Jeremiah 44:27

KJV

Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that [are] in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, I will watch {H8245} over them for evil {H7451}, and not for good {H2896}: and all the men {H376} of Judah {H3063} that are in the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} shall be consumed {H8552} by the sword {H2719} and by the famine {H7458}, until there be an end {H3615} of them.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am watching over them for harm, not for good. All the men of Y'hudah in the land of Egypt will be destroyed by sword and famine, until none of them is left.

Berean Standard Bible

I am watching over them for harm and not for good, and every man of Judah who is in the land of Egypt will meet his end by sword or famine, until they are finished off.

American Standard Version

Behold, I watch over them for evil, and not for good; and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 44:27 serves as a stark divine decree against the Jewish remnant who, in defiance of God's explicit command, sought refuge in Egypt after Jerusalem's fall. It pronounces that the Lord's vigilant oversight would be directed not for their welfare or prosperity, but for their utter destruction through the twin instruments of sword and famine, culminating in their complete eradication from the land they had mistakenly believed would be their sanctuary. This verse powerfully underscores the unwavering certainty of God's judgment against persistent disobedience and idolatry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse represents the culmination of God's final, severe pronouncement to the Jewish exiles who had settled in Egypt, as recorded in [Jeremiah 44](/jeremiah/44 "Jeremiah 44 - Prophecy Against Judah in Egypt"). The preceding verses detail their stubborn and unrepentant idolatry, particularly their devotion to the "Queen of Heaven," which they brazenly defended as the source of their former prosperity, directly contradicting God's truth ([Jeremiah 44:17-19](/jeremiah/44-17-19 "Jeremiah 44:17-19 - The Stubborn Idolatry of the Queen of Heaven")). Jeremiah had earlier and unequivocally warned them against fleeing to Egypt, prophesying that such disobedience would lead to death by sword, famine, and plague ([Jeremiah 42:15-18](/jeremiah/42-15-18 "Jeremiah 42:15-18 - Jeremiah's Warning Against Going to Egypt")). Thus, [Jeremiah 44:27](/jeremiah/44-27 "Jeremiah 44:27 - God's Judgment on Judah in Egypt") functions as the definitive and inescapable fulfillment of these prior warnings, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His word, whether for blessing or for judgment. It underscores the tragic irony of their seeking safety in the very place God had forbidden, only to meet the very destruction they sought to escape.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Following the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586 BC and the subsequent assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor, a significant portion of the remaining Jewish population, including prominent leaders, fled to Egypt. This desperate flight was motivated by fear of further Babylonian reprisals and a misguided search for security, despite the prophet Jeremiah's clear and repeated divine warnings against it. Historically, Egypt had often served as a place of refuge for Israelites during times of distress, as seen in the narratives of Abraham and Jacob's family ([Genesis 12:10-20](/genesis/12-10-20 "Genesis 12:10-20 - Abram in Egypt"); [Genesis 46:1-7](/genesis/46-1-7 "Genesis 46:1-7 - Jacob and His Family Go to Egypt")). However, it was also a land deeply entrenched in pervasive idolatry. The Jewish remnant, already compromised by syncretistic practices in Judah, rapidly assimilated into Egyptian religious customs, embracing deities like the "Queen of Heaven" in a false belief that such worship would bring them prosperity, a notion vehemently condemned by God through Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 44:8](/jeremiah/44-8 "Jeremiah 44:8 - Judah's Idolatry Leads to Ruin")). The judgment pronounced in [Jeremiah 44:27](/jeremiah/44-27 "Jeremiah 44:27 - God's Judgment on Judah in Egypt") therefore highlights the profound futility and spiritual danger of seeking refuge in a foreign land and foreign gods when God's explicit command was to remain in Judah and trust in His provision.

* **Key Themes:** The severe pronouncement in [Jeremiah 44:27](/jeremiah/44-27 "Jeremiah 44:27 - God's Judgment on Judah in Egypt") powerfully articulates several foundational themes woven throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Sovereignty and Active Judgment**, demonstrating God's absolute control over the destinies of nations and individuals. The phrase "I will watch over them for evil" signifies God's deliberate, active, and inescapable involvement in bringing about the declared calamity, underscoring that His justice is not passive but a direct execution of His word. Secondly, the verse highlights the dire **Consequences of Persistent Disobedience and Rebellion**. Despite repeated warnings and clear divine instructions, the remnant defiantly chose their own path, leading them directly into the very destruction they sought to avoid. This illustrates the profound biblical principle that true safety, blessing, and prosperity are found solely in humble obedience to God's commands, not in self-devised schemes or human wisdom. Thirdly, it powerfully exposes the **Futility of Idolatry and False Security**. Their flight to Egypt and continued worship of foreign deities were acts of seeking security and well-being outside of God's covenant and His explicit will. The pronounced judgment unequivocally proves that such pursuits are ultimately vain, leading only to ruin, and stand in stark contrast to the true refuge and unwavering security found only in the Lord ([Psalm 91:2](/psalm/91-2 "Psalm 91:2 - God My Refuge and My Fortress")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **watch (Hebrew, _shâqad'_):** From H8245, this primitive root means "to be alert, i.e. sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill); hasten, remain, wake, watch (for)." In [Jeremiah 1:12](/jeremiah/1-12 "Jeremiah 1:12 - God Watches Over His Word"), God declares He "watches over" His word to perform it for good. Here, the same intense, diligent, and active vigilance is applied to bringing about judgment, emphasizing the certainty, intentionality, and inescapable nature of the impending doom. It conveys that God is not merely allowing events to unfold but is actively and deliberately focused on executing His declared judgment.
* **evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** From H7451, this word signifies "bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, calamity, distress, grief, harm, hurt, mischief, misery, sorrow, trouble, wickedness." When God watches over them "for evil," it means for their calamity, disaster, and suffering. This "evil" is not a random misfortune but a divinely ordained punitive outcome, directly linked to their moral evil of disobedience and idolatry. It denotes a comprehensive state of adversity and destruction.
* **good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** From H2896, this word is broad, meaning "good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun... (good, a good or good thing...); also as an adverb (well); beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, favour, fine, glad, good, graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, pleasant, pleasure, prosperity, welfare." The stark contrast "and not for good" underscores the complete absence of any benefit, blessing, favor, or prosperity from God's hand for this disobedient remnant. Their future in Egypt would be entirely devoid of divine favor and marked by the antithesis of welfare and well-being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good:"** This opening clause is a profoundly impactful declaration of divine intent. "Behold" (הִנֵּה, hinneh) serves as an imperative, demanding immediate and serious attention to the momentous pronouncement that follows. The Lord unequivocally asserts His active and deliberate oversight ("I will watch over them," אֶשְׁקֹד עֲלֵיהֶם, 'eshqod 'alehem), but critically, this divine vigilance is "for evil" (לְרָעָה, lᵉraʻah), meaning for their harm, calamity, and destruction. This is set in direct, dramatic opposition to "and not for good" (וְלֹא לְטוֹבָה, wᵉlo' lᵉṭôvah), signifying a complete absence of welfare, prosperity, or blessing. This statement marks a terrifying reversal of God's usual posture of watchful care for His covenant people when they are obedient, emphasizing that their persistent rebellion has transformed His diligent attention into an instrument of judgment.
* **"and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine,"** This clause specifies the comprehensive scope and the precise instruments of the impending destruction. The judgment is portrayed as all-encompassing, targeting "all the men of Judah" who are "in the land of Egypt," indicating that none who defied God's command to avoid Egypt would escape the consequences. The primary means of this consumption ("shall be consumed," יִתַּמּוּ, yittammû, from H8552 _tâmam_, meaning to complete, finish, or perish utterly) are "the sword and the famine." These were common and devastating judgments in the Old Testament, representing the horrors of warfare and its subsequent scarcity, and they were precisely the threats Jeremiah had warned them about if they chose to go to Egypt ([Jeremiah 42:16](/jeremiah/42-16 "Jeremiah 42:16 - Death by Sword and Famine in Egypt")).
