Jeremiah 44:22

KJV

So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, [and] because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.

KJV (with Strong's)

So that the LORD {H3068} could {H3201} no longer bear {H5375}, because {H6440} of the evil {H7455} of your doings {H4611}, and because {H6440} of the abominations {H8441} which ye have committed {H6213}; therefore is your land {H776} a desolation {H2723}, and an astonishment {H8047}, and a curse {H7045}, without an inhabitant {H3427}, as at this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

until ADONAI could no longer bear it, so evil and so detestable were your deeds. This is why your land has become a wasteland, an object for astonishment and cursing, uninhabited, as it is today.

Berean Standard Bible

So the LORD could no longer endure the evil deeds and detestable acts you committed, and your land became a desolation, a horror, and an object of cursing, without inhabitant, as it is this day.

American Standard Version

so that Jehovah could not longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land become a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without inhabitant, as it is this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 44:22 serves as a profound declaration of divine judgment, marking the critical juncture where God's enduring patience with Judah's persistent idolatry and unrepentant rebellion reached its absolute limit. This verse powerfully articulates the direct and devastating consequences of their spiritual infidelity: the complete desolation, abandonment, and cursing of their land. It stands as a tangible, visible testament to the certainty and severity of God's righteous indignation, brought about by their abominable practices, particularly their steadfast worship of foreign deities despite repeated warnings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 44:22 is situated within the final, poignant messages delivered by the prophet Jeremiah to the defiant remnant of Judah who had fled to Egypt. Following the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC and the assassination of Gedaliah, this group, driven by fear and a misguided search for security, deliberately chose to migrate to Egypt, directly contravening God's explicit command through Jeremiah to remain in the land of Judah and trust in His protection. Chapter 44 records their stubborn refusal to heed the divine word, culminating in their open declaration of intent to continue worshiping the "Queen of Heaven," as stated in [Jeremiah 44:17](/jeremiah/44-17 "Jeremiah 44:17 - The People's Defiance and Idolatry"). Verse 22 functions as God's exasperated and conclusive pronouncement of judgment, underscoring that their unwavering rebellion had exhausted His long-suffering. It marks a climactic moment where divine patience gives way to an inevitable, just recompense, sealing their fate.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian conquest of Judah, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the exile of its inhabitants in 586 BC. The small remnant left behind, including Jeremiah, faced immense political instability and spiritual confusion. Their flight to Egypt, a traditional place of refuge but also a historical source of temptation to idolatry for Israel, represented a profound act of distrust in God's ability to protect them in their homeland. Culturally, the worship of the "Queen of Heaven" (likely Ishtar or Astarte) was a widespread pagan practice in the ancient Near East, involving fertility rites and offerings. The Israelites had adopted this practice despite explicit prohibitions in the [Mosaic Law](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments"). The desolation of the land, mentioned as "as at this day," refers to the visible ruins of Judah, a stark reality confirming the covenant curses for disobedience outlined in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent in Jeremiah and throughout the Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the **exhaustion of divine patience**. While God is characterized by mercy and slowness to anger, as seen in [Psalm 103:8](/psalm/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - The Lord's Compassion"), there is a tipping point where persistent, unrepentant sin necessitates judgment. Secondly, it underscores the **inevitable consequences of persistent idolatry and disobedience**. The "evil of your doings" and "abominations" refer directly to their covenant violations, particularly their spiritual adultery against God. The resulting "desolation, astonishment, and curse" are not arbitrary punishments but the direct, promised outcomes of rejecting God's covenant and embracing paganism, fulfilling the warnings of [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience"). Finally, the phrase "as at this day" emphasizes **prophetic fulfillment and the certainty of God's word**. The physical state of Judah served as a living testimony to the truthfulness of Jeremiah's prophecies and the unwavering nature of God's justice, solidifying the theme that God's warnings are always followed by their promised outcome if repentance is absent.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bear (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** (H5375) This primitive root means "to lift," "to carry," and by extension, "to endure" or "to suffer." In the context of "the LORD could no longer bear," it conveys the immense weight and burden of Judah's accumulated sin upon God's patience. It signifies a divine threshold reached, where the sheer volume and persistence of their wickedness became an unbearable load, necessitating a decisive response of judgment. This anthropomorphic expression emphasizes that God's holy character and justice demand a reaction to such profound and unrepentant rebellion, rather than implying a physical limitation.
* **abominations (Hebrew, _tôwʻêbah'_):** (H8441) This feminine active participle describes "something disgusting (morally)" or an "abhorrence." It is frequently used in the Old Testament to denote practices utterly detestable in God's sight, most notably idolatry, but also sexual perversions, unjust dealings, and other violations of His holy character and covenant. Here, it specifically points to the pagan worship, particularly of the "Queen of Heaven," which was a direct affront to God's exclusive claim as the one true deity. The use of this strong term emphasizes the profound moral repugnance of their actions from a divine perspective.
