Jeremiah 44:5

KJV

But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods.

KJV (with Strong's)

But they hearkened {H8085} not, nor inclined {H5186} their ear {H241} to turn {H7725} from their wickedness {H7451}, to burn no incense {H6999} unto other {H312} gods {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But they neither listened nor obeyed, so as to turn from their wickedness and stop offering to other gods.

Berean Standard Bible

But they did not listen or incline their ears; they did not turn from their wickedness or stop burning incense to other gods.

American Standard Version

But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 44:5 powerfully encapsulates the persistent and willful rebellion of the Jewish remnant in Egypt, highlighting their historical pattern of refusing to heed God's divine warnings. Despite witnessing the devastating consequences of their national idolatry and disobedience, they remained stubbornly committed to their wicked ways, specifically their practice of burning incense and offering worship to false deities rather than turning back to the one true God. This verse underscores the tragic depth of their spiritual blindness and unrepentant heart, even in the face of overwhelming judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 44 stands as a solemn and final prophetic address from Jeremiah to the Jewish survivors who, against God's explicit command (as detailed in [Jeremiah 42](/jeremiah/42 "Jeremiah 42 - The Remnant Seeks Counsel, Disobeys God")), had fled to Egypt after the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by Babylon. The chapter serves as a stark indictment of their continued idolatry, directly linking their past and present sins to the calamities that had befallen Judah. Verse 5 specifically recalls their historical pattern of disobedience, setting the stage for Jeremiah's declaration of further judgment upon them in Egypt for their unrepentant hearts and continued worship of "the queen of heaven" ([Jeremiah 44:17-19](/jeremiah/44-17 "Jeremiah 44:17-19 - Worship of the Queen of Heaven")). This verse functions as a summary of the nation's spiritual trajectory that led to their downfall.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Egypt, likely Tahpanhes, where a significant Jewish remnant had settled. This flight to Egypt was a direct act of defiance against God's clear instruction through Jeremiah to remain in Judah ([Jeremiah 42:19-22](/jeremiah/42-19 "Jeremiah 42:19-22 - Warning Against Going to Egypt")). The "wickedness" mentioned, particularly "burning incense unto other gods," refers to the pervasive idolatry that plagued Judah for centuries, culminating in the worship of various Canaanite and Mesopotamian deities. The practice of burning incense was a central act of worship in the ancient Near East, signifying devotion and offering. To burn incense to "other gods" was a direct violation of the First Commandment ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")) and a profound act of covenant infidelity. Even after experiencing the Babylonian exile—a direct consequence of this very sin—the survivors in Egypt stubbornly clung to their pagan practices, demonstrating a deep-seated cultural and spiritual resistance to Yahweh.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 44:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah. Foremost is the theme of **Stubborn Disobedience and Rebellion**, highlighting Judah's persistent refusal to heed God's warnings and prophetic calls to repentance ([Jeremiah 7:23-26](/jeremiah/7-23 "Jeremiah 7:23-26 - Disobedience of Israel")). This verse exemplifies the nation's **Covenant Unfaithfulness**, as their idolatry was a direct breach of their covenant relationship with Yahweh, who had chosen them as His people ([Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). The phrase "to turn from their wickedness" underscores the theme of **Lack of Repentance**, revealing a people unwilling to genuinely change their hearts and actions even after experiencing severe judgment. Finally, the verse implicitly showcases **God's Righteous Judgment**, demonstrating that the calamities that befell Judah were not arbitrary but a just consequence of their unyielding sin, particularly their persistent idolatry ([Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Exile")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hearkened (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, this primitive root means "to hear intelligently," often implying attention and obedience. In the negative ("hearkened not"), it signifies a deliberate refusal not just to hear the words spoken by God's prophets, but to internalize them and act upon them. It points to a profound spiritual deafness and an active rejection of divine instruction.
* **inclined (Hebrew, _nâṭâh'_):** From H5186, meaning "to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away." Combined with **ear (Hebrew, _ʼôzen'_ from H241, meaning "the ear"),** the phrase "inclined their ear" (H5186 + H241) denotes a conscious effort to pay attention, to lean in and listen intently. The negation "nor inclined their ear" emphasizes a deliberate *unwillingness* to receive and process God's message, indicating a hardened heart that actively shut itself off from divine truth.
* **burn incense (Hebrew, _qâṭar'_):** From H6999, this root means "to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)." This word specifically refers to the act of offering incense, a highly significant ritual in ancient worship. The phrase "to burn no incense unto other gods" highlights that their refusal to turn from wickedness was directly tied to their continued, defiant practice of idolatry, where burning incense was a tangible expression of their allegiance to false deities (H312 `ʼachêr` "other" and H430 `ʼĕlôhîym` "gods").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But they hearkened not":** This clause immediately establishes the core issue: a profound and active refusal to listen to God's voice, conveyed through His prophets. It's not merely a lack of understanding, but a deliberate rejection of divine communication and authority.
* **"nor inclined their ear":** This phrase intensifies the preceding one, emphasizing the willful nature of their disobedience. It suggests that they made no effort to pay attention or to be receptive to God's warnings, actively shutting themselves off from the truth.
* **"to turn from their wickedness":** This reveals the specific purpose of God's call and their refusal. God desired them to repent, to change their course from the path of "wickedness" (Hebrew `raʻ`, H7451, signifying evil in both natural and moral senses). Their failure to "turn" (Hebrew `shûwb`, H7725, meaning to turn back or away, often implying repentance) indicates a complete lack of genuine remorse or desire for spiritual transformation.
* **"to burn no incense unto other gods":** This final clause pinpoints the primary manifestation of their "wickedness" and the specific act of idolatry God commanded them to cease. Burning incense to "other gods" (Hebrew `ʼachêr ʼĕlôhîym`, H312 H430) was a direct and blatant violation of the covenant, a tangible sign of their spiritual adultery and allegiance to false deities, which they stubbornly refused to abandon.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 44:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of profound rebellion. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where "they hearkened not" is reinforced and intensified by "nor inclined their ear." This double negation emphasizes the depth and deliberateness of their refusal to listen and obey. There is also a clear **Contrast** between God's persistent calling to repentance and the people's unyielding stubbornness. The act of "burning incense unto other gods" serves as powerful **Symbolism**, representing not just a specific ritual but the entire system of idolatry and covenant breaking that characterized Judah's spiritual apostasy. The verse also utilizes **Metonymy** by using "ear" to represent the faculty of hearing and understanding, implying that their entire being was closed off to God's truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 44:5 serves as a stark theological commentary on humanity's inherent bent towards rebellion and the grave consequences of unrepentant sin. It underscores the biblical truth that true obedience begins with a receptive heart, willing to listen and respond to God's voice. The persistent idolatry of Judah, even after experiencing divine judgment, illustrates the spiritual blindness that can grip a people, leading them to prefer self-chosen paths and false gods over the life-giving truth of Yahweh. This passage highlights God's long-suffering patience in continually calling His people to repentance, yet also His unwavering justice in bringing judgment when His calls are consistently rejected. The core theological message is that spiritual flourishing and covenant faithfulness are inextricably linked to a humble, obedient heart that turns away from evil and embraces the one true God.

