TRV
Translation
King James Version
Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.
Complete Jewish Bible
I had sent you all my servants the prophets, sent them frequently, with the message, "Don't do this horrible thing which I hate!"
Berean Standard Bible
Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets again and again, saying: ‘Do not do this detestable thing that I hate.’
American Standard Version
Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.
World English Bible Messianic
However I sent to you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Oh, don’t do this abominable thing that I hate.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Howbeit I sent vnto you all my seruats the Prophets rising earely, and sending them, saying, Oh doe not this abominable thing that I hate.
Young's Literal Translation
`And I send unto you all my servants, the prophets, rising early and sending, saying: I pray you, do not this abomination that I have hated--
See also
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 20,015 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Jeremiah 44 verses 1–14
1 ¶ The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews which dwell in the land of Egypt, which dwell at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying,
2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Ye have seen all the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, and upon all the cities of Judah; and, behold, this day they are a desolation, and no man dwelleth therein,
3 Because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went to burn incense, and to serve other gods, whom they knew not, neither they, ye, nor your fathers.
4 Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.
5 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods.
6 Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as at this day.
7 Therefore now thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; Wherefore commit ye this great evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah, to leave you none to remain;
8 In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye be gone to dwell, that ye might cut yourselves off, and that ye might be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?
9 Have ye forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, and the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their wives, and your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they have committed in the land of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem?
10 They are not humbled even unto this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers.
11 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, and to cut off all Judah.
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.
13 For I will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence:
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.
The Jews in Egypt were now dispersed into various parts of the country, into Migdol, and Noph, and other places, and Jeremiah was sent on an errand from God to them, which he delivered either when he had the most of them together in Pathros (Jer 44:15) or going about from place to place preaching to this purport. He delivered this message in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, and in it,
I. God puts them in mind of the desolations of Judah and Jerusalem, which, though the captives by the rivers of Babylon were daily mindful of (Psa 137:1), the fugitives in the cities of Egypt seem to have forgotten and needed to be put in mind of, though, one would have thought, they had not been so long out of sight as to become out of mind (Jer 44:2): You have seen what a deplorable condition Judah and Jerusalem are brought into; now will you consider whence those desolations came? From the wrath of God; it was his fury and his anger that kindled the fire which made Jerusalem and the cities of Judah waste and desolate (Jer 44:6); whoever were the instruments of the destruction, they were but instruments: it was a destruction from the Almighty.
II. He puts them in mind of the sins that brought those desolations upon Judah and Jerusalem. It was for their wickedness. It was this that provoked God to anger, and especially their idolatry, their serving other gods (Jer 44:3) and giving that honour to counterfeit deities, the creatures of their own fancy and the work of their own hands, which should have been given to the true God only. They forsook the God who was known among them, and whose name was great, for gods that they knew not, upstart deities, whose original was obscure and not worth taking notice of: "Neither they nor you, nor your fathers, could give any rational account why the God of Israel was exchanged for such impostors." They knew not that they were gods; nay, they could not but know that they were no gods.
III. He puts them in mind of the frequent and fair warnings he had given them by his word not to serve other gods, the contempt of which warnings was a great aggravation of their idolatry, Jer 44:4. The prophets were sent with a great deal of care to call to them, saying, Oh! do not this abominable thing that I hate. It becomes us to speak of sin with the utmost dread and detestation as an abominable thing; it is certainly so, for it is that which God hates, and we are sure that hid judgment is according to truth. Call it grievous, call it odious, that we may by all means possible put ourselves and others out of love with it. It becomes us to give warning of the danger of sin, and the fatal consequences of it, with all seriousness and earnestness: "Oh! do not do it. If you love God, do not, for it is provoking to him; if you love your own souls do not, for it is destructive to them." Let conscience do this for us in an hour of temptation, when we are ready to yield. O take heed! do not this abominable thing which the Lord hates; for, if God hates it, though shouldst hate it. But did they regard what God said to them? No: "They hearkened not, nor inclined their ear (Jer 44:5); they still persisted in their idolatries; and you see what came of it, therefore God's anger was poured out upon them, as at this day. Now this was intended for warning to you, who have not only heard the judgments of God's mouth, as they did, but have likewise seen the judgments of his hand, by which you should be startled and awakened, for they were inflicted in terrorem, that others might hear and fear and do no more as they did, lest they should fare as they fared."