* **desolation (Hebrew, _chorbâh'_):** (H2723) Derived from a root meaning "drought," this feminine noun refers to "a desolation," "decayed place," or "waste place." It vividly describes the physical state of the land of Judah—ruined, barren, and uninhabited. This term is presented as a direct consequence of the "abominations" committed, signifying the reversal of God's blessing and the fulfillment of the covenant curses. It paints a picture of utter ruin, not merely as an absence of life but as a stark, visible monument to divine judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So that the LORD could no longer bear,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine perspective on the situation. It highlights God's long-suffering nature, implying that His patience had been extended for a considerable time, enduring their transgressions. The phrase signifies a limit reached, a point of no return where divine forbearance gives way to righteous judgment due to the sheer volume and persistence of sin.
* **"because of the evil of your doings, [and] because of the abominations which ye have committed;"**: This segment provides the explicit reasons for God's inability to "bear" any longer. "The evil of your doings" refers to their general wickedness and moral corruption, while "the abominations which ye have committed" specifically points to their idolatrous practices, particularly the worship of foreign gods, which was an egregious violation of the first commandment and the covenant. These phrases underscore the deliberate and continuous nature of their rebellion.
* **"therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day."**: This final clause articulates the direct, divinely ordained consequences. The land, once flowing with milk and honey, is now described as a "desolation" (ruined and empty), an "astonishment" (a shocking and terrifying sight to behold), and a "curse" (under divine disfavor and judgment). The phrase "without an inhabitant" emphasizes the complete depopulation and abandonment. "As at this day" serves as a powerful, immediate affirmation of the prophecy's fulfillment, indicating that the consequences were already visibly manifest, serving as undeniable proof of God's word.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 44:22 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment. The phrase "the LORD could no longer bear" uses **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like emotional capacity (exhaustion, inability to tolerate) to God. This is not to suggest weakness but to powerfully communicate the depth of His righteous indignation and the limits of His patience with unrepentant sin. The description of the land as "a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse" is a potent example of **Tricolon**, a rhetorical device using three parallel words or phrases to create a sense of completeness and emphasis, here highlighting the totality and severity of the judgment. Furthermore, the concluding phrase "as at this day" functions as a form of **Prophetic Verification** or **Fulfillment Language**, grounding the divine pronouncement in observable reality and serving as irrefutable evidence of God's word coming to pass. The entire verse is permeated with **Cause and Effect** logic, clearly linking the people's "doings" and "abominations" directly to the "desolation" and "curse" upon the land.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 44:22 profoundly illustrates the unwavering holiness and justice of God, demonstrating that while He is infinitely patient, His character ultimately demands a response to persistent and unrepentant sin. This verse underscores the foundational biblical truth that God's covenant relationship with His people involves both blessings for obedience and severe curses for disobedience. The desolation of the land serves as a stark physical manifestation of a broken spiritual covenant, a visible sign that God's presence and favor have been withdrawn due to the people's idolatrous rebellion. It highlights the principle that sin, especially spiritual adultery against the one true God, carries devastating consequences, not only for individuals but for entire communities and their environment.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-20](/deuteronomy/28-15-20 "Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Romans 2:4-5](/romans/2-4-5 "Romans 2:4-5 - God's Kindness Leads to Repentance")
* [Lamentations 1:1-3](/lamentations/1-1-3 "Lamentations 1:1-3 - Jerusalem's Desolation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 44:22 serves as a sobering reminder of the gravity of sin and the unyielding holiness of God. It compels us to confront the reality that while God's patience is immense, it is not infinite. Our continued, deliberate rebellion and rejection of His commands, particularly when we cling to "abominations" in our lives—whether overt idolatry, spiritual apathy, or willful disobedience—will ultimately lead to consequences. This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts and lives: are there areas where we are presuming upon God's grace, or harboring practices that are detestable in His sight? It calls us to a profound self-assessment, urging us to recognize that our actions have real and often severe repercussions, not only for ourselves but potentially for those around us and even for the spiritual vitality of our communities. The desolation described is a powerful metaphor for the spiritual barrenness that can result from persistent sin. Therefore, the call to repentance, to turn wholeheartedly back to God, remains paramount, as it is the only path to avert spiritual desolation and experience His restoring grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be presuming upon God's patience, perhaps by clinging to habits or attitudes that are contrary to His will?**
* **What "abominations" (anything that takes God's rightful place or offends His holiness) might exist in my personal or communal life that need to be confessed and forsaken?**
* **How does the "desolation" described in this verse serve as a warning for the spiritual consequences of unrepentant sin in my own life or in the church today?**
* **What steps can I take today to ensure my life reflects a genuine turning away from sin and a wholehearted devotion to God?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that "the LORD could no longer bear"?**

