Jeremiah 44:10

KJV

They are not humbled [even] unto this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers.

KJV (with Strong's)

They are not humbled {H1792} even unto this day {H3117}, neither have they feared {H3372}, nor walked {H1980} in my law {H8451}, nor in my statutes {H2708}, that I set {H5414} before {H6440} you and before {H6440} your fathers {H1}.

Complete Jewish Bible

To this day they remain unhumbled; they have not been afraid, and they have not lived according to my Torah or my regulations that I presented to you and your ancestors.'

Berean Standard Bible

To this day they have not humbled themselves or shown reverence, nor have they followed My instruction or the statutes that I set before you and your fathers.

American Standard Version

They are not humbled even unto this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 44:10 delivers a profound and sorrowful indictment against the Jewish remnant in Egypt, exposing their unyielding spiritual obduracy and persistent rebellion against God. Despite having witnessed the catastrophic divine judgments, including the utter destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of their brethren, they remained unhumbled, devoid of reverential fear for the Lord, and continued to disregard His covenantal law and statutes. This verse tragically illustrates that even the most devastating trials do not automatically lead to repentance without a genuine, contrite turning of the heart toward God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 44:10 is strategically placed within the climactic final prophecies of Jeremiah, specifically directed at the Jewish community that had fled to Egypt following the destruction of Jerusalem and the assassination of Gedaliah. The preceding chapters, [Jeremiah 42](/jeremiah/42 "Jeremiah 42 - Warning Against Going to Egypt") and [Jeremiah 43](/jeremiah/43 "Jeremiah 43 - Disobedience and Flight to Egypt"), meticulously record God's explicit command, delivered through Jeremiah, forbidding the remnant from seeking refuge in Egypt. God promised protection and flourishing in Judah if they obeyed, but warned of certain destruction if they defied Him. Despite this clear divine instruction, the people defiantly chose to settle in Egypt, dismissing Jeremiah's words as deceitful ([Jeremiah 43:2](/jeremiah/43-2 "Jeremiah 43:2 - The People's Rejection of Jeremiah's Prophecy")). [Jeremiah 44](/jeremiah/44 "Jeremiah 44 - Prophecy of Destruction in Egypt") then chronicles Jeremiah's final, desperate attempt to call them to repentance, highlighting their pervasive idolatry, particularly their fervent worship of the "Queen of Heaven" ([Jeremiah 44:17-19](/jeremiah/44-17-19 "Jeremiah 44:17-19 - Worship of the Queen of Heaven")). Verse 10 functions as a summarizing accusation, providing the theological rationale for the impending judgment upon them in Egypt: their past sufferings had produced no genuine spiritual transformation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Jeremiah 44:10 is the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian conquest of Judah and the devastating destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The once-proud city and its sacred Temple lay in ruins, and a significant portion of the populace had been forcibly carried into Babylonian exile ([2 Kings 25:8-12](/2_kings/25-8-12 "2 Kings 25:8-12 - Destruction of Jerusalem and Exile")). A small remnant, including the prophet Jeremiah, remained in Judah under the governorship of Gedaliah. However, Gedaliah's subsequent assassination ignited widespread fear among the remaining Jews, prompting them to flee to Egypt, seeking perceived safety and sustenance, despite God's explicit prohibition. Culturally, the worship of foreign deities, such as the "Queen of Heaven" (likely referring to Ishtar or Astarte), was a deeply entrenched and persistent syncretistic practice among the Israelites, a spiritual plague that had afflicted them for centuries ([Judges 2:13](/judges/2-13 "Judges 2:13 - Worshipping Baals and Ashtaroth") and [1 Kings 11:5](/1_kings/11-5 "1 Kings 11:5 - Solomon's Idolatry")). Their flight to Egypt was not merely a geographical relocation but a profound spiritual regression, a return to the very land from which God had miraculously delivered their ancestors, and a renewed embrace of the idolatrous practices prevalent in that land. Their utter failure to be humbled by the catastrophic events they had just endured demonstrates a profound spiritual blindness and an entrenched resistance to God's covenantal demands.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 44:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes central to the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it starkly highlights the theme of **Persistent Disobedience and Unrepentance**. Despite God's repeated warnings, patient appeals, and severe judgments, the people's hearts remained stubbornly hardened, utterly unwilling to turn from their idolatrous ways. This ingrained stubbornness is a recurring motif throughout Jeremiah, graphically illustrating the depths of human rebellion against divine authority. Secondly, the verse underscores the tragic **Absence of Reverential Fear of the Lord**. True fear of God is not a paralyzing terror but a profound, holy awe that naturally leads to obedience, wisdom, and a desire to honor Him ([Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom")). Their palpable lack of such fear meant they had no proper regard for God's holiness, omnipotence, or commands, leading to their audacious defiance. Thirdly, it emphasizes the blatant **Rejection of God's Law and Statutes**. The covenant God graciously made with Israel at Sinai provided a clear, life-giving path for blessing and prosperity ([Deuteronomy 30:15-20](/deuteronomy/30-15-20 "Deuteronomy 30:15-20 - Choose Life and Blessing")). Their refusal to "walk in my law" signifies a deliberate, ongoing, and comprehensive defiance of this divine framework, leading inevitably to further judgment. Finally, the verse speaks to the devastating **Consequences of Unlearned Lessons**, demonstrating unequivocally that suffering alone does not guarantee repentance. Without a responsive and contrite heart, even the most devastating experiences can fail to produce spiritual transformation, leading only to a deeper spiral of judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Humbled (Hebrew, _dâkâʼ'_):** This primitive root signifies "to crumble," "to bruise," or "to be broken in pieces." In a moral or spiritual sense, it means "to be contrite," "to be crushed," or "to be brought low" in a posture of submission and repentance. The phrase "not humbled" powerfully conveys a stubborn, unyielding refusal to acknowledge their sin, to yield to God's disciplinary hand, or to repent in the face of overwhelming evidence of His righteous judgment. It speaks to a hardened heart that actively resists the very process God uses to bring about genuine repentance and restoration.
