Jeremiah 44:15

KJV

¶ 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,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then all the men {H582} which knew {H3045} that their wives {H802} had burned incense {H6999} unto other {H312} gods {H430}, and all the women {H802} that stood by {H5975}, a great {H1419} multitude {H6951}, even all the people {H5971} that dwelt {H3427} in the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, in Pathros {H6624}, answered {H6030} Jeremiah {H3414}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then all the men who knew that their wives were offering incense to other gods, along with all the women standing by, a huge crowd, all the people living in Patros in the land of Egypt, answered Yirmeyahu:

Berean Standard Bible

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,

American Standard Version

Then all the men who knew that their wives burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great assembly, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 44:15 vividly portrays the hardened defiance of the Jewish remnant who had fled to Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem. Despite the prophet Jeremiah's clear and consistent warnings from the Lord, this large assembly of men and women, settled in Pathros, openly and collectively rejected God's word, choosing instead to persist in their idolatrous practices, particularly the worship of "other gods" through the burning of incense. This verse sets the stage for their explicit declaration of rebellion and seals their fate, underscoring the tragic consequences of unrepentant disobedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 44:15 is situated within the final chapters of the book of Jeremiah, which primarily detail the prophet's ministry to the remnant of Judah who remained in the land after Jerusalem's destruction and then, against divine command, fled to Egypt. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 44:1-14) record Jeremiah's powerful indictment of their ongoing idolatry in Egypt, reminding them of the judgment that befell Judah precisely because of such sins. He explicitly warned them that their flight to Egypt would not save them but would lead to their demise there if they continued in their rebellion. This verse marks the pivotal moment of the people's collective and defiant response to Jeremiah's prophetic message, directly preceding their explicit declaration of intent to continue their idolatrous practices (Jeremiah 44:16-19), thereby sealing their tragic fate.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, a significant Jewish remnant, including Jeremiah, were forcibly taken to Egypt, settling in various locations, including Migdol, Tahpanhes, Noph (Memphis), and Pathros (Upper Egypt), as mentioned in [Jeremiah 44:1](/jeremiah/44-1 "Jeremiah 44:1 - The Jewish Remnant in Egypt"). Pathros, specifically, was a fertile region in southern Egypt, indicating a broad dispersion of these exiles. Culturally, ancient Egypt was polytheistic, with a pantheon of gods and goddesses. The practice of burning incense was a ubiquitous act of worship across the ancient Near East, signifying devotion, prayer, and sacrifice to deities. For the Jewish people, who were commanded to worship Yahweh alone, burning incense to "other gods" (like the "Queen of Heaven" mentioned in [Jeremiah 44:17](/jeremiah/44-17 "Jeremiah 44:17 - Worship of the Queen of Heaven")) was a direct violation of the first two commandments and a profound act of apostasy, especially egregious after witnessing the devastating consequences of such behavior in Judah.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **persistent idolatry** and **spiritual apostasy**, demonstrating the deep-seated nature of the people's rebellion, even after experiencing divine judgment. Despite the clear warnings and the historical evidence of God's wrath against idolatry, they clung to their pagan practices. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **open defiance** against God's revealed word. The people's collective response is not one of repentance or even hesitant questioning, but outright rejection of Jeremiah's prophetic authority and, by extension, God's sovereignty. Finally, it emphasizes the theme of **collective guilt and complicity**. The text explicitly mentions "all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense" and "all the women that stood by," indicating a widespread, communal embrace of sin, where men were complicit in their wives' idolatry, and women were active participants. This collective rejection of God's truth sets the stage for the inevitable judgment that follows, reinforcing the principle that disobedience brings severe consequences, as seen throughout the book of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **knew (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This word signifies not merely intellectual awareness but often a deep, experiential knowledge or recognition. Here, it implies that the men were fully cognizant of their wives' idolatrous actions. They were not ignorant bystanders but possessed an intimate understanding of the sin being committed, making their lack of intervention or repentance a conscious act of complicity and defiance. Their "knowing" heightens their culpability.
* **other gods (Hebrew, _ʼachêr ʼĕlôhîym'_):** The term "other" (ʼachêr) denotes something different, subsequent, or strange, emphasizing that these deities were foreign and distinct from Yahweh, the one true God of Israel. "Gods" (ʼĕlôhîym), while sometimes referring to the singular God, here is used in its plural sense for pagan deities. The combination explicitly highlights the violation of the First Commandment, the worship of false gods, which was the primary cause of Judah's downfall and continued to be their spiritual stumbling block in Egypt.
* **multitude (Hebrew, _qâhâl'_):** This word refers to an assembly, company, or congregation. Its use here, coupled with "great" (gâdôwl), emphasizes the sheer number and collective nature of the people involved in this defiant act. It was not a fringe group but a substantial portion, if not the majority, of the Jewish remnant in Pathros, indicating a pervasive and communal rejection of God's word, lending weight to the gravity of their rebellion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods":** This clause highlights the deliberate and informed nature of the rebellion. The men were not ignorant of their wives' idolatry; they "knew" it, implying a conscious awareness and tacit approval or active participation. Burning incense was a profound act of worship, and directing it to "other gods" was a blatant violation of the covenant with Yahweh, marking a deep-seated apostasy that extended to the family unit.
* **"and all the women that stood by, a great multitude":** This segment emphasizes the widespread and communal aspect of the sin. The women were not passive recipients but active participants ("stood by" implying presence and support, likely active involvement as well, as Jeremiah 44:17-19 confirms). The phrase "a great multitude" underscores the sheer number of people involved, indicating that this was a collective, pervasive rejection of God's warnings, not an isolated incident.
* **"even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros":** This further clarifies the scope of the rebellion, identifying the location and the comprehensive nature of the group. It was the entire community of Jewish exiles settled in the region of Pathros in Upper Egypt, demonstrating that the defiance was widespread among the remnant who had fled there, encompassing both men and women.
* **"answered Jeremiah, saying":** This final clause sets the stage for the explicit declaration of rebellion that follows in Jeremiah 44:16. It indicates a direct, verbal response to Jeremiah's prophetic message, signifying their conscious and vocal rejection of God's word delivered through His prophet. Their "answer" is not one of repentance but of hardened resolve in their idolatry.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 44:15 employs several potent literary devices to convey the gravity of the situation. The use of **Hyperbole** or **Amplification** is evident in phrases like "all the men," "all the women," "a great multitude," and "all the people." While perhaps not every single individual, this emphasizes the overwhelming and pervasive nature of the rebellion, highlighting its communal scope rather than isolated incidents. There is a strong sense of **Irony** in the Jewish remnant, who had just experienced the devastating consequences of idolatry in Judah, now defiantly continuing the very practices that led to their ruin, even while seeking refuge in a foreign land. The verse also serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, as the people's unyielding defiance sets the stage for the dire prophecies of judgment that Jeremiah subsequently pronounces upon them, confirming that their chosen path will lead to their destruction in Egypt. Finally, the stark **Contrast** between Jeremiah, as God's faithful messenger, and the unified, rebellious stance of the people underscores the profound spiritual chasm between divine truth and human stubbornness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 44:15 stands as a stark testament to the profound depth of human rebellion and the tragic consequences of persistent idolatry. Theologically, it reveals a people so entrenched in their sin that even direct divine warnings, delivered through a trusted prophet and confirmed by recent catastrophic judgment (the fall of Jerusalem), fail to elicit repentance. This illustrates the hardening effect of sin on the human heart, where spiritual blindness and defiance become deeply ingrained. It underscores God's unwavering faithfulness in sending His word, even to a rebellious people, and His justice in executing judgment when His warnings are spurned. The communal nature of the sin highlights the corporate responsibility and influence within a society, where complicity and active participation in idolatry lead to collective ruin. This passage serves as a sobering reminder that true worship demands exclusive devotion to the one true God, and any deviation, whether ancient paganism or modern forms of idolatry, invites divine displeasure and destructive outcomes.