IV. He reproves them for, and upbraids them with, their continued idolatries, now that they had come into Egypt (Jer 44:8): You burn incense to other gods in the land of Egypt. Therefore God forbade them to go into Egypt, because he knew it would be a snare to them. Those whom God sent into the land of the Chaldeans, though that was an idolatrous country, were there, by the power of God's grace, weaned from idolatry; but those who went against God's mind into the land of the Egyptians were there, by the power of their own corruptions, more wedded than ever to their idolatries; for, when we thrust ourselves without cause or call into places of temptation, it is just with God to leave us to ourselves. In doing this, 1. They did a great deal of injury to themselves and their families: "You commit this great evil against your souls (Jer 44:7), you wrong them, you deceive them with that which is false, you destroy them, for it will be fatal to them." Note, In sinning against God we sin against our own souls. "It is the ready way to cut yourselves off from all comfort and hope (Jer 44:8), to cut off your name and honour; so that you will, both by your sin and by your misery, become a curse and a reproach among all nations. It will become a proverb, As wretched as a Jew. It is the ready way to cut off from you all your relations, all that you shave have joy of and have your families built up in, man and woman, child and suckling, so that Judah shall be a land lost for want of heirs." 2. They filled up the measure of the iniquity of their fathers, and, as if that had been too little for them, added to it (Jer 44:9): "Have you forgotten the wickedness of those who are gone before you, that you are not humbled for it as you ought to be, and afraid of the consequences of it?" Have you forgotten the punishments of your fathers? so some read it. "Do you not know how dear their idolatry cost them? And yet dare you continue in that vain conversation received by tradition from you fathers, though you received the curse with it?" He reminds them of the sins and punishments of the kings of Judah, who, great as they were, escaped not the judgments of God for their idolatry; yea, and they should have taken warning by the wickedness of their wives, who had seduced them to idolatry. In the original it is, And of his wives, which, Dr. Lightfoot thinks, tacitly reflects upon Solomon's wives, particularly his Egyptian wives, to whom the idolatry of the kings of Judah owed its original. "Have you forgotten this, and what came of it, that you dare venture upon the same wicked courses?" See Neh 13:18, Neh 13:26. "Nay, to come to your own times, Have you forgotten your own wickedness and the wickedness of your wives, when you lived in prosperity in Jerusalem, and what ruin it brought upon you? But, alas! to what purpose do I speak to them?" (says God to the prophet, Jer 44:10) "they are not humbled unto this day, by all the humbling providences that they have been under. They have not feared, nor walked in my law." Note, Those that walk not in the law of God do thereby show that they are destitute of the fear of God.
V. He threatens their utter ruin for their persisting in their idolatry now that they were in Egypt. Judgment is given against them, as before (Jer 42:22), that they shall perish in Egypt; the decree has gone forth, and shall not be called back. They set their faces to go into the land of Egypt (Jer 44:12), were resolute in their purpose against God, and now God is resolute in his purpose against them: I will set my face to cut off all Judah, Jer 44:11. Those that think not only to affront, but to confront, God Almighty, will find themselves outfaced; for the face of the Lord is against those that do evil, Psa 34:16. It is here threatened concerning these idolatrous Jews in Egypt, 1. That they shall all be consumed, without exception; no degree nor order among them shall escape: They shall fall, from the least to the greatest (Jer 44:12), high and low, rich and poor. 2. That they shall be consumed by the very same judgments which God made use of for the punishment of Jerusalem, the sword, famine, and pestilence, Jer 44:12, Jer 44:13. They shall not be wasted by natural deaths, as Israel in the wilderness, but by these sore judgments, which, by flying into Egypt, they thought to get out of the reach of. 3. That none (except a very few that will narrowly escape) shall ever return to the land of Judah again, Jer 44:14. They thought, being nearer, that they stood fairer for a return to their own land than those that were carried to Babylon; yet those shall return, and these shall not; for the way in which God has promised us any comfort is much surer than that in which we have projected it for ourselves. Observe, Those that are fretful and discontented will be uneasy and fond of change wherever they are. The Israelites, when they were in the land of Judah, desired to go into Egypt (Jer 42:22), but when they were in Egypt they desired to return to the land of Judah again; they lifted up their soul to it (so it is in the margin), which denotes an earnest desire. But, because they would not dwell there when God commanded it, they shall not dwell they were they desire it. If we walk contrary to God, he will walk contrary to us. How can those expect to be well off who would not know when they were so, though God himself told them?
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–14. Public domain.
