Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs.
Yet a small {H4962} number {H4557} that escape {H6412} the sword {H2719} shall return out {H7725} of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} into the land {H776} of Judah {H3063}, and all the remnant {H7611} of Judah {H3063}, that are gone {H935} into the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} to sojourn {H1481} there, shall know {H3045} whose words {H1697} shall stand {H6965}, mine, or theirs.
Those who escape the sword will return from the land of Egypt to the land of Y'hudah few in number; and all the remnant of Y'hudah who went into the land of Egypt to live will know whose word will stand - mine or theirs!
Those who escape the sword will return from Egypt to Judah, few in number, and the whole remnant of Judah who went to dwell in the land of Egypt will know whose word will stand, Mine or theirs!
And they that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, few in number; and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose word shall stand, mine, or theirs.
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Jeremiah 44:14
So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape. -
Jeremiah 44:25
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows. -
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. -
Isaiah 10:19
And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them. -
Isaiah 27:12
And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the LORD shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel. -
Isaiah 27:13
And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem. -
Isaiah 46:10
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Jeremiah 44:28 delivers a powerful prophetic declaration regarding the fate of the Jewish remnant who had defiantly settled in Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem, ignoring God's command through the prophet Jeremiah.
Context
This verse is part of Jeremiah's final major prophetic message, delivered to the Judeans who had fled to Egypt. After Jerusalem's destruction in 586 BC, a group of survivors, including Jeremiah, went to Egypt despite divine warnings not to (see Jeremiah 42:19). In Egypt, they continued their idolatrous practices, openly declaring their intention to worship the "queen of heaven" (Jeremiah 44:17). Jeremiah 44 records God's severe judgment against them for their persistent rebellion and idolatry in a foreign land. Verse 28 serves as a stark conclusion to this prophecy, emphasizing the absolute certainty of God's word.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs" (KJV) is a potent rhetorical question. The Hebrew verb for "shall stand" (קוּם - qum) conveys the idea of standing firm, being established, or being confirmed. It implies an undeniable proof or demonstration. The outcome would be so clear that there would be no doubt as to whose pronouncements were true and whose were ultimately futile and false.
Practical Application
Jeremiah 44:28 offers timeless lessons for believers today: