Jeremiah 44:1-9

1 verbum quod factum est ad Hieremiam ad omnes Iudaeos qui habitant in terra Aegypti habitantes in Magdolo et in Tafnis et in Memphis et in terra Fatures dicens

2 haec dicit Dominus exercituum Deus Israhel vos vidistis omne malum istud quod adduxi super Hierusalem et super omnes urbes Iuda et ecce sunt desertae hodie et non est in eis habitator

3 propter malitiam quam fecerunt ut me ad iracundiam provocarent et irent et sacrificarent et colerent deos alienos quos nesciebant et illi et vos et patres vestri

4 et misi ad vos omnes servos meos prophetas de nocte consurgens mittensque et dicens nolite facere verbum abominationis huius quam odi

5 et non audierunt nec inclinaverunt aurem suam ut converterentur a malis suis et non sacrificarent diis alienis

6 et conflata est indignatio mea et furor meus et succensa est in civitatibus Iuda et in plateis Hierusalem et versae sunt in solitudinem et vastitatem secundum diem hanc

7 et nunc haec dicit Dominus exercituum Deus Israhel quare vos facitis malum grande contra animas vestras ut intereat ex vobis vir et mulier parvulus et lactans de medio Iudae nec relinquatur vobis quicquam residuum

8 provocantes me in operibus manuum vestrarum sacrificando diis alienis in terra Aegypti in quam ingressi estis ut habitetis ibi et dispereatis et sitis in maledictionem et in obprobrium cunctis gentibus terrae

9 numquid obliti estis mala patrum vestrorum et mala regum Iuda et mala uxorum eius et mala vestra et mala uxorum vestrarum quae fecerunt in terra Iuda et in regionibus Hierusalem

Jeremiah 44:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 44

This chapter contains a sermon of Jeremiah's to the Jews in Egypt, reproving them for their idolatry there; their answer to it, expressing their resolution to continue in their idolatrous practices; and a denunciation of judgments upon them, of which a sign is given. The sermon begins with observing to them the destruction of Jerusalem, and the causes of it, idolatry and contempt of the prophets, Jer 44:1-6; then follows an expostulation with the present Jews for doing the same things, and exposing themselves and their posterity to the same punishment, Jer 44:7-10; upon which they are threatened with the sore judgments of God that should come upon them, and cut them off in general, Jer 44:11-14; yet such were the impudence and obstinacy of this people, that they declared they would not hearken to the prophet, but persist in their idolatry; it having been better with them when they practised it than when they left it, Jer 44:15-19; to which the prophet replies by observing, that for the idolatry of their fathers their land was become a desolation and a curse, as at this day, Jer 44:20-23; and assures them that destruction would come from the Lord upon them, which he had swore to, Jer 44:24-28; and a sign of it is given; the delivery of the king of Egypt into the hand of the king of Babylon, Jer 44:29,30.