Jeremiah 44:29

And this [shall be] a sign unto you, saith the LORD, that I will punish you in this place, that ye may know that my words shall surely stand against you for evil:

And this shall be a sign {H226} unto you, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, that I will punish {H6485} you in this place {H4725}, that ye may know {H3045} that my words {H1697} shall surely {H6965} stand {H6965} against you for evil {H7451}:

Moreover, here is a sign for you,' says ADONAI, 'that I will punish you in this place, so that you can know that my threats of disaster against you will come true.'

This will be a sign to you that I will punish you in this place, declares the LORD, so that you may know that My threats of harm against you will surely stand.

And this shall be the sign unto you, saith Jehovah, that I will punish you in this place, that ye may know that my words shall surely stand against you for evil:

Jeremiah 44:29 records a solemn declaration from the Lord to the Jewish remnant who had fled to Egypt, emphasizing the certainty of His judgment against their idolatry and disobedience.

Context

This verse is part of Jeremiah's final major prophecy, delivered to the Jewish people who, against God's direct command, had migrated to Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem and the assassination of Gedaliah. In Egypt, they continued their idolatrous practices, particularly worshipping the "queen of heaven," despite Jeremiah's fervent warnings. God had repeatedly declared that He would pursue them with punishment even into Egypt (see Jeremiah 42:19-22 and Jeremiah 44:11-14). Verse 29 introduces a specific, verifiable sign of this impending judgment, which is then elaborated upon in Jeremiah 44:30 concerning Pharaoh Hophra, the king of Egypt.

Key Themes

  • The Certainty of God's Word: The phrase "my words shall surely stand against you" underscores the absolute reliability and unchangeable nature of divine prophecy. God's warnings are not idle threats but sure declarations that will come to pass. This reinforces the truth that God is not a man, that He should lie.
  • Consequences of Persistent Disobedience: Despite numerous opportunities to repent and heed Jeremiah's counsel, the people stubbornly clung to their idolatry. This verse highlights that continued rebellion against God's clear commands inevitably leads to severe consequences, demonstrating that what one sows, one will also reap.
  • Divine Judgment: God's punishment is presented not as arbitrary wrath, but as a just and necessary response to their persistent sin. The purpose of the "sign" and the subsequent punishment is so they "may know" the truth and power of God's word, even if it is a painful lesson.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "stand against you for evil" translates the Hebrew la'ra'ah (לָרָעָה), which means "for evil," "for calamity," or "for disaster." This is a strong emphasis that God's pronouncements will not merely be fulfilled, but will result in negative, destructive outcomes for the disobedient. It highlights the severe and adverse nature of the judgment awaiting them.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 44:29 serves as a potent reminder of the seriousness with which God views obedience and idolatry. For believers today, it emphasizes the importance of taking God's warnings seriously and not presuming upon His mercy while continuing in sin. It encourages a life of faithfulness, trusting that obedience brings blessing and protection, while deliberate disobedience can lead to undesired consequences. The verse calls for introspection: are we genuinely submitting to God's revealed will, or are we, like the remnant, clinging to practices that contradict His commands?

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Proverbs 19:21

    ¶ [There are] many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

  • Matthew 24:15

    When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

  • Matthew 24:16

    Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

  • Jeremiah 44:30

    Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.

  • Isaiah 40:8

    The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

  • Matthew 24:32

    Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh:

  • Matthew 24:34

    Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

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