Jeremiah 44:13

KJV

For I will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence:

KJV (with Strong's)

For I will punish {H6485} them that dwell {H3427} in the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, as I have punished {H6485} Jerusalem {H3389}, by the sword {H2719}, by the famine {H7458}, and by the pestilence {H1698}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes, I will punish those living in the land of Egypt, as I punished Yerushalayim, by sword, famine and plague;

Berean Standard Bible

I will punish those who live in the land of Egypt, just as I punished Jerusalem, by sword and famine and plague,

American Standard Version

For I will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 44:13 is a solemn divine declaration of impending judgment upon the Jewish remnant who, in direct defiance of God's command, sought refuge in Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem. This verse underscores the inescapable nature of God's justice, revealing that the very calamities of sword, famine, and pestilence that devastated Jerusalem would pursue and consume those who stubbornly persisted in disobedience and idolatry within the land of Egypt. It serves as a stark reminder of God's unwavering sovereignty and the dire consequences of rejecting His explicit word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 44 stands as God's final, impassioned prophetic message delivered through Jeremiah to the Jewish remnant who had fled to Egypt. The preceding chapters, particularly [Jeremiah 42](/jeremiah/42 "Jeremiah 42 - Warning Against Going to Egypt") and [Jeremiah 43](/jeremiah/43 "Jeremiah 43 - The Flight to Egypt"), detail God's explicit prohibition against their migration to Egypt, promising protection and blessing if they remained in Judah, but warning of severe judgment if they disobeyed. Despite these clear divine instructions, the people, led by Johanan, rejected Jeremiah's prophecy and forcibly took him, Baruch, and the rest of the remnant to Egypt. Chapter 44 opens by specifying the Egyptian cities where they settled (Migdol, Tahpanhes, Memphis, and Pathros) and immediately launches into God's indictment of their continued idolatry, particularly the worship of the "Queen of Heaven." Verse 13, therefore, is a direct consequence and reiteration of the warnings given, emphasizing that their geographical relocation would not exempt them from the divine wrath that had already consumed Jerusalem.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the tumultuous period following the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian forces in 586 BC. Judah was left desolate, and a small remnant remained under the governorship of Gedaliah. After Gedaliah's assassination, fear of Babylonian reprisal gripped the people, leading them to seek what they perceived as safety in Egypt, a traditional rival and often a deceptive ally of Judah. Culturally, Egypt was a land steeped in polytheism and idolatry, which posed a constant spiritual threat to Israel. The Jewish remnant, instead of repenting and trusting God in their homeland, embraced the pagan practices they found in Egypt, notably the widespread worship of the "Queen of Heaven" (likely Ishtar/Astarte), believing it brought them prosperity—a belief directly challenged by God in this chapter. This act of fleeing to Egypt was not merely a pragmatic decision but a profound act of spiritual rebellion, rejecting the very God who had delivered their ancestors from that land.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of [Jeremiah 44](/jeremiah/44 "Jeremiah 44 - Judgment on Those in Egypt") and specifically verse 13 is the **unavoidable nature of divine judgment** for persistent disobedience and idolatry. The people believed they could escape God's reach by fleeing to Egypt, but God demonstrates His **absolute sovereignty** over all nations and geographical locations, proving that His justice extends far beyond the borders of Judah. The verse powerfully illustrates the **principle of parallel punishment**, where God's judgment upon the disobedient remnant in Egypt mirrors the calamities (sword, famine, pestilence) that had already befallen Jerusalem. This highlights God's **consistent character** in executing justice and the **inevitable consequences of rejecting His covenant** and turning to false gods. It also underscores the **futility of human strategies** that contradict divine commands, emphasizing that true safety and prosperity are found only in obedience and trust in God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Punish (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** H6485. This root word carries a rich semantic range, meaning "to visit." While it can denote a benevolent visit (e.g., God visiting Sarah with a child), its primary sense here is a hostile visitation, implying accountability, inspection, and ultimately, judgment or punishment. It signifies God's active intervention to hold people responsible for their actions, ensuring that their defiance does not go unaddressed.
* **Dwell (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** H3427. Properly, "to sit down," but by implication, "to dwell, to remain, to settle." The irony here is profound: the remnant sought to "settle" and find "rest" (a common nuance of _yâshab_) in Egypt, believing it would be a place of security and stability. However, God declares that even in their chosen place of dwelling, they will not find peace but rather the very judgment they sought to escape.
* **Pestilence (Hebrew, _deber'_):** H1698. Derived from a root meaning "to destroy," this term specifically refers to a plague or murrain, a devastating disease. It is consistently listed as one of God's primary instruments of judgment in the Old Testament, often alongside sword and famine, signifying a comprehensive and inescapable form of divine wrath that targets life itself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt,"**: This opening clause establishes God's direct, personal, and sovereign intention to bring judgment upon the specific group of Jewish exiles who, against His explicit command, chose to reside in Egypt. The use of "I will punish" (from _pâqad_) emphasizes God's active role in overseeing and executing this judgment, leaving no doubt about its divine origin.
* **"as I have punished Jerusalem,"**: This crucial comparative clause links the impending judgment in Egypt directly to the recent, devastating fall of Jerusalem. It highlights a principle of divine consistency and justice: the same God who brought judgment upon His people in their capital city for their rebellion will bring the same judgment upon them in a foreign land for their continued defiance and idolatry. It underscores that fleeing from a place does not mean fleeing from God's reach or His righteous standards.
* **"by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence:"**: This final phrase specifies the instruments of God's judgment. This triad—sword (war/violence), famine (lack of food/starvation), and pestilence (disease/plague)—is a recurring motif in prophetic literature, representing the comprehensive and utterly devastating nature of divine wrath. These are not random occurrences but divinely ordained means of punishment, ensuring that the rebellion of the remnant in Egypt will result in complete devastation, mirroring the suffering they had witnessed in Jerusalem.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 44:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of inescapable judgment. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically a comparison between the past judgment on Jerusalem and the future judgment on the remnant in Egypt ("as I have punished Jerusalem"). This device powerfully underscores God's consistency in justice and the futility of attempting to escape His wrath. Furthermore, the verse utilizes a **Triadic Judgment** motif: "by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence." This recurring prophetic formula emphasizes the comprehensive, multi-faceted, and utterly devastating nature of God's wrath, leaving no avenue for escape or survival. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present in the broader context of the chapter and specifically implied here: the very place the remnant sought for safety and refuge (Egypt) becomes the very place where the same calamities they fled from will overtake them. This highlights the futility of human strategies that defy divine command.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 44:13 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, even in judgment. It reveals that God's justice is not confined to a particular geographical location but extends to all who are accountable to Him, regardless of where they flee. The parallel punishment between Jerusalem and the remnant in Egypt underscores that God's standards are consistent and His warnings are not idle threats. This passage serves as a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty over nations and human affairs, demonstrating that no human will or strategic relocation can thwart His divine purposes or escape His righteous hand. It emphasizes that true security is found not in human strength or worldly alliances, but solely in obedient reliance upon the Lord. The tragic fate of the remnant highlights the severe consequences of spiritual apostasy and the danger of embracing idolatry, even when disguised as a means to prosperity or security.

* [Jeremiah 42:15-18](/jeremiah/42-15 "Jeremiah 42:15-18 - God's Warning Against Going to Egypt") - God's explicit warning to the remnant not to go to Egypt, promising the very judgments of sword, famine, and pestilence if they disobeyed.
* [Ezekiel 14:21](/ezekiel/14-21 "Ezekiel 14:21 - God's Four Sore Judgments") - A parallel passage where God lists His "four sore judgments" (sword, famine, wild beasts, and pestilence) as instruments of His wrath against Jerusalem, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of these calamities.
* [Leviticus 26:25-26](/leviticus/26-25 "Leviticus 26:25-26 - Covenant Curses for Disobedience") - Part of the covenant curses, explicitly detailing sword, pestilence, and famine as consequences for disobedience, demonstrating a long-standing principle of divine justice.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 44:13 stands as a timeless warning against the futility of attempting to escape God's presence or His righteous judgment through human ingenuity or geographical relocation. It challenges us to confront the reality that true safety and flourishing are found not in our own strategic plans or in worldly alliances, but in wholehearted obedience and trust in God's sovereign will. This verse calls us to examine our own lives: are we seeking refuge in worldly comforts, financial security, or human relationships when God is calling us to a path of radical obedience, even if it feels uncomfortable or counter-intuitive? It exposes the insidious nature of idolatry, reminding us that anything we trust in more than God—be it security, prosperity, or even our own wisdom—can become a "Queen of Heaven" that ultimately leads to ruin. The passage urges us to heed God's warnings, to repent when we stray, and to recognize that His love often manifests in clear, firm boundaries designed for our ultimate good. Our response to divine commands, especially when they challenge our comfort or logic, reveals the true object of our faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be attempting to "flee to Egypt," seeking security or comfort in ways that contradict God's clear commands or principles?**
* **What "idols" (e.g., financial stability, social acceptance, personal control) might I be trusting in more than God, believing they will bring me prosperity or safety?**
* **How does the consistency of God's judgment in this passage encourage me to take His warnings seriously and to cultivate a deeper reverence for His word?**
* **What practical steps can I take to align my trust and obedience more fully with God's will, even when it feels counter-cultural or risky?**

