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Jeremiah 44:1

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¶ The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews which dwell in the land of Egypt, which dwell at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying,

The word {H1697} that came to Jeremiah {H3414} concerning all the Jews {H3064} which dwell {H3427} in the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, which dwell {H3427} at Migdol {H4024}, and at Tahpanhes {H8471}, and at Noph {H5297}, and in the country {H776} of Pathros {H6624}, saying {H559},

This word came to Yirmeyahu concerning all the people from Y'hudah living in the land of Egypt - in Migdol, Tachpanches, Nof and the land of Patros:

This is the word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews living in the land of Egypt—in Migdol, Tahpanhes, and Memphis—and in the land of Pathros:

The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews that dwelt in the land of Egypt, that dwelt at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Memphis, and in the country of Pathros, saying,

Commentary

Jeremiah 44:1 introduces a crucial prophetic message from God delivered through the prophet Jeremiah. This verse sets the stage for the final major prophecy recorded in the book of Jeremiah, specifically targeting Jewish communities who had fled to Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem.

Context

Following the Babylonian conquest of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, many surviving Jews, despite God's explicit warnings through Jeremiah, chose to migrate to Egypt, seeking safety and sustenance. This verse identifies the specific locations where these Jewish exiles had settled: Migdol (likely a border fortress in the north-east), Tahpanhes (a significant city in the Nile Delta where Jeremiah himself was taken), Noph (the ancient capital, Memphis), and the region of Pathros (Upper Egypt, further south along the Nile). This wide geographical distribution indicates a significant Jewish presence throughout Egypt, establishing the broad audience for Jeremiah's final, severe pronouncements.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority of the Word: The opening phrase, "The word that came to Jeremiah," immediately establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message. This is not Jeremiah's personal opinion but a direct revelation from God, emphasizing God's continued engagement with His people even in their rebellion and dispersion. This echoes the consistent theme throughout the book that Jeremiah speaks for the Lord (Jeremiah 1:2).
  • God's Omnipresence and Concern: Despite the Jews' disobedience in fleeing to Egypt (against God's command in Jeremiah 42:19), God's word finds them. This demonstrates God's unwavering concern for His covenant people, even when they are disobedient and far from the promised land, showing that His reach extends beyond geographical boundaries.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: While this verse merely introduces the message, the subsequent chapters detail the severe judgment God would bring upon these Jews in Egypt for their persistent idolatry and refusal to heed His warnings, highlighting the dire consequences of rejecting divine counsel.

Linguistic Insights

The place names mentioned are significant for understanding the scope of the Jewish diaspora in Egypt:

  • Noph: This is the Hebrew name for the ancient and once-grand Egyptian capital city of Memphis, a major center of power and religion.
  • Pathros: Refers to Upper Egypt, the southern region of ancient Egypt. Its inclusion indicates that Jewish communities were spread throughout the entire length of the habitable Nile Valley.

These terms underscore the reality that the Jewish exiles were not confined to one area but were widely dispersed, making God's message relevant to all of them.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 44:1 reminds us that God's word is not limited by our circumstances or geographical location. Even when we make choices that lead us away from His perfect will, God continues to speak, offering warnings, guidance, and truth. This verse encourages us to consider:

  • Are we truly listening to God's voice, even when it challenges our comfort or preferred course of action?
  • Do we recognize that God's presence and word extend to us, no matter where we are or what difficulties we face?
  • The importance of obedience to God's revealed will, as disobedience often leads to greater complications and separation from His blessing.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 46:14 (8 votes)

    Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee.

  • Exodus 14:2 (5 votes)

    Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.

  • Isaiah 11:11 (5 votes)

    And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

  • Isaiah 19:13 (4 votes)

    The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, [even they that are] the stay of the tribes thereof.

  • Ezekiel 30:18 (3 votes)

    At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity.

  • Jeremiah 46:19 (3 votes)

    O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity: for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant.

  • Jeremiah 2:16 (3 votes)

    Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head.