Jeremiah 44:12

And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, [and] fall in the land of Egypt; they shall [even] be consumed by the sword [and] by the famine: they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by the famine: and they shall be an execration, [and] an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.

And I will take {H3947} the remnant {H7611} of Judah {H3063}, that have set {H7760} their faces {H6440} to go {H935} into the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} to sojourn {H1481} there, and they shall all be consumed {H8552}, and fall {H5307} in the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}; they shall even be consumed {H8552} by the sword {H2719} and by the famine {H7458}: they shall die {H4191}, from the least {H6996} even unto the greatest {H1419}, by the sword {H2719} and by the famine {H7458}: and they shall be an execration {H423}, and an astonishment {H8047}, and a curse {H7045}, and a reproach {H2781}.

I will take the remnant of Y'hudah, who determined to go to Egypt and live there as aliens, and they will all perish - in the land of Egypt they will fall and perish by sword and famine. They will die, from the least to the greatest, by sword and famine; and they will become an object of condemnation, astonishment, cursing and reproach.

And I will take away the remnant of Judah who have resolved to go to the land of Egypt to reside there; they will meet their end. They will all fall by the sword or be consumed by famine. From the least to the greatest, they will die by sword or famine; and they will become an object of cursing and horror, of vilification and reproach.

And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed; in the land of Egypt shall they fall; they shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine; they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by the famine; and they shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.

Context

Jeremiah 44:12 is part of a powerful prophetic message delivered by the prophet Jeremiah to the Jewish remnant who, against God's explicit command, had fled to Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Following the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon, the remaining people feared Babylonian reprisal and sought refuge in Egypt. This decision was a direct defiance of God's word, conveyed through Jeremiah, who had warned them to remain in the land or submit to Babylonian rule. This verse specifically pronounces the severe judgment awaiting those who chose to trust in Egypt rather than obey the Lord.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment on Disobedience: The verse vividly illustrates God's unyielding judgment against those who willfully reject His commands. The people's defiance in seeking refuge in Egypt, despite clear warnings, directly invites divine retribution.
  • Futility of Human Schemes: It underscores the absolute futility of relying on human wisdom or worldly alliances (like seeking protection in Egypt) when God has given a different directive. Their chosen path to safety would instead lead to their destruction.
  • Comprehensive Destruction: The prophecy warns of a complete and inescapable end for this disobedient remnant. They would be "consumed by the sword and by the famine," signifying a pervasive and inescapable death, affecting "from the least even unto the greatest."
  • Becoming a Reproach: Beyond physical destruction, they would become "an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach." This indicates a state of utter disgrace, serving as a terrifying example of the consequences of rebellion against God.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "set their faces to go" implies a determined and resolute intention, highlighting the willful nature of their disobedience. The KJV's use of "execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach" powerfully conveys the depth of their future ignominy. The Hebrew term for "execration" ('alah) often refers to a solemn curse or imprecation, emphasizing that their fate would be a direct result of their sin and a public demonstration of divine judgment. "Reproach" (cherpah) signifies deep shame and disgrace, indicating they would become an object of scorn.

Related Scriptures

This verse is a culmination of earlier warnings. Jeremiah had explicitly forbidden their flight to Egypt, promising severe consequences if they did so, as seen in Jeremiah 42:15-18 and Jeremiah 43:7-11. The principles of God's judgment for disobedience are also broadly outlined in Deuteronomy 28:15-68. This demonstrates God's consistent character and the certainty of His word, whether in blessing or judgment, echoing the truth that His word will not return to Him empty (Isaiah 55:11).

Practical Application

Jeremiah 44:12 serves as a stark reminder of the importance of obedience to God's revealed will, even when circumstances seem dire or God's command appears counter-intuitive to human reason. It challenges believers to:

  • Prioritize God's Word: Are we seeking God's direction in difficult times, or are we relying on our own understanding or worldly solutions?
  • Trust in His Sovereignty: Even when God's path seems challenging, His plan is ultimately for our good and protection. Ignoring His warnings can lead to unforeseen and severe consequences.
  • Learn from History: The fate of Judah's remnant in Egypt is a powerful historical lesson about the destructive path of rebellion and the certainty of God's judgment on unrepentant sin.

The verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of humility and obedience, recognizing that true safety and blessing are found only in submission to the Lord.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 42:15

    And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there;

  • Jeremiah 42:18

    For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.

  • Jeremiah 42:22

    Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go [and] to sojourn.

  • Isaiah 65:15

    And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:

  • Hosea 4:6

    ¶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

  • Jeremiah 29:18

    And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:

  • Jeremiah 44:7

    Therefore now thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; Wherefore commit ye [this] great evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah, to leave you none to remain;

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