Bible Strands
Jeremiah 44:15
Then all the men who knew that their wives were burning incense to other gods, and all the women standing by—a great assembly—along with all the people living in the land of Egypt and in Pathros, said to Jeremiah,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — A large assembly of men and women residing in Egypt and Pathros addresses Jeremiah immediately after he pronounces judgment on the Judahite remnant. The group speaks collectively to the prophet in direct response to his warning.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַ/יַּעֲנ֣וּ (va/i.ya.'a.Nu) translates literally as "and they answered," marking the assembly's direct reply. The participle מְקַטְּר֤וֹת (me.ka.te.Rot) denotes "were making smoke" or burning incense, describing the wives' ritual practice.
The thread — This collective defiance echoes the mob mentality seen when the men of Sodom surrounded Lot's house (Genesis 19:4) and parallels the failed search for a righteous remnant in Jerusalem (Jeremiah 5:1). The assembly's rejection of prophetic warning aligns with the pattern that the wicked face punishment while only a few fugitives survive (Proverbs 11:21; Jeremiah 44:14).
Why it lands — The text records the explicit refusal of a large group to heed a divine warning about their impending destruction. Readers must confront the reality that knowledge of ritual practice does not guarantee obedience to prophetic instruction.
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The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,
Cross-references
- Proverbs 11:21 Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
- Jeremiah 5:1 “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem. Look now and take note; search her squares. If you can find a single person, anyone who acts justly, anyone who seeks the truth, then I will forgive the city.
- Genesis 19:4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men of the city of Sodom, both young and old, surrounded the house.
- Nehemiah 13:26 Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin.
- Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
- 2 Peter 2:1 Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
- Isaiah 1:5 Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep rebelling? Your head has a massive wound, and your whole heart is afflicted.