Answer: This phrase, using anthropomorphic language, signifies that God's divine patience had reached its absolute limit. It does not imply weakness or exhaustion on God's part, but rather that the accumulation of Judah's persistent and egregious sins, particularly their idolatry and defiance, had reached a point where His holy character and righteous justice necessitated a decisive act of judgment. It conveys the immense burden and offense their actions caused to His divine nature, making continued forbearance impossible without compromising His holiness.

**What were the "abominations" that provoked God's judgment?**

Answer: The "abominations" primarily refer to the widespread idolatry practiced by the people of Judah, specifically their worship of foreign deities like the "Queen of Heaven," as detailed in [Jeremiah 44:17](/jeremiah/44-17 "Jeremiah 44:17 - The People's Defiance and Idolatry"). This was a direct violation of the first commandment and the covenant God made with Israel, demanding exclusive devotion to Him. Beyond idolatry, it encompassed all forms of moral corruption and disobedience that were detestable in God's sight, leading to a profound spiritual and moral decay within the nation.

**How was the land "a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant"?**

Answer: This describes the physical and spiritual state of Judah after the Babylonian invasions and exile. The land, once fertile and populous, was literally laid waste, its cities destroyed, and its people carried off into captivity. It became a "desolation" (a ruined, uninhabited wasteland), an "astonishment" (a shocking and terrifying sight to anyone who beheld it, a testament to divine wrath), and a "curse" (under God's judgment, devoid of His blessing and presence). The phrase "without an inhabitant, as at this day" emphasizes the immediate and visible fulfillment of these prophecies, confirming that the land was indeed depopulated and ruined as a direct result of their sin. This was the culmination of the warnings given in the [Mosaic Law](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Curses for Disobedience") and prophesied by Jeremiah throughout his ministry, such as in [Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Captivity").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 44:22, with its stark portrayal of a land under a curse due to sin, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The "desolation, astonishment, and curse" that befell Judah vividly illustrate the dire consequences of humanity's rebellion against God, a universal condition of sin that separates all people from a holy God. The inability of the LORD to "bear" the abominations of His people foreshadows the ultimate need for a perfect sacrifice to atone for sin, a burden that no human could carry. Jesus Christ, the spotless [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), uniquely bore the full weight of humanity's "evil doings" and "abominations" on the cross. He became the curse for us, as [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse") declares, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." Through His crucifixion, Jesus took upon Himself the "desolation" and "astonishment" of divine judgment, enduring the ultimate separation from God so that those who believe in Him might be reconciled. His resurrection then inaugurated a new covenant, where the spiritual "land" of our hearts, once desolate due to sin, can now be made fruitful and inhabited by the Holy Spirit, as Jesus promised rivers of living water would flow from within believers in [John 7:38-39](/john/7-38-39 "John 7:38-39 - Rivers of Living Water"). Thus, the judgment pronounced in Jeremiah 44:22, while a historical reality for Judah, points forward to the profound spiritual desolation of humanity apart from Christ, and the glorious reversal of that curse through His atoning sacrifice, offering true life and an eternal habitation with God, where He will dwell with His people, as promised in [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling Place with Man").

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 25:18

[To wit], Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse; as [it is] this day;

Jeremiah 25:38

He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.

Jeremiah 44:12

And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, [and] fall in the land of Egypt; they shall [even] be consumed by the sword [and] by the famine: they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by the famine: and they shall be an execration, [and] an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.

Jeremiah 18:16

To make their land desolate, [and] a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head.

Jeremiah 25:11

And this whole land shall be a desolation, [and] an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

Isaiah 7:13

And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; [Is it] a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?

Isaiah 43:24

Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.