* [Deuteronomy 6:14](/deuteronomy/6-14 "Deuteronomy 6:14 - Do Not Go After Other Gods")
* [Isaiah 1:5-6](/isaiah/1-5 "Isaiah 1:5-6 - A Rebellious Nation")
* [Hosea 4:1-2](/hosea/4-1 "Hosea 4:1-2 - Israel's Unfaithfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 44:15 offers a profound mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the subtle and overt forms of idolatry in our own lives and communities. The stubbornness of the Jewish remnant, their refusal to heed clear divine warnings despite overwhelming evidence of judgment, serves as a powerful cautionary tale. In an age where distractions and alternative allegiances abound, we must vigilantly guard against anything that displaces God from His rightful, supreme position in our hearts and lives. This includes not only overt worship of false gods but also the more insidious idolatries of materialism, success, comfort, self-reliance, or even relationships, when these become ultimate sources of security, identity, or joy. The passage calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and responsiveness to God's Word, whether it comes through Scripture, faithful preaching, or the conviction of the Holy Spirit. It reminds us that true repentance involves not just acknowledging sin but turning away from it and embracing radical obedience, lest we, too, find ourselves doubling down on destructive patterns, oblivious to the divine warnings that seek to lead us to life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "other gods" or idols, subtle or overt, might be competing for ultimate allegiance in my life or in my community today?**
* **In what ways might I be "knowing" about sin or compromise (like the men in Jeremiah 44:15) but failing to act or repent?**
* **How readily do I receive and respond to God's warnings, whether from Scripture, wise counsel, or the Holy Spirit's conviction, especially when they challenge my comfortable patterns or desires?**
* **What are the consequences, both personal and communal, of persistent spiritual stubbornness and unrepentant disobedience in our modern context?**

