 14 Context

Jeremiah 44 takes place after the fall of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of many Judeans to Egypt. The remaining people in Judah, facing famine and desolation, and those who had fled to Egypt, were practicing pagan rituals, particularly the worship of the "Queen of Heaven." This chapter is a powerful confrontation by Jeremiah, carrying God's severe message to these exiles who had returned to their sinful ways. Despite having witnessed God’s judgment firsthand through the destruction of their homeland, they blamed the Lord and returned to the very practices that led to their downfall. Jeremiah’s prophecy here addresses the spiritual adultery and disobedience of the exiles in Egypt.

Jeremiah 44 14 Word analysis

• וְלֹא (wə·lō): "And not." This is a strong negation, emphasizing the absence of any exception. It links this pronouncement directly to what follows.
• יִמָּלֵט (yimmālēṭ): "shall escape." From the root malat, meaning to escape, be delivered, or slip away. It speaks of evading physical destruction or death.
• וְלֹא (wə·lō): "and not." A repeated negation for emphasis, reinforcing the absolute nature of the judgment.
• יִשָּׁאֵר (yiššā’ēr): "shall remain." From the root šā’ar, meaning to remain over, be left behind. This complements "escape," covering any possibility of survival or continued existence in that place.
• מִן (min): "from" or "of." Introduces the group from whom no one will escape or remain.
• שְׁאֵרִית (šə’ê·rîṯ): "remnant." This significant word, derived from šā’ar (to remain), denotes the few left after a calamity. Here, it tragically describes the remnant of Judah who had exiled themselves to Egypt, implying a former survival that is now utterly doomed in this context.
• יְהוּדָה (yə·hû·ḏāh): "Judah." Refers to the people and the territory of the southern kingdom.
• אֲשֶׁר־בָּאוּ (’ă·šær-bā·’ū): "who have come."
• מִצְרַיְמָה (miṣ·rā·yim·mah): "to Egypt."
• לָגוּר (lā·ḡūr): "to sojourn" or "to dwell." Implies a temporary stay, yet they were establishing themselves, perpetuating their sin.

Words-group analysis:

• "וְלֹא יִמָּלֵט וְלֹא יִשָּׁאֵר" ("and not shall escape and not shall remain"): This powerful parallel structure ("no escape and no remaining") leaves no room for interpretation; absolute destruction is decreed. It underscores that survival in their present path is impossible.
• "מִן־שְׁאֵרִית יְהוּדָה אֲשֶׁר־בָּאוּ מִצְרַיְמָה לָגוּר" ("of the remnant of Judah who have come to Egypt to sojourn"): This phrase identifies the specific group under judgment: the Judeans who fled to Egypt. It highlights that even this remnant, who might have expected some respite or opportunity to continue, will also face complete devastation due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience. Their decision to sojourn in Egypt while reverting to pagan practices sealed their fate.

Jeremiah 44 14 Bonus section

The concept of a "remnant" is a recurring theme throughout Jeremiah and the Old Testament. Often, the remnant signifies hope, a group that survives God’s judgment to rebuild and continue the covenant lineage. However, in Jeremiah 44, the term "remnant" is used ironically to describe those who, by their actions, have forfeited any claim to future deliverance. Their clinging to idolatry in Egypt has turned them into a remnant destined for judgment, not restoration, contrasting with the faithful remnant anticipated in other prophecies. This verse underlines that survival is contingent on obedience and faithfulness to God, not merely on physical preservation.

Jeremiah 44 14 Commentary

This verse starkly pronounces God's judgment upon the Judean exiles in Egypt who have returned to their idolatrous ways. Jeremiah’s message is uncompromising: their refuge in Egypt has become a place of final reckoning, not deliverance. The absolute negation – "none shall escape nor remain" – emphasizes the finality of God's decree due to their continued disobedience. It serves as a profound warning against seeking safety in human arrangements while neglecting faithfulness to God, especially when those arrangements involve perpetuating sin, like the worship of idols. Their persistent apostasy, even after witnessing God's severe judgments against their nation, seals their doom.