* **Feared (Hebrew, _yârêʼ'_):** This term encompasses both a sense of dread or terror and, more profoundly, a deep sense of awe, reverence, and respectful submission. In the context of a relationship with God, it refers to a holy reverence that inspires obedience and a fervent desire to please Him, recognizing His supreme authority, holiness, and power. The statement "neither have they feared" means they lacked this foundational, life-shaping respect for God, which is absolutely essential for a right relationship with Him and for walking in His prescribed ways. Their actions demonstrated a casual, even contemptuous, disregard for His power and His commands.
* **Walked (Hebrew, _hâlak'_):** This primitive root means "to walk" in a vast array of applications, both literally and figuratively. When used in conjunction with "law" or "statutes," it signifies living one's life according to, or in consistent accordance with, those divine principles. It implies a continuous, practical adherence, shaping one's daily conduct and overall way of life. Their failure to "walk in my law" means they were not living out God's commandments in their daily existence; their actions and choices consistently contradicted His revealed will and covenantal expectations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They are not humbled [even] unto this day,"** This opening clause immediately establishes the severe tone of divine accusation. "Humbled" (dâkâʼ) implies a brokenness of spirit, a contrite heart, or a willing submission to God's discipline. The phrase "unto this day" (yôwm) powerfully emphasizes the persistent, unyielding, and chronic nature of their rebellion. Despite having endured the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of their nation, and the exile of their people, they had not been broken or brought to genuine repentance. Their hearts remained stubbornly hard and impenitent.
* **"neither have they feared,"** This clause indicates a profound and lamentable absence of reverential awe for God. The "fear of the Lord" (yârêʼ) in biblical terms is not mere terror but a deep, respectful awe for God's holiness, omnipotence, and authority that naturally leads to obedience, wisdom, and a desire to honor Him. Their palpable lack of this fear meant they had no proper regard for Him as the sovereign Lord, demonstrating a casual and dangerous disregard for His commands and His very person.
* **"nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes,"** This clause precisely specifies the practical, behavioral outcome of their unhumbled and fearless state: a comprehensive and deliberate disregard for God's revealed will. "Walked" (hâlak) is a common and profound biblical idiom for living one's life consistently according to certain principles or a specific path. "My law" (tôwrâh) refers to God's divine instruction, often encompassing the entire Pentateuch or specific commandments given at Sinai. "My statutes" (chuqqâh) refers to specific enactments, ordinances, or decrees, providing concrete applications of the broader law. Together, they represent the entirety of God's covenantal requirements for His people. Their failure to walk in them signifies active, ongoing disobedience and a blatant rejection of the covenant relationship.
* **"that I set before you and before your fathers."** This final clause powerfully highlights the long, tragic history of God's unwavering faithfulness contrasted with their persistent, generational unfaithfulness. God had clearly and repeatedly revealed His expectations, not only to the present generation but also to their ancestors, tracing back to the foundational covenant established at Sinai. This emphasizes the deeply entrenched, generational pattern of rebellion and underscores the inexcusable nature of their current disobedience, as they had been given ample opportunity, clear instruction, and profound historical precedent to know and obey God's will.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 44:10 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and condemnatory message. Most prominent is the use of **Anaphora** and **Parallelism** through the repeated negative construction: "neither have they feared, nor walked..." This creates a rhythmic, insistent, and comprehensive accusatory tone, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of their spiritual failures. This repetition underscores that their disobedience was not isolated but encompassed a lack of internal humility, an absence of reverential fear, and a pervasive failure of external obedience to God's Law. The phrase "unto this day" functions as a powerful **Temporal Marker** and **Emphasis**, highlighting the enduring and unyielding nature of their rebellion, powerfully suggesting that even the most severe divine judgments (such as the utter destruction of Jerusalem) had failed to break their stubborn will. The verse also serves as a direct **Indictment**, a formal, divine accusation delivered through His prophet, laying bare the people's profound guilt and providing the clear justification for the impending judgment. Finally, the stark contrast between God's clear, consistent revelation ("that I set before you and before your fathers") and their persistent, defiant disobedience creates a strong sense of **Irony** and profound **Pathos**, revealing God's deep disappointment and the tragic, self-inflicted consequences of human rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 44:10 profoundly illustrates the sobering biblical truth that outward suffering and divine discipline do not automatically produce inward repentance or spiritual transformation. The remnant's unhumbled state, their palpable lack of fear for God, and their blatant disregard for His law reveal a deep-seated spiritual pathology – a hardened, impenitent heart resistant to divine discipline and correction. This verse underscores the critical importance of a responsive and contrite heart to God's dealings, whether manifested in judgment or in mercy. True repentance involves not merely regret for consequences but a genuine contrite spirit, a profound, reverential awe for God's holiness and supreme authority, and a sincere, practical commitment to walk in His ways. It speaks to the enduring nature of the covenant relationship, where God's law is not merely a set of burdensome rules but a gracious guide for life, intrinsically designed to foster a loving, obedient, and flourishing relationship with Him. The people's tragic failure to learn from their long history of disobedience, even after witnessing the cataclysmic destruction of their nation, serves as a stark and timeless warning against spiritual amnesia and the perilous dangers of persistent, unyielding rebellion.

