Jeremiah 44:24

KJV

Moreover Jeremiah said unto all the people, and to all the women, Hear the word of the LORD, all Judah that [are] in the land of Egypt:

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover Jeremiah {H3414} said {H559} unto all the people {H5971}, and to all the women {H802}, Hear {H8085} the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, all Judah {H3063} that are in the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}:

Complete Jewish Bible

In addition, Yirmeyahu said to all the people, but especially the women: "Hear the word of ADONAI, all Y'hudah who are in the land of Egypt;

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jeremiah said to all the people, including all the women, “Hear the word of the LORD, all those of Judah who are in the land of Egypt.

American Standard Version

Moreover Jeremiah said unto all the people, and to all the women, Hear the word of Jehovah, all Judah that are in the land of Egypt:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 44:24 captures a critical moment in the prophet's final, impassioned address to the Jewish remnant who had defiantly fled to Egypt after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. This verse serves as a direct, divinely-commissioned summons, underscoring the absolute authority behind Jeremiah’s words and the profound urgency of his message to a people deeply entrenched in rebellion and idolatry, particularly highlighting the women's prominent role in pagan worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 44:24 marks a pivotal shift within the prophet's final messages to the Jewish remnant in Egypt, following the fall of Jerusalem. Chapters 42 and 43 detail the people's explicit request for divine guidance regarding their future, Jeremiah's clear pronouncement from the Lord forbidding their flight to Egypt, and their subsequent defiant disobedience in migrating there. Verses 1-23 of chapter 44 recount Jeremiah's powerful indictment of their idolatry in Egypt, particularly their worship of the "Queen of Heaven," and God's solemn declaration of impending judgment. Verse 24 serves as the direct address that introduces God's unyielding response to their hardened hearts and their assertion that their idolatry brought them prosperity. It sets the stage for the specific, severe judgments that follow, emphasizing that this is not merely Jeremiah's opinion but the very "word of the LORD."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the immediate aftermath of Jerusalem's devastating fall in [586 BC](/2_kings/25-8 "2 Kings 25:8 - Destruction of Jerusalem"), which left a small, vulnerable remnant in Judah. Following the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon, many surviving Jews, driven by fear and a desire for security, chose to flee to Egypt. This move directly defied God's explicit command delivered through Jeremiah in [Jeremiah 42:19](/jeremiah/42-19 "Jeremiah 42:19 - God's Warning Against Going to Egypt"). Once in Egypt, they quickly embraced the syncretistic religious practices prevalent there, notably the widespread worship of the "Queen of Heaven" (likely Ishtar or Astarte), a fertility goddess. This cult was particularly popular among women, who believed it brought prosperity and well-being, directly contrasting with the calamities that had befallen Judah when they abandoned this worship. Jeremiah’s address in Egypt highlights the deep cultural and spiritual assimilation that threatened to erase their identity as God's covenant people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several major themes woven throughout Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Authority versus Human Rebellion**. God's word, delivered through Jeremiah, is presented as absolute and non-negotiable, yet the people consistently choose their own path of disobedience. Secondly, it highlights the devastating consequences of **Covenant Faithfulness versus Idolatry**. The people's flight to Egypt and their embrace of pagan deities represent a profound betrayal of their covenant with Yahweh, leading directly to divine judgment. Thirdly, the imperative "Hear the word of the LORD" emphasizes the biblical concept of **"Hearing" (Shema) as Obedience**. This is not merely passive listening but an active, transformative heeding of God's instructions, a theme foundational to Israelite faith as seen in [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema, Hear O Israel"). Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **God's Persistent Pursuit and Judgment**, even of a rebellious remnant, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant and His justice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jeremiah (Hebrew, _Yirmᵉyâh'_):** From רוּם and יָהּ, meaning "Jah will rise." This name signifies the prophet's divine commission and the powerful, often unwelcome, message he delivered. In this context, it emphasizes that the words spoken are not merely human counsel but a divinely inspired oracle from the Lord, whose name is embedded in the prophet's own. Jeremiah stands as God's appointed messenger, even to a people who have consistently rejected his warnings.
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From דָבַר, meaning "a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing." This term encompasses not just spoken utterances but also decrees, commands, affairs, and the very essence of God's will and action. When Jeremiah speaks the "word of the LORD," it carries the weight of divine authority, representing God's active engagement with His people, His judgments, and His purposes. It is a living, potent force, demanding a response beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment.
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)." This is far more than simply perceiving sound. In the biblical context, _shama_ implies listening attentively, understanding deeply, internalizing the message, and, most crucially, acting upon it in obedience. Jeremiah's urgent call to "Hear" is a demand for repentance and submission to God's will, a direct challenge to the people's stubborn refusal to obey.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover Jeremiah said unto all the people, and to all the women":** This clause highlights the prophet's direct confrontation and the comprehensive nature of his address. Jeremiah, as God's faithful messenger, stands before the entire community, ensuring no one is exempt from hearing the divine pronouncement. The specific mention of "all the women" is highly significant, acknowledging their prominent and active role in the idolatrous worship of the "Queen of Heaven," which Jeremiah has just condemned in the preceding verses. This particular emphasis underscores their direct culpability and the widespread nature of the apostasy.
* **"Hear the word of the LORD":** This is the central imperative of the verse, a solemn command from God Himself, delivered through His prophet. The phrase "the word of the LORD" establishes the divine origin and absolute authority of the message that follows. It is not Jeremiah's personal opinion or political advice, but a direct communication from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. The verb "Hear" (Hebrew: _shema_) carries the profound biblical meaning of not only listening but also understanding, internalizing, and, most importantly, obeying. It is a call to a transformative encounter with divine truth.
* **"all Judah that [are] in the land of Egypt":** This final clause identifies the specific audience. Despite their physical location in Egypt, they are still identified as "all Judah," emphasizing their covenant identity and heritage, which they are actively dishonoring. Their presence "in the land of Egypt" serves as a stark reminder of their initial act of disobedience—fleeing to a place God had forbidden. This phrase sets the geographical and spiritual context for God's impending judgment, directed at those who sought refuge in a foreign land rather than trusting in Him.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 44:24 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Direct Address**, as Jeremiah speaks plainly and unequivocally to "all the people, and to all the women," ensuring that the divine message is delivered without ambiguity or evasion. This directness heightens the sense of confrontation and accountability. The phrase "Hear the word of the LORD" functions as a **Prophetic Oracle Formula**, immediately establishing the divine authority and gravity of the pronouncement that follows. It signals that the words are not human but divine, demanding absolute attention and obedience. The repeated use of "all" (all the people, all the women, all Judah) serves as a device of **Emphasis and Inclusivity**, stressing that no one within the remnant is exempt from this divine summons or the judgment that will follow. Finally, there is a subtle **Irony** in the identification of the people as "all Judah that are in the land of Egypt." They are still "Judah," God's covenant people, yet they are in a land that symbolizes spiritual bondage and disobedience, creating a powerful contrast between their divinely ordained identity and their current rebellious reality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 44:24 powerfully encapsulates the ongoing tension between God's steadfast covenant faithfulness and humanity's persistent inclination toward rebellion and idolatry. It underscores the critical importance of truly "hearing" God's word, which is never a passive act but a call to active obedience and transformation. The people of Judah in Egypt represent a profound spiritual blindness, choosing perceived worldly security and pagan practices over the clear, life-giving commands of Yahweh. This passage highlights that God's word is not merely informative but performative, carrying the weight of divine judgment for disobedience and the promise of life for those who heed. It reaffirms God's sovereignty over all nations and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even when they stray, pursuing them with both warnings and consequences to call them back to Himself.

* [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema, Hear O Israel")
* [Isaiah 1:19-20](/isaiah/1-19 "Isaiah 1:19-20 - Obedience Leads to Blessing, Disobedience to Destruction")
* [Acts 7:51](/acts/7-51 "Acts 7:51 - Stephen's Rebuke of Stubborn Hearts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 44:24 serves as a timeless mirror for believers today, challenging us to examine the depth of our own "hearing" of God's Word. In an age of abundant information, it's easy to passively consume spiritual content without allowing it to truly penetrate our hearts and transform our lives. This verse calls us beyond mere intellectual assent to a radical obedience that shapes our choices, priorities, and allegiances. It warns against the subtle allure of "Egypts" in our lives – those worldly solutions, cultural norms, or perceived securities that promise comfort but subtly draw us away from God's explicit commands and His sovereign provision. Just as the women of Judah clung to their "Queen of Heaven" for prosperity, we too can fall prey to modern idols of success, comfort, or self-reliance, believing they offer more than God's path. This passage reminds us that God's message is for every individual, regardless of their background or current circumstances, and that personal and corporate accountability for our response to His truth remains paramount.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I truly "hear" the word of the Lord in my life today, moving beyond passive listening to active obedience?**
* **What "Egypts" (places of perceived safety, worldly solutions, or cultural idols) might I be tempted to flee to instead of trusting God's path and provision?**
* **In what subtle or overt ways might I be participating in "idolatry" by prioritizing other things (e.g., career, comfort, relationships, personal desires) over God's will and commands?**
* **How does this passage challenge my understanding of personal and corporate accountability within the community of faith?**

### FAQ
**Why does Jeremiah specifically address "all the women" in this verse?**

Answer: Jeremiah specifically addresses "all the women" because they were particularly prominent and active in the idolatrous worship of the "Queen of Heaven" (likely Ishtar or Astarte) in Egypt, as detailed in the preceding verses of [Jeremiah 44](/jeremiah/44 "Jeremiah 44 - God's Judgment on Idolatry in Egypt"). The women believed that their worship of this pagan deity brought them prosperity and well-being, and they openly defied Jeremiah's warnings, claiming that their previous devotion to the Queen of Heaven was the reason for their prosperity, while abandoning her led to disaster. By directly addressing them, Jeremiah underscores their specific culpability and the widespread nature of this particular form of apostasy within the community.

**What was the significance of the people being "in the land of Egypt"?**

Answer: The people being "in the land of Egypt" was highly significant because it represented a direct act of disobedience to God's explicit command. After the fall of Jerusalem, God, through Jeremiah, had strictly warned the remnant not to go to Egypt, promising judgment if they did ([Jeremiah 42:19](/jeremiah/42-19 "Jeremiah 42:19 - God's Warning Against Going to Egypt")). Their flight to Egypt was a rejection of divine guidance and a choice to seek security in a foreign land rather than trusting in God's protection in Judah. Historically, Egypt also symbolized bondage and a place from which God had miraculously delivered Israel, making their return there a profound act of spiritual regression and rebellion against their covenant history.

**How does "Hear the word of the LORD" relate to the broader biblical concept of "shema"?**

Answer: The phrase "Hear the word of the LORD" directly invokes the profound biblical concept of _shema_ (Hebrew: שָׁמַע). In Hebrew thought, _shema_ means far more than simply perceiving sound. It implies listening attentively, understanding deeply, internalizing the message, and, most importantly, acting upon it in obedience. It is a call to a transformative and active response to divine revelation. This concept is foundational to Israelite faith, famously encapsulated in the [Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema, Hear O Israel"), which commands Israel to "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." In Jeremiah 44:24, the command to "Hear" is not merely an invitation but an urgent, authoritative imperative for the rebellious remnant to finally heed God's instructions and turn from their destructive path of idolatry and disobedience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 44:24, with its urgent call to "Hear the word of the LORD" directed at a rebellious people, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Jeremiah, as a prophet rejected and suffering for faithfully delivering God's unwelcome word, foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate Prophet and the very embodiment of God's Word made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")). Just as Jeremiah pleaded with a stubborn generation to heed God's voice, Jesus Himself lamented over Jerusalem's unwillingness to gather under His protective wing ([Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem")). The people's persistent rebellion against the Lord's word, even to the point of seeking false refuge in Egypt, highlights humanity's deep-seated need for a new heart and a new covenant, a promise ultimately fulfilled in Christ's atoning work ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ perfectly fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, offering Himself as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), thereby providing the ultimate means for humanity to truly "hear" and obey God's word, not through external compulsion but through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. He is the true refuge and salvation, inviting all who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him, a stark contrast to the false security sought in "the land of Egypt" ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me")).

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 43:7

So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they [even] to Tahpanhes.

Jeremiah 42:15

And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there;

Jeremiah 44:26

Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the LORD, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord GOD liveth.

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,

Jeremiah 44:16

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

Ezekiel 2:7

And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they [are] most rebellious.

Amos 7:16

Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not [thy word] against the house of Isaac.