Jeremiah 44:16

KJV

[As for] the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

As for the word {H1697} that thou hast spoken {H1696} unto us in the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}, we will not hearken {H8085} unto thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

"As for the word you have just spoken to us in the name of ADONAI, we will not listen to you.

Berean Standard Bible

“As for the word you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you!

American Standard Version

As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of Jehovah, we will not hearken unto thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 44:16 captures a moment of profound and defiant rebellion from the Jewish remnant who had fled to Egypt after the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon. Despite explicit warnings from the prophet Jeremiah, delivered directly in God's name and carrying divine authority, the people declare their outright refusal to obey, choosing instead to persist in their idolatrous practices. This verse serves as a stark testament to the human capacity for stubbornness and the rejection of divine truth, even in the face of impending judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jeremiah's final prophecies to the Jewish remnant in Egypt, specifically in chapter 44. Having fled to Egypt against the Lord's explicit command given through Jeremiah in [Jeremiah 42:19-20](/jeremiah/42-19 "Jeremiah 42:19-20 - Warning Against Going to Egypt"), they are now confronted by the prophet concerning their continued idolatry, particularly their worship of the "queen of heaven." Jeremiah recounts God's past judgments on Judah due to their unfaithfulness, warning that similar destruction awaits them in Egypt if they do not repent. Jeremiah 44:16 is the people's shocking and unified response, an overt declaration of their hardened hearts and resolute commitment to their chosen path of disobedience, setting the stage for God's final, severe pronouncements against them.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC, a remnant of Jews remained in Judah under Gedaliah's governorship. After Gedaliah's assassination, many Jews, fearing Babylonian reprisal, sought refuge in Egypt, ignoring Jeremiah's divine warnings. This move was not merely a pragmatic decision but a profound act of distrust in God's protection. In Egypt, they were exposed to, and embraced, syncretistic religious practices, including the widespread worship of pagan deities like the "queen of heaven," likely a fertility goddess such as Ishtar or Astarte. Their justification, articulated in [Jeremiah 44:17-19](/jeremiah/44-17 "Jeremiah 44:17-19 - Justification for Worshipping the Queen of Heaven"), was that their prosperity had been linked to this worship in the past, reflecting a deep spiritual blindness and a preference for perceived material gain over covenant faithfulness.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 44:16 powerfully encapsulates several critical themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **blatant disobedience and rebellion** against God's explicit commands, a recurring motif in Israel's history, as seen in the wilderness generation's murmuring and defiance (e.g., [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Rebellion at Kadesh Barnea")). This defiance signifies a profound **rejection of divine authority**, as the people dismiss Jeremiah's words, knowing they are spoken "in the name of the LORD," thereby directly challenging God's sovereignty. Furthermore, the verse underscores the theme of **stubborn idolatry**, revealing a people so entrenched in pagan practices that they refuse to abandon them, even when confronted with the devastating consequences of their past unfaithfulness (cf. [Jeremiah 7:16-20](/jeremiah/7-16 "Jeremiah 7:16-20 - Warning Against Idolatry")). Ultimately, this declaration foreshadows the inevitable **consequences of persistent rebellion**, highlighting God's righteous judgment against those who refuse to "hearken" to His word.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term (H1697) is far more expansive than a mere utterance. It signifies a "matter," "thing," "affair," "decree," or "report," carrying the weight of an authoritative message or a concrete reality. Here, it refers to the divine message Jeremiah has delivered, which is not just a suggestion but a binding command from God, encompassing His will and the consequences of disobedience.
* **name (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** The Hebrew word (H8034) for "name" denotes more than just an appellation; it embodies the very character, authority, reputation, and presence of the one named. When Jeremiah speaks "in the name of the LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068), it means he is speaking with the full authority and backing of God Himself. The people's rejection of Jeremiah's "word" is therefore a direct and personal affront to the character and authority of Yahweh.
* **hearken (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** The verb (H8085) "hearken" implies much more than simply hearing with the ears. It conveys the idea of hearing intelligently, listening attentively, understanding, and, crucially, obeying. When the people declare, "we will not hearken unto thee," they are not merely stating that they will not listen; they are emphatically proclaiming their intentional and active refusal to obey, submit to, or comply with the divine instruction given through Jeremiah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[As for] the word that thou hast spoken unto us":** This clause directly acknowledges the divine message conveyed by Jeremiah. The people confirm that they have heard and understood the prophet's communication, leaving no room for misunderstanding or ignorance regarding God's will.
* **"in the name of the LORD":** This crucial phrase underscores the divine origin and authority of the message. The people are fully aware that Jeremiah is not speaking on his own behalf but as a direct messenger of Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. Their subsequent defiance is thus a conscious rejection of God's authority.
* **"we will not hearken unto thee":** This is the core of the people's rebellion. It is a resolute, collective declaration of disobedience. The use of "we" signifies a unified front of defiance, and "not hearken" (from _shâmaʻ_) indicates a deliberate and active refusal to obey the divine command, choosing their own will over God's.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 44:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey the depth of the people's rebellion. The most prominent is **Direct Address**, where the people speak directly to Jeremiah, creating an immediate and confrontational tone that highlights their boldness in defiance. This is further amplified by the use of **Antithesis**, contrasting the divine "word... in the name of the LORD" with their stark declaration, "we will not hearken unto thee." This sharp opposition underscores the fundamental conflict between God's will and human obstinacy. The verse also functions as a powerful example of **Foreshadowing**, as this explicit rejection of God's word directly anticipates the severe judgments that God subsequently promises to bring upon them in Egypt, confirming their fate due to their unrepentant hearts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 44:16 stands as a chilling testament to the human heart's capacity for hardened rebellion against divine authority. It illustrates the perilous nature of selective hearing, where individuals acknowledge God's word but willfully choose to disregard its commands, particularly when those commands conflict with personal desires, cultural norms, or perceived self-interest. This defiance is not merely a lapse in obedience but a direct challenge to God's sovereignty, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness that prioritizes false security and idolatrous practices over covenant faithfulness. The theological implication is clear: persistent, unrepentant rebellion against God's revealed will inevitably leads to judgment, as divine patience has limits and God's word, though rejected, will ultimately stand.