### FAQ
**What was the "Pathros" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: Pathros was a region in Upper (southern) Egypt. It was one of the areas where the Jewish remnant, who had fled from Judah after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem, settled. [Jeremiah 44:1](/jeremiah/44-1 "Jeremiah 44:1 - The Jewish Remnant in Egypt") lists several locations in Egypt where these exiles resided, indicating their widespread dispersion throughout the land.

**Why were the men complicit in their wives' idolatry?**

Answer: The verse states that "all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods" were present and answered Jeremiah. This implies that the men were fully aware of their wives' idolatrous practices, yet they did not prevent them or lead them back to the worship of Yahweh. In ancient patriarchal societies, men typically held authority within the household and were responsible for the spiritual well-being of their families. Their inaction or tacit approval made them complicit in the sin, highlighting a collective failure of leadership and spiritual integrity within the community.

**What was the significance of "burning incense unto other gods"?**

Answer: Burning incense was a common act of worship in the ancient Near East, signifying devotion, prayer, and sacrifice to a deity. For the Israelites, it was a sacred act reserved for the worship of Yahweh alone, often performed by priests in the Temple. Directing this act to "other gods" was a profound and blatant act of apostasy, a direct violation of the First and Second Commandments (Exodus 20:3-6). It represented a complete spiritual unfaithfulness and a turning away from the covenant God of Israel, often associated with the worship of pagan deities like the "Queen of Heaven" as explicitly mentioned later in [Jeremiah 44:17](/jeremiah/44-17 "Jeremiah 44:17 - Worship of the Queen of Heaven").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 44:15, with its stark portrayal of unyielding human rebellion and the tragic consequences of idolatry, finds its ultimate resolution and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The stubborn refusal of the remnant to heed Jeremiah's warnings, even in the face of divine judgment, underscores the deep-seated sinfulness of humanity and its innate tendency to reject God's authority. This persistent rebellion, so vividly depicted here, highlights the desperate need for a radical transformation of the human heart—a transformation that no prophet or law could fully achieve. Jesus, as the perfect Lamb of God, entered into this broken human condition, not to merely warn of judgment, but to bear its full weight on the cross. His sacrifice at [Calvary](/john/19-17 "John 19:17 - Jesus Carries His Cross to Calvary") atoned for the very idolatry and rebellion that plagued Israel, offering a path to reconciliation that was utterly beyond their reach. In Christ, the cycle of sin and judgment is broken for those who believe; He provides the true spiritual cleansing and the new heart, as prophesied in [Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit"), that enables genuine obedience and worship of the one true God. Furthermore, Christ embodies the ultimate prophetic word, the "Word made flesh" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), whom humanity can no longer defiantly reject without sealing their eternal fate. Unlike Jeremiah, whose warnings were spurned, Jesus offers not just warnings but the very grace and power to overcome the idolatrous inclinations of the heart, leading His followers into true worship and eternal life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). He is the faithful remnant, the obedient Son, who perfectly fulfilled God's will where Israel failed, offering salvation to all who turn from their "other gods" and trust in Him alone ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation Through No Other Name")).

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 11:21

¶ [Though] hand [join] in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

Jeremiah 5:1

¶ Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be [any] that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.

Jeremiah 5:5

I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, [and] the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, [and] burst the bonds.

2 Peter 2:1

¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Peter 2:2

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Nehemiah 13:26

Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.

Genesis 19:4

¶ But before they lay down, the men of the city, [even] the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: