TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Commentary on Jeremiah 44 verses 15–19
We have here the people's obstinate refusal to submit to the power of the word of God in the mouth of Jeremiah. We have scarcely such an instance of downright daring contradiction to God himself as this, or such an avowed rebellion of the carnal mind. Observe,
I. The persons who thus set God and his judgments at defiance; it was not some one that was thus obstinate, but the generality of the Jews; and they were such as knew either themselves or their wives to be guilty of the idolatry Jeremiah had reproved, Jer 44:15. We find, 1. That the women had been more guilty of idolatry and superstition than the men, not because the men stuck closer to the true God and the true religion than the women, but, I fear, because they were generally atheists, and were for no God and no religion at all, and therefore could easily allow their wives to be of a false religion, and to worship false gods. 2. That it was consciousness of guilt that made them impatient of reproof: They knew that their wives had burnt incense to other gods, and that they had countenanced them in it, and the women that stood by knew that they had joined with them in their idolatrous usages; so that what Jeremiah said touched them in a sore place, which made them kick against the pricks, as children of Belial, that will not bear the yoke.
II. The reply which these persons made to Jeremiah, and in him to God himself; it is in effect the same with theirs who had the impudence to say to the Almighty, Depart from us; we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
1.They declare their resolution not to do as God commanded them, but what they themselves had a mind to do; that is, they would go on to worship the moon, here called the queen of heaven; yet some understand it of the sun, which was much worshipped in Egypt (Jer 43:13) and had been so at Jerusalem (Kg2 23:11), and they say that the Hebrew word for the sun being feminine it may not unfitly be called the queen of heaven. And others understand it of all the host of heaven, or the frame of heaven, the whole machine, Jer 7:18. These daring sinners do not now go about to make excuses for their refusal to obey, nor suggest that Jeremiah spoke from himself and not from God (as before, Jer 43:2), but they own that he spoke to them in the name of the Lord, and yet tell him flatly, in so many words, "We will not hearken unto thee; we will do that which is forbidden and run the hazard of that which is threatened." Note, Those that live in disobedience to God commonly grow worse and worse, and the heart is more and more hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Here is the genuine language of the rebellious heart: We will certainly do whatsoever thing goes forth out of our own mouth, let God and his prophets say what they please to the contrary. What they said many think who yet have not arrived at such a degree of impudence as to speak it out. It is that which the young man would be at in the days of his youth; he would walk in the way of his heart and the sight of his eyes, and would have and do every thing he has a mind to, Ecc 11:9.
2.They give some sort of reasons for their resolution; for the most absurd and unreasonably wicked men will have something to say for themselves, till the day comes when every mouth shall be stopped.
(1.)They plead many of those things which the advocates for Rome make the marks of a true church, and not only justify but magnify themselves with; and these Jews have as much right to them as the Romanists have. [1.] They plead antiquity: We are resolved to burn incense to the queen of heaven, for our fathers did so; it is a practice that pleads prescription; and why should we pretend to be wiser than our fathers? [2.] They plead authority. Those that had power practised it themselves and prescribed it to others: Our kings and our princes did it, whom God set over us, and who were of the seed of David. [3.] They plead unity. It was not here and there one that did it, but we, we all with one consent, we that are a great multitude (Jer 44:15), we did it. [4.] They plead universality. It was not done here and there, but in the cities of Judah. [5.] They plead visibility. It was not done in a corner, in dark and shady groves only, but in the streets, openly and publicly. [6.] They plead that it was the practice of the mother-church, the holy see; it was not now learned first in Egypt, but it had been done in Jerusalem. [7.] They plead prosperity: They had we plenty of bread, and of all good things; we were well and saw no evil. All the former pleas, I fear, were too true in fact; God's witnesses against their idolatry were few and hid; Elijah though that he was left alone: and this last might perhaps be true as to some particular persons, but, as to their nation, they were still under rebukes for their rebellions, and there was no peace to those that went out or came in, Ch2 15:5. But, supposing all to be true, yet this does not at all excuse them from idolatry; it is the law of God that we must be ruled and judged by, hot the practice of men.
