Jeremiah 44:2

KJV

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Ye have seen all the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, and upon all the cities of Judah; and, behold, this day they [are] a desolation, and no man dwelleth therein,

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}; Ye have seen {H7200} all the evil {H7451} that I have brought {H935} upon Jerusalem {H3389}, and upon all the cities {H5892} of Judah {H3063}; and, behold, this day {H3117} they are a desolation {H2723}, and no man dwelleth {H3427} therein,

Complete Jewish Bible

"Here is what ADONAI-Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el, says: 'You have seen all the disaster I inflicted on Yerushalayim and all the cities of Y'hudah; there they are today, ruined, with no one living in them.

Berean Standard Bible

“This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: You have seen all the disaster that I brought against Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah; and behold, they lie today in ruins and desolation

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Ye have seen all the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, and upon all the cities of Judah; and, behold, this day they are a desolation, and no man dwelleth therein,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 44:2 delivers a profound and somber message from the LORD to the Jewish remnant who had defiantly fled to Egypt. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God directly confronts them with the undeniable reality of the recent, catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah. He asserts His sovereign hand in bringing about this desolation, emphasizing that their homeland stands as a stark, uninhabited testament to the severe consequences of their persistent disobedience and idolatry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 44 is situated at the conclusion of Jeremiah's prophecies concerning Judah and Jerusalem, specifically addressing the remnant who, against God's explicit command, sought refuge in Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. This verse immediately follows a general introduction to the chapter, which sets the scene by identifying the audience and their location in various Egyptian cities. It serves as God's direct confrontation, using the recent, visible judgment upon Judah as irrefutable evidence of His power and justice. The chapter then proceeds to detail the people's stubborn refusal to repent and their continued idolatry in Egypt, leading to a final, severe pronouncement of judgment upon them even there. This verse is the foundational premise for God's subsequent indictment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the immediate aftermath of Jerusalem's complete destruction by the Babylonian Empire in 586 BC. The temple was burned, the city walls razed, and the majority of the population exiled to Babylon. A small remnant, including Jeremiah, was left behind in Judah. Despite God's clear instruction through Jeremiah to remain in the land and trust in His protection ([Jeremiah 42:19](/jeremiah/42-19 "Jeremiah 42:19 - Jeremiah's Warning Against Going to Egypt")), this remnant, fearing Babylonian reprisal and seeking security, chose to flee to Egypt. Culturally, Egypt represented a place of refuge and idolatry for Israel throughout its history, symbolizing a rejection of God's covenant and a return to the very land of their ancestors' bondage. The desolation of Judah was not a distant memory but a fresh, visible wound, a stark and undeniable testament to God's righteous judgment.
* **Key Themes:**
* **Divine Sovereignty in Judgment:** The declaration "I have brought upon Jerusalem" powerfully asserts God's direct agency in the calamity. This was not merely an act of war by the Babylonians, but a deliberate execution of divine justice for Israel's prolonged rebellion and idolatry. It underscores God's absolute control over nations and history, demonstrating that nothing occurs outside of His sovereign will, even the most devastating events concerning His covenant people. This theme is consistent throughout Jeremiah, where God repeatedly identifies Himself as the one who brings both blessing and calamity ([Jeremiah 1:10](/jeremiah/1-10 "Jeremiah 1:10 - Jeremiah's Commission to Uproot and Plant")).
* **Consequences of Persistent Disobedience:** The utter desolation of Judah serves as a vivid and undeniable object lesson about the severe repercussions of rejecting God's commands and pursuing false gods. The people "have seen" the outcome of their choices, yet the subsequent narrative in [Jeremiah 44:15-19](/jeremiah/44-15 "Jeremiah 44:15-19 - The People's Rejection of Jeremiah's Words") reveals their stubborn refusal to learn, highlighting the profound spiritual blindness that accompanies prolonged rebellion. This verse emphasizes the direct, cause-and-effect relationship between sin and divine judgment.
* **The Reality of Desolation and Fulfillment of Prophecy:** The phrase "a desolation, and no man dwelleth therein" vividly describes the physical state of the land and its cities. This stark image confirms the precise fulfillment of earlier prophecies regarding the land's ruin due to Israel's unfaithfulness, such as those found in [Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Prophecy of 70 Years of Desolation") and [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The visible emptiness served as irrefutable proof of God's faithfulness to His word, even in judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD of hosts (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh tsâbâʼ_):** This powerful divine title, combining "the self-Existent or Eternal" (H3068 _Yᵉhôvâh_) with "a mass of persons... organized for war (an army)" (H6635 _tsâbâʼ_), emphasizes God's omnipotence and His absolute sovereignty over all creation, including celestial and earthly armies. In this context, it underscores His authority and power to execute judgment, not merely as a passive observer but as the active orchestrator of the devastation that Judah experienced. It reinforces that the calamity was a deliberate act of the all-powerful God.
