Jeremiah 44:19

KJV

And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?

KJV (with Strong's)

And when we burned incense {H6999} to the queen {H4446} of heaven {H8064}, and poured out {H5258} drink offerings {H5262} unto her, did we make {H6213} her cakes {H3561} to worship {H6087} her, and pour out {H5258} drink offerings {H5262} unto her, without {H1107} our men {H582}?

Complete Jewish Bible

[Then the wives added,] "Are we the ones who offer incense to the queen of heaven? Do we pour out drink offerings to her? And did we make cakes marked with her image for her and pour out drink offerings to her without our husbands' consent?"

Berean Standard Bible

“Moreover,” said the women, “when we burned incense to the Queen of Heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, was it without our husbands’ knowledge that we made sacrificial cakes in her image and poured out drink offerings to her?”

American Standard Version

And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink-offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink-offerings unto her, without our husbands?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 44:19 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 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
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 44:19 is situated within a dramatic and tragic confrontation between the prophet Jeremiah and the Jewish remnant who had fled to Egypt after the destruction of Jerusalem and the assassination of Gedaliah. Chapters 42-44 detail this flight and Jeremiah's final, desperate warnings. Despite God's explicit command through Jeremiah not to go to Egypt and to abandon their idolatrous ways ([Jeremiah 42:19](/jeremiah/42-19 "Jeremiah 42:19 - God's Warning Not to Go to Egypt")), the people defiantly chose to settle there. Jeremiah 44 specifically records God's judgment against them for their continued idolatry, particularly their worship of the "queen of heaven." Verse 19 is the women's audacious reply to Jeremiah's rebuke in [Jeremiah 44:7-10](/jeremiah/44-7 "Jeremiah 44:7-10 - God's Condemnation of Idolatry"), where he reminds them of the consequences of their ancestors' idolatry and warns of similar destruction. Their response here is a chilling testament to their hardened hearts and refusal to repent, setting the stage for God's final, irreversible judgment against them in Egypt.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, many Judeans fled to Egypt, seeking refuge despite divine warnings. This period was marked by immense trauma and displacement, often leading to a spiritual crisis where people might turn to foreign deities, believing their own God had abandoned them or was no longer powerful enough. The "queen of heaven" was a prominent pagan goddess worshipped throughout the ancient Near East, often identified with Mesopotamian deities like Ishtar (goddess of love, war, and fertility) or Canaanite goddesses such as Astarte or Asherah. Her cult involved specific rituals, including the burning of incense, pouring of libations (drink offerings), and the baking of special cakes, often crescent or star-shaped, to honor her. These practices were deeply ingrained in the surrounding cultures and represented a syncretistic blend of beliefs, directly violating the First Commandment of Yahweh, which explicitly forbade the worship of other gods ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")). The women's assertion that their men were complicit highlights the pervasive nature of this idolatry within the community, indicating it was not a marginal practice but a widely accepted and communal deviation from Yahweh worship.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several critical themes. First, **Defiant Idolatry** is central, as the people openly admit and justify their worship of a foreign deity, demonstrating a profound spiritual rebellion against God's explicit commands and prophetic warnings. Their refusal to repent, even after experiencing the devastating consequences of past idolatry (the destruction of Jerusalem), underscores a hardened heart. Second, the theme of **Shared Guilt and Complicity** is prominent; the women's rhetorical question, "without our men?", reveals that this idolatry was a communal sin, involving both men and women, and was not a secret or isolated practice. This collective responsibility for sin is a recurring motif in Jeremiah, emphasizing that the entire community bore the weight of their disobedience. Third, the verse highlights **False Justification and Misplaced Faith**. The people erroneously attribute past prosperity to their pagan worship rather than to the true God who had blessed them, demonstrating a tragic misattribution of divine favor and a deep misunderstanding of the source of true blessings. This false justification serves as a dangerous rationalization for continued disobedience. Finally, the detailed mention of **Pagan Rituals** (incense, drink offerings, cakes) emphasizes the depth of their assimilation into foreign religious practices, which were anathema to the covenant relationship with Yahweh and a direct affront to His exclusive claim on their worship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Queen (Hebrew, _mᵉleketh'_):** (H4446) Derived from a root meaning "to rule," this term specifically denotes a female monarch. In this context, "queen of heaven" refers to a prominent pagan goddess, widely worshipped in the ancient Near East, often associated with fertility, celestial power, and war. The use of "queen" elevates her status in the eyes of her devotees, reflecting a perceived sovereignty over the heavens, a domain exclusively belonging to Yahweh.
* **Cakes (Hebrew, _kavvân'_):** (H3561) This word refers to something prepared, specifically a sacrificial wafer or cake. These were not ordinary baked goods but ritualistic offerings, likely shaped to symbolize aspects of the goddess (e.g., crescent moons or stars) or to serve as a specific food offering in her cult. Their preparation was an integral part of the idolatrous worship, signifying devotion and participation in the pagan rituals.
* **Without (Hebrew, _bilʻădêy'_):** (H1107) This preposition means "except," "without," or "besides." In the rhetorical question "without our men?", it emphasizes the women's assertion that their actions were not clandestine or independent but were openly conducted with the full knowledge and implicit, if not explicit, approval and participation of the men. It highlights the communal nature of the idolatry and attempts to deflect individual blame by spreading culpability.
* **Men (Hebrew, _ʼĕnôwsh'_):** (H582) This term refers to "a mortal" or "man in general," often implying human frailty or mortality, contrasting with the more dignified "adam." Here, it collectively refers to the male members of the community. The women's inclusion of "our men" underscores the widespread nature of the idolatry within the entire community, suggesting that the sin was not confined to a specific gender but was a shared, collective rebellion against God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her,"**: This clause is a direct admission by the women of their idolatrous practices. "Burning incense" (H6999, _qâṭar_) and "pouring out drink offerings" (H5258, _nâçak_ for "poured out"; H5262, _neçek_ for "drink offerings") were common forms of worship in the ancient world, signifying devotion and supplication to a deity. These actions, when directed towards the "queen of heaven" (H4446, _mᵉleketh_ H8064, _shâmayim_), represented a direct violation of the covenant with Yahweh, who demanded exclusive worship. The phrase establishes the specific pagan deity and the rituals performed.
* **"did we make her cakes to worship her,"**: This rhetorical question further details their idolatrous activities, specifically mentioning the preparation of "cakes" (H3561, _kavvân_) as an act of "worship" (H6087, _ʻâtsab_). The act of "making" (H6213, _ʻâsâh_) these cakes was an intentional and dedicated effort to honor the false goddess. The question format implies an obvious "yes," confirming their active participation and dedication to these forbidden rituals.
* **"and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?"**: This final clause, also a rhetorical question, repeats the "drink offerings" and introduces the crucial element of communal complicity. The phrase "without our men" (H1107, _bilʻădêy_ H582, _ʼĕnôwsh_) is a defiant assertion that their idolatry was not a secret or solely a female endeavor but was conducted with the full knowledge and, implicitly, the approval and participation of the men. This statement serves as a justification, attempting to diffuse individual blame by highlighting the collective nature of their sin, thereby demonstrating their profound lack of repentance and shared rebellion.