* **"until there be an end of them."** This concluding phrase powerfully emphasizes the totality and finality of the judgment. "Until there be an end of them" (עַד כְּלוֹתָם, ʻad kᵉlôtām, from H3615 _kâlâh_, meaning to end, cease, perish, or consume completely) signifies their utter annihilation or reduction to a negligible, non-viable remnant. It conveys a thorough and decisive judgment, leaving no hope for their continued existence as a distinct, viable community in Egypt, effectively bringing their rebellious lineage in that land to a definitive close.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 44:27 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending, inescapable judgment. **Anthropomorphism** is strikingly present in the phrase "I will watch over them," attributing a human-like action of vigilant observation and active oversight to God. This device renders God's direct and deliberate involvement in their fate more comprehensible and impactful, emphasizing His intentionality rather than a passive allowance of events. A profound and tragic **Irony** underpins the entire verse: the very place the remnant sought refuge and safety (Egypt) becomes the inescapable locus of their destruction. They fled from the sword and famine in Judah, only to meet them with certainty and finality in Egypt, highlighting the utter futility of seeking security outside of God's explicit will. Furthermore, the phrase "until there be an end of them" functions as **Hyperbole** or, more precisely, a form of **Merism**, signifying a complete and utter destruction, leaving no substantial remnant. While a few individuals might survive, the prophetic language emphasizes the near-total annihilation of the disobedient group, underscoring the severity, totality, and finality of God's judgment against their persistent rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 44:27 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to His word, whether for blessing or for judgment. It reveals a God who is not merely reactive but actively and sovereignly involved in the outworking of human choices, particularly in response to covenant faithfulness or persistent rebellion. The divine "watching" for evil signifies a deliberate, sovereign act of justice, demonstrating that continuous disobedience and idolatry inevitably lead to severe, divinely ordained consequences. This verse reinforces the truth that true security, prosperity, and well-being are found only in humble obedience to God's commands and unwavering reliance on His provision and protection, not in human strategies, foreign alliances, or false gods. It serves as a stark reminder that God's patience, though vast, has limits, and His righteous justice will ultimately prevail against all forms of rebellion.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience to God's Covenant")
* [Leviticus 26:14-39](/leviticus/26-14-39 "Leviticus 26:14-39 - Consequences of Disobedience and Breaking the Covenant")
* [Proverbs 1:24-33](/proverbs/1-24-33 "Proverbs 1:24-33 - Wisdom's Warning to Those Who Reject Her Counsel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 44:27 stands as a solemn and enduring warning for all generations, underscoring the profound gravity of deliberate disobedience to God's revealed will. It compels us to critically examine where we place our trust, seek our security, and derive our guidance. Do we, like the remnant in Egypt, trust in human wisdom, worldly solutions, or perceived safe havens, even when these paths clearly contradict God's explicit commands or principles? Or do we find our ultimate refuge, direction, and peace in His word, even when His path seems more difficult, counter-intuitive, or demands radical faith? The passage powerfully reminds us that God is not passive; He actively "watches over" His word to perform it, whether for blessing upon the obedient or for judgment upon the rebellious. Our choices carry eternal consequences, and true flourishing, genuine peace, and lasting security are always found within the boundaries of His covenant and humble, consistent obedience to His perfect will. It calls us to a radical trust in God's sovereignty and a humble submission to His wisdom, understanding that His ways, though sometimes challenging, always lead to life and truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be seeking security, comfort, or solutions outside of God's explicit will or guidance, similar to Judah's flight to Egypt?**
* **How does my understanding of God's active sovereignty and His commitment to His word influence my response to difficult circumstances or challenging commands?**
* **What "idols" (things I trust in more than God for security, happiness, or provision) might I be clinging to, akin to Judah's reliance on Egypt or the "Queen of Heaven"?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more consistent trust in God's protection and provision, even when His path seems counter-cultural, risky, or requires significant personal sacrifice?**

### FAQ

**Why did God "watch over them for evil" instead of for good?**

Answer: God's watching "for evil" was a direct, just, and inevitable consequence of Judah's persistent and defiant disobedience to His explicit commands. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God had repeatedly and unequivocally warned them not to go to Egypt, promising destruction by sword, famine, and plague if they did ([Jeremiah 42:15-18](/jeremiah/42-15-18 "Jeremiah 42:15-18 - Warning Against Going to Egypt")). Despite these clear warnings, they chose to flee there and, once settled, continued and even intensified their idolatrous practices, openly defying God's authority ([Jeremiah 44:8](/jeremiah/44-8 "Jeremiah 44:8 - Judah's Idolatry Leads to Ruin")). Therefore, God's "watching for evil" was not an arbitrary act but a righteous and certain execution of the judgment He had previously declared. It powerfully demonstrated His unwavering commitment to His word and the severe, inescapable consequences of rebellion against His covenant and His revealed will.

**What was the significance of Egypt as the place of their destruction?**

Answer: Egypt held a complex and deeply significant place in Israel's history. It was the land of their initial enslavement, from which God miraculously delivered them through the Exodus, establishing His covenant with them ([Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus")). Yet, it also consistently represented a place of spiritual temptation, idolatry, and reliance on human power rather than divine provision. Throughout their history, Israel was repeatedly warned against returning to Egypt for help, refuge, or military alliances ([Deuteronomy 17:16](/deuteronomy/17-16 "Deuteronomy 17:16 - King not to multiply horses or return to Egypt"); [Isaiah 30:1-3](/isaiah/30-1-3 "Isaiah 30:1-3 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help")). By fleeing to Egypt, the remnant of Judah not only directly disobeyed a divine command but also symbolically returned to a place of spiritual bondage and reliance on a pagan nation, fundamentally rejecting their identity as God's distinct covenant people. Thus, their destruction in Egypt underscored the profound futility of seeking refuge in the world's perceived security when God had commanded a different, faithful path. It served as a powerful and tragic reversal of the Exodus narrative, where God had delivered them *out* of Egypt, now demonstrating His judgment *in* Egypt.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 44:27, with its stark pronouncement of divine judgment for persistent disobedience and idolatry, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament repeatedly demonstrates God's righteous wrath against sin and rebellion, culminating in the exile and the destruction described here, the New Testament reveals how God's perfect justice and boundless mercy converge uniquely in Christ. The "evil" that God watched over Judah to bring upon them—sword and famine leading to an "end"—foreshadows the ultimate spiritual death and separation from God that sin inevitably brings. However, Jesus Christ, the true Lamb of God, willingly bore the full weight of God's righteous judgment against sin on the cross ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins"); [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). He became the one upon whom God's "watch for evil" was directed, enduring the curse and the "end" of sin, so that all who believe in Him might receive God's "watch for good"—eternal life, peace, and reconciliation. In Christ, the curse of the law is broken ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")), and true refuge is found not in fleeing to a foreign land or relying on worldly security, but in spiritual union with Him, where our lives are "hidden with Christ in God" ([Colossians 3:3](/colossians/3-3 "Colossians 3:3 - Your Life is Hidden with Christ")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to be a watchful Shepherd, not for judgment upon His redeemed, but for eternal life and abundant peace for all who trust in Him, delivering them from the spiritual "sword and famine" of sin and death ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Gives Abundant Life")).

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 31:28

And it shall come to pass, [that] like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.

2 Kings 21:14

And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;

Jeremiah 1:10

See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

Jeremiah 44:18

But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all [things], and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.

Jeremiah 21:10

For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.

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.

Ezekiel 7:6

An end is come, the end is come: it watcheth for thee; behold, it is come.