* [Psalm 95:8](/psalm/95-8 "Psalm 95:8 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts")
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Exodus 32:9](/exodus/32-9 "Exodus 32:9 - A Stiff-Necked People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 44:16 serves as a profound and sobering mirror for believers today, urging us to examine the posture of our own hearts towards God's word. It challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to Scripture and embrace a posture of active, humble obedience. The danger lies not only in outright rejection but also in the subtle ways we might rationalize disobedience, prioritize personal comfort over divine command, or allow cultural influences to dilute the authority of God's truth in our lives. This passage calls us to cultivate a spirit of genuine "hearkening"—not just hearing, but listening attentively, understanding deeply, and responding with willing submission. It reminds us that true faith is demonstrated not by what we say we believe, but by how we live in response to God's revealed will, recognizing that persistent rebellion carries severe spiritual consequences, while obedience leads to life and blessing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be selectively "hearkening" to God's word, choosing to obey only what is convenient or comfortable?**
* **How do cultural norms or personal desires sometimes tempt me to disregard clear biblical commands?**
* **What are the practical steps I can take to cultivate a more obedient and submissive heart towards God's voice in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**Question?**
Why did the Jewish remnant flee to Egypt, and why was it considered an act of rebellion?

Answer: The Jewish remnant fled to Egypt after the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon over Judah. They feared further Babylonian reprisals and sought safety and sustenance in Egypt. However, this move was considered an act of rebellion because the prophet Jeremiah had explicitly delivered a message from the Lord forbidding them to go to Egypt, promising divine protection if they remained in Judah and severe judgment if they went (see [Jeremiah 42:19-20](/jeremiah/42-19 "Jeremiah 42:19-20 - Warning Against Going to Egypt")). Their decision to go was a direct act of distrust in God's word and a preference for their own perceived security over divine command.

**Question?**
What was the "queen of heaven" that they were worshipping, and why was it so appealing to them?

Answer: The "queen of heaven" was a pagan deity, likely a fertility goddess such as Ishtar (Babylonian) or Astarte (Canaanite), worshipped throughout the ancient Near East. This goddess was associated with fertility, prosperity, and protection. For the Jewish remnant, the appeal stemmed from a syncretistic belief that worshipping this deity brought them material blessings, as they explicitly state in [Jeremiah 44:17-19](/jeremiah/44-17 "Jeremiah 44:17-19 - Justification for Worshipping the Queen of Heaven") that they experienced prosperity when they worshipped her in Judah. This highlights a common human tendency to gravitate towards practices that promise immediate, tangible benefits, even if they contradict divine truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 44:16, with its stark portrayal of a people defiantly rejecting the "word... in the name of the LORD," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. He is the very "Word" of God incarnate, the definitive revelation of God's character and will, as declared in [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh") and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Made Flesh"). Unlike the disobedient remnant, Jesus perfectly "hearkened" to the Father's will, embodying ultimate obedience even unto death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Yet, just as Jeremiah's divine message was rejected, so too was Christ's message and His very person by many of His own people, who refused to "hearken" to His call to repentance and faith ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")). The judgment promised to those who rejected God's word through Jeremiah foreshadows the ultimate judgment awaiting those who reject the Son, for "whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him" ([John 3:36](/john/3-36 "John 3:36 - The Wrath of God on Those Who Do Not Obey the Son")). Conversely, for those who do "hearken" to Christ's voice and follow Him, there is eternal life and freedom from condemnation ([John 10:27-28](/john/10-27 "John 10:27-28 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")). Thus, Jeremiah 44:16 serves as a poignant backdrop, highlighting the profound grace and life offered in Christ to all who will hear and obey, contrasting sharply with the tragic consequences of persistent rebellion.

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

Luke 19:27

But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me.

Job 21:14

Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

Job 21:15

What [is] the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

Luke 19:14

But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this [man] to reign over us.

Exodus 5:2

And Pharaoh said, Who [is] the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

Psalms 73:8

They are corrupt, and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily.

Psalms 73:9

They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.