#### 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 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.

* [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First and Second Commandments") - God's explicit command against idolatry and the worship of other gods, foundational to the covenant relationship.
* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience") - A warning of the curses and judgment that will befall Israel if they disobey God's commands and turn to idolatry.
* [Romans 1:21-25](/romans/1-21 "Romans 1:21-25 - The Exchange of Truth for a Lie") - Paul's explanation of humanity's tendency to suppress the truth about God, exchange His glory for idols, and worship the creature rather than the Creator.

### 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
* **What "queens of heaven" or modern idols might I be unknowingly worshipping in my own life, placing my trust or devotion in something other than God?**
* **In what ways might I be complicit in or silently condoning spiritual compromises within my community or culture, rather than standing for God's truth?**
* **How do I tend to justify my disobedience or rationalize my choices when confronted with God's clear commands, similar to the people in Jeremiah 44:19?**
* **What tangible steps can I take today to ensure that God alone holds the supreme place in my heart and life, leading to genuine obedience and worship?**

### 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](/jeremiah/44-19 "Jeremiah 44:19 - The Queen of Heaven"). 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](/jeremiah/44-17 "Jeremiah 44:17 - The People's Justification for Idolatry")). 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](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

**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](/jeremiah/44 "Jeremiah 44 - Jeremiah's Final Prophecy in Egypt").

### 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](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became 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](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), 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](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing from Dead Works")), freeing us from the cycle of sin and judgment. He offers the true "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus the Bread of Life")) and "living water" ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")), 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.

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 7:18

The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead [their] dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.

Jeremiah 44:15

¶ 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,

Genesis 3:6

¶ And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Numbers 30:6

And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul;

Numbers 30:7

And her husband heard [it], and held his peace at her in the day that he heard [it]: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.

Deuteronomy 7:3

Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.

Deuteronomy 7:4

For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.