Jeremiah 44:4

4 Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets again and again, ^[a] saying: ‘Do not do this detestable thing that I hate.’

Jeremiah 44:4 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 44:4

Howbeit, I sent unto you all my servants the prophets
As many as he raised up, and employed in the work and service of prophesying; and these were many; and as many as they were, he sent them to them, one after another, to warn them of their sin and danger; but all to no purpose; which was a further aggravation of their wickedness: nay, though he was rising early, and sending [them];
was very early in his messages to them; gave them timely warning, and let slip no opportunity of admonishing them; and this he did constantly; see ( Jeremiah 7:13 Jeremiah 7:25 ) ; saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate;
all sin is abominable in itself, and hateful to God, especially idolatry; and therefore should not be done; it should be abominable to men, and hateful to them, because it is so to God; and after such a remonstrance as this, to commit it must be very aggravating and provoking.

Jeremiah 44:4 In-Context

2 “This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: You have seen all the disaster that I brought against Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah; and behold, they lie today in ruins and desolation

3 because of the evil they have done. They provoked Me to anger by continuing to burn incense and to serve other gods that neither they nor you nor your fathers ever knew.

4 Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets again and again, saying: ‘Do not do this detestable thing that I hate.’

5 But they did not listen or incline their ears; they did not turn from their wickedness or stop burning incense to other gods.

6 Therefore My wrath and anger poured out and burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, so that they have become the desolate ruin they are today.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally the prophets, rising up early and sending (them),