* [Deuteronomy 30:19-20](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - Choose Life")
* [Isaiah 1:19-20](/isaiah/1-19 "Isaiah 1:19-20 - Obedience and Rebellion")
* [Proverbs 1:24-31](/proverbs/1-24 "Proverbs 1:24-31 - Wisdom's Rejection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 44:5 offers a timeless and sobering reflection for believers today, challenging us to examine the posture of our own hearts towards God's Word. The stubbornness of ancient Judah serves as a powerful cautionary tale: true spiritual health is not merely about hearing God's commands, but actively inclining our ears, internalizing His truth, and genuinely turning from anything that constitutes "wickedness" in His sight. In a world saturated with distractions and competing allegiances, we are prone to "burn incense to other gods" through our devotion to materialism, self-reliance, social approval, or even our own comfort and desires. This verse calls us to a radical self-examination, asking if we are truly repentant when confronted with our sin, or if we, like Judah, are prone to resist correction and cling to patterns of disobedience, even in the face of clear consequences. Genuine repentance involves a decisive turning away from sin and a wholehearted turning towards God, embracing His will as our highest good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I prone to "hearken not" or "incline not my ear" to God's clear instructions or gentle promptings?**
* **What are the "other gods" or idols in my life—subtle or overt—to which I might be "burning incense" through my time, energy, or affection?**
* **Am I truly willing "to turn from my wickedness," or do I find myself resisting genuine repentance and clinging to comfortable sins?**
* **How can I cultivate a more receptive and obedient heart, learning from the tragic example of Judah to avoid their spiritual pitfalls?**

### FAQ
**What does "hearkened not, nor inclined their ear" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: This phrase emphasizes a profound and willful rejection of God's message. "Hearkened not" (Hebrew `shâmaʻ`) implies a refusal to obey, not just to hear. "Nor inclined their ear" (Hebrew `nâṭâh ʼôzen`) adds to this, suggesting a deliberate act of closing off one's receptivity. It means they actively chose *not* to listen attentively or respond obediently to the numerous warnings and calls to repentance that God sent through His prophets. It wasn't ignorance, but a conscious, stubborn resistance to divine truth and authority.

**Why was "burning incense unto other gods" such a significant sin?**

Answer: Burning incense was a central act of worship in ancient cultures, a tangible expression of devotion and allegiance. For the Israelites, it was reserved exclusively for Yahweh, the one true God, as stipulated in the Mosaic Law ([Exodus 30:7-8](/exodus/30-7 "Exodus 30:7-8 - Incense Altar")). To burn incense to "other gods" was a direct and blatant violation of the First Commandment ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods Before Me")) and a profound act of spiritual adultery. It signified a rejection of their covenant relationship with Yahweh and an embrace of pagan deities, which often involved immoral and destructive practices. This specific act symbolized their complete spiritual apostasy and unfaithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 44:5, with its depiction of unyielding human rebellion and refusal to turn from wickedness, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The stubborn hearts of Judah, unwilling to "turn from their wickedness" or cease their idolatry, reveal humanity's desperate need for a radical transformation that mere prophetic warnings cannot achieve. It is in Christ that God provides the means for true repentance and the power to obey. Where Israel failed to "hearken" and "incline their ear," Jesus perfectly embodied obedience, always doing the will of the Father ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus' Obedience")). He is the ultimate 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")), providing the sacrifice that atones for the very "wickedness" and idolatry that plagued Judah. Through His Spirit, Christ grants a new heart and a new spirit, enabling believers to genuinely "turn" from sin and to worship God "in spirit and truth" ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - New Heart and Spirit"); [John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). The inability of Judah to cease burning incense to false gods is overcome by Christ, who calls us to worship the one true God alone, offering ourselves as living sacrifices ([Romans 12:1-2](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1-2 - Living Sacrifice")), a worship made possible only through His redeeming work.

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

Revelation 2:21

And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

Revelation 2:22

Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Isaiah 48:18

O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

Jeremiah 44:17

But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for [then] had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.

Jeremiah 44:21

The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it [not] into his mind?

Isaiah 48:4

Because I knew that thou [art] obstinate, and thy neck [is] an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;

Jeremiah 7:24

But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels [and] in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.