* **evil (Hebrew, _raʻ_):** While often denoting moral wickedness, the term "evil" (H7451 _raʻ_) in this context refers to calamity, disaster, or affliction. It is the *consequence* of the people's moral evil (sin and idolatry), not moral wickedness itself. God brought the "evil" of destruction as a direct, righteous judgment for the "evil" (sin) committed by His people, demonstrating His justice and the severe repercussions for covenant unfaithfulness.
* **desolation (Hebrew, _chorbâh_):** Derived from a root meaning "drought," this term (H2723 _chorbâh_) literally signifies a decayed or waste place, a state of utter ruin and emptiness. It vividly describes the physical devastation of Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, emphasizing their uninhabited and abandoned state. This word powerfully conveys the completeness and severity of God's judgment, a visible and tangible sign of the fulfillment of His warnings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel;":** This opening formula establishes the divine authority and origin of the message. It is not Jeremiah's personal opinion but the direct, authoritative word of Yahweh, the sovereign God who commands all creation and is uniquely in covenant with Israel. This reinforces the gravity and certainty of the pronouncement that follows, underscoring that the judgment is from the highest authority.
* **"Ye have seen all the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, and upon all the cities of Judah;":** God directly confronts the remnant with the undeniable reality of the recent past. The phrase "Ye have seen" highlights their personal, eyewitness experience of the catastrophe, making the evidence irrefutable. God explicitly takes responsibility, stating "I have brought" (H935 _bôwʼ_), emphasizing His active role as the executor of judgment upon His covenant people for their persistent sin, particularly idolatry. This "evil" (H7451 _raʻ_) refers to the disaster and ruin, not moral wickedness itself.
* **"and, behold, this day they [are] a desolation, and no man dwelleth therein,":** This clause describes the present, observable condition of the land. "Behold" (H3117 _yôwm_) draws immediate attention to the stark reality. The cities, once vibrant centers of life, are now utterly desolate (H2723 _chorbâh_) and uninhabited (H3427 _yâshab_). This vivid description serves as irrefutable evidence of the severity and completeness of God's judgment, a visible testament to the consequences of their rebellion and a warning against continuing in their rebellious ways.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs **Divine Assertion** as God explicitly states, "I have brought upon Jerusalem," directly claiming responsibility for the calamity. This highlights His absolute sovereignty and active agency in history, rather than attributing the destruction solely to human armies. Furthermore, the phrase "Ye have seen" functions as an appeal to **Empirical Evidence**, making God's judgment undeniable by referencing the people's direct, personal observation of the devastation. The description "a desolation, and no man dwelleth therein" utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme and widespread nature of the destruction, conveying a sense of utter abandonment and ruin that serves to underscore the gravity of their sin and the severity of God's wrath.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, which includes both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. It underscores the principle that divine judgment is a just and inevitable response to persistent rebellion and idolatry, demonstrating God's holiness and righteousness. The visible desolation serves as a powerful, tangible sermon, illustrating that God's warnings are not idle threats but certain realities for those who refuse to repent. It also highlights God's sovereign control over nations and history, asserting that even the rise and fall of empires serve His ultimate purposes in dealing with His people, revealing His character as both merciful and just.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-20](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Lamentations 1:1-4](/lamentations/1-1 "Lamentations 1:1-4 - Jerusalem's Desolation and Grief")
* [Isaiah 5:5-7](/isaiah/5-5 "Isaiah 5:5-7 - The Parable of the Vineyard and God's Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 44:2 serves as a stark reminder that God's character is unchanging: He is holy, just, and righteous, and He takes sin seriously. The visible consequences of Judah's disobedience should prompt us to examine our own lives for areas of rebellion or idolatry, whether overt or subtle. While believers today live under the new covenant of grace, the principles of sowing and reaping, and the seriousness of God's warnings, remain. This verse calls us to a posture of humility and repentance, recognizing that genuine faith involves not only believing in God's promises but also obeying His commands. It challenges us to learn from history, both biblical and personal, trusting in God's wisdom and goodness even when His ways seem severe, and to actively turn away from anything that displaces Him as the supreme object of our affection and allegiance. Our comfort in God's grace should never lead to complacency regarding sin, but rather to a deeper appreciation for the cost of our redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "evil" (calamity or consequence) in history or personal experience have I "seen" that serves as a warning against disobedience to God?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to ignore God's clear commands or warnings, similar to the remnant who fled to Egypt?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty in judgment, as highlighted in this verse, deepen my awe and reverence for Him and motivate my obedience?**