(2.)They suggest that the judgments they had of late been under were brought upon them for leaving off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, Jer 44:18. So perversely did they misconstrue providence, though God, by his prophets, had so often explained it to them, and the thing itself spoke the direct contrary. Since we forsook our idolatries we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword, the true reason of which was because they still retained their idols in their heart and an affection to their old sins; but they would have it thought that it was because they had forsaken the acts of sin. Thus the afflictions which should have been for their welfare, to separate between them and their sins, being misinterpreted did but confirm them in their sins. Thus, in the first ages of Christianity, when God chastised the nations by any public calamities for opposing the Christians and persecuting them, they put a contrary sense upon the calamities, as if they were sent to punish them for conniving at the Christians and tolerating them, and cried, Christianos ad leones - Throw the Christians to the lions. Yet, if it had been true, as they said here, that since they returned to the service of the true God, the God of Israel, they had been in want and trouble, was that a reason why they should revolt from him again? That was as much as to say that they served not him, but their own bellies. Those who know God, and put their trust in him, will serve him, though he starve them, though he slay them, though they never see a good day with him in this world, being well assured that they shall not lose by him in the end.
(3.)They plead that, though the women were most forward and active in their idolatries, yet they did it with the consent and approbation of their husbands; the women were busy to make cakes for meat-offerings to the queen of heaven and to prepare and pour out the drink-offerings, Jer 44:19. We found, before, that this was their work, Jer 7:18. "But did we do it without our husbands, privately and unknown to them, so as to give them occasion to be jealous of us? No; the fathers kindled the fire while the women kneaded the dough; the men that were our heads, whom we were bound to learn of and to be obedient to, taught us to do it by their example." Note, It is sad when those who are in the nearest relation to each other, who should quicken each other to that which is good and so help one another to heaven, harden each other in sin and so ripen one another for hell. Some understand this as spoken by the husbands (Jer 44:15), who plead that they did not do it without their men, that is, without their elders and rulers, their great men, and men in authority; but, because the making of the cakes and the pouring out of the drink-offerings are expressly spoken of as the women's work (Jer 7:18), it seems rather to be understood as their plea: but it was a frivolous plea. What would it avail them to be able to say that it was according to their husbands' mind, when they knew that it was contrary to their God's mind?
Continue studying Jeremiah 44:19 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Jeremiah 44:19 powerfully captures the defiant and unrepentant response of the Jewish remnant in Egypt to Jeremiah's prophetic condemnation of their idolatry. In this verse, the women of the community boldly admit to their worship of the "queen of heaven" through burning incense, pouring out drink offerings, and making special cakes. Far from expressing remorse, they justify their actions by claiming past prosperity as a direct result of these rituals and, crucially, assert that their men were fully complicit and aware of their practices, thereby diffusing individual blame and highlighting the pervasive nature of their communal sin. This declaration underscores their profound spiritual stubbornness and outright rejection of Yahweh's commands, even in the face of national catastrophe.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 44:19 is rich in literary devices that amplify its dramatic and tragic message. The most prominent is the Rhetorical Question, "did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?" This question is not posed to elicit information but to make a forceful declaration. The implied answer is a resounding "No, we did not do it without our men; they were fully aware and complicit." This device serves to underscore the brazenness of their confession and their attempt to spread the blame, highlighting their unrepentant attitude. There is also significant Irony in their justification; they claim that their past prosperity was because of their idolatry, when in fact, their present desolation (the destruction of Jerusalem and their exile) was a direct consequence of their collective disobedience to the true God. This demonstrates a deep spiritual blindness and a tragic misattribution of blessings and curses. Furthermore, the detailed description of their rituals—burning incense, pouring drink offerings, making cakes—employs Imagery that vividly portrays the tangible acts of their idolatry, making their sin concrete and undeniable. The "queen of heaven" herself functions as Symbolism for the allure of paganism and the human tendency to seek security and blessing from false gods rather than the one true God.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 44:19 stands as a stark biblical testament to the dangers of persistent idolatry and unrepentant rebellion against God. The people's defiant justification of their worship of the "queen of heaven" reveals a profound spiritual blindness, where perceived temporal blessings (which were actually God's grace) are tragically attributed to false deities, leading to a hardening of hearts against divine truth. This verse underscores the biblical principle that idolatry is not merely the worship of other gods, but a fundamental rejection of God's sovereignty and a breaking of the covenant relationship, inevitably leading to judgment. It highlights the communal nature of sin, where complicity and shared rebellion deepen the offense and broaden the scope of divine consequences. The tragic irony is that their idolatry, which they believed brought prosperity, was precisely the sin that led to their national downfall and exile, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His justice.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 44:19 serves as a powerful and enduring warning against the insidious nature of idolatry and the perilous path of self-justification. While we may not literally burn incense to a "queen of heaven" today, the human heart remains prone to setting up idols—anything that takes God's rightful place of ultimate devotion and trust. This could manifest as the worship of success, wealth, power, comfort, technology, relationships, or even our own opinions and desires. The passage challenges us to honestly examine what truly holds the highest allegiance in our lives, what we rely on for security and blessing, and what we prioritize above God's will. The communal complicity highlighted in the verse also reminds us that sin is rarely isolated; we are called to individual accountability but also to courageous faithfulness within our communities, resisting the temptation to go along with popular or comfortable forms of spiritual compromise. Ultimately, this verse calls us to profound humility, genuine repentance, and an unwavering commitment to trust and obey God's Word, recognizing that true and lasting blessings flow only from Him, not from our self-devised paths or false gods.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who was the "queen of heaven" mentioned in Jeremiah 44:19?