Copy as
John ChrysostomAD 407
DISCOURSES AGAINST JUDAIZING CHRISTIANS 5:4.4
What was the reason for this? It was because the Jews were so arrogant and obstinate. They immediately forgot what God had done for them; they ascribed his kindness to demons and reckoned that his blessings had come from them. Even when the sea was divided for them, as they went forth from Egypt, and while other wonderful things were happening to them, they forgot the God who was performing these miracles and attributed them to others who were not gods. For they said to Aaron, “Make for us gods who will be our leaders.” And they said to Jeremiah, “We will not listen to what you say in the name of the Lord. Rather, we will continue doing what we had proposed: we will burn incense to the queen of heaven and pour out libations to her, as we and our ancestors, our kings and princes have done. Then we had enough food to eat and we were well off; we suffered no misfortune. But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out libations to her, we are in need of everything and are being destroyed by the sword and by hunger.” The inspired prophets, then, foretold what would happen to the Jews so that they would ascribe none of the events to idols but would believe that both punishments and blessings always come from God: the punishment came for their sins and the blessings because of God’s love and kindness.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Jeremiah 44:4 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Jeremiah 44:4 encapsulates a profound divine lament, revealing God's tireless and compassionate efforts to warn the people of Judah against their persistent idolatrous practices. Despite His unwavering communication through numerous prophets, whom He sent with diligent earnestness, urging them to abandon the "abominable thing" that He detests, the verse tragically underscores Judah's stubborn refusal to heed these warnings. This persistent rebellion ultimately led to their calamitous judgment and exile, highlighting the tragic interplay between God's unwavering faithfulness and humanity's persistent, self-destructive defiance.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 44:4 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is Anthropomorphism, where God is described with human actions and emotions. The phrase "rising early" (Hebrew: shâkam) is a vivid image conveying God's tireless diligence and earnestness in sending His prophets, as if He is a human diligently waking up early to ensure His vital message is delivered. Similarly, His declaration "that I hate" attributes a strong human emotion to God, emphasizing His profound moral revulsion against idolatry, which is not a capricious dislike but a holy opposition to sin that defiles His creation and dishonors His name. There is also an element of Hyperbole in "all my servants the prophets," which, while not literally every single servant, emphasizes the vast number and consistent stream of messengers God sent. This serves to underscore the overwhelming extent of His warnings and the inexcusable nature of Judah's rebellion. Finally, the verse functions as a profound Lament from God's perspective, expressing His deep sorrow, frustration, and righteous indignation over His people's persistent disobedience despite His exhaustive and compassionate efforts to prevent their self-destruction.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 44:4 is a poignant testament to God's enduring patience and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even in the face of their persistent rebellion. It reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent, but actively engaged in warning, pleading, and tirelessly seeking the repentance of His beloved, demonstrating His profound love, justice, and long-suffering. The "abominable thing" that God hates underscores His absolute holiness and His intolerance for anything that defiles His creation or usurps His rightful place as the sole object of worship. This divine hatred is not arbitrary but arises from His perfect righteousness, which demands purity, exclusive devotion, and adherence to His moral law. The verse also highlights the tragic reality of human free will and the devastating consequences of choosing disobedience over divine wisdom, a theme woven throughout biblical history, culminating in the exile of Judah.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 44:4 serves as a timeless mirror, reflecting God's persistent grace and our often-stubborn hearts. It compels us to consider how diligently God continues to communicate His will to us today—through His inspired written Word, the Holy Spirit's conviction, the wise counsel of faithful believers, and even the providential circumstances of life. The "abominable thing" in our lives may not be overt idolatry of physical statues, but anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts: our careers, possessions, relationships, comfort, personal desires, or even our own self-sufficiency and plans. God's "hatred" for such things is not an emotional outburst but a holy revulsion against anything that separates us from His perfect will, dishonors His name, and ultimately leads to spiritual destruction. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives with brutal honesty: are we truly listening to God's voice, or are we stubbornly clinging to practices, attitudes, or hidden idols that He detests? Our ultimate well-being, spiritual flourishing, and eternal destiny hinge on our willingness to heed His warnings and turn from the "abominable things" that hinder our intimate relationship with Him.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "rising early and sending [them]" mean in this context?
Answer: The phrase "rising early and sending [them]" is a powerful Hebrew idiom (from the root shâkam) that signifies diligence, earnestness, and continuous, tireless effort. When applied to God, it vividly portrays His profound commitment and persistent pursuit of His people. It means that God did not merely send a prophet once or occasionally, but He did so repeatedly, with great urgency and unwavering determination, making every possible effort to warn Judah and call them back from their destructive path of idolatry. It underscores His deep care, His long-suffering patience, and His reluctance to bring judgment, highlighting His exhaustive efforts to prevent their downfall despite their rebellion, as seen throughout the prophetic books (e.g., Jeremiah 7:13).
What is the "abominable thing" that God hates?
Answer: The "abominable thing" (Hebrew: tôwʻêbah) primarily refers to idolatry and the detestable practices associated with it, which were rampant among the people of Judah, especially their worship of the "queen of heaven" as described in Jeremiah 44:17-19. This term is used throughout the Old Testament to describe actions that are morally or religiously detestable to God, often specifically in the context of pagan worship, child sacrifice, sexual immorality, and other practices that violate God's holy character and His covenant with Israel. God's "hatred" for these acts is not an emotional outburst but a holy revulsion against anything that defiles His creation, dishonors His name, and fundamentally undermines His unique sovereignty and the purity of His relationship with His people. It signifies His absolute opposition to sin and unrighteousness.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 44:4, with its depiction of God's persistent sending of "all my servants the prophets" to warn against the "abominable thing" of idolatry and sin, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament prophets were but shadows and foretellers of the one true Prophet whom God would send, the very Word made flesh. While God sent many messengers throughout history, He ultimately "spoke to us by His Son" (Hebrews 1:1-2). Jesus is the culmination of God's persistent, "rising early" effort to reach humanity. He came not merely to warn against sin, but to deal definitively with the "abominable thing" itself—the sin that separates humanity from God—by offering Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:26). The idolatry and rebellion that God hated in Jeremiah's day were symptoms of humanity's deeper problem of sin, a problem that only the Lamb of God could fully address and atone for (John 1:29). Through Christ's atoning death and glorious resurrection, God offers not just a warning, but a complete deliverance from the power and penalty of sin, inviting all who believe to turn from their "abominable things" and find new life, reconciliation, and transformation in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). He is the ultimate expression of God's persistent love, His perfect righteousness, and His final, complete solution to humanity's rebellion.