### FAQ

**Why did the Jewish remnant insist on going to Egypt despite God's clear warning?**
Answer: The Jewish remnant insisted on going to Egypt primarily out of fear of the Babylonians and a desire for perceived safety and provision. After the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon, they feared swift and severe Babylonian retaliation. They believed that Egypt, a powerful nation, would offer them protection and a stable environment. Furthermore, they held a misguided belief that their previous prosperity was linked to their worship of the "Queen of Heaven" in Egypt, not to the Lord God of Israel (as stated in [Jeremiah 44:17-18](/jeremiah/44-17 "Jeremiah 44:17-18 - Worship of the Queen of Heaven")). They explicitly rejected Jeremiah's prophetic word, accusing him of speaking falsely, and chose to follow their own counsel, leading to their ultimate demise as prophesied in [Jeremiah 44:27-28](/jeremiah/44-27 "Jeremiah 44:27-28 - Fulfillment of the Prophecy").

**What was the "Queen of Heaven" that the remnant was worshipping?**
Answer: The "Queen of Heaven" was a pagan deity, likely a fertility goddess such as Ishtar (Babylonian/Assyrian) or Astarte (Canaanite/Phoenician), often associated with the planet Venus. Her worship involved rituals that were anathema to the covenant with Yahweh, including making cakes for her and pouring out drink offerings. The Jewish remnant in Egypt clung to this idolatry, believing it had brought them prosperity in Judah and would continue to do so in Egypt, directly contradicting God's true source of blessing and protection. This syncretistic practice was a grave offense against the Lord, as detailed in [Jeremiah 44:17-19](/jeremiah/44-17 "Jeremiah 44:17-19 - The Remnant's Idolatry").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 44:13, with its stark declaration of inescapable judgment by sword, famine, and pestilence, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the continuation of such earthly punishments for believers, but in the profound spiritual reality of Christ's work. The judgment described here is a consequence of rebellion against God's explicit word and a turning to idolatry. In Christ, we see the perfect obedience that humanity failed to render. He bore the full weight of God's righteous wrath against sin and rebellion on the cross, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The "sword" of divine justice that should have fallen upon us was instead plunged into Him ([Zechariah 13:7](/zechariah/13-7 "Zechariah 13:7 - Strike the Shepherd")). Through His sacrifice, He delivers us from the spiritual "famine" of a life separated from God and the "pestilence" of spiritual death, offering instead the [bread of life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") and [eternal life](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World"). The futility of fleeing from God's presence or seeking refuge in human strategies, so evident in Jeremiah 44, is contrasted with the absolute security found in Christ. He is our true refuge, our safe haven, where no judgment can reach those who are [in Christ Jesus](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ"). The ultimate fulfillment is that believers, through faith in Him, are spared the just judgment for their sins, because Christ has already suffered it in their place, providing a [new covenant](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant") of grace and truth.

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

Jeremiah 43:11

And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, [and deliver] such [as are] for death to death; and such [as are] for captivity to captivity; and such [as are] for the sword to the sword.

Jeremiah 11:22

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine:

Jeremiah 44:27

Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that [are] in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.

Jeremiah 44:28

Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs.

Jeremiah 21:9

He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.

Jeremiah 24:10

And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.

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.