### FAQ
**Why did God say "I have brought" the evil, rather than blaming the Babylonians?**

Answer: God's declaration "I have brought" (H935 _bôwʼ_) emphasizes His ultimate sovereignty and active agency in the events. While the Babylonian Empire was the physical instrument of destruction, God asserts that they were merely His tools, fulfilling His righteous judgment against Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience. This perspective is crucial for understanding biblical theology, where God is not merely a passive observer but the orchestrator of history, using nations and events to achieve His purposes, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 10:5-7](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-7 - Assyria as God's Instrument"). This highlights that the calamity was not random misfortune but a deliberate act of divine justice, demonstrating God's control over all earthly powers.

**What was the "evil" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "evil" (H7451 _raʻ_) in this context refers to the devastating calamity, disaster, and affliction that God brought upon Jerusalem and the cities of Judah. It specifically points to the destruction of the city, the temple, the widespread death, famine, exile, and the utter desolation of the land. It is the *consequence* of the moral evil (sin, idolatry, covenant breaking) committed by the people, not moral evil itself. This distinction is vital for understanding God's righteous judgment, where He punishes sin with tangible, often severe, consequences, as prophesied throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses") and [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 44:2, though a somber declaration of judgment, points to the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment through contrast and divine principle. The "desolation" experienced by Judah was a direct consequence of their inability to perfectly uphold the Mosaic Covenant, revealing humanity's deep and universal need for a new and better covenant. Jesus Christ, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled the law and bore the full weight of God's righteous judgment for sin. He became the ultimate "desolation" on the cross, experiencing separation from the Father for a time ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), so that all who believe in Him might never experience eternal separation. His sacrificial death established the [new covenant](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - The New Covenant") prophesied by Jeremiah himself ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")), where sins are forgiven, and God's law is written on hearts, not merely on stone tablets. Through Christ, believers are redeemed from the curse of the law ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")), and instead of facing desolation, they are offered an eternal dwelling place in the presence of God ([John 14:2-3](/john/14-2 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place for Us")). The judgment seen in Jeremiah 44:2 thus magnifies the immeasurable grace and redemptive power found in Christ, who absorbed the "evil" of God's wrath so that we might inherit life and peace.

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

Isaiah 6:11

Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,

Jeremiah 9:11

And I will make Jerusalem heaps, [and] a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.

Jeremiah 34:22

Behold, I will command, saith the LORD, and cause them to return to this city; and they shall fight against it, and take it, and burn it with fire: and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without an inhabitant.

Jeremiah 4:7

The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; [and] thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.

Micah 3:12

Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed [as] a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.

Lamentations 1:1

¶ How doth the city sit solitary, [that was] full of people! [how] is she become as a widow! she [that was] great among the nations, [and] princess among the provinces, [how] is she become tributary!

Lamentations 5:18

Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.