* [Deuteronomy 30:19-20](/deuteronomy/30-19-20 "Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - Choose Life and Blessing")
* [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge")
* [Romans 2:4](/romans/2-4 "Romans 2:4 - God's Kindness Leads to Repentance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 44:10 offers a timeless and profoundly sobering mirror for self-examination, challenging us to honestly consider the true state of our hearts in the face of life's inevitable trials and God's clearly revealed will. Are we genuinely humbled by the circumstances God allows in our lives, allowing them to soften our hearts, expose our sin, and draw us into deeper dependence upon Him, or do we stubbornly resist His discipline, hardening ourselves against His refining and sanctifying work? Do we possess a reverential fear of the Lord that profoundly shapes our decisions, motivates our obedience, and cultivates a deep desire to honor Him, or do we treat His commands casually, prioritizing our own desires, comforts, or perceived wisdom above His sovereign will? Our faith is not merely intellectual assent or a set of abstract beliefs, but a dynamic call to "walk" in His law and statutes, integrating His truth, principles, and commands into the very fabric of our daily lives and choices. This verse powerfully reminds us that true spiritual growth and transformation come not simply from experiencing difficulties, but from a humble, obedient, and teachable response to them. We must actively and intentionally learn from our past mistakes, from the lessons of biblical history, and from God's providential dealings, allowing His Word and His Spirit to lead us to genuine repentance, a contrite heart, and a life characterized by faithful obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be resisting God's humbling work, even after experiencing difficult consequences or divine discipline?**
* **What does "fearing God" practically look like in my daily choices, attitudes, and priorities, particularly when faced with temptation or challenge?**
* **Am I actively and consistently "walking" in God's law and statutes, or is there a noticeable disconnect between what I know to be true and how I actually live?**
* **How can I ensure that I genuinely learn from past mistakes and trials, allowing them to produce spiritual growth rather than repeating patterns of disobedience or hardening my heart?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the phrase "unto this day" in Jeremiah 44:10?**

