Jeremiah 44 26

Jeremiah 44:26 kjv

Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the LORD, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord GOD liveth.

Jeremiah 44:26 nkjv

Therefore hear the word of the LORD, all Judah who dwell in the land of Egypt: 'Behold, I have sworn by My great name,' says the LORD, 'that My name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, "The Lord GOD lives."

Jeremiah 44:26 niv

But hear the word of the LORD, all you Jews living in Egypt: 'I swear by my great name,' says the LORD, 'that no one from Judah living anywhere in Egypt will ever again invoke my name or swear, "As surely as the Sovereign LORD lives."

Jeremiah 44:26 esv

Therefore hear the word of the LORD, all you of Judah who dwell in the land of Egypt: Behold, I have sworn by my great name, says the LORD, that my name shall no more be invoked by the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, 'As the Lord GOD lives.'

Jeremiah 44:26 nlt

"But listen to this message from the LORD, all you Judeans now living in Egypt: 'I have sworn by my great name,' says the LORD, 'that my name will no longer be spoken by any of the Judeans in the land of Egypt. None of you may invoke my name or use this oath: "As surely as the Sovereign LORD lives."

Jeremiah 44 verses

Jeremiah 44 26 Meaning

This verse marks a significant pronouncement by God through Jeremiah. It signifies the end of divine consideration for a specific group, those who continued in idolatry. Their persistent defiance led to an irreversible divine judgment, removing their hope for future repentance or restoration in this life. God's declaration emphasizes a complete separation from them due to their unwavering disobedience and rejection of His covenant.

Jeremiah 44 26 Context

Jeremiah 44 addresses a post-exilic situation, specifically concerning the Judean refugees who fled to Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem. Despite witnessing the destruction of their homeland and Jerusalem due to their apostasy and idolatry, a remnant stubbornly clung to their pagan practices, particularly the worship of the "Queen of Heaven" (verses 15-19). They attributed their misfortunes not to their disobedience but to the cessation of these idolatrous sacrifices. Jeremiah, empowered by God, confronts them in Egypt, revealing God's unwavering decision of judgment. This chapter is a stark warning against continuing in sin and the consequences of rejecting God's covenant and prophets. The persistent idolatry and rejection of God's word by these refugees led to God's final, irreversible decree of judgment upon them.

Jeremiah 44 26 Word Analysis

• לָכֵן (lakhen): "Therefore" or "So" – This is a strong conjunctive particle, linking the preceding events and their reasons to God's current pronouncement. It signifies a direct consequence.
• כֹּה (koh): "Thus" or "So" – Emphasizes the authoritative nature of the declaration that follows. It's God speaking directly.
• אָמַר (amar): "says" – Introduces the divine oracle.
• יהוה (YHWH): The personal covenant name of God, signifying His unchanging nature and faithfulness, even in judgment.
• אֱלֹהֵי (Elohei): "God of" – Refers to God in His capacity as the divine ruler and creator, connected here with Israel's covenant.
• יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrael): "Israel" – Identifies the covenant people.
• לֹא (lo): "not" – A direct negation of the request made by the people.
• אֶעֱשֶׂה (e‘esheh): "I will do" – Future tense, emphasizing a resolute decision by God. The request was to cease their practices.
• מְאוּמָה (me’umah): "anything," "aught," or "anything at all" – Amplifies the absolute refusal of their petition.
• רָעָה (ra‘ah): "evil" or "calamity" – Signifies God's intention to act in judgment.
• צַד (tsad): "side" or "towards" – Indicates the direction or focus of God's watching.
• אֵלֵיכֶם (eleikhem): "towards you" – Personalizing the judgment directed at the assembled group.
• כִּי (ki): "for," "because," or "indeed" – Introduces the reason for the judgment, highlighting the ongoing disobedience.
• וְשָׁמַרְתִּי (weshamarti): "and I will watch" or "and I will keep watch" – Not in a protective sense here, but in a punitive one.
• רָעָה (ra‘ah): "evil" – Again emphasizes the negative aspect of God's focus upon them.
• וְלֹא (welō): "and not" – Explicitly states the absence of blessing.
• לְטוֹב (letov): "for good" – The opposite of evil; their welfare and blessing are withdrawn.
• וְנִכְלוּ (wenikhilu): "and shall be consumed" or "perish" – A future passive form indicating destruction.
• כָּל (kol): "all" – Indicates the totality of the people involved.
• יְהוּדָה (Yehudah): "Judah" – The collective noun for the people from the kingdom of Judah.
• אֲשֶׁר (asher): "who" or "which" – Relative pronoun.
• בָּאָרֶץ (ba’arets): "in the land" – Referring to the land of Egypt where they had taken refuge.
• מִצְרַיִם (Mitzrayim): "Egypt" – The location of their exile and subsequent judgment.
• חֶרֶב (herev): "sword" – A common instrument of war and judgment.
• וּבָרָעָב (urā‘āv): "and by famine" – Another form of divine judgment, highlighting the complete siege of destruction.
• עַד־אֵין (ad-‘eyn): "until there is none" or "until not" – Expresses utter annihilation and finality.
• מוֹתִיר (motir): "leaving behind" or "remaining" – Further emphasizing the completeness of the destruction.

Phrase/Passage Analysis:

"I will not do the thing that you have asked." This is a direct refusal of their request to cease their practices. They had asked Jeremiah to pray to God not to prevent them from continuing their offerings to the Queen of Heaven. God's response is absolute."See, I will watch over you for evil and not for good." This shifts the "watching" from benevolent oversight to punitive surveillance. God's gaze is now fixed on their downfall."all Judah who are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by famine until there are none." This pronouncement of total destruction through warfare and starvation underscores the severity of God's judgment and the finality of their apostasy.

Jeremiah 44 26 Bonus Section

This verse underscores the sovereignty of God in both blessing and judgment. While God is described as gracious and merciful, His justice demands accountability for covenant violation, especially habitual idolatry. The reference to "watching for evil" illustrates that God's awareness of sin is not passive; it actively leads to judgment when unrepented. This also serves as a powerful reminder that religious practices devoid of true faith and obedience are utterly displeasing to God. The condemnation of the "Queen of Heaven" worship in this chapter is a direct confrontation with syncretistic practices, common in the ancient Near East, which blended pagan deities with the worship of the true God, a transgression that consistently provoked God's wrath. The people believed their former prosperity was due to these idols, a dangerous deception that prevented their repentance. God's judgment is portrayed as a consequence of their persistent "evil deeds" and turning "their back" on Him, as described in earlier verses of this chapter.

Jeremiah 44 26 Commentary

Jeremiah 44:26 is a pivotal verse in the prophetic message. It highlights God's response to persistent idolatry and disobedience within His covenant people. The people in Egypt, rather than repenting, were seeking divine approval for their continued pagan worship. God's decision here is definitive: their pleas are rejected, and His judgment will be absolute. This signifies a turning point from patient discipline to complete judicial severance. It underscores the reality that continuous defiance can lead to a state where divine grace is withdrawn. The "sword and famine" represent the comprehensive devastation that will overtake them, leaving no remnant in Egypt to return.