Answer: The "queen of heaven" (Hebrew: Melekhet haShamayim) refers to a prominent pagan goddess worshipped throughout the ancient Near East. While her exact identity could vary regionally, she is generally associated with powerful fertility and war goddesses such as Ishtar (Babylonian), Astarte (Canaanite), or Asherah. She was believed to control celestial forces and bring prosperity or destruction. Her worship involved specific rituals like burning incense, pouring drink offerings, and baking special cakes, as described in Jeremiah 44:19. This worship was a direct violation of God's covenant with Israel, which commanded exclusive devotion to Yahweh.
Why did the people in Jeremiah's time worship the "queen of heaven" despite God's warnings?
Answer: The people, particularly the women in this passage, openly stated their reason: they believed that when they worshipped the "queen of heaven," they experienced prosperity, peace, and abundance, claiming, "then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil" (Jeremiah 44:17). They attributed their past well-being to this pagan deity, tragically misinterpreting God's grace as the favor of an idol. After Jerusalem's destruction, they saw their current suffering as a result of stopping her worship, rather than as a consequence of their disobedience to Yahweh. This demonstrates a deep spiritual blindness and a hardened heart, preferring a perceived immediate benefit from a false god over the long-term blessings of obedience to the true God, as outlined in passages like Deuteronomy 28.
What is the significance of the phrase "without our men" in the women's statement?
Answer: The phrase "without our men" (Hebrew: bilʻădêy ʼĕnôwsh) is a rhetorical question implying a strong negative answer: "No, we did not do it without our men!" This statement is highly significant because it reveals that the idolatry was not a secret or isolated practice by the women alone, but a widespread, communal sin involving the men as well. It serves as a defiant justification and an attempt to spread the blame, highlighting the collective nature of their rebellion against God. The women are essentially saying, "Our men knew about it, approved of it, and were complicit in it." This underscores the deep spiritual corruption that had permeated the entire community, making the judgment against them a collective consequence for shared disobedience, as seen throughout Jeremiah 44.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 44:19, with its raw depiction of defiant idolatry and human self-justification, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate need for a divine intervention that only Christ could provide. The people's futile attempt to secure blessing through false gods, and their tragic misattribution of prosperity to pagan rituals, underscores humanity's inherent brokenness and desperate search for meaning and provision outside of the Creator. Christ, as the true God revealed in the flesh, perfectly fulfills the longing for a worthy object of worship, offering Himself as the sole source of genuine life and blessing. Unlike the "queen of heaven" who demanded empty rituals and offered only fleeting, deceptive promises, Jesus calls for worship "in spirit and truth" (John 4:23-24), transforming hearts from within. He is the one who breaks the power of all forms of idolatry, whether ancient paganism or modern obsessions with wealth, power, or self. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ cleanses us from "dead works" (like the ritualistic offerings to false gods) to serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14), freeing us from the cycle of sin and judgment. He offers the true "bread of life" (John 6:35) and "living water" (John 7:37-38), fulfilling the spiritual hunger and thirst that the people of Jeremiah's day sought to satisfy with their cakes and drink offerings to a false deity. In Christ, the ultimate judgment against idolatry has been borne, and the path to true reconciliation and eternal blessing has been opened, inviting all to turn from their idols and embrace Him as Lord.