Answer: The phrase "unto this day" (H3117, _yôwm_) carries significant weight, emphasizing the persistent, unyielding, and chronic nature of the people's rebellion. It highlights that despite the passage of time and the devastating judgments they had already experienced—most notably the utter destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile—their hearts remained stubbornly hardened and impenitent. This phrase underscores that the divine discipline and suffering had not produced the desired spiritual transformation, indicating a deep-seated and continuous resistance to God's call for repentance. It conveys a sense of God's enduring patience, yet also His profound disappointment at their continued stubbornness, which ultimately necessitates further and more severe judgment as described throughout [Jeremiah 44](/jeremiah/44 "Jeremiah 44 - Prophecy Against the Jews in Egypt").

**What is the difference between "my law" and "my statutes" in this verse?**

Answer: "My law" (H8451, _tôwrâh_) generally refers to God's divine instruction, teaching, or overall guidance, often encompassing the entire body of revealed truth, particularly the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament) and the covenant given at Mount Sinai. It represents God's comprehensive moral and spiritual framework for His people. "My statutes" (H2708, _chuqqâh_) refers to specific enactments, ordinances, or decrees. These are particular rules, regulations, or established customs that God "set" (H5414, _nâthan_) before His people, providing concrete applications and detailed expressions of the broader law. Together, "law" and "statutes" represent the comprehensive framework of God's covenantal requirements, encompassing both general principles and specific commands, all of which the people had failed to obey in their daily lives.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 44:10, with its stark and sorrowful indictment of Israel's unhumbled and disobedient heart, powerfully foreshadows the profound need for a new covenant and a new, transformative work of God that only Christ could accomplish. The inherent inability of the Old Covenant people to truly "humble" themselves, to genuinely "fear" God, or to consistently "walk" in His law, despite repeated divine instruction, prophetic warnings, and severe judgment, reveals the fundamental weakness of the Law to transform the human heart from within ([Romans 8:3](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3 - The Law's Weakness")). This verse highlights precisely the core problem that the New Covenant, inaugurated by Jesus Christ, was divinely designed to solve: the problem of a hardened, rebellious heart. Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, not only through His sinless life of perfect obedience but also, and supremely, through His ultimate act of self-humiliation, taking on human flesh and humbling Himself "even to the point of death on a cross" ([Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7-8 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, He provides the sole means for genuine repentance, forgiveness, and a truly transformed heart, enabling believers to receive the Holy Spirit, who graciously writes God's law "on their hearts" and minds ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant") and [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant in Christ")). Thus, what the Old Covenant people tragically failed to do—to walk in God's law out of a humble, reverent, and obedient heart—is now gloriously made possible for all who are united to Christ, empowered by His indwelling Spirit to live lives of true obedience and profound fear of the Lord ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 28:14

¶ Happy [is] the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

Jeremiah 8:12

Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.

1 Peter 5:6

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Revelation 15:4

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for [thou] only [art] holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

James 4:6

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

James 4:10

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Isaiah 57:15

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.